I promised a while ago to write about "splash" pages. Some of you may not even be familiar with the term, although I'm sure you have experienced a "splash" page or two. Every site has a first page. Generally, it is a file named index.htm or index.html. So, when you enter http://www.drtandem.com the computers understand that you are really asking for http://www.drtandem.com/index.htm. So, now that we know each site has a "first" page, what does it have to do with "splash" pages and what are they?

Most sites call their first page the "home" page. It is the gateway page for the internet and thus its visitors. The "home" page is usually the index file I mentioned. A properly designed "home" page allows visitors to quickly understand what content is available to them and how to navigate to that content. It should also be search engine friendly. By that I mean that the search engines' robots or spiders should be able to index the content for meaningful search results. There's that word "index" again. It's not just a coincidence.

Some splash pages are very clever and entertaining. However, I have a television for that purpose. When I go to a web site, it's because I want something and I want it now. Isn't that why people are clamoring for fast modems and broadband connections? Just as when I go to a store I don't want to stand outside and watch a presentation of how great they are before I am allowed the privilege of shopping. Most splash pages do not offer any navigation. Some have mercifully included a "skip intro" button. I ask you, if it's unimportant enough to be skipped, why have it? I could give you some real-life examples, but I don't want to embarrass anyone and they would probably change the site, if I did. Even if it's clever and entertaining, I probably don't want to see it again and again and...

I can see only one good purpose for a splash page. That would be one where multiple languages are available and maybe to direct you to a site that works best with the connection speed you are using. A well designed "home" page could probably still do a better job.

Okay, most of us probably find splash pages annoying. They take too long to load. They aren't compatible with our browsers, we can't figure out how to get to the "real" site, we don't have our speakers on to hear their audio or worse, we have our speakers on full blast and get the $@!# scared out of us. Besides all of that, there are hidden reasons for not using a splash page. They aren't search engine friendly.

It's kind of ironic that the ego page...I mean splash page isn't search engine friendly. Here someone has paid a lot of money for a high-tech splash page and no one will ever be able to find it. Splash pages by their nature are graphic intense. Search engines can't index images, only text. Not images of text, only real text. So, unless your visitors already know your business or URL, they're going to have a tough time finding you in the search engines. If they do know your business, why do they need to watch your splash page?

If you're like me, you probably get quite a bit of spam e-mail. Recently, the subject line of many has been to sell me some software that will stop pop-ups. You know what pop-ups are. They're the annoying little windows that open on a site without you doing anything. You need to close them to see the site you're trying to visit. Some pop "under" and you see a bunch of little windows that you have to close after you leave the site. A splash page is like a pop-up window on steroids.

When designing a site, use some common sense, folks. Why would you build a page that is nothing more than a gigantic "enter" button? Your biggest challenge will be getting visitors to your site. Once you accomplish that, don't put up obstacles to your site's content. Get them and the search engines to a "home" page that makes it clear what you offer and how to get to it quickly. Check my archive for the related article on the "Need for Speed".

Keywords: splash page

About the Author
Dan Prinzing, Encinitas, CA, USA
dan@drtandem.com
http://www.DrTandem.com
Dan Prinzing, a.k.a. DrTandem, specializes in designing affordable websites for small businesses. He also offers free advice as well as critiques for current websites.