Homepage & Website: Definition, Differences and Functions

Katharina-Maria Röder 10/25/2023

Confusion between the terms "Homepage" and "Website" is widespread and complicates communication. This article provides clear definitions of Homepage and Website, highlights the differences, explains the main functions, and why these terms are often confused.

Table of contents

What is a homepage?
What is a website?
What is the difference between a homepage and a website?
Why are a homepage and a website confused?
What are the functions of a homepage?
What are the functions of a website?
Which tools are suitable?
Conclusion

What is a homepage?

The term “Homepage” is frequently used for the start page or main page of a website. The homepage is a single web page on the website that serves as a central hub within this website. It gives visitors an overview of the content and topics of the website. Even though it is not always the first page that visitors access, it often serves as the starting point. The homepage contains links to other web pages and sub-pages that provide further information and thus facilitate navigation and orientation on the website.

What is a website?

A website usually consists of many different web pages that contain different information. There are various types of websites, e.g. Company websites, Blogs and E-commerce websites. Each of them has its own purposes and functions. A company website usually provides information about the company, its products or services, contact information and the company history. An e-commerce website, on the other hand, allows visitors to buy products and services online and has a shopping cart and a payment function. The domain of a website consists of two parts: the domain name and the top-level domain (TLD), which provides information about the type of website or its country of origin. For example, “omr.com” is a full domain, with “OMR” standing for the domain name and “.com” standing for the top-level domain.

What is the difference between a homepage and a website?

Feature	Homepage	Website
Primary function	Often serves as the entry page and is the first page that most visitors see.	Serves as a platform for displaying content.
Description	A single web page within a website, often the first page that visitors see	A collection of websites that are linked together under a single domain address .
Dependence on the domain	Depends on the website domain and is part of the overall website. Changes to the homepage may have an effect on the website	Independent of the individual websites. The website remains even if individual web pages are deleted.
Storage location on the server	Shows the exact location of the page on the server.	The website is saved directly on the server without specifying a special storage location for the individual pages.

Why are a homepage and a website confused?

The confusion of the terms “homepage” and “website” is often due to colloquial usage and a lack of understanding of the differences. This is mainly because people who are not familiar with the basics of web development tend to use both terms interchangeably. Another point leading to misunderstandings is the deliberate use of the two terms in content creation. Some website operators deliberately use both terms in their texts to be found more easily by search engines. The problem with this is that it does not create a clear distinction between the two terms and confusion can increase.

What are the functions of a homepage?

The functions of a homepage can vary greatly depending on the purpose and goals of the operator. Below are some basic functions of a typical website:

Company Representation: The homepage serves as a digital gateway to a company's online presence. The homepage often serves to visually present the company or brand to arouse visitors' interest. In addition, it can also be a means to strengthen the brand and image of a company or organization.
Navigation: The homepage takes on the role of the central entry point from which visitors are led to the various areas of the website. It allows visitors to navigate the website and find the information they want quickly.
Overview: The homepage provides a comprehensive insight into the varied content of the website and presents information about the company, its offers, the mission and the added value.
Promotion of Sales: A user-friendly design and meaningful organization of the homepage make it easier for visitors to access relevant information, products and services, thereby promoting the sale of products and services.
Visibility: Only with a well-designed homepage are companies visible online. Through effective SEO measures, it contributes to making companies and their offers visible and findable in search results. The right SEO tool can be found using the OMR Reviews Software Guide for SEO Tools.

Recommended Website- & Homepage-Builders

You can find recommended website & homepage builders on our software comparison platform OMR Reviews. There we have listed over 70 website & homepage builders that you can use to create your website or homepage. So take a look and compare the software with the help of authentic and verified user reviews:

What are the functions of a website?

The website as a whole of the online presence (easy to create with Jimdo ) also has different tasks and functions. However, there are some overlaps with the functions of the homepage.

Information and Entertainment: Websites primarily serve to provide information. They can provide information on a variety of topics in the form of texts, images, videos or other media.
Communication: Websites serve as a platform for direct communication with interested parties and customers. Via contact forms, chat and e-mail, visitors can ask questions, give feedback and request information.
Customer Retention: Websites strengthen customer loyalty in various ways. These include exclusive content, special offers, interaction and good support. These measures contribute to strengthening customer loyalty and building long-term relationships.
Promotion of Sales: Unlike the homepage, which primarily serves to present the company and its brand, a website focuses more on providing detailed information about products and services. For example, it is also possible to process transactions directly and offer interactive functions to buyers.
Building Trust: A website builds trust by demonstrating a company's competence and credibility through informative content, product reviews, or customer testimonials. The content required for building trust varies depending on the type of company.


Functions	Homepage	Website
Main Purpose	Serves as a digital business card for the company and conveys the brand identity.	Provides clear and comprehensive information about the company and its offerings, as well as informative and entertaining content in various formats.
Navigation	Offers central navigation and supports users in navigating the website.	Uses internal linking, menus, and other elements to enable visitors to smoothly navigate within the website.
Content	Contains basic information about the company, such as offerings, website content, and contact details.	Provides comprehensive information about the company, its products/services, and the added value.
Sales	Focuses on a simple overview of products and services, aiming to initiate the sales process.	Detailed presentation of products and services to promote sales.
Visibility	Helps to make the company visible and findable online.	Increases online visibility to be found in search engines for various keywords and topics depending on the website's objective.
Customer Retention	Lays the foundation for customer retention by capturing the attention and interest of visitors.	Strengthens customer retention through exclusive content, special offers, interaction, and support to build long-term relationships.
Communication	Offers limited communication options, such as contact details (e.g., phone or email).	Provides comprehensive communication options, including contact forms, live chat, and email, to enable direct interaction with customers and prospects.
Trust Building	Builds trust through contact information, a professional appearance, and possibly customer testimonials or certifications.	The company's expertise and credibility are visible, e.g., through informative content, product reviews, or customer references.

Comparison of Website and Homepage Functions

Which tools are suitable?

Jimdo - Der Websitebaukasten für Selbstständige

Google Search Console

Screaming Frog SEO Spider

Sistrix

Ahrefs

Other tools, like Jimdo can be found on OMR Reviews in the categories Website Builder and SEO.

Conclusion

You now know the differences between a “homepage” and a “website” as well as the reasons for the frequent confusion of these terms. This knowledge will help you to create clarity in communication. Furthermore, you understand how important both are for your online success. So, how about an optimization of your homepage, followed by an optimization of your website?