Startup Website Essentials: What Your First Site Needs
The pages, messages and proof points every early-stage website should have.
A startup website has one job: turn a curious visitor into a conversation, a sign-up or a sale.
The essential pages
- Home: what you do, who for, proof and a clear call to action.
- Product or services: enough detail to answer the obvious questions.
- Pricing: or at least how pricing works.
- About: real people and a real address.
- Contact: make it effortless.
Above the fold
State the value plainly. Add one primary action. Show the product. That is all.
Proof
Customer logos, testimonials with names, numbers and case studies. Proof converts better than adjectives.
Performance and accessibility
Slow sites lose visitors. Test with PageSpeed Insights and follow the W3C accessibility fundamentals.
Brand consistency
The site should use the same colours, type and voice as everything else. See brand guidelines.
Build to change
Your message will evolve. Choose a platform your team can edit without a developer.
Legal basics
UK companies must display certain details, including the registered name and number. GOV.UK explains the requirements.
Looking for an agency? Read the full shortlist on Founder Brand Desk.
