Blog/Guide

The Perfect Hero Section Formula (With Examples)

2024-11-28·8 min read·By GavinSolo

The 5-Second Test


Users decide whether to stay or leave in about 5 seconds. Your hero section needs to answer:


1. What is this?

2. Who is it for?

3. Why should I care?


The Formula


**Headline:** [Outcome] for [Audience]

**Subheadline:** [How it works] in [timeframe/simplicity]

**CTA:** [Action] + [Benefit]


Examples from Top Companies


Vercel

  • **Headline:** "Develop. Preview. Ship."
  • **Why it works:** Action-oriented, shows the process

  • Linear

  • **Headline:** "Linear is a better way to build products"
  • **Why it works:** Direct comparison, implies existing tools suck

  • Stripe

  • **Headline:** "Financial infrastructure for the internet"
  • **Why it works:** Positions as foundational, not a feature

  • Common Mistakes


    1. **Too clever:** "Synergize your workflow paradigm" — What?

    2. **Too vague:** "The future of work" — What do you actually do?

    3. **Too long:** If your headline needs 20 words, it's not a headline


    The Headline Test


    Show your headline to someone for 5 seconds. Ask:

  • "What does this product do?"
  • "Who is it for?"

  • If they can't answer, rewrite it.


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