One of the best free tools to promote a startup is creating a website. A professionally-designed startup website will encourage people to learn more about your unique product or service idea and, with proper web optimization, help rapidly expand your market reach.
To help plan your website, here are some startup websites that inspire innovation, motivate taking action and lead in both UX design and web content.
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What is a startup website?
A startup website is a website created for a new and emerging business or venture that is in the early stages of its development. It's often one of the first ways potential customers, investors, partners and users learn about the company's products, services, mission and goals. The primary purpose of a startup website is to establish credibility, generate interest and provide essential information to various stakeholders. It can also be used to attract new investors in the business.
Pro tip: Use an industry-specific logo maker to make sure your startup website has the perfect logo. For example, if you're in tech, use the Technology Logo Maker to explore your options and create your own.
7 best startup websites
Understanding UX design for startups
UX design is a process used to create meaningful products for users. Wix design expert Jenna Romano tells us to consider UX, “as a field of design whose ‘human-first’ approach emphasizes supporting users as they interact with a particular product from start to finish.” In effect, a good user experience is good for business. UX can help you better meet your target audience’s needs, thereby gaining their trust and potentially resulting in more referrals, better conversion rates and increased revenue.
Read also: Best AI website examples
Best startup websites
01. Modalyst
Over 350,000 online businesses and entrepreneurs have used Modalyst, an eCommerce solution to finding reputable dropshipping suppliers and products. This startup website design is clean, has non-intrusive page layouts and two guiding colors that all work together to exude authority.
Upon landing on the Modalyst homepage, a single call-to-action button immediately directs visitors’ eyes to “View Products.” Two other prominent sign-up CTAs exist above the fold (“Start for Free” and “Log In”) on the website navigation bar, but Modalyst knows its target market wants to see the goods before converting. To reaffirm the point, the right side of the page shows a moving image showcasing the designer brands, eco-friendly suppliers, and private label manufacturers to expect when working with Modalyst.
02. Cinco de Mayo
This digital marketing agency uses a professional website template as a solid foundation for growing a business. Cinco de Mayo’s multilingual website also successfully caters to both its English and Spanish-speaking clients, displaying how localized content can lead to more satisfied customers.
Even before potential clients begin to browse through the agency’s website, the homepage offers up a good first impression of the business and what it stands for. The site’s moving hero image flashes the agency’s principal offerings: digital marketing, corporate identity, branding and web design. Scrolling down, visitors find a horizontal strip hosting some visualizations of the company’s legacy, number of projects and clients.
Wix graphic designer Anna Suntsov summarizes this startup website as being both trendy and professional. “Using parallax effects and animations really add professional value to the website,” she says. Also, since the company is a service-based business and doesn’t have product images, their use of abstract images is a smart way to add visual interest to the page.
03. Printful
Print on demand is one of the most profitable eCommerce business ideas, and Printful smartly uses its website to help people turn their ideas into brands and products. Along with Printful’s product and service pages, there’s also pages dedicated to how the startup works and resources to getting started, as well as a company blog. Printful tackles two types of websites (company site and blog) to create a foolproof competitive plan.
04. Cinera
Right on its homepage, Cinera sells its unique cinematic experience with headphones that bring nightly-Netflix binging to the next level. With a main photograph featuring a user wearing the innovative headpiece, Cinera tells visitors a story about fashion and technology and invites them to invest in the vision via a crowdfunding CTA. If a still image doesn’t capture a site visitor’s interest, they can experience the product through video, infographics, and professional photographs, too.
Suntsov adds that, “The product not only looks impressive, but the company has done a smart job in showing it off from different points of view.” To help sell their “futuristic” vision, Cinera also uses gradients, a popular website design trend.
05. Minta
Minta’s automated content marketing platform helps online retailers improve their online engagement and social reputation. Minta’s website leads by example in protecting clients and web visitors’ privacy with a fixed banner stating its cookie policy at the website footer. Tip: Create a website privacy policy from your Wix dashboard.
06. V labs
Two years after the world’s offices went remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses experimented with everything in their day-to-day operations. V labs, a virtual meeting enhancement tool, embraces this history through its use of a chemical beaker in its website logo and favicon.
Though high-tech in concept, V labs products are marketed towards the universal office worker. Because of this, Suntsov says the use of geometric shapes on this startup website help present the products as friendly and approachable.
07. Cobiro
At first glance, this startup website adheres to the same web design rules as others on the list. Cobiro’s white background with splashes of bold purple and blue exudes a clean, friendly and minimalist vibe. As you scroll down, you’ll find additional five-star client reviews, which helps lend credence to the company’s online reputation.
What should be included in a startup website?
In order to build a startup website that helps you meet your business goals consider including the following:
Start with a clear and concise description of your startup's mission, vision and values. Then add everything about your startup's offerings, including features, benefits, and how they address customer needs.
It's crucial you include on your homepage, or somewhere else prominent the problem your startup is designed to solve and how your product or service is the solution. Highlight what sets your startup apart from competitors and why customers should choose your solution.
A business website, and a startup website is no exception, should always encourage visitors to take specific actions, such as signing up for updates, requesting a demo or making a purchase. This means including clear CTA's and site navigation. Also provide ways for visitors to get in touch, including a contact form, email address, links to social media profiles and phone numbers.
Once you have them, add customer reviews, success stories and case studies to your site in order to build your business credibility. Another way to do this is by using your site to introduce your key team members, founders, as well as their expertise. Then consider publishing and sharing industry insights, updates about your startup's progress including thought leadership content to establish your authority in your field. Use this content to highlight any media coverage, awards or recognition your startup has received.
Why does a startup need a website?
For startups a website can serve many purposes - for some it's a way to show potential investors the strength of your growing brand and product, for others it's a way to start to generate customers, for others its about establishing a brand name and reputation online. Some of the most common reasons include:
Establishing and building brand credibility: A professional startup website establishes your brand and builds trust with potential customers.
Securing brand control: It's your platform to tell your story, showcase your products or services and build brand identity.
Generating leads: Capture leads through contact forms, email signups or e-commerce functionalities. This can be leads for investors and, or customers.
Centering your marketing efforts: Integrate your social media and marketing campaigns in and from one online space, making it easier to reach your target audience.
Gaining an SEO advantage: Websites optimized for search engines can increase your online visibility, attracting organic traffic.