Homepage vs Landing Page: What Beginners Should Use in 2026

Why There Is Still Confusion in 2026

The first thing most people who are new to websites, blogging, or running a business online ask is, “Should I make a homepage or a landing page?” It is still very confusing in 2026, especially since WordPress, page builders, funnels, and AI tools make it easier than ever to build a website.

A lot of people who are new to the internet think that a landing page and a homepage are the same thing. No, they aren’t. Using the wrong one can lead to low engagement, low conversions, and wasted effort, even if your content or product is great.

This guide makes the difference clear, gives real world examples, and helps you choose what beginners should use in 2026 based on their goals, where their traffic comes from, and how much experience they have.

What is a homepage? (For people who are new to it)

The homepage is the first page of a website. It shows who you are, what your brand is, and what you want to do online.

You can think of it as the front door to your website.

Important Features of a Homepage

A homepage usually:

• Tells you who you are
• Tells you what your website is about
• Shows how to get to other pages
• Makes people trust you and believe in you
• Serves a variety of visitors

Common Elements Found on a Homepage

A beginner-friendly homepage in 2026 usually has:

• Logo and name of the site
• Main menu for navigation
• Hero section (headline and short description)
• A summary of the mission or purpose
• Services or content that are highlighted
• Testimonials or trust signals
• Blog highlights or useful links
• Contact information in the footer

Example of a Real-World Homepage

The Preet Web Vision homepage might look like this:

• “Learn WordPress, Blogging & SEO”
• Links to tutorials, services, and blog posts
• Contact info for consultation
• YouTube channel promotion
• Trust-building content for long-term visitors

This is a good way to go about things when people want to look around first.

What Is a Landing Page? (Beginner Explanation)

A landing page is a single-page website that is meant to get visitors to do one thing.

There are no distractions. No unnecessary links. Just focus.

Key Characteristics of a Landing Page

A landing page usually:

• Has one clear goal
• Targets one audience
• Removes navigation menus
• Focuses on conversion
• Matches a specific traffic source

Common Goals for Landing Pages

Beginners use landing pages in 2026 to:

• Get people to sign up for your email list
• Share a YouTube video
• Sell something digital
• Give away a free download
• Make appointments or calls
• Do campaigns or ads

Example of a real-life landing page

A beginner’s landing page might say:

“Learn WordPress in 7 Days – Free Guide”

With:

• One headline
• A brief explanation
• One button to click to take action
• One link or form

There is no menu. No list of blogs. No distractions.

Homepage vs. Landing Page: What’s the Main Difference?

Aspect	Homepage	Landing Page
Purpose	Inform & guide	Convert
Audience	Everyone	One targeted group
Navigation	Yes	Usually no
Content length	Medium to long	Short and focused
Traffic source	Organic, direct	Ads, social, email
Goal	Exploration	Action

The only thing that sets everything else apart is the difference between exploration and action.

Why Beginners Often Pick the Wrong One:

Mistake #1: Starting with a Homepage When You Need Leads

A lot of beginners make a full homepage, but have:

• No email list
• No conversions
• No clear offer

Result: People come and go.

Mistake #2: Using a Landing Page as Your Whole Website.

Some beginners only make a landing page, but:

• Have no brand trust
• No supporting content
• No long-term SEO value

Outcome: Little growth.

Mistake #3: Mixing Both Without Strategy

Putting elements from the homepage and the landing page on the same page often results in:

• Confusing layout
• Multiple CTAs
• Lower conversion rates

Updated 2026 Insight: How User Behavior Has Changed

Recent trends in UX and marketing say:

• In 3 to 5 seconds, users decide whether or not to stay on a page.
• Pages with one goal convert 2 to 4 times better than pages with multiple goals.
• Visitors who use mobile devices first like layouts that are simple and focused.

This means:

• Landing pages are the most important part of campaigns.
• Homepages are the best for brand trust and SEO.

When a homepage is a better choice (easy-to-understand examples)

Choose a homepage if:

• You are starting a blog.
• You want SEO to grow over time.
• You own a service or agency brand
• You make content that teaches.
• You want people to look around

The homepage-first strategy works best for:

• People who write blogs
• People who use YouTube
• Advisors
• Educators
• WordPress newbies gaining credibility

When a Landing Page Makes More Sense (Beginner-Friendly Use Cases)

Pick a landing page if:

• You run ads.
• You promote one offer
• You want people to sign up for email
• You only sell one thing.
• You advertise a webinar or video

The landing-page-first strategy works best for:

• Affiliate marketers
• People who make courses
• Coaches
• Freelancers who offer one service
• Beginners testing ideas fast

Expert Advice (Recommendation 2026)

“Beginners shouldn’t ask ‘homepage or landing page?’ in 2026; they should ask ‘what is my first goal?'”

