The main purpose of a homepage is to help readers get to other places on the website.

Think of the homepage as a mere starting point. As a directory to the rest of the site. Like the mall. Just inside the entrance is a directory listing the 96 stores in the mall. You don't expect to find store you need located just inside the entrance. After looking over the directory, you head to a more specific destination.

Likewise, the homepage is just the starting point. It should tell people the following:

• Yes, you came to the right place.    
• Here is how to find what you're looking for.