[PhilJ]

It's up to you, you can have both, but either way, just ensure your images are well optimised, ie. not huge in file size.

Just have at least "something(s)" appealing on your homepage, to draw visitors in further...

You can make use of homepage featured categories/manufactuers also.

Nothing stopping you from adding any content to /skin/reboot/custom/home/home_style_X.tpl