Ask HN: Examples of startups websites without functional product?

It's best to start with an early validation website, showcasing an MVP or at least testing interest and pricing with sketches or other mockups.

You could use one of the various landing page websites out there like leadpages, kickofflabs, etc. and have an email sign up form. From there you can email updates to your list of early adopters.

Buffer's MVP story is an easy to follow example: https://buffer.com/resources/idea-to-paying-customers-in-7-w...

This is great! Thanks for the link, the 'Hello! You caught us before we are ready' gave me few ideas.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180828113917/https://theranos....

Joking aside, I think most have a MVP or something to tease people. I.E kickstarter etc

We might go with 'something to tease people', namely mock-ups of the actual service.

ProductInsights.co

Very similar to the Buffer story from the @reflect reply. I prefer the latter, more minimalistic approach.