https://www.emilyomier.com/blog/project-homepages-that-dont-suck

Video: https://ftp.belnet.be/mirror/FOSDEM/video/2024/h2215/fosdem-2024-3154-project-websites-that-don-t-suck.mp4

Overview:

FOSDEM 2024: Project Websites That Don't Suck

Introduction

• Speaker : Emily Omier
• Focus : Content quality over design aesthetics in project websites.

Background and Focus

• Emily is a positioning consultant for open source startups.
• Hosts "The Business of Open Source" podcast.

Homepage Goals

• Quick Understanding : Convey what the project does and its value promptly.
• Self-Selection : Enable visitors to determine relevance and fit.
• Credibility Boost : A well-crafted homepage enhances project credibility.

Homepage Analytics and Audience Insights

• Bounce Rates : Not a reliable indicator of homepage effectiveness.
• Efficiency : The goal is to quickly repel unfit visitors to save everyone's time.
• Navigation : Clear links to documentation and about pages are crucial for developer-oriented projects.

Anatomy of a Homepage

• Essential Elements :
  • Market category
  • Project benefits
  • Ideal fit clarification
  • Unique value proposition
• Examples :
  • Open Telemetry for clarity
  • Apache Cassandra for differentiated value

Importance of About Pages

• Common Issues : Many about pages fail to convey the project's uniqueness or team humanity.
• Effective About Pages : Showcase the team, their viewpoints, and build credibility.

Avoid Basic Mistakes

• Professionalism : Correct grammar, punctuation, and consistent capitalization are crucial.
• Perception : Errors may reflect poorly on project quality.

Assessing Your Website

• Feedback : Direct feedback from community channels can provide clarity and effectiveness insights.

Recap and Conclusion

• Purpose of Websites : Facilitate efficient self-selection and convey project essence.
• Key Pages : Don't neglect the about page.
• Accuracy : Ensure basic correctness to maintain credibility.