Here are 44 things founders do on their websites
And what you can "steal" from them
(With practical examples)
For:
π Bootstrappers
π Micro-SaaS founders
π SaaS founders
π Calm companies
And what you can "steal" from them
(With practical examples)
For:
π Bootstrappers
π Micro-SaaS founders
π SaaS founders
π Calm companies
Actionable Advice: Embody the branding
Why: You'll be memorable. People understand (and keep in mind) what you stand for
Who: @llamalifeco
Founder: @threehourcoffee
Example: @KennethCassel put it best here:
Why: You'll be memorable. People understand (and keep in mind) what you stand for
Who: @llamalifeco
Founder: @threehourcoffee
Example: @KennethCassel put it best here:
https://twitter.com/KennethCassel/status/1390263164634271745
Actionable advice: Embody the branding, v2
just to show that it doesn't have to be only about CSS
Why: Champion what you stand for. People will rally behind your belief, if they share it
Who: @gumroad
Founder: @shl
Example:
just to show that it doesn't have to be only about CSS
Why: Champion what you stand for. People will rally behind your belief, if they share it
Who: @gumroad
Founder: @shl
Example:
Actionable advice: Use some number of customers/users/etc to show social proof
Why: It adds urgency, and reinforces people's need to do something 'someone else had made before'
Who: @NomadList
Founder: @levelsio
Example:
Why: It adds urgency, and reinforces people's need to do something 'someone else had made before'
Who: @NomadList
Founder: @levelsio
Example:
Actionable advice: Set up a waitlist. Create hype
Why: People want what's scarce β we know that. The real value is in this: you'll have a stronger connection with those you give a preview
Who: @sayfloat
Founder: @heyblake, @wenquai
Example:
Why: People want what's scarce β we know that. The real value is in this: you'll have a stronger connection with those you give a preview
Who: @sayfloat
Founder: @heyblake, @wenquai
Example:
Actionable advice: Different audiences? Make a 'tab selector'
Why: It helps people 'self-identify' based on their need
Who: @waitlistapi
(which btw is used by the aforementioned @sayfloat π)
Founder: @banisgh
Example:
Why: It helps people 'self-identify' based on their need
Who: @waitlistapi
(which btw is used by the aforementioned @sayfloat π)
Founder: @banisgh
Example:
Actionable advice: Be an open startup. Share as much as you're comfortable (and a bit more)
Why: You'll build trust. People will join the journey
Who: @growsurf
Founder: @kevinyun
Example:
Why: You'll build trust. People will join the journey
Who: @growsurf
Founder: @kevinyun
Example:
Actionable advice: Be an open startup β example 2
Why: You'll build trust. People will join the journey
Who: @bannerbearHQ
Founder: @yongfook
Example:
Why: You'll build trust. People will join the journey
Who: @bannerbearHQ
Founder: @yongfook
Example:
Actionable advice: Add a public demo. Show your face
Why: Big companies move slower - you can move fast, they can't do that. That's your advantage. A public demo builds trust and starts a connection
Who: permanent.link
Founder: @arvidkahl
Example:
Why: Big companies move slower - you can move fast, they can't do that. That's your advantage. A public demo builds trust and starts a connection
Who: permanent.link
Founder: @arvidkahl
Example:
Actionable advice: Use before-after clear comparisons
Why: You remind people of the 'pain' β the need becomes clearer
Who: @potion_so
Founder: @noahwbragg
Example:
Why: You remind people of the 'pain' β the need becomes clearer
Who: @potion_so
Founder: @noahwbragg
Example:
Actionable advice: Have some fun
Why: If it's funny, people will associate a positive feeling with u
(Not on their website, I know, but still worth pointing out)
Who: @veedstudio is cheeky about the clunkiness of Premiere Pro
Founder: @sab8a and Tim Mamedov
Example:
Why: If it's funny, people will associate a positive feeling with u
(Not on their website, I know, but still worth pointing out)
Who: @veedstudio is cheeky about the clunkiness of Premiere Pro
Founder: @sab8a and Tim Mamedov
Example:
Actionable advice: Embed social proof from logos people know
Why: Social proof doesn't have to be only people's quotes
Who: @shoutoutso_
Founder: @5harath
Example:
Why: Social proof doesn't have to be only people's quotes
Who: @shoutoutso_
Founder: @5harath
Example:
Actionable advice: If possible, have a LIVE, working demo in the 'hero'
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @copy_ai
Founder: @PaulYacoubian and @chris__lu
Example:
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @copy_ai
Founder: @PaulYacoubian and @chris__lu
Example:
Actionable advice: Simple step-by-step
Why: It's gotta be very easy to follow this. Less is more.
