Right, the homepage definitely isn't built for regular people right now. The process for getting started seems to be:

    go to matrix.org > click "Try Now" > get redirected to element.io > click "Open in your browser" > allow it to use IndexedDB > create an account > start messaging

I have tiny grievances with every step of this process: matrix.org is filled with too much jargon; "try now" sounds like some kind of trial; redirections to totally different websites are scary; the relationship between Matrix and Element isn't clear; the stock photo-ish background on app.element.io is a bit tacky; asking for browser permissions on page load is rude; the account creation page makes the "edit homeserver" button fairly prominent but doesn't tell us what it does in plain language; I should have been told that you can invite people by email before I clicked "send a direct message"; adding an email to invite asynchronously pulls up a "terms of service" dialog.

There's a lot to love about Matrix, so I hope it becomes easier for people to get started with it.

FWIW I just tell most people to try Element. I can tell them about Matrix later. You can link them to https://element.io/get-started which is fairly good and skips a couple of steps.

The UX still isn't "great" or "delightful" but I have had people sign up and find be by email or matrix ID with no problem.