The side-bar of any webpage is a good place to put repeated content such as links to specific services, sub-sections of your website, adverts and call-outs.
This is the homepage of the Generic Web Company...
Generic products of all makes models, shapes and sizes...
Most website homepages need to be simple yet get straight to the point. They need to grab the visitor's attention, reassure them that this is indeed the place to look and provide a clear and concise means to navigate to the rest of the site according to their needs.
People do judge on first appearances!