Who: @priceunlockapp
Founder: @chddaniel (hi π, that's me)
Example:
Why: It's gotta be very easy to follow this. Less is more.
Who: @priceunlockapp
Founder: @chddaniel (hi π, that's me)
Example:
Actionable advice: Have the closest thing to a real, instant demo
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @mailbrew
Founder: @linuz90 and @frankdilo
Example:
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @mailbrew
Founder: @linuz90 and @frankdilo
Example:
Actionable advice: Name the audiences that can use your product
Why: People self-identify, they learn that it's 'for them'
If I know something is made for me, I'll assume a lot of good things
Who: @lunchmoney_app
Founder: @lunchbag
Example:
Why: People self-identify, they learn that it's 'for them'
If I know something is made for me, I'll assume a lot of good things
Who: @lunchmoney_app
Founder: @lunchbag
Example:
Actionable advice: Break conventional barriers - use quotes, if they're relevant
Why: Who said you can only use social proof from users? If you're selling a philosophy, you can tap into quotes from public figures
Who: @microacquire
Founder: @agazdecki
Example:
Why: Who said you can only use social proof from users? If you're selling a philosophy, you can tap into quotes from public figures
Who: @microacquire
Founder: @agazdecki
Example:
Actionable advice: Address REAL objections in FAQs, not just generic questions
Why: Even if the answer doesn't apply to a user, the transparency builds credibility
Who: @inkdrop_app
Founder: @inkdrop_app
Example:
Why: Even if the answer doesn't apply to a user, the transparency builds credibility
Who: @inkdrop_app
Founder: @inkdrop_app
Example:
Actionable advice: Write a letter for your users
Why: Honestly, why not. The band at the top is such an opportunity to temporarily try something.
Who: @help_wise
Founder: @sharmag88
Example:
Why: Honestly, why not. The band at the top is such an opportunity to temporarily try something.
Who: @help_wise
Founder: @sharmag88
Example:
Actionable advice: Integrate multiple use cases in a simple headline
Why: Too much info can be overwhelming. Keep it simple and that'll keep people reading (and interacting)
Who: @missiveapp
Founder: @plehoux
Example:
Why: Too much info can be overwhelming. Keep it simple and that'll keep people reading (and interacting)
Who: @missiveapp
Founder: @plehoux
Example:
In fact, I learned and applied that myself for PriceUnlock
Actionable advice: Keep the headline simple
Why: Too much info can be overwhelming. Keep it simple and that'll keep people reading (and interacting)
Who: @priceunlockapp
Founder: @chddaniel
Example:
Actionable advice: Keep the headline simple
Why: Too much info can be overwhelming. Keep it simple and that'll keep people reading (and interacting)
Who: @priceunlockapp
Founder: @chddaniel
Example:
Actionable advice: 'Scratch off' visually the pain point you're solving
Why: A cleaner way to do 'before/after'. People get the problem and the solution
Who: vim.so
Founder: @KennethCassel
Example:
Why: A cleaner way to do 'before/after'. People get the problem and the solution
Who: vim.so
Founder: @KennethCassel
Example:
Actionable advice: Put some skin in the game
Why: It becomes a "positive freeroll" for people: they either win, or they're back at 0 (not on a loss)
Who: testimonial.to
Founder: @damengchen
Example:
Why: It becomes a "positive freeroll" for people: they either win, or they're back at 0 (not on a loss)
Who: testimonial.to
Founder: @damengchen
Example:
Actionable advice: Keep it simple with interactive pricing
