Having not too long ago accomplished a landing page template design project, I do know simply how robust it may be to create a web page that’s each lovely and prone to convert.
Most template designers nonetheless deal with touchdown pages an excessive amount of like residence pages. And even when they do create a single-purpose devoted touchdown web page, the design may not conform to the ideas of Conversion-Centered Design (CCD), which is the place any advertising touchdown web page designer ought to hold their paintbrush.
Enter the template design contest on Themeforest
We simply kicked off a partnership with the superior design group over at Themeforest. To get issues going we ran a contest to get some templates designed for the brand new Unbounce landing page category. As the gathering grows, I’m going to overview and critique a few of them over the subsequent few weeks.
Critiquing 5 Touchdown Web page Template Designs
Let’s be clear. The next 5 templates can be found for obtain from Themeforest so you possibly can add them into Unbounce to make use of on your advertising campaigns. You may assume that given this I’d take it simple on the templates. Removed from it. I’m going to inform you why they’re glorious, and the place they’re going mistaken or might use a bit CCD motion to make them extra acceptable for advertising campaigns.
As templates, they usually have placeholder Lorem Ipsum copy in them, so clearly I’m solely going to be visible design, not copy.
Let’s get to it!
Method
I really like this template.
What I like
- The pleasant expertise
That is one thing we’ve been speaking about at Unbounce quite a bit currently. Once I take a look at this template, my spirits rise. It makes me really feel joyful. That is based mostly partially on the inventory imagery (which you wouldn’t embody in your implementation of the template), however it demonstrates how one can have an effect on a customer utilizing design. Why is it pleasant? The palette alternative and pictures is contemporary, pleasant and optimistic. The white area is plentiful (the unbounded photos improve the separation). And there’s a circulation to the content material that eases the studying expertise. - Directional cues
The above-the-fold expertise ends with a pleasant vibrant arrow that makes use of an encouragement assertion and factors to the CTA. That is actually good design. Entrepreneurs, listen as there’s good copy on this template. The academic tone of the copy doubles the influence of the directional cue. - Encapsulation
The shape is encapsulated in a containing field. Simple. It’s that simple. It offers it a spot to dwell, and gives you with an area to direct consideration. - 5 important parts
Each touchdown web page wants to incorporate the 5 essential elements. This one does, and it’s a terrific a part of why it seems to be so structurally full. - Backside CTA scrolls to high
When you have a protracted lead gen web page (long-ish on this case), use a closing argument assertion on the backside with a CTA to scroll again to the highest of the web page to your kind. This allows you to finish your story with an motion and convey it again to the purpose of conversion, which is your kind.
What I don’t like or would change
- Nada
The one means I might really critique a foul facet of this web page can be to take a look at the copy, which isn’t related in a template. - Alternate model
Nevertheless, there’s an alternate version of the template out there which reveals it’s versatility, however contains two supposed actions – one is to fill within the kind, the opposite is to enroll from the pricing grid. As a marketer you should keep in mind the touchdown web page mantra: One web page, one objective. However within the context of a template that is really very helpful, as you possibly can select the one which fits your objective and delete the opposite.
Inspiron
What I like
- Colour distinction
The web page palette alternative permits the black CTAs to face out and the blue stripes are helpful to focus consideration on necessary data. - Social proof spotlight
The testimonials rotate by a collection, letting them take up much less area on the web page. This can be a good candidate for an A/B check: Would it not carry out higher with one seen testimonial biking by a slider vs. all three seen? - Separation of content material
The web page is damaged down properly into coloured sections, making it simpler to learn. The spacing of parts additionally helps.
What I dislike quite a bit – listen conversion-centered designers
- Inappropriate use of movement and timing
Click this link to see the page. What was your expertise? If you happen to had the identical expertise as me, you witnessed two issues. First, that half of the web page header space is lacking once you arrive. It’s just about devoid of content material. Why? As a result of the designer is making an attempt to be intelligent with pointless animation. There’s a 4-5 second delay earlier than the photographs really determine to point out up. Second….. nothing. Your guests are usually not right here anymore! After they noticed this empty header they left assuming it was a mistake. The lesson? Folks haven’t any time to waste in your too cute design. They should get the purpose of your touchdown web page instantly. Don’t make them work, assume, or wait. This touchdown web page template will fail 100% of the time except that is eliminated. Sorry.
Convert SaaS Trial
What I like
- Directional cues
This template is a directional cue tour de drive. Every part ends with some arrows to encourage you to maintain studying. - Storytelling design
The way in which the content material is separated by the arrows makes you’re feeling like you’re on a journey. The usage of totally different media varieties alongside the way in which enhances the choices for various kinds of communication. - Repeated CTAs
It’s necessary on a protracted web page to bolster your calls to motion by repeating them all through the web page.
What I don’t like or would change
- Not an excessive amount of to dislike on this one
What I might say is that regardless of being designed for a very good storytelling expertise, I did really feel a bit misplaced in regards to the objective of the web page, half means down. A shorter model would compress the expertise, making it extra digestible.
Startup
What I like
- Good use of the parallax impact
Use of parallax results can present a contemporary really feel on your touchdown web page. Designers usually get carried away with this system, creating complicated experiences that may make you dizzy. Right here it’s used very well on simply the opening and shutting web page sections. - Closing argument
Soar right down to the underside of the web page and also you’ll see how the designer has wrapped up the web page with a remaining “closing argument” assertion. This can be a nice solution to tip your prospect over the sting with the CTA positioned proper beside the nearer. - Clear typography
The copy could be very clear and straightforward to learn because of the alternative of typeface and the relative measurement/colors of the hierarchy of content material. I actually like the way in which every headline has an related subhead. This provides readability with out overwhelming the person with an excessive amount of copy. - Loads of white area
The web page is massive, however solely due to the quantity of white area. It’s a pleasant studying expertise. - The CTA on the backside of the web page easily scrolls again as much as the shape
What I don’t like or would change
- Footer navigation
Take away this. It’s not a homepage, so you should not have any further hyperlinks. - Pricing plans appear like buttons
The pricing plans are informational solely, so I’d advocate making them look much less clickable.
Carna
What I like
- Full-width and boxed designs are included
It’s good to see a template with totally different format choices. Good alternative for an A/B check. - Clear chunking of data sections
Every part has it’s personal headline, which vastly enhances readability when scanning. - Good white area
The usage of circles gives further area on your eye to wander down the web page unimpeded.
What I don’t like or would change
- Take away weblog posts
This isn’t a homepage – take away the weblog posts, they’re a distraction that may do nothing however drive individuals away from the web page. - Take away social hyperlinks for workers
Once more, there two many interactive parts happening right here and proper close to your CTAs. Take away them to get the Consideration Ratio nearer to 1:1. Read about Attention Ratio in pillar 1 of this post. - Take away rollover states
The entire individuals and options have sq. rollover states that are distracting and suggest interactivity. Fortunately, you possibly can’t click on on them, however including confusion will cut back the efficacy of the web page. - Poor CTA distinction
The CTA within the header could be very onerous to see. The distinction of the button must be improved. And clicking it ought to clean scroll right down to the pricing grid.
Want a touchdown web page template?
If you happen to want new templates on your advertising campaigns, try our Unbounce landing page templates or control the Unbounce category at Themeforest. And are available again to see my subsequent critique submit on this weblog.
If you happen to’re a designer your self, hopefully you’ve realized a number of tips on your subsequent touchdown web page design.
