If they have to do too many things on the front page, they will do nothing. If you want to offer a variety of different options, then try to focus on one alone and create other pages that are each respective to a particular action, and then link them together at the appropriate locations for flow. In essence, keep your message focused. Use one major theme and revolve your message around it. Newspapers capitalize on that intrinsic human behavior, which is why front-page headlines, pictures, and news articles are always carefully selected.
Websites are no different.
Therefore, the front page of your site should be treated like the front page of a newspaper. It's the cover of your book, so to speak. In fact, list the benefits. Communicate to the visitor the reasons why they should browse further. Present a problem and emphasize it.