Do You Still Need a “Home” Button on Your Website?
When designing or refreshing your website, one of the small but surprisingly important choices is whether to include a “Home” button in your navigation. In the early days of the web, the Home button was essential — it was the clearest way to get back to your main page. Today, things have changed. Most internet users now expect the logo in the corner of a website to link back to home. So, is a dedicated “Home” button outdated? Or does it still have value? Let’s break it down.
Why Many Modern Sites Skip the Home Button
User familiarity: For tech-savvy audiences, clicking the logo to return home is second nature.
Minimalist design: Many businesses prefer a clean, simple navigation bar without redundant links.
Prioritizing space: Especially on mobile, every link in your menu matters. Dropping “Home” can make room for more important options like “Book Now,” “Donate,” or “Shop.”
Why a Home Button Still Makes Sense
Clarity for all users: Not everyone knows the logo takes you home — especially older audiences or people less comfortable online. If your business serves a wide community, a clear Home link can reduce confusion.
Accessibility: A “Home” link in text is easier for some screen readers to interpret, improving accessibility.
Tourism & non-profit audiences: Visitors may be stressed, rushed, or distracted — whether planning a vacation or trying to find help. A visible “Home” button gives them a quick way to restart their journey through your site.
Deep navigation: If your website has many layers (for example, program pages, event details, or resources), a Home link offers an easy escape back to the start.
What’s Best for Small Businesses, Tourism, and Non-Profits?
For organizations in sectors like tourism and non-profits, clarity often outweighs minimalism. Your audience may not always be digital natives. A family planning their cottage getaway, or a donor quickly trying to support your cause, may appreciate the obvious “Home” link.
That doesn’t mean you can’t have a modern, streamlined site. Many businesses choose a middle ground:
Include a Home button on desktop navigation, where space allows.
On mobile, tuck “Home” into the menu (but don’t make it the first link — prioritize calls-to-action like “Book,” “Donate,” or “Contact”).
The Bottom Line
A Home button isn’t strictly necessary anymore — but it can still improve usability, especially for audiences that value clarity and accessibility. If your website’s goal is to serve a wide community, encourage bookings, or make giving easy, keeping a Home link in your navigation is often the smarter choice. In other words: you won’t be “outdated” if you keep it, but you might miss opportunities if you take it away.