If your first goal is:

• Trust → Homepage
• Action → Landing Page

The best websites now use both, but in the right order.

How to Decide in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide for Newbies

Use this simple decision-making tool instead of guessing. This works even if you’ve never used WordPress or built a website before.

Step 1: Figure out what your main goal is

Ask yourself this one honest question:

“What do I want visitors to do first?”

Pick just one:

• Read and explore my content
• Learn who I am and trust me
• Subscribe to my email list
• Buy a product or service
• Watch a specific video
• Book a call or contact me

If your answer is:

• Explore / Learn / Trust → Homepage
• Subscribe / Buy / Book / Watch → Landing Page

This one step clears up most of the confusion.

Step 2: Know where your traffic is coming from

In 2026, where traffic comes from is more important than ever.

Traffic from Google (SEO)

Best choice: Homepage

• Users want information
• They compare multiple pages
• They explore your site

YouTube traffic

The best choice is the landing page.

• Viewers come with a purpose
• They want to know what to do.
• They want to know what to do next.

Traffic from Ads or Social Media

Landing Page is the best choice.

• Short attention span
• A clear message
• One clear step

Step 3: Decide Based on Your Experience Level

Experience Level	Best Choice
Absolute beginner	Simple homepage
Beginner with one offer	Landing page
Blogger	Homepage first
Affiliate marketer	Landing page
Agency or freelancer	Homepage + service landing pages

Homepage vs. Landing Page for Different Types of Newbies

1. Bloggers (Best Practice for 2026)

Homepage first is recommended

Why?

• SEO helps blogs grow.
• Readers read more than one article
• Links within your site are important
• Over time, authority grows.

How to Set Up Your Blog’s Homepage:

• Clear niche headline
• Latest or featured blog posts
• Category sections
• Email signup (secondary CTA)
• About snippet

You can add landing pages later for:

• Lead magnets
• Newsletters by email
• Offers for affiliates

2. YouTube users (Smart Hybrid Approach)

Recommended: Landing page linked from YouTube

Why?

• Traffic on YouTube is action-oriented.
• You decide what to do next.
• More conversions

The best setup is:

• Brand trust homepage
• One landing page for each big offer
• Put links to landing pages in video descriptions

For example:

• Video → “Free WordPress Checklist” → Page where people land
• There is a homepage, but it isn’t the main entry point.

3. Affiliate marketers (first landing page)

Landing page is suggested.

Why?

• Focused intent
• Better tracking
• More conversions
• A/B testing is easier

Tip for 2026:

Don’t send ad traffic straight to affiliate links. Use a landing page as a buffer to:

• Gain trust
• Warm up visitors
• Get emails

4. Freelancers and Agencies

Homepage and service landing pages are recommended.

Why?

• The homepage builds trust.
• Service pages convert
• Clients want to feel safe before getting in touch.

Role of the homepage:

• Authority of the brand
• Proof from other people
• A list of services

Role of the Landing Page:

• One service
• One problem
• One answer
• One CTA (call, form, WhatsApp)

5. Coaches and creators of online courses

Suggested: Landing page

Why?

• One offer
• One transformation
• One price point

The homepage can be in the background, but

• Landing pages are where sales happen.
• Paid offers don’t often work well on homepages.

Setup for WordPress (Easy for Beginners)

Can WordPress Have a Homepage and a Landing Page?

Yes, and this is how most successful websites will work in 2026.

How to Set Up WordPress Correctly

• Homepage: A static page that you set up in Settings > Reading
• Landing Pages: Pages made with a page builder that are separate from each other

A landing page does not take the place of your homepage.

You use landing pages in a smart way.

Best Page Builders for New Users (2026)

For landing pages:

• Elementor
• Gutenberg (blocks)
• Bricks Builder

For homepages:

• Block themes
• Lightweight page builders
• Customizable themes

Don’t put too much on plugins. Pages that are easy to read work better.

Common Beginner Questions (Answered Clearly)

Can I start with just a landing page?

Yes, if:

• You have one clear offer.
• You are purposefully sending traffic
• You don’t need SEO right away

But a homepage is still good for long-term growth.

Is it possible for a homepage to have a call to action?

