Want a Better Website? Here are some game-changing tips

Introduction

More and more businesses are launching websites - and for good reason. Your website is your digital storefront, and its design plays a huge role in how people perceive your brand. But here’s the catch: web design isn’t easy.

Whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone, understanding the basics can save you time, money, and frustration. Here are the essentials every business owner (and designer) should know.

Composition

1. Clear the Clutter

It’s tempting to cram everything onto a single page - but every extra element you add to your layout competes for users’ attention. If users don’t know where to look, they’ll leave, and you’ll lose clients.

Tip: Audit your pages. Remove anything that doesn’t serve a clear purpose. This applies to text, images, videos—everything. If it doesn’t help tell your story or guide your user, cut it or move it to another screen.

2. Use white space intentionally

After trimming excess, you might notice a lot of empty space. That’s not a problem - it’s an opportunity. White space (aka negative space) helps guide attention to key elements, improves legibility, and gives your design room to breathe.

Use it to:

• Highlight important elements;

• Improve scanning and readability;

• Create a clean, focused layout.

3. Guide users with visual hierarchy

Visual hierarchy tells users what to look at first, next, and last. You don’t just place elements - you prioritize them.

Examples:

• Headlines = big and bold;

• CTAs = high contrast and highly visible;

• Legal info = small, subtle, and in the footer.

Think in terms of size, color, position, and motion. A video will usually attract more attention than an image. A large headline outshines a small one. That’s the hierarchy at work.

Bonus tip: People scan, they don’t read. Design with that in mind.

Aesthetics

4. Choose colors wisely

Colors are more than decoration - they influence how users feel and behave.

A few basics:

• Blue = trust;

• Purple = luxury;

• Green = calm and peace.

But color meanings vary by culture - so always consider your target audience.

Tips to up your color game:

• Choose colors that match your brand’s personality;

• Create a hierarchy: primary, secondary, and background;

• Keep your palette consistent;

• Use color for emphasis, not decoration;

• Learn basic color theory (complimentary, analogous, triadic, etc.).

5. Use typography strategically

Words matter - but how they look matters too. Typography shapes hierarchy, tone, and readability.

Tips for better typography:

• Use clear, readable fonts (especially for body text);

• Avoid cursive or overly decorative fonts for long content;

• Choose typefaces that align with your brand’s voice;

• Be consistent—stick to 2 or 3 font styles max;

• Break content into short paragraphs and scannable chunks;

• Use high-contrast color combinations to ensure legibility;

• Avoid large blocks of text—they intimidate users;

Typography isn’t just visual - it’s a big part of UX.

Functionality

6. Design your navigation intentionally

Navigation starts with information architecture. Think about what your users are looking for and label things accordingly.

Tips:

• Use data to structure your nav based on real user behavior

• Limit the number of top-level options (5–7 max)

• Keep the logo on the top left, nav on top—it’s what users expect

• Use simple, familiar labels (About, Contact, Services, etc.)

Don’t reinvent the wheel unless you really need to. Familiarity = faster comprehension.

7. Make It Responsive

People visit websites on every screen imaginable. Your site needs to adapt - flawlessly. Responsive design means the site adjusts to any device (mobile, tablet, laptop, etc.) without breaking.

Best practices include:

• Remove non-essential content for smaller screens;

• Use one flexible layout instead of separate “m-dot” sites;

• Prioritize the devices your users actually use (based on analytics);

Google also considers mobile responsiveness a ranking factor. So better UX = better SEO.

Final Thoughts

Designing a website is no small task. Whether you’re new to the field or just want to make smarter choices, these tips will help you build something that’s not only beautiful - but functional and user-friendly.

Here's a quick overview of the essential tips covered:

1. Clear the Clutter: Remove unnecessary elements to maintain user focus and engagement.

2. Use White Space: Leverage negative space to improve readability and guide attention.

3. Visual Hierarchy: Prioritize elements to create a clear viewing path for users.

4. Color Selection: Choose colors that reflect brand personality and create meaningful impact.

5. Strategic Typography: Select fonts that enhance readability and match brand voice.

6. Intentional Navigation: Create intuitive, user-friendly navigation structures.

7. Responsive Design: Ensure seamless functionality across all device types.

If you’re a business owner and this sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. That’s why many turn to a professional designer or developer. It saves time, energy, and costly mistakes.

Need help figuring out what your site really needs - or how much it should cost? Book a free consultation. I’ll walk you through it.