Ask HN: What is wrong with my Launch Page?

3 points by psg 15 years ago | 8 comments

Hi everyone. I'm working on a project and have created a launch page with the hope of compiling a list of early adopters. As with many other websites that have launch pages, the hope is that these early users would provide valuable feedback and would allow me to iterate and (hopefully) achieve market/fit.

The problem is that my launch page isn't getting a substantial number of sign-ups. At a quick glance, this could be for one of three reasons.

1: I'm attracting the wrong type of users (through advertising). In other words, not early adopters; 2: My launch page needs improvement, or; 3: My idea just sucks, and it's validation that I should not pursue this idea.

I truly believe I need more tests to validate that the idea is not worth pursuing (It's only been a few days). Therefore, I'm looking for advice on the other two bullets. In other words,

1) Any advice to get potential early adopters to the website? I've tried Google Adwords and StumbleUpon ads (note with StumbleUpon I did the auto-targeting). 2) Any advice on the launch page itself (It's at http://www.lloquy.com/).

Thanks in advance.

entangld 15 years ago |

I think your users don't understand your website.

The word content and conversation are very abstract terms that don't inform the reader to specific uses for your website. I watched your video thinking I would get a clear use-case but it still wasn't clear to me.

It would be easier to understand if you said use lloquy to follow interesting comment threads on the most interesting topics on your favorite websites (blog, Huffingtonpost, etc...) while you continue surfing the web.

The explanation you gave requires the user to use their imagination a little too much. I know you don't want to limit the use of your site, but it would be helpful if the writing was more specific and exciting and the video was focused less on explanation and more on fun useful actions users are actually going to take on your site.

You start off talking about content creators (like it's a tool for blog authors) and then you describe it's use for blog/content readers. That's confusing.

1. In your example of how to use it, you start off talking about a "conversation" (a little vague - I wouldn't know where to find a conversation on the web) and you start to list other uses for it before I understand the initial use for it.

2. You suggested people "filter content by calculating influence". That's too abstract. I think you meant "follow popular and interesting users and vote for the best comments."

I think more exciting language that describes tangible actions users will take and pictures that are not flat screenshots of text will improve your conversion rate.

psg 15 years ago | |

Thanks. Your feedback makes me believe I've fallen into the chicken/egg trap, where I switch between different types of users. Will fix.

Also appreciate the feedback on the video.

danny3stacks 15 years ago |

I have a few quick thoughts about why you're not getting many sign-ups.

The copy on the landing page makes sense, but it's still confusing in a way. Maybe if you had a small diagram or brief description on how this is done, people might be more interested.

But, if I was interested I would be weary of oauthing on twitter because I'm still not sure what or how you do what you claim to.

The video should probably be less than 60 seconds and should answer what the service does, how, why, for who in the first 20 seconds.

Stumbleupon traffic doesn't work well. People are simply browsing from one site to the next looking for articles or funny cats and your bounce rate using SU is probably 100%.

Google ads might work but you might be better off getting on http://betali.st and http://startupli.st to get those early adopters.

Best of luck!

psg 15 years ago | |

Thanks for the links, as well as the feedback. I have been wondering if oAuth with Twitter has been turning people away, so definitely appreciate the comment and will look into straight email.

toddwahnish 15 years ago |

Just my 2 cents,

Your join button is pretty muted- it's gray, it's small, it's in the corner and it's surrounded by the same blue color that sits in the background. Try A/B testing by moving the join button to the center of your top banner, making it big and green.

psg 15 years ago | |

Thanks. I've been testing different text throughout, but haven't looked at button placement. Will definitely look at that.

patheman 15 years ago |

hey, some feedback:

- on first glance i don't get the idea of the site, somehow not even compelled to start the video (maybe try a more "compelling" preview-screen there)

- some "bussines buzzwords" like Online Conversation and Audiences . .. maybe try a quote instead (ask a friend if you dont want do make one up) in the quote, state the one or max. two TOP benefits i have from the site.. and also give me a hint who needs your thing. like: "lloquy helps me maximize my readers engagement.." (Jon Doe, BigBlog.com)

- signup might increase with a green or orange signup button, conveys success and gets attention

I think you really need a 1-sentence pitch to tell whats the benefit for me as a user? (answer for what? so what? now what?)

Best regards Patric

psg 15 years ago | |

Thanks Patric. A more compelling preview screen is something that hasn't even crossed my mind (Sometimes it's the little things). Also appreciate the other feedback.