Yes, but

• It shouldn’t make navigation harder.
• It should lead, not push
• It should help with exploration.

Homepage CTA = soft
Landing page CTA = strong

Should I Index Landing Pages for SEO?

In 2026:

• Landing pages for campaigns → Usually noindex
• Landing pages that are always up to date → Can be indexed

People who are new to something should start with simple things and make sure they are clear.

Example of a Beginner in the Real World (Practical Situation)

A Beginner:

• Starts a blog
• Uses the homepage
• Writes useful articles
• Slowly builds up traffic
• Growth over time

Beginner B:

• Gives away one free guide
• Uses a landing page
• Shares link on YouTube
• Quickly builds an email list
• Quick validation

Both are right. The goal sets the page.

The Smart 2026 Plan: Use Both, but in the Right Order

The real answer in 2026 isn’t a landing page or a homepage.

It’s homepages first for the base and landing pages for growth.

This is the order that beginners who learn the fastest follow:

Step 1: Make a clear homepage (the foundation stage)

Your homepage should:

• Make sure you explain your niche clearly.
• Show what issue you fix
• Help users find their way around important areas
• Build trust at a basic level

This step helps you:

• Look professional
• Help with SEO
• Avoid confusion
• Build up your authority over time

You don’t have to be perfect. You need to be clear.

Step 2: Add Landing Pages (Stage of Growth)

Once you know:

• What kinds of content do well
• What people want
• What converts

You make landing pages for:

• Building an email list
• Questions about service
• People who watch YouTube
• Funnel for affiliates
• Campaigns

This is where results grow.

Homepage and Landing Page Layout (Beginner’s Guide)

Recommended Website Structure (2026)

• Home page (main brand page)
• Blog or other resources
• About page
• Contact page
• 1–3 landing pages with specific goals

There is one clear job for each page.

No overlap. No mix-up.

Mistakes That Newbies Should Not Make in 2026

Mistake #1: Making the homepage a sales page

Homepages that are too full of:

• Buttons that say “Buy Now”
• Pop-ups all over the place
• CTAs that are too pushy

As a result, visitors feel rushed and leave.

Mistake #2: Sending All Traffic to the Homepage

Traffic to the homepage is cold traffic.

If someone clicks on a certain offer, they expect:

• A clear message
• A page that matches
• A clear next step

Always make sure the intent matches the page.

Mistake #3: Putting Everything on One Page

One page trying to:

• Sell
• Inform
• Educate
• Build trust
• Capture leads

…will fail at all five.

Mistake #4: Not Paying Attention to Mobile Users

In the year 2026:

• More than 70% of traffic comes from mobile devices.
• Landing pages need to load quickly.
• Home pages need to be easy to scan.

Always make your designs for mobile first.

Last piece of advice for beginners: homepage vs. landing page

Use a Homepage If:

• You are making a blog.
• You want traffic that comes from search engines.
• You’re making content that teaches
• You want to grow over time.

Use a Landing Page If:

• You want leads or sales.
• You push one deal
• You run ads or traffic to YouTube
• You want results quickly.

Best Choice:

Use both, but be smart about it.

This gives you:

• Trust
• Focus
• Scalability
• Better conversions

2026: Expert Advice

“Websites that do the best in 2026 don’t try to fit everything on one page.” They show users how to do things one step at a time.

People who are new to this and get it right away won’t have to try and fail for years.

Related Articles that might help you

• WordPress Course for Beginners – TUTORIAL
• Elementor vs. Gutenberg: Which Page Builder Wins in 2025?
• Woodmart Theme: Creating an Amazing Custom Homepage
• 5 Web Design Mistakes That Kill Conversions
• How Bloggers Should Prepare for 2026 Search & Social Changes

If you’re not sure if your site needs a homepage, a landing page, or both, it’s best to get the structure right from the start to save time and trouble.

Do you need help getting it set up right?

🌐 Website: Preet Web Vision
📞 Phone: +63-9633112000
📧 Email: inquiry@preetwebvision.com

Check out my YouTube channels for step-by-step video guides: Preet Tech Ideas (in English) and Preet WebXP (in Hindi).

Last Thoughts

It is not about trends when you choose between a homepage and a landing page; it’s about intent. Websites are easier to use, clearer, and more useful when beginners know how each page works.

Begin with a goal. Build with clarity. Focus on growth.

Have you already made a homepage, or are you thinking about starting with a landing page?
Please leave a comment below and tell us what you’re working on in 2026. Your question might help other beginners as well.