7 web design tips to help you build a great website.

Did you know that only 64% of small businesses have their own website? In a digital-first world, that number should be closer to 100%. Whether you’re launching a new business or updating your current site, solid web design is essential to making a great impression, building credibility, and converting visitors into customers. But building a great site doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right foundation and a little strategy, you can create a site that looks good, functions smoothly, and works hard for your business. Here are seven practical web design tips to help you get started.

1. Use photos of real people

People connect with people. Using authentic photos of your team or real customers creates a personal, trustworthy vibe that’s hard to fake. Sites that feature human faces feel more relatable—and are proven to be more engaging.

Avoid generic stock photos. Visitors are quick to pick up on staged or irrelevant imagery, which can make your site feel disconnected or inauthentic. Instead, invest in team headshots, behind-the-scenes shots, or lifestyle images that show your product or service in action.

Pro tip: Add alt text to all your images to boost accessibility and SEO at the same time.

2. Emphasize readability over flash

Fancy fonts might look cool in a logo, but if your visitors can’t read your content, they won’t stick around. Clear, clean typography ensures your message comes through without distraction.

Stick with 2–3 web-safe fonts across your site and create a visual hierarchy using font sizes and weights. Avoid long paragraphs and use headings, bullet points, and white space to make content easier to scan. Remember: clarity beats cleverness every time.

3. Include a strong call-to-action on every page

Every page on your site should guide the visitor toward something. Whether it’s booking a call, signing up for a newsletter, or checking out your services, a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) helps convert passive readers into active customers.

Use action-oriented language like “Schedule a Free Demo,” “Let’s Talk,” or “Get a Quote.” Place CTAs in strategic spots—above the fold, after key information, and in the footer—to catch your visitors when they’re ready to act.

4. Design for mobile-first browsing

Over 50% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site doesn’t work well on a smartphone, you’re losing visitors before you even get started.

A mobile-friendly website loads fast, fits within the screen width, and is easy to navigate with thumbs—not clicks. Use responsive design to ensure your content adapts to all screen sizes, and keep buttons and links large enough to tap easily.

Bonus tip: Run a mobile usability test in Google Search Console to spot and fix issues on your site.

5. Add social media buttons—but don’t overdo it

Yes, you want people to find your social channels—but you don’t want to send them away before they’ve explored your site. Instead of putting social icons at the top of every page, place them in the footer where visitors will see them when they’re done browsing.

You can also embed live social feeds, share buttons on blog posts, or direct users to leave reviews on platforms like Google or Yelp. Just make sure these additions support your goals rather than distract from them.

6. Avoid rotating sliders and carousels

Sliders may seem sleek, but data shows that only the first slide gets most of the clicks. The rest? Often ignored or scrolled past. They can also slow down your site, impact mobile performance, and reduce clarity in your messaging.

Instead, choose a single strong image or message for your homepage hero section. If you have multiple visuals or offers, stack them vertically so users can scroll at their own pace.

7. Keep your design clean and uncluttered

Don’t overwhelm your visitors. A minimalist approach with thoughtful use of white space helps your content breathe and improves focus. Let your visuals and words stand out by eliminating distractions like unnecessary animations, cluttered menus, or competing CTAs.

Use color sparingly to guide attention, and break up text with imagery, icons, or infographics where it supports the message. A clean site looks more modern, loads faster, and is easier to use.

Conclusion

Good web design isn’t about flashy features or complicated templates—it’s about clarity, usability, and connection. By focusing on authentic visuals, simple navigation, strong messaging, and mobile responsiveness, you can build a site that looks great and performs even better.

With these tips in hand, you’re well on your way to creating a site that builds trust, attracts customers, and supports your business every step of the way.