How To Create Engaging Website Design

EDITOR’S NOTE: Website design is one of the driving factors in getting users to trust your website. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating or redesigning your website so you can draw readers in and gain their trust. Keep your design clean and engaging. Keep the layout simple and easy to navigate. Use eye-catching colors, fonts, images, and videos. Keep your website user friendly by making sure it is easy to search for topics and has clear call to actions with navigation that is easy to follow on any device. Make sure your articles have clear headings, short paragraphs, and is easy to read. I recommend including a clickable table of contents. Last but not least, test, test, test! Have friends try out your website on different devices, run audits, and listen to user feedback. We understand that building a website is no easy task. If you have any questions or want us to take care of the website building process for you, reach out to us at Prebuilt Sites and The BBS Agency!

Website design is a key factor in building trust with visitors. When users were asked why they didn’t trust certain websites, 94% of their responses were about the site’s design. A well-designed website draws in more traffic and provides a smoother user experience, which leads to better conversions.

While creativity in design is valuable, following basic design rules helps your website grow. Keep these suggestions in mind when designing or redesigning your site.

Build Trust with a Clean, Engaging Design

Today’s best web designs are simple and user-focused. Instead of unnecessary elements, modern sites focus on easy navigation and clean layouts. Here are eight design rules to create a website that keeps users engaged.

1. Keep the Layout Simple:  A simple layout is usually better. It doesn’t mean boring—it means focusing on the essentials. Clean, functional layouts make your site easier to load and use across devices. For example, Harry’s website puts its products front and center with minimal text and visuals, creating an easy, engaging experience.
2. Make Navigation Easy:  Visitors need to find their way around your site quickly, so keep your navigation simple and intuitive. Avoid overly creative menus that might confuse users; stick to familiar layouts. Vogue’s website, for instance, has clear, descriptive navigation menus that make it easy to explore.
3. Use Clear Calls to Action:  Think about what actions you want visitors to take, like buying a product or signing up for a newsletter. Make CTAs stand out by using buttons with direct, concise text. For example, the World Wildlife Fund uses bright buttons like “Donate” and “Adopt” to grab attention.
4. Less is More with Content:  Use what you know about your audience to keep their focus on the main products or services. Show only the most important text and visuals to guide their actions. Pocket’s website, for instance, emphasizes app downloads while keeping other content, like blog posts, in less prominent areas.
5. Don’t Fear White Space:  White space, or empty space on a page, can improve readability and reduce clutter. It helps direct users’ focus and keeps the design from feeling overcrowded. Google’s homepage is a great example, with a clean look that draws attention to the search bar.
6. Use Eye-Catching Colors:  Choose a main color for your site and a contrasting accent color for buttons or important elements. Whole Foods uses green as a primary color, with accents of orange to highlight calls to action.
7. Choose Easy-to-Read Fonts Select fonts that are clear and balanced. Fonts like Brandon Grotesque and Museo Sans are popular for their readability and unique look. The children’s clothing website Studio Aimee, for instance, uses Brandon Grotesque for a clean, inviting shopping experience.
8. Engage with Images and Video Images and videos are more engaging than text alone. Using videos on landing pages, for example, can increase conversions by over 80%. 

Make Your Website User-Friendly

An attractive website is important, but usability is key to keeping visitors engaged. Here are a few tips to ensure your site is user-friendly.

1. Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly With about 70% of web traffic coming from mobile devices, a smooth mobile experience is crucial. A website should be clean and easy to use, with modular content that works well on small screens.
2. Streamline Navigation Don’t make visitors hunt for what they need—ensure your navigation is simple and logical. Have a straightforward navigation bar, with quick links to key sections.
3. Use Calls to Action to Guide Visitors Place CTA buttons where they’re easy to find. For example, Square uses a clear “Start a Square account” button, which makes it easy for users to get started right away.
4. Provide Good Search Options A strong search function helps visitors find what they need faster. Zappos, for instance, has a search tool that updates filters based on search terms, improving the user experience.
5. Break Content with Headers Use headers to structure content-heavy pages, making them easier to read. WebMD effectively uses headers to break up health information, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
6. Use a Friendly Tone Avoid technical jargon and speak in a way that feels relatable. Zipcar, for example, uses an easygoing tone to explain their service, making their site more approachable.
7. Confirm Actions Show users confirmation screens after actions like purchases or sign-ups. Welcome new subscribers with a confirmation and a prompt to share on social media.

Test Your Site Before Launch

A smooth launch requires testing and feedback. Before going live, check every detail.

1. Conduct QA Tests Have a team test all links, forms, and services on your site. This helps you catch bugs before the official launch.
2. Gather User Feedback Invite beta testers to try out the site and give feedback on navigation, design, and overall experience. Use their input to make improvements before launch.

Creating a website from scratch is a big task, but following these steps ensures a design that’s attractive, functional, and user-focused. A well-designed site builds trust and keeps users engaged, giving you the best chance of converting visitors into loyal customers.