How I Build Landing Pages Without a Design File (Fast & On-Brand)

In the fast-paced world of web development, sometimes the perfect design file just isn’t available when you need it. Whether it’s due to a missing Figma file or a designer becoming unavailable last minute, there’s always the challenge of delivering a clean, on-brand landing page for a new campaign or product launch—and you need it live by tomorrow.

So, what do you do? Skip the design phase entirely and build it yourself? Absolutely.

In this blog post, I'll walk you through how I approach building landing pages without a design file. I’ll show you how to use layout references, brand guidelines, and some clever shortcuts to create beautiful, functional, and on-brand landing pages fast—and without compromising quality.

I’ve also put together a free document with over 50 curated website examples that I personally use for inspiration. It includes sections like CTAs, testimonials, pricing tables, hero blocks, and more. Download it and keep it handy for when you're in a tight spot.

Table of Contents

1. The Situation: No Design File? No Problem
2. How to Gather Inspiration Quickly
3. Understanding Layout vs. Design References
4. Building the Landing Page in Webflow or Framer
5. Tips for Staying On-Brand While Moving Fast
6. What to Avoid When Skipping the Design Phase
7. Free Download: 50+ Inspiration Websites

1. The Situation: No Design File? No Problem

Picture this: marketing urgently needs a landing page for a campaign, but there’s no design file in sight. The usual process—wait for the designer to finalize the design—isn’t an option. What now?

The first thing I ask is: "What sections do you need?" Most of the time, the team already has a basic structure in mind: Hero, Features, CTA, Pricing, and Footer. With that in hand, I can start gathering inspiration from my go-to resources and move forward quickly.

2. How to Gather Inspiration Quickly

When you're pressed for time, curating references is the fastest way to ensure you stay on track. My go-to inspiration libraries are:

• Land-book.com
• Mobbin.com

These platforms offer a wealth of examples for key sections like CTAs, testimonials, pricing tables, hero blocks, and more.

I don’t copy designs directly; I collect 2-3 screenshots of each section that match my goal for the project. These screenshots then go into a Figma file—not for designing, but for aligning the direction with the team.

This Figma file becomes a visual moodboard. It’s just a collection of screenshots, organized in order of how they’ll appear on the page: Hero, Features, CTA, etc. This gives everyone a clear visual direction and helps me build faster in Webflow or Framer.

3. Understanding Layout vs. Design References

Not all inspiration is created equal. I divide inspiration into two main categories:

Layout References

These focus on structure. They help you understand where elements should be placed:

• Where to position the heading
• Where the buttons should go
• How wide the text blocks should be
• The general flow of the page

Design References

These focus on style—the visual aesthetics of the page:

• Typography and font styles
• Color palette
• Iconography
• Spacing and alignment

By separating layout and design references, I can ensure the landing page looks polished and on-brand while still moving quickly.

4. Building the Landing Page in Webflow or Framer

Now that I have my references and inspiration sorted, it's time to start building in Webflow or Framer. Here’s the process:

1. Pick a Layout Reference
   I’ll choose a layout reference that fits the structure I need for the section. For example, the layout for a pricing section might come from a B2B website I like, while the design reference might come from a modern eCommerce site with a great color palette.
2. Style It According to the Brand
   I’ll apply the brand’s style guide—fonts, colors, spacing—while building the section. This ensures that while I’m borrowing ideas from different sources, the final design stays cohesive and on-brand.
3. Rebuild the Section
   The magic happens when I rebuild the section, not by copying, but by combining the best of the layout and design references. This ensures I’m staying true to the vision without getting bogged down in the minutiae of design.
4. Test as You Go
   I make sure everything is responsive and works across all devices. Using a style guide here is key, as it helps maintain visual balance and ensures I’m consistent throughout the page.

5. Tips for Staying On-Brand While Moving Fast

Moving fast doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or brand consistency. Here are some tips to keep things aligned:

• Use a Style Guide: This is the most important tip. Having a solid style guide for typography, colors, and spacing means you can skip the guesswork and focus on building.
• Use Visual Balance: Zoom out often and look at the entire page. Does it feel cohesive, or are sections too heavy or disjointed? A quick visual check will save you time in the long run.
• Prioritize Key Elements: Focus on the most important sections first (Hero, CTA, Pricing) and refine them as needed.

6. What to Avoid When Skipping the Design Phase

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when skipping the traditional design phase:

• Don’t Build from Memory: It’s tempting to rely on what you remember from past projects, but always pull fresh references to ensure the layout and design match the current goals.
• Don’t Skip Alignment with the Brand: No matter how fast you're moving, maintaining visual consistency with the brand is critical. Stay aligned with the company’s tone, color palette, and typography.
• Don’t Overcomplicate: Keep it simple! When in doubt, focus on clean, clear layouts and legible content.

Free Download: 50+ Inspiration Websites

As promised, I’ve curated a list of 50+ inspiration websites for sections like CTAs, testimonials, pricing tables, hero blocks, and more. It’s a great resource to help you build faster and more effectively when you’re in a pinch.

Download the Free Document Here

Conclusion

You don’t need to wait for a design file to ship a polished, on-brand landing page. By understanding the structure and design of other websites, using references wisely, and applying a solid style guide, you can move fast without sacrificing quality.

Whether you're working in Webflow or Framer, this process will help you deliver landing pages that are both clean and conversion-focused.

Remember, inspiration is key. If you want to work faster and stay on track, keep your go-to references handy and always align with the brand’s core visual elements.

And don’t forget to grab your 50+ Inspiration Websites document—because, trust me, it’ll come in handy!

FAQ

Q1: How do I find layout references when I’m in a rush?
A: Use inspiration libraries like Land-book and Mobbin. These sites offer quick access to pre-curated layouts across various industries.

Q2: What’s the difference between layout and design references?
A: Layout references help with the structure (where things go), while design references focus on style (colors, typography, icons, etc.).

Q3: Can I really build a landing page without a design file?
A: Absolutely! As long as you have a clear brand style guide and some good references, you can build a functional, on-brand landing page in no time.

Q4: How do I ensure the landing page is responsive?
A: Test your design in Webflow or Framer as you go. Both platforms offer responsive design tools, so you can make adjustments for mobile, tablet, and desktop views.

Q5: Do you offer Webflow/Framer services for landing pages?
A: Yes! I specialize in building fast, conversion-friendly landing pages in Webflow and Framer. Contact me for a consultation!