Research-Based Best Website Design Tips: All You Need To Know

Quick Summary: Designing a website sounds easy, but it's complex, no matter which web design company works on your projects. You need to consider various factors to ensure the website is perfect and designed as you expected. We have made your effort stress-free by providing research-based website design tips and tricks for your projects. Explore them and learn how to make a great-looking website. These website design suggestions explain everything in detail.

Are you planning to design your next website? The design process can feel overwhelming with so many styles, trends, and technical aspects to consider. Whether you're aiming for a modern, minimalistic, or classic design, the choices are vast. Understanding which design approach suits your business goals and user needs is key to creating an effective online presence.

While your website design partner will certainly guide you through the details, there’s essential knowledge that you, as a business owner, should possess before diving into the project. A well-designed website isn’t just about looking good—it’s about creating a seamless experience for your users that drives conversions and supports your business objectives.

In this article, we’ll share expert-backed tips on website design, covering everything from user experience (UX) and visual hierarchy to speed optimization and accessibility. These insights will help you make informed decisions before choosing a design partner and ensure your website performs at its best.

In this article, we have experts' advice on website design elements and will discuss the points every business should know. Let's explore them one by one.

#1 Start with a Clear Goal and Strategy

Why Have a Clear Vision?

Designing a website is much more than just picking colors and layouts. It’s about aligning your website with your business goals and your target audience’s needs. Without a clear strategy, your website could fail to connect with users or guide them towards your desired outcomes, such as purchasing a product, signing up for a newsletter, or simply learning more about your business.

A well-thought-out website design strategy helps you focus on what’s important—whether that’s increasing sales, generating leads, or building brand awareness. And it’s not just about the look and feel of the site; it’s about user experience (UX), site performance, and content that matches your brand’s voice.

Research-Backed Insight

Studies show that strategy-driven web design leads to higher user engagement and conversion rates. According to recent research, websites that have a clear strategy and user-centered design are 50% more likely to convert visitors into customers. This is why understanding your audience, setting goals, and creating a detailed plan for your website should be the very first step of your web design process.

Actionable Tip

Before you dive into design, take the time to conduct a competitive website analysis and user research:

• Competitive Analysis: Study your competitors to see what’s working (and what’s not) in their website design. Look at their navigation, content, and CTAs to understand how they engage users.
• User Research: Use tools like Surveys or User Testing to understand your audience's preferences, behaviors, and pain points. This will help you make design decisions that truly resonate with them.

With these insights, you’ll have a clear vision for your website and a strong foundation to build on.

#2 Stand Out by Setting Yourself Apart

Why Should You Stand Out?

Why should customers visit your website when they can get the same features, functionalities, and user experiences from other sites? The answer lies in setting yourself apart and offering something unique. Despite having many competitors, you can find the gap, the deciding factors that keep your products, services, or store looking different. Take the example of Amazon and BestBuy, both big players in e-commerce, yet their user experiences are entirely different. This uniqueness is what sets them apart and inspires others.

A unique design doesn’t just mean being different for the sake of it; it’s about setting your brand apart from competitors and creating an experience that resonates with your audience. A standout website offers something that users can’t find elsewhere—whether that’s a unique visual style, innovative features, or personalized content that speaks directly to their needs.

Research about design, features, and functionalities and map users' journeys so you can understand the technicality of unique website design. You may also help your design partner suggest your idea of what you want in your website to be visually appealing.

Case Study Example

Let’s look at Amazon and BestBuy—two giants in the e-commerce space. Both offer similar products, but their websites are distinctly different. Amazon’s design is focused on functionality with quick access to products, while BestBuy focuses on high-quality images and an immersive experience for shoppers. Despite being in the same industry, these websites stand out for different reasons, which appeals to different types of users.

The key takeaway? Your website should reflect your brand’s personality and offer a user experience that aligns with your core values and mission.

Tools & Resources

To help you understand what’s working for your competitors, consider using tools like Heatmaps or UserTesting. These tools allow you to see where users click, how they navigate your site, and what parts of the page they engage with most. This insight can help you design a unique user journey that sets your website apart.

UserTesting is a great tool for gathering real user feedback on your website’s design and usability. By analyzing what real users think, you can uncover opportunities to make your website truly unique.

Actionable Tip

Here’s how you can get started with designing a standout website:

• Identify the Gap: Research competitors and identify aspects of your website that can be improved or presented in a unique way.
• Personalize User Experience: Use dynamic content to offer personalized experiences, like recommending products based on user behavior or location.
• Design with Purpose: Every design element should serve a purpose. Whether it's the placement of CTAs, the use of colors, or the layout—make sure it enhances the user journey.

