STUDENTS
arnold on Sep 21, 2019
***Updated 2/25/2025***
Coming up with an attractive website design can be tough, especially if you are creating a website from a template. This guide is going to cover the most important elements of design that a website needs to look both attractive and modern. The information is going to cover what is currently trending and all the elements we talk about will be simple enough so that anyone can incorporate them.
Large Hero Images
The first design element we will cover is the header. The header is the very top of your website, and usually includes a menu, and is the first thing a website user will see when they visit your website. Your header has one main purpose and that is to let your website visitor know what your website or business is about. A website visitor should be able to figure out the purpose of your website in two seconds or less simply by looking at your header.
Your header needs to be clear and it needs to be attractive. This can be accomplished with a large hero image (or a hero video) that goes under a clearly written message.
Below are some examples of hero images that I find attractive and clear.
EXAMPLE 1:
EXAMPLE 2:
EXAMPLE 3:
Unique and Large Typography:
Another major element of modern and attractive websites is Typography that is Large and Unique. In the header examples above one of the main things that helps them look attractive and stand out is large fonts and the use of different weights and colors within the fonts. In order to break up the information in the header and make it easier to read, all the headers either have two fonts or variations of one font.
Before you start designing a website, you need to choose a font pairing that matches your vision for the website. There are a few good websites that help you to pick fonts that work well together.
2. Fontpair.co is a good way to browse font combinations and it shows what they look like in a short paragraph.
Clear Call To Action
Another important element of a modern and attractive website design is to have a clear call to action. A call to action is a button or a link on your website that guides a visitor to tell them what to do next.
The first thing you need to consider when designing a page on your website is to identify the page objective. Do you want to get a website visitor to call your business? Then you have to make a very simple and obvious call to action for them to find your number and be able to call you. Do you need them to sign up on your email list? Then you should have a contact form directly in your page and it needs to be easy and obvious for them to submit their info.
Going back to the three hero images above you can see that all of them have the ability to take an action above the fold in the header. The strongest call to action comes from the first hero image where the website user can get a free website analysis directly from the hero images.
Call To Action Netflix Header Example:
Call To Action From the Middle of a CrossFit DNR Page :
Good Use Of White Space (Negative Space)
An attractive and modern website has to have a good use of White space in the design. White Space is also called “negative space,” and it is the space left between other elements of a page. The negative space does not necessarily have to be white.
The most common mistake I see with students when designing their first website is the poor use of white space. Sometimes there is too much white space that makes portions of the website look empty. And sometimes there is too little white space which makes the website look cramped. The example below from 99designs shows the difference in a design when white space is used appropriately.
The image below is the entire homepage of a local CrossFit gym. There are a lot of problems with this homepage but it also offers a glaring example of how not to use white space. The negative space in the menu bar at the top is uneven which makes for a menu that is hard to read.
The section below the header has one image that is off centered to the left with no text to support it. The white space to the right of the image makes the website look incomplete. In the footer of the website, the website designer used three different sized and different shaped images which makes the bottom of the website look sloppy and incomplete.
Here is another portion of a BBQ website that has an disproportionate use of white space which makes the website look incomplete:
As a contrast to the poor use of white space in the CrossFit and BBQ websites above, the image below shows a website that makes good use of white space. This website has some really nice image sections and to break it up they have some white background sections that make good of white space so the dark image sections don’t get overwhelming.
Use Images/Videos and Keep The Text Short!
Websites have shifted from being text-heavy to focusing more on images and videos. Today’s visitors tend to skim rather than read, often skipping sections with large blocks of text.
To keep users engaged, limit paragraphs to one or two sentences. Long sections of text can overwhelm visitors and discourage them from continuing. Check out any article of Search Engine Journal to see how they present information in their articles.
Visual content—images, videos, and graphics—plays a key role in telling your website’s story and guiding visitors through it. But the effectiveness of visuals depends on their quality. Poor-quality, grainy photos can make your site look unprofessional, no matter how well-designed it is.
Whenever possible, invest in professional photography. If that’s not an option, allocate a budget for high-quality stock images. Crisp, well-composed visuals not only improve the look of your website but also help build trust with your audience.
User Experience (UX)
UX refers to every aspect of how a visitor interacts with your website. While your site should be visually appealing, it should never sacrifice usability. Many websites may look impressive with flashy effects, but if users can’t find the information they need, the design has failed.
To provide a positive user experience, consider the following essential elements:
1. Prioritize Easy Navigation
Visitors should be able to find information quickly. A clear, intuitive menu is the foundation of good UX. Before designing, research what content is necessary for your homepage and subpages. Organize information logically to guide visitors without confusion.
2. Use Clear Headings and Concise Text
Long blocks of text can overwhelm users. Keep paragraphs to one or two sentences and break up content with descriptive headings and subheadings. This structure helps visitors scan the page and find what they’re looking for with minimal effort.
3. Eliminate Unnecessary Distractions
Avoid cluttering your site with pop-ups, auto-playing videos, or unnecessary content. Every element should serve a purpose. Ask yourself:
- Does my homepage need blog posts?
- Is this section providing value to visitors?
- Are there elements here that could be simplified or removed?
4. Ensure Fast Load Times and Error-Free Pages
A slow or glitchy website frustrates users and drives them away. Optimize images, limit heavy scripts, and test your site regularly to catch issues. Site speed isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a core part of the user experience.
Strong But Limited Color Palette
Your website should have a carefully planned color scheme. Most modern websites use three primary colors and two accent colors, creating a cohesive five-color palette.
If you already have a logo or established branding, your color palette will likely stem from those elements. If you’re starting from scratch, take the time to select colors that align with your website’s purpose and audience.
Use Online Tools to Create a Cohesive Palette:
There are several free tools that can help you select a color scheme:
-
- Coolors.co: Quickly generate a variety of palettes and adjust to your preference.
- Adobe Color: Explore trends or create custom palettes.
- Colormind.io: Offers AI-generated palettes based on modern design trends.
These tools can simplify the process and ensure your colors complement each other while supporting your overall design.
