Designing a ‘Start Here’ Page That Actually Works
Give People One Clear Door In
Once you’ve got the basics of your site in place, it’s easy to forget what it feels like to be a brand-new visitor.
They don’t know where to click first.
They don’t know your “must-read” posts from the random ones.
And if you’re not careful, they’ll bounce before they ever see your best stuff.
That’s where a Start Here page comes in — one clear, friendly door that says, “Here’s where to begin.”
Make It Feel Personal
This page isn’t about dumping your site map on them. It’s about making them feel welcome and showing them where to go next.
Talk to them like you would if they just walked into your shop:
Who you help
The main problem you solve
The easiest way to get started with you
Keep it warm, human, and to the point.
Show Them the Path
Think of it as a guided tour, not a scavenger hunt.
Point them to:
Your most useful beginner-friendly resource (blog, video, guide)
Your main offer or service (what you ultimately want them to know exists)
A way to stay connected (email signup, free resource, etc.)
By the time they leave this page, they should know exactly what you’re about and what their next step should be.
Keep It Simple and Obvious
Don’t cram the page with 20 links.
Don’t bury your “next step” in a wall of text.
Use clear headlines, short paragraphs, and buttons that stand out. A Start Here page should feel effortless to move through — almost like it’s reading their mind and answering, “Okay, but what do I do next?”
The Bottom Line
A Start Here page isn’t just nice to have — it’s a shortcut to getting new people engaged before they click away. Keep it friendly, keep it focused, and guide them toward the action that matters most to you.
