Hey! 👋

Let me tell you about one of my favorite secrets for making life—and landing pages—a whole lot easier: the 80/20 rule. The Pareto principle is a powerful concept that says 80% of outcomes come from just 20% of inputs. It shows up all over the place: in business, in personal productivity, and yes, in web design too.

When it comes to landing pages, this means we don't have to stress over every tiny detail. Instead, we can focus on the 20% of elements that will make 80% of the impact.

By honing in on what matters most, we can create pages that truly resonate with visitors and make it super easy for them to take action.

The 80/20 rule helps you zero in on the essentials—whether it’s simplifying your messaging, trimming down unnecessary features, or making sure your key benefits shine.

Let’s break it down and see how the 80/20 rule can help you build a landing page that’s clearer, more effective, and ultimately, higher-converting.

🌱 Focus Where It Counts: The 80/20 Breakdown

1. Copy: Keep it 80% benefits, 20% features. Your audience cares more about what’s in it for them than all the bells and whistles.

2. CTA Design: It’s all about 80% showing value, 20% fancy design. Make your call-to-action buttons clear and compelling rather than just pretty.

3. Forms: Stick to 80% must-have fields, 20% nice-to-haves. The more fields, the less likely someone fills it out, so trim it down to what you really need.

4. Images: Choose 80% product in use, 20% stock photos. Real context can help users visualize what your product/service can do for them.

5. Headlines: Keep it 80% clarity, 20% catchy phrasing. Clarity attracts attention—be witty but make sure your message lands right away.

6. Colors: Focus on 80% making things clear, 20% looking nice. Use colors that enhance readability and make key elements stand out.

7. Offers: Keep it 80% real value, 20% bonus extras. Make sure your offers are grounded in true value that resonates with your audience.

8. Urgency: Use 80% real reasons to act, 20% time pressure. Authentic urgency helps drive action without feeling manipulative.

9. Navigation Links: Include 80% main pages, 20% extra pages. Streamline your navigation to guide users easily to what matters most.

10. FAQs: Cover 80% common concerns, 20% extra info. Make sure the core questions are addressed before adding anything else.

The 80/20 rule is all about focusing your energy where it counts most. When you apply this to your landing page, it's about emphasizing the essential elements that drive real results while letting go of the small stuff that adds clutter.

The result? A page that's straightforward, valuable, and optimized to connect with your audience without unnecessary distractions.

Why the 80/20 Rule Matters

Nobody wants to waste time, effort, or money—especially when building landing pages. You want every tweak to make a big impact without getting lost in endless details. The 80/20 rule helps you work smarter by focusing on the 20% of elements that drive 80% of the results.

Instead of stressing over every tiny decision, put your energy into the parts that move the needle—like a headline that grabs attention or a CTA that drives action. The 80/20 rule is about making impactful choices that help your landing page do its job: connecting with your audience and driving conversions.

Simple, focused pages lead to better user experiences, more engagement, and ultimately, more conversions. Give it a try, and see how much more effective your landing page can be!

That’s all for today!

Adam Goetz @ Reciprocal