Why: Instead of a table or a slider, add interactivity in the pricing card and keep the design cleaner
Who: embed.so
Founder: @damengchen
Example:
Why: Instead of a table or a slider, add interactivity in the pricing card and keep the design cleaner
Who: embed.so
Founder: @damengchen
Example:
Actionable advice: Make a slider-calculator
Why: People can calculate the 'ROI' of using your product
Who: @Mailman_HQ
Founder: @mohitmamoria
Example:
Why: People can calculate the 'ROI' of using your product
Who: @Mailman_HQ
Founder: @mohitmamoria
Example:
Actionable advice: Make a slider-calculator (example 2)
Why: People can calculate the 'ROI' of using your product
Who: @karmabot_chat
Founder: @stas_kulesh
Example:
Why: People can calculate the 'ROI' of using your product
Who: @karmabot_chat
Founder: @stas_kulesh
Example:
Actionable advice: Simplify mockups. Apply your branding style to the mockups
Why: It eliminates the noise of a real-life screenshot, making people focus on what you want to display
Who: @whereby
Example:
Why: It eliminates the noise of a real-life screenshot, making people focus on what you want to display
Who: @whereby
Example:
Actionable advice: Add stats from your product
Why: It's social proof that's been automatically created, as ppl used your product
Who: @PlausibleHQ
Founder: @ukutaht @markosaric
Example:
Why: It's social proof that's been automatically created, as ppl used your product
Who: @PlausibleHQ
Founder: @ukutaht @markosaric
Example:
Actionable advice: Use content to make content
Why: You champion those who use what you made. You then build a stronger connection, as others find out *they* can be there
Who: @indiehackers show these on their 'loading' page
Founder: @csallen @ChanningAllen
Example:
Why: You champion those who use what you made. You then build a stronger connection, as others find out *they* can be there
Who: @indiehackers show these on their 'loading' page
Founder: @csallen @ChanningAllen
Example:
Actionable advice: Have a CTA with personality
Why: People are getting 'it' faster
Who: roastmylandingpage.com
Founder: @helloitsolly
Example:
Why: People are getting 'it' faster
Who: roastmylandingpage.com
Founder: @helloitsolly
Example:
Actionable advice: Put as little friction as possible between 'I want to start' and 'Started'
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @buymeacoffee
Founder: @jijosunny
Example:
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @buymeacoffee
Founder: @jijosunny
Example:
Actionable advice: Put as little friction as possible between 'I want to start' and 'Started'
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @tailwindcss
Founder: @adamwathan
Example:
Why: It costs nothing to try. It costs you a few minutes to sign up and THEN try
Who: @tailwindcss
Founder: @adamwathan
Example:
Actionable advice: If you're replacing multiple other services, put it like this
Why: Clear, better ROI for the user
Who: @hyperping
Founder: @sinequanonh
Example:
Why: Clear, better ROI for the user
Who: @hyperping
Founder: @sinequanonh
Example:
Actionable advice: If you're replacing multiple other services, put it like this
Why: Clear, better ROI for the user
Who: @basecamp
Founder: @jasonfried @dhh
Example:
Why: Clear, better ROI for the user
Who: @basecamp
Founder: @jasonfried @dhh
Example:
Actionable advice: Create a public page/embeddable for your users
Why: Enables a growth loop. Now you're piggybacking the growth of your users, if they use it.
Who: @usefathom
Founder: @jackellis @pjrvs
Example:
Why: Enables a growth loop. Now you're piggybacking the growth of your users, if they use it.
