# 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 is 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](https://xiry.app/topics/marketing-sales.md) - Topic: [Conversion Optimization](https://xiry.app/topics/marketing-sales/conversion-optimization.md) - 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, 30 July 2025](https://x.com/namyakhann/status/1950547034940797104): A compact checklist for auditing or designing landing pages, covering messaging, CTAs, copywriting, design/UX, and trust/social proof. ## Related - [13 Common AI SaaS Landing Page Mistakes to Avoid](https://xiry.app/resources/13-common-ai-saas-landing-page-mistakes-to-avoid): Checklist and teardown of common conversion mistakes on AI SaaS landing pages (Framework, Free) - [9-Part Landing Page Formula](https://xiry.app/resources/9-part-landing-page-formula): A nine-step copywriting framework for structuring high-converting sales and landing pages. (Framework, Free) - [Bad CTAs vs Good CTAs Blueprint](https://xiry.app/resources/bad-ctas-vs-good-ctas-blueprint): A copywriting guide showing five specific call-to-action button rewrites and rationales. (Framework, Free) - [Bad FAQ vs Good FAQ Framework](https://xiry.app/resources/bad-faq-vs-good-faq-framework): Design guide for structuring landing page FAQ sections that drive conversions (Framework, Free) - [Cameo Celebrity Testimonials for Landing Pages](https://xiry.app/resources/cameo-celebrity-testimonials-for-landing-pages): Using low-cost minor celebrity video shoutouts as landing page social proof. (Tip, Paid) - [Cart Abandonment Benchmarks & Drop-Off Reasons](https://xiry.app/resources/cart-abandonment-benchmarks-and-drop-off-reasons): Survey breakdown of why online shoppers abandon checkout carts. (Tip, Free) Updated 11 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/yc-landing-page-playbook-30-essential-rules Make your own library: Xiry takes your saved reels, tweets, Reddit bookmarks and Watch Later videos, makes them searchable and pulls the useful stuff out, like this library. It's invite-only for now; join the waitlist at https://xiry.app/#waitlist.