Design tips

Create professional-looking websites by following these design principles and best practices.

Visual Hierarchy

Most Important First

Put your most important content where visitors look first:

• Top of page - Key message, main CTA
• Above the fold - Critical info visible without scrolling
• Left side - Where eyes start (in LTR languages)

Size Shows Importance

• Bigger = More important
• Smaller = Less important
• Headlines should be noticeably larger than body text

Use Contrast

Make important elements stand out:

• Bright button on neutral background
• Bold text for emphasis
• Different color for CTAs

Color

Keep It Simple

• 2-3 colors work best
• One primary color
• One accent color
• Neutral colors for backgrounds/text

Color Meanings

| Color | Conveys | | ------ | ------------------------ | | Blue | Trust, professionalism | | Green | Nature, growth, success | | Red | Energy, urgency, passion | | Orange | Friendliness, creativity | | Purple | Luxury, creativity | | Black | Elegance, sophistication |

Contrast for Readability

• Dark text on light backgrounds
• Light text on dark backgrounds
• Check contrast ratios for accessibility

Typography

Limit Font Choices

• 1-2 fonts maximum
• One for headings
• One for body text (can be the same)

Size Matters

• Body text: 16-18px minimum
• Headings: Significantly larger than body
• Consistent sizes throughout

Readability

• Line height: 1.5-1.7 for body text
• Line length: 50-75 characters optimal
• Avoid all caps for long text

White Space

Embrace Empty Space

White space (negative space) is not wasted space:

• Makes content easier to read
• Creates visual breathing room
• Looks more professional

Spacing Guidelines

• Consistent padding within elements
• Consistent margins between sections
• Group related items together

Don't Cram

❌ Don't fill every pixel ✅ Let elements breathe

Images

Quality Matters

• Use high-resolution images
• Avoid blurry or pixelated photos
• Maintain consistent style

Image Tips

• Real photos over cheesy stock photos
• Show real people when possible
• Maintain consistent aspect ratios
• Optimize for web (compress images)

Hero Images

• High impact, relevant imagery
• Support your message
• Consider overlays for text readability

Layout

Consistency

• Keep elements aligned
• Use a consistent grid
• Repeat patterns throughout

Section Structure

Good sections typically have:

1. Clear headline
2. Supporting text
3. Visual element (image, icon)
4. Call to action (when appropriate)

Mobile First

• Design for mobile, enhance for desktop
• Touch-friendly buttons (44px minimum)
• Readable text without zooming

Calls to Action (CTAs)

Make Them Obvious

• Contrasting color
• Clear, action-oriented text
• Prominent placement

CTA Text Examples

✅ Clear actions:

• "Get Started Free"
• "Book Your Appointment"
• "Download Now"

❌ Unclear:

• "Submit"
• "Click Here"
• "Next"

One Primary CTA

• One main action per section
• Secondary actions should be visually less prominent

Trust Elements

Build Credibility

Include:

• Customer testimonials
• Client logos
• Awards and certifications
• Social proof (numbers, reviews)
• Real team photos

Social Proof

"Trusted by 10,000+ customers"

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Great service!" - John D.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Design Don'ts

❌ Too many fonts ❌ Clashing colors ❌ Tiny, unreadable text ❌ Low-quality images ❌ Cluttered layouts ❌ Missing mobile optimization ❌ No clear CTA ❌ Inconsistent styling

Remember

• Simple is usually better
• Consistency creates professionalism
• Always check on mobile
• Get feedback from others