By focusing on what makes your brand special, you’ll be able to create a website that not only attracts visitors but also keeps them engaged.

#3 Minimalistic, Clean, and Clutter-Free Homepage

Why the Homepage Matters

Your homepage is the first impression users will have of your website, so it’s important to make it count. Think of your homepage as the digital equivalent of a storefront—if it’s too cluttered or disorganized, users will quickly lose interest and leave. However, a well-designed homepage gives users a sense of your brand’s identity and helps them understand what your website is about within seconds.

A clean, minimalistic homepage immediately conveys professionalism, trustworthiness, and clarity. It should set the stage for the rest of the user journey, guiding visitors toward key actions without overwhelming them.

Actionable Tips

• Minimalistic Design Approach: Less is often more when it comes to web design. A minimalistic homepage focuses on simplicity—avoiding unnecessary elements that could distract from the core message. Keep the focus on the essentials, such as a clear headline, your brand’s logo, and a strong CTA.
• Set Priorities: Not all information is created equal. Your homepage should prioritize what matters most to your users—whether that’s your core product, service offerings, or a special promotion. Display the most important details at the top of the page, above the fold, so they’re visible without scrolling.
• Whitespace is Key: Don’t be afraid of empty space! Adequate whitespace helps guide the eye, makes content easier to read, and creates a more aesthetically pleasing design. The right amount of space between text, images, and buttons will improve the overall user experience.
• Utilizing Graphical Imagery: We have discussed minimalistic design, and using images more instead of content is a crucial part of it. You can use images and photos wherever possible. This will help you communicate your points effectively.
• Focus on Your Main Objective: Ask yourself what you want users to do first when they land on your homepage. Make that action easy to accomplish by providing clear instructions and minimal distractions. For example, if you want them to sign up for an account, ensure the CTA is front and center.
• Call-to-Action (CTA) Placement: Your homepage should have a clear and compelling CTA that guides users toward the next step. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter or exploring your services, make sure your CTA stands out and is placed in a logical location. Avoid overwhelming visitors with too many choices.

Visual Example

A good example of a clean homepage design is Dropbox. The homepage features a clear headline, minimal text, and a prominent CTA that invites users to sign up. The design is simple, with plenty of whitespace to ensure that the key message isn’t lost.

By keeping your homepage simple, clear, and focused on your most important goals, you’ll set a positive tone for the rest of the user experience.

#4 Mobile Optimization & Responsive Design

Why Mobile Optimization Is Crucial

In today’s digital age, mobile traffic has surpassed desktop traffic. More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, which means optimizing your website for mobile is no longer optional—it’s essential. If your website is not mobile-friendly, users will have a poor experience, and you could lose them to a competitor with a better-optimized site.

Not only does mobile optimization improve user experience, but it also impacts your SEO rankings. Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it prioritizes the mobile version of your website for search engine rankings. A website that’s responsive and optimized for mobile will perform better in search results and help you stay ahead of the competition.

Actionable Tips

• Mobile-First Design: Adopting a mobile-first design approach means starting the design process by optimizing for mobile devices before scaling up to desktop versions. Focus on the essentials: concise content, larger buttons, and touch-friendly elements.
• Responsive Design: Ensure your website is responsive by using flexible grids and layouts that adjust to different screen sizes. Images and text should automatically resize to fit any device. This ensures a seamless experience for users on smartphones, tablets, and desktops alike.
• Optimize Mobile Performance: Mobile users often have slower internet connections, so it's important to keep your website lightweight. Optimize images, reduce file sizes, and minimize the use of heavy scripts that could slow down your site on mobile.
• Test for Mobile Responsiveness: Use tools like BrowserStack or Responsinator to test how your website appears on different devices. Make sure all elements of the site—menus, images, text—look great and function smoothly across all devices.
• Use Large, Clickable Buttons: On mobile devices, make sure that clickable elements like buttons or links are large enough for users to tap easily. Small buttons can frustrate users and lead to a poor experience.

SEO Tip

Google’s mobile-first indexing means that if your mobile site is slow or poorly designed, it will negatively impact your rankings. Ensuring your site is mobile-optimized not only enhances the user experience but also boosts SEO performance.

