Your starting page can be a very useful tool if you let it be. In the past, we have talked about different homepage choices here on Make Tech Easier. All have their pros and cons. Start.io is another option that might just fill your needs.
Why you need a start page
If you are planning to use a different start page, you should make sure it is better than the one you are already using. Personally, I toggle back and forth between Google Chrome and Firefox as my browser of choice. Google is my Firefox homepage and the new tab option showing recent sites and installed apps is my Chrome start page. Sure these are great default options, but they aren’t all that helpful most of the time. This is where a homepage web app like Start.io can help.
What can Start.io do for you?
For starters (no pun intended), Start.io can be your gateway to YOUR web. You likely have several sites you visit with great regularity. By having links to your Google Reader, Gmail, Facebook, Quickbooks online, job boards, local news or whatever you like right on your start page will save you typing and clicking.
Add links to categories you create. Group things you like together.
The setup
You will need to sign up for an account. This will save your information and settings. Once you have an account, you will be able to start tweaking Start.io to your liking. The key is to make your homepage full of links you need and easy to find groups.
Links
As you can imagine, the links on your homepage are what this is all about. You can add links you frequent manually or if you are already using a bookmarking or homepage replacement, you can import a OPML file or file from your browser.
There is also an option to use a bookmarklet to add links to your Start.io start page.
Layout
When you click the layout tab, you will have the choice of a few different looks. There are a few different looks to make your new homepage more appealing and usable.
If you are a bit more technical, you can edit the code to make your homepage exactly what you want it to be. This is not something available on any other start page web app I have seen in the past.
Final thoughts
The simplicity and the customizing options Start.io gives you are the perfect combination for anyone to use. Anyone with the desire to create a replacement start page can make just what they are looking for. Being able to upload your bookmarks from another application, web app or browser is not something all of the other home screen options offer. What do you use for your browser start page?
