What Netflix and Apple can teach you about landing page design

Let’s be honest for a second. You’ve probably clicked on a Facebook ad, a Google search result, or even a little Instagram link and landed on a page that made you go, “Nah.”

Whether it was slow to load, cluttered, or just didn’t deliver what it promised, you hit the back button faster than you can say "bounce rate."

Now flip that. Imagine someone clicks on your ad or link. They land on your page. Do they stay? Do they feel confident enough to buy, sign up, download or take action? That moment is make or break. And it all comes down to your landing page.

So what makes a landing page irresistible? Let’s take a look.

First impressions are everything (no pressure)

Human nature makes us quick to judge. According to research, it takes less than a second for someone to form an opinion about your site. If your landing page looks dodgy, outdated or worse...boring - people will bounce. A clean, modern design isn't just for looks; it's for reputation.

Think of how Apple does it. Visit apple.com and you’re immediately hit with simplicity and confidence. Every pixel is purposeful. Big, bold headings. Crisp imagery. Minimal copy. Apple doesn’t shout, it whispers luxury. And it works.

Your headline should talk

The headline is the first thing people read. If it doesn’t grab attention or explain what you're offering, you've lost them. Avoid fluff like "Welcome to our website" or "We care about quality." Instead, go straight to the point.

Take Dropbox. Their classic headline? "Your stuff, anywhere." Four words, and you instantly know what it’s about. Short, sharp, and benefit-driven.

If you're struggling to write something that gets through, consider a little help from a copywriting service (ahem, like the one at Xanderful).

Clarity beats cleverness

Yes, humorous copy is fun. But if people can’t understand what you’re offering in under 5 seconds, you’ve lost them. Clear beats clever every time.

Netflix nails this. Go to netflix.com and you'll see: "Unlimited films, TV programmes and more. Watch anywhere. Cancel anytime." That’s it. You know what you’re getting, and it sounds easy.

Show, don’t tell

Use images or videos to back up what you're saying. If you're selling a physical product, show it being used. If it’s a service, a short demo video can do wonders.

Airbnb uses beautiful imagery of real places, reinforcing the idea of unique, local experiences. They don’t need to say, “We offer unique stays” – they show you with the visuals.

Call-To-Action (CTA) that feels natural

Your CTA is your moment of truth. It's what you want people to do. Don’t hide it or make it vague. Say what you mean. “Get Started,” “Download Now,” “Try it Free,” or even “Book a Call.”

Spotify does a great job with their bright green CTA button that says, "Get Spotify Free." It’s clear, benefits-focused and visually stands out.

Speed and mobile-friendliness are non-negotiables

No one has time to wait for your landing page to load. If it takes longer than 3 seconds, most users are gone. And don’t even get us started on mobile. With over half of traffic coming from smartphones, if your page doesn’t look great on a small screen, it’s game over.

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your performance. Or better yet, work with someone (hi again from Xanderful) who makes this their job.

Keep the form simple

If your landing page includes a form, keep it short. Name, email, maybe one more field – that’s it. The more fields you add, the more people drop off.

Think of how Uber recruits drivers. Their landing page form is short, friendly, and gets you moving immediately. That’s the energy you want.

Trust matters

Would you hand your email address to a stranger wearing sunglasses and whispering in an alley? Exactly.

Build trust on your page with testimonials, reviews, logos of well-known clients, or security badges if payments are involved. Trust symbols can increase conversion rates by 42%.

Shopify uses brand logos of companies that use their platform (like Kylie Cosmetics) to show credibility. Smart, right?

Test, test, then test some more

Your first version might not be your best. Split testing (A/B testing) helps you figure out what’s actually working. Test different headlines, CTAs, images, layouts.

Even changing the colour of your button can make a big difference. Crazy, but true.

Optimise for SEO without sounding like a robot

People still find landing pages via search, so a bit of SEO love goes a long way. But don’t cram keywords for the sake of it. Google’s smart. Write naturally, include relevant terms, and focus on providing value.

A copywriter with SEO experience (Xanderful again waves) can help you strike the right balance. It’s not about tricking Google – it’s about helping your ideal customer find you.

So, what now?

If your current landing page isn’t bringing results, don’t panic. Most businesses don’t get it right the first time. But with a few changes, you could see a major lift in engagement and conversions.

Need a hand? At Xanderful, we specialise in building landing pages that don’t just look good, but actually convert. From stunning design to scroll-stopping copy and SEO that makes Google nod in approval, we’ve got you covered.

Because it’s not just about getting people to click. It’s about making sure they stay, connect, and take action.

And that, friends, is the secret sauce of an irresistible landing page.

Ready to get going? Let’s talk.

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