#5 Fast Website Loading Time (Speed Optimization)

Why Speed is Crucial

Time is not just money, but it's also sales in the digital world. If your website takes a lot of time or consumes a lot of bandwidth to open, then something serious is happening around your digital products website. It can be winning or losing the digital business battle. We don't mean to intimidate you, but if your website takes more than 3 seconds to load, you risk losing 90% of your customers. Even more concerning, 70% of those who left the website will never return. This underlines the urgency and importance of fast website loading time. You can achieve this goal by creating an optimized user interface that follows the guidelines. A slow-loading website leads to higher bounce rates, lower user engagement, and ultimately, lost revenue. This makes optimizing your site speed an absolute priority

A fast website is not only a better experience for users, but it also helps with SEO. Google considers page speed as one of its ranking factors, meaning that faster websites are more likely to appear at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs). The faster your website loads, the better the chances it has of ranking higher and attracting more visitors.

Actionable Tips

• Image Optimization: Large, unoptimized images are one of the biggest culprits of slow loading times. Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to compress images without sacrificing quality. Also, make sure to use the appropriate file formats (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with fewer colors).
• Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML: Minifying your website’s code reduces the file size by removing unnecessary spaces, comments, and characters. This can have a significant impact on your page load times. Tools like UglifyJS or CSSNano can help with this process.
• Leverage Browser Caching: When a user visits your site, certain elements (like images, stylesheets, and JavaScript) are stored in their browser’s cache. This helps speed up future visits since the browser doesn’t need to reload these elements every time. Set an expiration date for cached files to ensure users aren’t downloading outdated content.
• Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN distributes your website’s content across multiple servers worldwide, allowing users to download content from a server that’s geographically closer to them. This reduces latency and speeds up your site’s load time.
• Reduce Server Response Time: Your server’s response time is another important factor. If your server is slow, your website will be slow too. Consider upgrading your hosting plan or switching to a more reliable hosting provider to ensure better performance.
• Use Lazy Loading: Implement lazy loading for images and videos so that media elements are only loaded when they are about to appear on the user’s screen. This can significantly reduce load times, especially on pages with lots of media.

Tools for Testing Speed

To test how fast your website is, use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTMetrix. These tools will give you a detailed report on how your website is performing and suggest improvements.

#6 Visual Hierarchy and Content Organization

What is Visual Hierarchy?

Visual hierarchy refers to the arrangement of design elements in a way that guides the user’s eye and helps them focus on what matters most. In other words, it’s the order in which the user perceives information on the page. Proper visual hierarchy ensures that the most important elements are seen first and that the user can easily navigate through the content without feeling overwhelmed.

Think of it like reading a book: you don’t start by reading the middle of the page—you follow the structure, starting from the top, moving left to right. A clear visual hierarchy helps users navigate your website intuitively and take action when needed.

Actionable Tips

Use Size and Color to Draw Attention: The size of your text and images can greatly influence what catches the user’s eye first. Larger text or bold colors tend to grab attention more than smaller, lighter ones. Make a list of things you need to include on your website: Whether it is a number of pages, number of CTAs, content, size, logos, elements, or others, you can plan accordingly.

• Prioritize Information: Your website’s layout should reflect the importance of the information. For example, the headline and primary CTA should be placed at the top of the page where users are most likely to see them first. Secondary information, like less important links or details, should be placed lower on the page or in a less prominent position.
• Create a Logical Flow: Arrange your content in a way that leads the user from one section to the next. Use clear headings and subheadings to break the content into manageable chunks. This will help users digest information more easily and find what they’re looking for faster.
• Consistency is Key: Keep your design elements consistent across the site. If your primary CTA is at the top of the homepage, place it in the same location on other pages as well. This creates familiarity and allows users to navigate with ease.
• Whitespace as a Design Element: Whitespace isn’t just empty space—it’s a powerful tool in organizing content. It helps separate content, making it easier to read and navigate. Proper use of whitespace also prevents the page from feeling cluttered or overwhelming.
• Test Your Visual Hierarchy: Once your website’s design is complete, ask yourself if the most important elements stand out enough. Use A/B testing or user feedback to test if visitors are engaging with the content as intended.
• Size and weight: When you design your website, you need to decide or let the designer know which part of your website you want to focus on more. For example, your business names, logos, products, and services.
• Element placement: Now, there may be various elements of your website that you particularly want to highlight throughout your website. You need to identify those elements. Once you have it, select the one that is more crucial than the others. Now, please start the visual element on every page at the same place. For example, if you are using primary CTA on your page's banner, ensure the primary CTA is on all other pages and placed on the top page only.

Case Study Example

An excellent example of visual hierarchy in action is Apple's website. Notice how their homepage features large images, bold CTAs like “Buy Now,” and clear typography. The design is clean and the hierarchy guides users effortlessly through the page, focusing on their most important products and actions.

By focusing on visual hierarchy, you ensure that your website is easy to navigate, user-friendly, and effective in guiding visitors toward key actions.

