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Time For Splash Pages To Dry Up

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By Bud Kraus
bud@joyofcode.com
Joy Of Code
Creator And Instructor

v4 i18
Originally Published: November 6, 2008

Unlike frames which have largely gone the way of the dinosaur, splash pages are still around on the web. While some JG Readers will take exception with my absolutist position (what else is new?), splash pages should go away and just dry up already.

What's a splash page, you ask? Ever land on a page that you need to get rid of - an "entrance page" just to get to the site? That would be your garden variety splash page.

"Get rid of" is the operative phrase here. Splash pages are often nothing but barriers to the content we users came to the site for in the first place.

I know. Some designers - and site owners - love them. But do you really need a page that's just a nuisance? Yes, they might be cool to design and fun for a little while, but that kind of fun - such as it is - is very short-lived.

Reasons Not To Use Splash Pages

It comes down to this:

  1. Splash pages are most frequently used as a home page. Why make your most important page on your site something users want to immediately leave?
  2. Splash pages often feature repetitive content, such as a video or an audio clip, which the user can't control - i.e. stop.

Here's a telltale sign that splash pages are a waste. They usually have a link such as "Enter" or "Click Here To Go To Home Page." Do we really need this? Web sites don't have doorways as far as I know.

The Fair And Balanced Look At Splash Pages

Ok, I don't like splash pages. I hate them to be truthful but as it turns out, there is a more balanced way of looking at this.

Here are the pages that give you the pros and cons of using splash pages but - as you'll see in the vast majority of cases - don't do it!!

Splash Pages: Do We Really Need Them?

Splash Pages: Pros and Cons