POLL: Is header at top OK as link back to home page?

[jacksdad]

One of my websites does not have a text "home" link in the top navigation bar. Instead, the very top large prominent banner image with my company's name and url is the link back to home.
I thought it was common to click a company name at the top or top left to get back to home.
I reviewed a website, http://www.1234pens.com over in the review forum, and one person commented it was hard to figure out how to return to the home page, another commented they couldn't get back to the home page.
A friend of mine made a similar comment about my website, so it got me wondering...
How many people these days don't know that clicking on a company name or logo near the top of a website usually acts as a home link?
ps. I'm pretty sure this website works like mine and 1234pens...

[edbarton]

A lot of people don't know that the top image acts as a link back to the home page, because more often than not it doesn't. As far as usability is concerned, a text link to the home page, or an image link that says Home should be essential.

[DaveyBoy]

I'd have both, many people these days instictively click the logo to get back to the home page, but yeah i agree a clear text link back to the home page is very necessary.

[robert adams]

I agree, you need the text link. Many people have graphics turned off.

Always assume that your visitor has never been online before and just barely knows how to use a mouse. I often see people ask what it means when there mouse thingy turns into a little bitty hand with the finger pointing up.

robert

[jacksdad]

wow, I guess there will always be beginners...

thanks.

[LazyJim]

I knew the logo is often the home link, but too often it is not.
The important thing is a text link 'home' and also it (or another one that doesn't have to be text) in the top-left area.