The Landing Page Checklist That Keeps Us From Overthinking Everything
January 20, 2025
7-minute read
KEY INSIGHTS:
Most landing pages fail not because the offer is bad, but because the structure, copy, or flow is unclear.
A simple, repeatable landing page framework removes decision fatigue and boosts conversions.
SEO, UX, and copy work best when they are planned together, not layered on later.
We have all been there.
You sit down to build a landing page with good intentions and suddenly you are questioning everything. The headline feels off. The CTA might be too aggressive. You wonder if you need more testimonials or fewer words or an entirely new font.
If this sounds familiar, good. It means you are normal.
Most small business owners and marketing managers do not struggle because they lack ideas. We struggle because we have too many. Without a system, every decision feels heavy. That is usually when pages stall out half finished or go live with crossed fingers instead of confidence.
We built this checklist to make sure that never happens.
After building hundreds of landing pages for authors and service-based businesses, we learned something simple. High-converting pages are rarely creative masterpieces. They are clear. They follow a structure. They respect how people actually read online.
Conversion does not come from saying more. It comes from removing confusion.
Why Structure Matters More Than Cleverness
We like to think people read websites carefully. They do not. We scan. We skim. We decide quickly if something is worth our time.
When the structure is off, even great offers lose momentum.
The landing page structure we use most often looks like this:
Hero Section
Problem
Solution
Social proof
Pre footer CTA
FAQ
Footer
This order works because it mirrors how we make decisions as humans.
First, we ask: Is this for me?
Then: Do you understand my problem?
Then: Can you actually help me?
Then: Can I trust you?
Then: What do I do next?
When we skip steps or jumble the order, people drop off. Not because they are uninterested, but because they are unsure.
The Hero Section Sets The Tone For Everything
The hero section is not the place to be poetic. It is the place to be clear.
A strong hero includes:
A headline that states the main benefit in plain language
A subheading that clarifies who it is for or what changes
One clear call to action
If you are working with authors, imagine this like the back cover of a book. The job is not to explain everything. The job is to make the reader want to keep going.
Aim for five to eight words in your headline.
LESS IS MORE.
The Problem Section is About Empathy Not Drama
We tend to overdo this part. We do not need to scare people into action. We need to show them we get it.
Name the pain clearly. Show the cost of staying stuck. Keep it grounded.
For example, when we build landing pages for authors launching a new book, we often name the real frustration. Great writing does not automatically equal book sales. Marketing feels overwhelming. Algorithms feel unpredictable. That honesty builds trust fast.
The Solution Section Answers The Quiet Question
The quiet question every reader asks is simple. How does this help me?
This is where benefits matter more than features. We explain what changes after someone takes action.
If you offer a guide, show the clarity it creates.
If you offer a service, show the time it saves.
If you offer a system, show the momentum it unlocks.
Remember our motto. Momentum is clarity, systems, and synchronized strategy. Your solution section should reflect that.
Social Proof Reduces Risk
People want reassurance. Testimonials, logos, and data do that work for you.
We have seen pages jump in conversion rates simply by adding one strong testimonial near the CTA. Especially when that testimonial comes
from an author who looks and sounds like the reader.
Specific beats generic every time.
CTAs Work Best When They Feel Obvious
A CTA should not feel like a push. It should feel like the natural next step.
Use action oriented language. Tie it to the benefit. Place it where the reader is already thinking yes.
We usually repeat the same CTA in the hero and the pre footer. Same action. Same message. No distractions.
UX is About Removing Friction Not Adding Flair
Good design is quiet. It guides the eye. It does not ask for attention.
Focus on:
One goal per page
Minimal navigation
Short forms
Mobile friendliness
If the page loads slowly or feels hard to use on a phone, the copy will not save it.
SEO is Not Optional Even For Landing Pages
We hear this all the time. This page is for ads, not SEO.
The truth is that technical SEO and good UX usually align. Fast pages convert better. Clean URLs are easier to trust. Clear headings help both readers and search engines.
At a minimum, make sure you cover:
Page speed
Mobile responsiveness
Clean URLs
Title tags and meta descriptions
Clear H1 (heading 1) and H2 (heading 2) structure
SEO is not about gaming the system. It is about making your page easy to understand.
How to Use This Checklist Without Burning Out
This is where most people get stuck. The checklist feels long. That is okay.
Use it in layers.
First pass: Structure, headline, CTA, mobile friendliness.
Second pass: Copy clarity, social proof, UX.
Third pass: SEO, testing, refinement.
We do not aim for perfection on day one.
Done is better than perfect.
Why This Checklist Exists At All
After launching pages that generated over six figures in revenue, we realized success was not about one magical tactic. It was about alignment.
Design, copy, SEO, and UX working together. Not in silos.
That is why this checklist lives inside the DIY Digital Marketing Guide. It is not meant to overwhelm you. It is meant to remind you that you already know enough to move forward.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Clear structure beats clever copy every time.
Benefits and empathy convert better than features and hype.
UX and SEO should be baked in from the start.
Use checklists like this blog as guides, not rules.
Momentum comes from shipping, testing, and refining.
YOUR NEXT STEP
If today’s action item inside the DIY Digital Marketing Guide is building or refining a landing page, use this post as your anchor. Pick one section to improve and stop there.
If you want to see how all of this fits into a full omnichannel system, watch the YouTube workshop on building digital marketing infrastructure. It connects landing pages, email, content, and conversion into one clear flow.
Clarity first. Momentum follows.
