I have a web enabled (IWP) database that has five layouts, each representing one of five pages on the "site".

A web user points his browser to the FM server and clicks on the link to get into the database. He's a guest user and the database is set up to allow guest user access without needing a login. He sees Layout #1. He clicks a link that moves him to Layout #3. He closes his browser window, opens a new browser window, goes back to the FM server and clicks on the link to get into the database again. He gets Layout #3.

This is definitely a cookie thing. If, in between visits to the FM server, the web user deletes the cookie he gets from the FM server, he sees Layout #1 again.

Is there any way to force Layout #1 to appear as the "home" page, no matter what?

In FileMaker, choose File > File Options > Switch to Layout.

You can also set a default opening script here that can include a go to layout script step among other things.

Edited June 17, 200916 yr by Guest

You can also set a default opening script here that can include a go to layout script step

Actually I don't recommend this approach; it's best as you suggested at first, set it in File Options > Switch To Layout on opening file. Because, if you've made a change to a different layout in that file, and it happens to be a multi-column, highly-intensive aggregate layout and if you save your layout there, then your screen will flash that aggregate layout before the opening script can run and switch layouts. It can look terrible.

You can use Switch to Layout AND an opening script. The File Options > Switch to Layout runs BEFORE rendering of any layout or calculation of window contents when the file opens.