A) Use something off the shelf. Simple and cheap is best when starting out so that you can focus on finding business.
B) Explain exactly why the customer should fill in the email. I don't like bribing the customer with some other unrelated thing, like a white paper because people who want the whitepaper just want the white paper. They might not be your actual customers. Instead I would honestly say (example) "Do you want awesome deals on physics and astronomy instruments? Well we're going to find deals for you and send an email every month."
C - Niche products need niche sales strategy. Find out where your customers spend time and figure out how you can get in to meet people. Explain what you can do for them and ask for an email on the spot.
You are right. The landing page should be clear and has a clean call to action describing only one goal. That is, how the customers/users will be benefited by providing their contact information such as email and which products or kits do they want at a ridiculous price.
B) Explain exactly why the customer should fill in the email. I don't like bribing the customer with some other unrelated thing, like a white paper because people who want the whitepaper just want the white paper. They might not be your actual customers. Instead I would honestly say (example) "Do you want awesome deals on physics and astronomy instruments? Well we're going to find deals for you and send an email every month."
C - Niche products need niche sales strategy. Find out where your customers spend time and figure out how you can get in to meet people. Explain what you can do for them and ask for an email on the spot.