When visiting a website for the first time, it’s nice to have the option to view a short intro video or welcome video.  Even if you don’t click on it during your first visit, chances are you will eventually get curious and give it a look.  If the homepage video is simple, informative and to the point, you might even watch the whole thing.  Here is a great example of a personal welcome video that adds a lot to the site.  A short from-the-heart statement like this one will reach more viewers than pictures and text ever could, especially for a non-profit website with a clear purpose.  And you don’t have to be Miss America to pull it off!  Notice that Kirsten Haglund (Miss America 2008) speaks without a script because it is her own website and foundation and she knows exactly what she wants to say.  And even though she is an amazing public speaker and a delight to watch, the slides and photos on the left side of the screen add a lot to the experience.  A homepage video like this one is relatively inexpensive to produce and can make just about any homepage more interesting and professional.