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.
