First Rule of Startup Websites: Nobody Cares About You (Yet)

Most founders think their Startup website should tell their life story. Wrong. Your website needs to answer one question immediately: “What problem do you solve for me?” Until you’re a household name (good morning, Slack and Zoom), people aren’t buying your vision. They’re buying solutions to their problems.

How to Make It About Them, Not You

  • Clear headline: no jargon, no buzzwords. Solve the user's pain point in 8 words or less.
  • Direct CTAs: “Get Started”, “See It In Action” — not “Learn More” (which we all know is code for "I'm too lazy to explain").
  • Minimal ego: No essays about how innovative you are. Show, don’t brag.

 

Essential Startup Website Ingredients (That Make You Look Funded)

Spoiler: It's not a $100k brand video. It's basics, done right.

1. A Hero Section That’s Actually a Hero

If your Startup website doesn’t explain your value proposition above the fold (the first visible part without scrolling), you’ve already lost the impatient internet user. 

Pro Tip: “Above the fold” is an old newspaper term. In web design, it means everything users see immediately when they land.

2. Real Screenshots, Not Figma Mockups

Your Startup website should showcase your real product. Even if it’s still a bit rough. Pixel-perfect Figma screens scream “we don’t even have an MVP yet.” Pro move: Show a clean version of your actual SaaS in action.

3. Testimonials That Aren't Your Cousin

One real customer quote (even if it’s from your beta users) is 10x better than a generic "Our clients love us!" banner. And if you must — quote yourself ironically. Better funny than fake.

 

How to Stretch Your Budget Without Stretching the Truth

You don’t need venture capital to build a killer Startup website. You just need smart, honest design.

1. Prioritize Core Pages

Instead of trying to build a 20-page empire, focus on:

  • Home
  • Product / Features
  • Pricing
  • About (keep it simple)
  • Contact

That’s it. Five pages of actual useful content > Twenty pages of hot air.

2. Use Design Systems, Not Templates

Yes, templates are cheap. But a real Startup website should feel unique, not like “Template #42.” A Design system is a set of reusable UI components (buttons, cards, modals) that make your website look consistently professional — without custom coding every element. When in doubt, hire someone who knows what "atomic design" means — and doesn’t charge like they’re designing for NASA.

The Secret Weapon of Smart Startup Websites: Outsourcing

Reality check: Your time is worth more than figuring out why your mobile menu isn’t working. When you outsource your Startup website design to people who live and breathe UX/UI, you get:

  • Professional look (even if your budget is 2005-level)
  • Faster launch
  • Higher trust with users and investors
  • More time to actually, you know, build your product

And guess what? We happen to know a team that’s been doing this for SaaS founders with champagne dreams and water budgets: 👉 Work with us here.

Startup Website Survival Kit (Checklist)

Ready to pretend you have millions in funding? Here’s your basic gear:

✅ Crystal clear messaging

✅ Visible value prop above the fold

✅ Real product images

✅ Sharp, simple navigation

✅ 2–3 real testimonials (or witty placeholders)

✅ Decent page load speed

✅ A design that doesn’t look like clip art

If your Startup website covers these, you’re 80% ahead of most funded companies.

Final Irony: Looking Funded Might Get You Funded

The wild thing about perception is that it’s sticky.

If your Startup website looks polished, thoughtful, and customer-first, people assume you are too — even if you’re literally coding from your parents' basement.

In short: fake it until you’re funded, but in a way that actually helps users solve real problems.

Not sure where to start?