Should a web app's landing page be more like Twitter (minimal with login and register forms right there) or should a landing page contain a description of the product and a listing of services?
KISSmetrics has some useful tips on landing pages:<p><a href="http://blog.kissmetrics.com/c-o-n-v-e-r-t-s/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.kissmetrics.com/c-o-n-v-e-r-t-s/</a><p><a href="http://blog.kissmetrics.com/7-usability-mistakes/" rel="nofollow">http://blog.kissmetrics.com/7-usability-mistakes/</a><p>Also see:<p><a href="http://www.formstack.com/the-anatomy-of-a-perfect-landing-page" rel="nofollow">http://www.formstack.com/the-anatomy-of-a-perfect-landing-pa...</a>
The key is to understand your users. If you're making a CRM aimed at businesses, they will already get the concept of a CRM so you just need to convey how yours is better. If you're making a ground breaking piece of software in a new field you're going to have to educate your users on how it solves their problems.
Twitter is a well know service so they don't need a lengthy explanation about what twitter is. For a new product you have to find the perfect balance of text vs images. Its great to write long paragraphs, but who reads those anymore!