#7 Accessibility for All Users

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessibility is about ensuring that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use your website effectively. A well-designed website should be usable by all—whether someone is visually impaired, hearing impaired, or has mobility challenges. Designing with accessibility in mind not only opens up your website to a broader audience but also shows that you value inclusivity.

Moreover, accessibility is a key factor in SEO. Google rewards websites that follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) with better rankings, as search engines are designed to prioritize sites that offer the best possible experience for all users.

You hire an experienced UI/UX design team with expertise in creating user-friendly digital products so that all types of users can use the website easily. They know the legible texts, with a graduate size, easy to zoom in / zoom out, carefully used color elements, and various other elements that would support people with disability and other impairments to access the website with no hassle.

Actionable Tips

• Use High Contrast for Readability: Ensure that the text on your website has enough contrast against the background to be easily readable by people with visual impairments. Tools like the WCAG Contrast Checker can help you evaluate whether your design meets accessibility standards.
• Provide Alt Text for Images: Alt text is a description of an image that appears if the image cannot be displayed. It also allows screen readers to describe the image to users with visual impairments. Make sure every image on your website includes a relevant, descriptive alt text that explains what the image is about.
• Ensure Keyboard Accessibility: Many users rely on keyboard navigation rather than a mouse. Ensure that all interactive elements on your website (such as forms, links, and buttons) can be accessed and used through keyboard shortcuts.
• Make Forms Easy to Use: Ensure that forms are simple and include clear labels. Also, use input validation to help users fill out forms correctly. For instance, if someone misses a required field, make it obvious with a clear error message.
• Use Accessible Fonts: Choose legible fonts that are easy to read at different sizes. Avoid overly stylized fonts that might be hard to decipher. Also, make sure that text can be resized without breaking the layout.
• Conduct Regular Accessibility Audits: Just like you regularly test your website’s performance, make it a habit to run accessibility audits. By staying on top of accessibility, you ensure that all users can interact with your website, regardless of their physical abilities.

Tools for Testing Accessibility

To ensure your website is fully accessible, use tools like WAVE or Axe. These tools can analyze your website and highlight any areas where accessibility might be lacking. They’ll provide feedback on issues like missing alt text, low contrast, and inaccessible navigation.

SEO Tip

By optimizing your website for accessibility, you're not only improving the user experience for people with disabilities but also enhancing your SEO rankings. Search engines prefer websites that follow best practices in accessibility, so improving this aspect of your site will help you rank better in search results.

#8 Effective Use of Content

Why Content is Key

Content is the backbone of any website. It drives engagement, educates users, and helps guide visitors through their journey on your site. Without well-organized and relevant content, even the best design won’t get you the results you want. Quality content not only keeps visitors on your site longer but also encourages them to take action, whether that’s making a purchase, filling out a contact form, or subscribing to a newsletter.

Content also plays a crucial role in SEO. Well-structured, informative, and keyword-optimized content is more likely to rank higher in search results, driving more organic traffic to your site.

Actionable Tips

• Create Balanced Content: A good mix of text, images, videos, and infographics is essential for keeping users engaged. Visual content can break up long paragraphs and provide a clearer explanation of your message, while text can dive deeper into details. For example, if you’re explaining a product, a video demonstration can be more engaging than just text.
• Be Clear and Concise: Avoid cluttering your website with long paragraphs. Break content into short, digestible sections, using headings and bullet points for easier reading. Always aim to communicate your message in the fewest words possible without sacrificing clarity.
• Focus on User Intent: Ensure your content addresses the user’s intent—what they’re looking for when they visit your website. Whether they’re seeking information, services, or products, tailor your content to meet their needs. For example, if you’re offering services, make sure your service descriptions clearly explain the value each service provides.
• Use Compelling Calls to Action (CTAs): Your content should always include clear CTAs that guide users toward their next steps. Whether it’s “Contact Us,” “Learn More,” or “Shop Now,” make sure the CTA aligns with the content and offers value to the user.
• Leverage SEO: Integrate relevant keywords naturally within your content. Use variations of the main keyword throughout your text, but don’t overstuff—write for humans first, and search engines second. This will help you rank higher for terms that are important to your audience.
• Use Content to Build Trust: Provide value through educational blog posts, client testimonials, and case studies. The more useful and informative your content is, the more likely users are to trust your brand and convert.

Content Strategy Tip

Create a Content Plan: Developing a content strategy that aligns with your business goals will ensure your website content stays relevant and fresh. Plan out blog posts, product descriptions, landing pages, and other content to keep your website dynamic and engaging.