Who: @usefathom
Founder: @jackellis @pjrvs
Example:
Intermission. More business moats you can build, like the one earlier β in this thread:
https://twitter.com/chddaniel/status/1387108519917363208
Intermission 2: More GOOD pricing strategies found in this thread:
https://twitter.com/chddaniel/status/1386759483729321988
Actionable advice: Highlight with contrast (Use darker backgrounds on the area where you want to draw attention)
Why: It puts what's important into the best light
Who: @splitbee
Founder: @linstobias @timolins
Example:
Why: It puts what's important into the best light
Who: @splitbee
Founder: @linstobias @timolins
Example:
Actionable advice: Tailor different journeys
Why: It starts the engagement like... right there on the website! Self-identification with the tool they're already using is an easy start
Who: @SimpleAnalytic
Founder: @AdriaanvRossum
Example:
Why: It starts the engagement like... right there on the website! Self-identification with the tool they're already using is an easy start
Who: @SimpleAnalytic
Founder: @AdriaanvRossum
Example:
Actionable advice: Show what commitment it requires
Why: People will know in an instant whether they can afford the time/money
Who: feedback.fish
Founder: @lauridskern and @mxstbr
Example:
Why: People will know in an instant whether they can afford the time/money
Who: feedback.fish
Founder: @lauridskern and @mxstbr
Example:
Actionable advice: Show what commitment it requires (v2)
Why: People will know in an instant whether they can afford the time/money
Who: roastmylandingpage.com
Founder: @helloitsolly
Example:
Why: People will know in an instant whether they can afford the time/money
Who: roastmylandingpage.com
Founder: @helloitsolly
Example:
Actionable advice: Show what commitment it requires (v3)
Why: People will know in an instant whether they can afford the time/money
Who: @priceunlockapp
Founder: @chddaniel
Example:
Why: People will know in an instant whether they can afford the time/money
Who: @priceunlockapp
Founder: @chddaniel
Example:
Actionable advice: Publish internal documents
Why: You're creating them anyway, so no extra work really. Now you're publishing some other pieces of content, which build trust β make you memorable
Who: @indiebitespod
Founder: @jmckinven
Example:
Why: You're creating them anyway, so no extra work really. Now you're publishing some other pieces of content, which build trust β make you memorable
Who: @indiebitespod
Founder: @jmckinven
Example:
Actionable advice: Show your community
Why: People like to see faces. But more than that, they like to see groups of faces.
Who: @weekendclubHQ
Founder: @charlierward
Example:
Why: People like to see faces. But more than that, they like to see groups of faces.
Who: @weekendclubHQ
Founder: @charlierward
Example:
Actionable advice: Add urgency
Why: Scarcity + a limited-time offer β People want to get the deal before it's gone (FOMO)
Who: Publiclab.co
Founder: @MeetKevon
Example:
Why: Scarcity + a limited-time offer β People want to get the deal before it's gone (FOMO)
Who: Publiclab.co
Founder: @MeetKevon
Example:
Actionable advice: Show how you're challenging the status-quo
Why: People want the 10x better, faster way, but may be reluctant to try something now. However, trying something new is do-able if they KNOW it's 10x
Who: @AdafaceAI
Founder: @deeptivchopra
Example:
Why: People want the 10x better, faster way, but may be reluctant to try something now. However, trying something new is do-able if they KNOW it's 10x
Who: @AdafaceAI
Founder: @deeptivchopra
Example:
Actionable advice: Self-identification for countries
Why: Allowing users to self-identify can even be made by country, it doesn't have to be by user type. People recognize themselves β understand it's made for them
Who: @honeycoinapp
Founder: @justvibesncode
Example:
Why: Allowing users to self-identify can even be made by country, it doesn't have to be by user type. People recognize themselves β understand it's made for them
Who: @honeycoinapp
Founder: @justvibesncode
Example:
Gonna take this moment to ask
Which article I should write next?
A. I make $200,000/year through WordPress' 'add order notes' field
B. How I (23) and my 17 y.o. brother built a $200k/yr business with 0 lines of code
C. What I learned growing my mobile app to 6M users in 4y
Which article I should write next?
A. I make $200,000/year through WordPress' 'add order notes' field
B. How I (23) and my 17 y.o. brother built a $200k/yr business with 0 lines of code
C. What I learned growing my mobile app to 6M users in 4y
Hey, thx for reading this! π§‘
If this helped you in any way:
1. Follow for more of these
@chddaniel
2. Retweet the first tweet - it helps others see this as well!
If this helped you in any way:
1. Follow for more of these
@chddaniel
2. Retweet the first tweet - it helps others see this as well!
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