HN Explorer

Ask HN: Landing page Vs. jumping right in?

3 points by x0ner ↗ HN
I am building a web application game that users essentially play once logged in. I am curious to know whether or not to use a landing page to explain how to play. If you want to make sure people stay on the page, I would think you would want to instantly through them into the game and provide links for help. But if they don't know how to play, they could just leave so a landing page helps. Of course I could also have a pop up that allows a user to learn how to play or go play on first visit. Thoughts or experience with this anyone?

4 comments

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ektimo
Generally I like it jumping straight in, but "it depends". (If anyone says "test it", generally I'd prefer you to be spending that time making the game better.")
rudasn
I would say "test it" because more users usually means better chances of getting feedback on how to make the game better.

Other than that, I think the mental cost of having a paragraph explaining what the game is and having to click a "PLAY NOW" button is pretty low. Just make sure you explain it well.

keiferski
Is it possible to show the landing page on a user's first visit, then have a minor popup for returning users? That would make the most sense to me.
x0ner
That could work, but I am afraid of losing interest of people based on that. I guess these are good things to vet out in a private beta.