Tailwind CSS v4: A New Era
Tailwind CSS v4 is a ground-up rewrite that changes how you build websites. Gone is the JavaScript config file. Everything is CSS-first now, which means faster builds, simpler setup, and a more intuitive workflow.
If you're building a landing page in 2026, Tailwind v4 is the best tool for the job. Here's why — and how to do it.
What Changed in v4
CSS-First Configuration
The biggest change: no more tailwind.config.ts\. Instead, you define your design tokens directly in CSS using @theme\:
\`css
@import "tailwindcss";
@theme inline {
--color-primary: #6366f1;
--color-secondary: #ec4899;
--font-sans: "Inter", sans-serif;
}
`\
This is cleaner, faster to parse, and keeps your styling where it belongs — in CSS.
Better Performance
Tailwind v4 uses a new engine called Oxide. Build times are dramatically faster, especially on large projects. Hot reload is near-instant.
Simplified Dark Mode
Dark mode works naturally with CSS variables. Define your tokens for both modes and toggle with a class:
\css
:root {
--color-background: #ffffff;
--color-foreground: #0f172a;
}
.dark {
--color-background: #0f172a;
--color-foreground: #f8fafc;
}
\\
Anatomy of a Great Landing Page
Every high-converting landing page needs these sections:
1. Hero Section
Your hero is the first thing visitors see. It needs a clear headline, a supporting description, and a strong call-to-action. Add social proof if you have it.
2. Logo Cloud
Show the companies or platforms that trust your product. Even 4-5 logos dramatically increase credibility.
3. Features Grid
Highlight 3-6 key features with icons and short descriptions. Use a responsive grid that works on mobile.
4. Pricing
Be transparent about pricing. Show 2-3 tiers with clear feature comparisons. Highlight the most popular option.
5. Testimonials
Real quotes from real users. Include names, roles, and photos when possible.
6. FAQ
Address common objections before they become deal-breakers. An accordion component works well here.
7. Final CTA
End with a clear call-to-action. Repeat the value proposition and make it easy to convert.
Speed vs. Quality
The tension in web development is always speed vs. quality. Templates solve this by giving you both.
A well-built template gives you production-ready code that you can customize to match your brand. Instead of spending two weeks building a landing page from scratch, you spend two hours customizing a template.
The Tailwind v4 Advantage
Why Tailwind v4 specifically? Three reasons:
- Utility-first means no context switching between HTML and CSS files
- Design tokens ensure visual consistency across every component
- Dark mode is built-in, not bolted on
When to Use a Template
Build from scratch when your design is highly custom or your brand requires a unique visual identity that no template can match.
Use a template when you need to launch fast, want proven design patterns, or don't have a dedicated designer on your team.
Getting Started
The fastest path from idea to live landing page:
- Pick a template built with Tailwind CSS v4
- Customize the content and colors
- Deploy to Vercel or Netlify
- Start driving traffic
Your landing page doesn't need to be perfect on day one. It needs to exist. Ship it, measure it, improve it.
Explore Craftly's landing page templates — built with Next.js 16 and Tailwind CSS v4, ready to deploy in minutes.
Originally published on Craftly.
Production-ready Next.js templates — browse the current catalog at https://getcraftly.gumroad.com or save with the All-Access Bundle.
Built with Next.js 16, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS v4.