By focusing on effective content creation, you ensure your website not only attracts visitors but also keeps them engaged and guides them toward conversion.

#9 Designing for Conversions

Why Design for Conversions?

Your website’s design should do more than just look good—it should also be optimized to drive conversions. Conversions are the actions you want users to take, whether that’s signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting your team for more information. A website with a great design but no focus on conversion elements will likely miss out on opportunities to turn visitors into customers.

The goal is to guide your users through a seamless experience that makes it easy for them to take the next step, whatever that may be. By integrating strategic design elements, you can nudge users toward completing your desired actions and achieve measurable success.

Actionable Tips

• Clear and Compelling CTAs: Your calls-to-action (CTAs) are key in driving conversions. Make sure your CTAs stand out and clearly communicate the benefit to the user. Phrases like “Get Started,” “Sign Up Today,” or “Learn More” should be compelling and action-oriented.
• Use Social Proof: Incorporating testimonials, reviews, or case studies on your website can increase trust and credibility. When visitors see that others have had a positive experience with your brand, they’re more likely to take action.
• Create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Limited-time offers or scarcity tactics, such as “Only 3 left in stock!” or “Sale ends in 24 hours,” can encourage users to act quickly. These strategies create a sense of urgency and can boost conversion rates.
• Simplify Forms: A complex or lengthy form can drive users away. Only ask for the most essential information, and consider using a multi-step form to break down a long process into smaller, manageable parts. This makes the experience less intimidating for users.
• A/B Testing: Use A/B testing to experiment with different design elements (CTAs, headlines, colors, etc.) to see what works best for your audience. Tools like Optimizely or VWO allow you to run experiments and optimize your design for higher conversion rates.

Case Study Example

A good example of conversion-focused design is Shopify’s website. The homepage features a strong, clear CTA—“Start free trial”—right at the top of the page. It’s visible, easy to understand, and directly speaks to the visitor’s intent: to start using Shopify. Plus, social proof in the form of testimonials and trusted brands helps increase trust and conversions.

Actionable Tip

Use Landing Pages for Specific Campaigns: If you’re running a marketing campaign or offering a special promotion, create dedicated landing pages. These pages should be focused entirely on a single goal—whether it’s gathering email sign-ups or driving sales. A focused design can significantly boost conversion rates.

Designing with conversion in mind ensures that your website not only attracts visitors but also successfully turns them into leads, customers, or subscribers.

#10 Continuous Improvement and Testing

Why Test and Improve?

A successful website design is never truly finished. The digital landscape is always evolving, and user preferences can change quickly. To stay ahead of the competition and continuously improve user experience, you need to test, analyze, and update your website regularly. What worked a few months ago might not work as well today, and testing is the best way to identify areas for improvement.

In addition to improving user experience, regular testing also helps ensure your website stays aligned with business goals, remains SEO-optimized, and continues to drive conversions.

Actionable Tips

• Use Google Analytics to Track User Behavior: Google Analytics is a powerful tool for understanding how users interact with your website. You can track metrics like bounce rate, average session duration, and conversion rates. This data will help you identify which areas of your site are performing well and which need improvement.
• A/B Testing: Run A/B tests on key elements of your site, such as CTAs, page layouts, and headlines. By testing variations, you can see which design choices lead to higher conversions or better user engagement. Tools like Google Optimize and Optimizely can help you run these tests.
• User Feedback: Don’t underestimate the value of direct user feedback. Whether it’s through surveys, feedback forms, or user testing platforms like UserTesting, getting insights from real users can help you understand their pain points and preferences. Use this data to refine your design and improve usability.
• Optimize for SEO: Keep an eye on your SEO performance and make sure your website continues to rank well for important keywords. Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor search traffic and identify any areas that need improvement. If your rankings drop, it may be time for a design or content update.
• Monitor Website Speed: As mentioned earlier, website speed is a crucial factor in user experience and SEO. Regularly check your site’s speed using tools like GTMetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights to ensure it’s performing at its best. If it starts to slow down, take action to optimize images, scripts, and other elements.
• Set Up a Regular Review Schedule: Make it a habit to review your website’s performance every 3 to 6 months. Look at user feedback, analytics, and any recent design changes to see what’s working and what needs adjustment. Regular updates will ensure your website stays fresh and effective.

SEO Tip

Google rewards websites that are constantly improving. If you continuously optimize and update your site, you increase the likelihood of higher rankings and better performance in search results.

By continuously testing, analyzing, and improving your website, you can ensure that it remains relevant, user-friendly, and effective in achieving your business goals.

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