How do I add an HTML index page to the Classic Template?

Hello everyone:

I'm working on a site which is supposed to have a very simple home/index page (sort of Google.com look) which links to a normal ZenCart template (I'm using Classic Green as a starting point).

On the home page the logo is supposed to be in the middle; on other pages--at the top. I haven't figured out how to accomplish this using CSS; I'm thinking it would be easier to set up an HTML landing page (index.html). How can I disable index.php, or is it going to wreck havoc throughout ZenCart?

Any suggestions on how to go about this are greatly appreciated! I'm including two screen captures to illustrate what I'm trying to accomplish. MANY THANKS!

Irina

Most server configurations load index.html first, then index.php, so it may be just a matter of creating the 'jump' page and placing it in the site root.

Whether a landing page is a good idea or not is another question. To me, it's just one more pointless click before the visitor can become a customer.

I totally agree with you, but that's what the client wants :smile:

Thank you for your reply, will try your suggestion!

Does your client know that search engines will likely ignore that home page, since it lacks any significant content? So people will only ever find the site by going to other pages. Creating a simple, empty landing page is a waste of time, effort and money.

Rob

Yes, I talked to them about it. But it's their idea of "simple and clean"... There is some text with keywords on that landing page, not sure how likely the search engines are to pick them up, though. Is it a waste of space in your experience?

Irina

Is it a waste of space in your experience?
Absolutely. It's the old idea of a web site being a complete ordered package, similar to a book or a presentation, where everything proceeds in a particular way, just as designed. Alas, that hasn't been true for years now. People search for what they want and then land inside a site wherever the search engine link drops them. Even someone buying from an eCommerce site (as opposed to a casual visitor) will likely never see the home page. Why would they want to? They can't buy anything there, or do anything else useful to them.

Rob

You might also tell your clients that such a page makes them look old-fashioned (as in stuck in the 1990's) as a company, like blinking text or music that plays on page load. As the saying goes, 'You only get one chance to make a first impression'.

Thank you -- it's valuable advice!