Top 3 Website Design Tips for Beginners: The Key to Building Stunning Websites With Confidence

If you’ve decided to dive into the exciting world of website design—welcome! Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own design business or just want to hone your skills, getting started can feel a little overwhelming. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back!

Below are my top three website design tips for beginners that’ll help you create sites like a pro in no time. Spoiler alert: If you want to fast-track your way to website design mastery, my Confident Web Designer course is exactly what you need (but more on that later).

1. Start With Strategy: Design With Purpose

Before you even touch a website builder, you need to ask yourself: What’s the goal of this website? A beautiful site that doesn’t serve a purpose is like a fancy coffee machine that doesn’t make coffee—pretty, but pointless.

Here’s how to nail your strategy:

Define the website’s purpose: Is it to sell products, showcase a portfolio, or build an email list?

Know your audience: Who’s visiting the site? What do they need, and how can the design guide them to take action?

Map out the user journey: Think of your website as a story. What’s the first thing your audience sees? Where do they go next? How do they get to the final destination (like booking a service or buying a product)?

Pro Tip: Keep it simple! A cluttered website overwhelms visitors. Use whitespace strategically and focus on one clear call-to-action per page.

2. Design With the User in Mind: Keep It Simple & Intuitive

Good design isn’t just about looking pretty—it’s about making life easier for your audience.

Imagine walking into a grocery store where the bread is in the freezer aisle, and the milk is next to the candy. Frustrating, right? That’s how users feel when a website isn’t intuitive.

Here’s how to keep your design user-friendly:

Use clear navigation: Stick to a simple, easy-to-spot menu. No one wants to play hide-and-seek with your contact page.

Choose legible fonts: Fancy scripts might look cool, but they’re hard to read. Stick to clean, modern fonts that are easy on the eyes.

Make it mobile-friendly: Over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so always design with smaller screens in mind. Test your site on phones and tablets to make sure it looks great everywhere.

Quick Fix: If you’re not sure whether your design works, ask a friend to navigate the site. Watch where they click, what confuses them, and adjust accordingly.

3. Master the Basics of Visual Hierarchy

Here’s a secret: Your audience doesn’t read websites—they scan them. That’s why visual hierarchy is your best friend. It’s all about guiding the viewer’s eyes to the most important elements first.

How to create a killer visual hierarchy:

Use size and contrast: Make headlines bigger and bolder than body text. Use contrasting colors to make buttons and key information pop.

Stick to one focal point per section: Avoid overwhelming your visitors with too much information at once. Each section of your website should focus on a single idea or action.

Use imagery wisely: High-quality, purposeful images can make or break a design. Choose visuals that support your message and connect with your audience.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid of whitespace (a.k.a. blank space). It gives your design room to breathe and makes your content stand out!

You’re One Click Away from Becoming a Pro Designer

Website design doesn’t have to be scary or complicated. By starting with strategy, focusing on usability, and mastering visual hierarchy, you’ll be well on your way to creating sites that wow clients and users alike!

Feeling ready to take a dive deeper into website strategy and essential design techniques?

Learn how to become a website designer online course

Website strategy made simple, must-know design techniques that make you stand out like a pro, and step-by-step video tutorial lessons that will teach you how to build stunning, no-code websites that convert.