Marketing & Sales · Framework
YC Landing Page Playbook: 30 Essential Rules
A 30-point landing page checklist distilled from 200+ Y Combinator startups.
A practical checklist covering messaging, conversion actions, copy, design, and social proof based on an analysis of over 200 YC startup landing pages. It provides direct, non-fluff guidelines for eliminating conversion blockers and sharpening product value propositions. Ideal as an audit tool before launching a new product page or redesigning an existing one.
The framework
Foundation & Messaging:
- Ditch automatic sliders/carousels: they're perceived as ads and hurt conversion
- Make your customer the hero, not you: focus on customer value, not your company
- Crystal clear value proposition: explain your benefit in 5 words if possible
- Never use slogans as headlines: be clear and direct, not cute or clever
- Avoid buzzwords: "platforms" and "solutions" mean nothing, be specific
- Pass the "so what" test: tell people WHY they should care, not just what you do
- Target people with B.A.N.T: Budget, Authority, Need, Timing
- Pick pronounceable names: if people can't say it, they can't search for it
CTA & Conversion:
- Make CTAs highly visible: contrasting colors, legible fonts, proper sizing
- Repeat CTAs throughout: don't make people scroll back to convert
- Don't ask for too much too early: explain before requesting signups
- Reassure at action points: comfort users when they're about to convert
- Don't trick readers: make buttons do exactly what they promise
- Validate your forms: prevent typos in email addresses and contact info
Content & Communication:
- Anticipate and answer objections: use FAQ near CTAs, address doubts early
- Speak directly to your client: use "you" and focus on their benefits
- Show value, don't just state it: demonstrate benefits concretely
- Explain why to buy: provide rational justification for purchase decisions
- Use lists for features/benefits: bullets are easier to parse than paragraphs
- Use active verbs for benefits: focus on what customers accomplish
Design & UX:
- Skip boring iconography: avoid generic cogwheel icons and clip art
- Show content immediately: don't hide features behind unnecessary clicks
- Ensure text legibility: proper size, weight, contrast, and alignment
- Make videos obvious: use clear play buttons and text prompts
- Optimize for mobile screens: ensure legibility across all devices
- Use real people in photos: avoid terrible stock photography
Social Proof & Trust:
- Give testimonials proper attention: make them specific and believable
- Leverage social proof effectively: show user numbers, but make them believable
- Match testimonials to benefits: place proof right after making claims
- Prove all claims: back up "world's most efficient" with actual evidence
What it's for
- Audit an existing startup landing page to identify low-converting elements
- Draft initial copy and wireframe layouts for a new product launch
- Optimize call-to-action placement and form conversion flows
Key points
- Foundation & Messaging: focus on customer benefits, direct headlines, and clear value propositions
- CTA & Conversion: rules for button visibility, repeating calls to action, and form validation
- Content & Communication: frameworks for handling objections and writing scannable bullet points
- Design & UX: best practices for mobile readability, iconography, and avoiding carousels
- Social Proof & Trust: guidance on believable testimonials and backing up bold claims
Pricing
Free
Details
- Type
- Framework
- Category
- Marketing & Sales
- Topic
- Conversion Optimization
- Open source
- No
- Platforms
- other
- For
- Startup founders, growth marketers, and web designers building conversion-focused landing pages.
- Tags
- landing page, conversion, copywriting, startups, ux design, checklists
Why it was saved
- @namyakhann: A compact checklist for auditing or designing landing pages, covering messaging, CTAs, copywriting, design/UX, and trust/social proof.
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Updated