How can AI be used to create brand videos?

AI can generate brand videos that focus on setting a tone and establishing a brand feeling, rather than direct conversion. However, clarity on what the product does and how it differs from competitors is crucial, as simply showing striking visuals is often not enough.

Why is it important for a startup website to be clear?

Clarity is vital because users quickly ask themselves 'What is this?', 'Is it for me?', and 'Does it work?'. If they have to work too hard to find answers, they may leave. Clear communication builds trust and credibility.

What are the risks of using multiple names for a product?

Using multiple names for a product, such as Clavis AI and Strata, can cause significant confusion for potential users. It's best to stick to a single, consistent name to avoid diluting brand recognition and to make it easier for customers to find and remember.

How should websites handle AI-generated UI and design?

When using AI for design, it's important to avoid default 'AI slop' like excessive shadows and purple gradients. Focus on clean basics and a robust set of design tokens and components. If unsure, default to safer choices like system fonts rather than overly stylized AI outputs.

What makes a good 'AI agent with tools' demo?

A good demo should clearly showcase all the tools the AI can connect with, possibly using visual elements like filters. Instead of abstract terms, it should explain how the product solves problems users actually face, like managing multiple MCPs.

How should companies like Code Crafters present their offering?

Code Crafters should clearly state what the product is, rather than starting with negatives like 'Stop following tutorials'. While aspirational messaging is good, it must be paired with clear communication about the actual service, which appears to be a platform for practice projects to improve engineering skills.

What are the best practices for handling user waiting times with AI?

When users have to wait for AI processes, it's crucial to show progress and every state that is happening, like tool calls. Avoid random empty states or unhelpful messages. Focus user attention on what's running, actions needed, or inputs required, rather than just spinners.

How can Finta improve its appeal to target customers?

Finta could improve by folding its target audience information (US-based C corps, LLCs, PBCs) into its primary messaging. Making this clearer, potentially downplaying the clever time-based setup, and ensuring a consistent user experience after the hero section would also help.

Cursor Head of Design Roasts Startup Websites

Y Combinator

Science & Technology3 min read36 min video

Nov 20, 2025|156,336 views|3,789|186

YC Y Combinator

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Design expert Ryo Lu critiques startup websites, emphasizing clarity, purpose, and user experience.

Key Insights

Clarity is paramount: Websites must immediately communicate what the company does and who it's for.

Avoid jargon and vague language; use the user's language to explain value and solutions.

User experience includes intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action (CTAs), and well-organized content.

Visual design matters: Avoid 'vibe-coded' aesthetics, excessive animations, and inconsistent styles.

Credibility and social proof should support, not overshadow, the core value proposition.

User onboarding, even for demos, should be clear, provide value early, and avoid immediate monetization pressure.

THE FOUNDATION: CLARITY AND PURPOSE

The primary objective for any startup website, especially early-stage ones, is to clearly articulate what the company does and who it serves. Ryo Lu, Head of Design at Cursor, emphasizes that users should understand the value proposition within seconds of landing on the page. This involves a direct and unambiguous hero section that answers fundamental questions: 'What is this?', 'Is it for me?', and 'Does it work?' Many reviewed sites failed this basic test, relying on jargon or abstract concepts instead of straightforward explanations, forcing users to work too hard to find answers.

AVOIDING JARGON AND VAGUE MESSAGING

A recurring critique is the overuse of industry-specific jargon or internally coined terms that alienate potential users. Companies often fail to speak the language of their target audience. Instead of explaining problems and solutions in relatable terms, they present abstract concepts like 'progressive discovery' or 'autonomous agents.' The advice is to adopt the user's vocabulary, detailing their existing problems and how the new product offers a clear, understandable solution, drawing a strong contrast between the old way and the new.

DESIGN AND USER EXPERIENCE PITFALLS

Visual design and user experience are critical. Ryo points out common issues like 'vibe-coded' aesthetics, excessive gradients, distracting animations, and inconsistent styling. Hover effects that snap, choppy video playback, and poorly aligned elements detract from professionalism. Websites should avoid overwhelming users with too many calls-to-action (CTAs) at once; instead, a clear hierarchy of messaging and CTAs, prioritized for user flow, is essential. Elements should feel intentional, not like raw AI output or a collection of disparate parts.

THE ROLE OF SOCIAL PROOF AND CREDIBILITY

While social proof, such as logos of reputable clients or investor backing (like Y Combinator), can build credibility, it should not dominate the initial user experience. Many startups prominently feature these elements, sometimes to the extent that they overshadow the company's own brand or core offering. Ryo suggests that social proof should enhance, not replace, the primary message about the product's value. Outdated client logos or poorly integrated testimonials can also undermine credibility, making proper presentation crucial.

CALLS-TO-ACTION AND ONBOARDING

Effective calls-to-action (CTAs) are vital, but they must be placed strategically and clearly indicate the next steps. 'Book a demo' or 'Sign Up' are common, but without context about what happens next or who they will interact with, they can feel obscure. For products requiring user engagement, such as AI tools, managing user wait times is important. Providing clear states of progress, showing tool calls, and avoiding empty spinners or unhelpful default messages can improve the experience. Ideally, users should experience some value before being immediately prompted for payment or a full signup.

BRANDING, LOGOS, AND NAMING

A company's logo and name are foundational to its brand identity. Several reviewed websites featured logos that were either too small, easily confused with other prominent logos (like YC's), or generic. Inconsistent branding across different sections of a website, or introducing confusing naming conventions (like having multiple names for the same product), can create a disjointed and unprofessional impression. Establishing a clear, singular brand identity from the name to the visual elements is essential for memorability and trust.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Products

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

Website Design Best Practices

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Clearly communicate your value proposition within 5 seconds.

Use clear, simple language that your target audience understands.

Ensure consistency in design elements and branding across your site.

Design for your target user, speaking directly to their needs and problems.

Make key Call to Actions (CTAs) prominent and singular.

Provide ample content to explain your product and its benefits.

Standardize visual elements like images and logos for a cohesive look.

Ensure all interactive elements and demos function correctly.

Allow users to play with a limited version of your product before signing up.

Avoid This

Avoid jargon and vague high-level messaging.

Do not use distracting animations or moving elements.

Avoid sloppy styles, excessive shadows, and default AI gradients.

Do not present multiple confusing names or branding for your product.

Don't hide important information or CTAs below the fold.

Do not use outdated information or images on your site.

Avoid hijacking user scrolling behavior.

Don't overwhelm users with too many CTAs or distracting elements.

Refrain from using generic templates that lack unique brand identity.

Avoid deep linking to external sites like YC for core information.

Common Questions

Startups often struggle with clear messaging, using too much jargon, and inconsistent design. They may hide important calls to action, use distracting animations, or fail to define their target audience clearly. Over-reliance on generic AI templates and outdated information are also common pitfalls.