Web design has changed a lot over the years but one thing stays the same and that is your website has to work for the people using it. Today, most businesses are too much focused on attractive layouts that end up making their visitors confused and put brakes on success.
In fact, 94% of first impressions are design-related, highlighting the critical role of web design in shaping user perceptions.
Source: Loopex Digital
You don’t need the most expensive platform or the latest trend. What you need is a website that’s easy to use, clear to navigate and built around how real people interact online. That’s how you turn clicks into action.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best 10 website design principles that actually work for your website. Read on!
1. Don’t Make People Think
The easier it is for someone to use your website, the more likely they are to take action. I’m telling you this because I’ve seen people leave great businesses simply because the design felt too hard to use. Here’s what you can focus on:
Clarity over complexity
Keep everything as clear as possible. Your homepage, menu and buttons should all tell people exactly what to do next. If someone has to stop and figure it out, you’ve already lost them.
Obvious next steps
Every page should lead somewhere. If someone reads a service description, give them a button to book or contact you. If they browse a product, show a clear path to buy. Don’t assume they’ll search for it, but make it easy.
Example: Apple.com
When I think of an example, the first website that comes to mind is Apple.com. Just take a look at it, its homepage focuses on one product at a time with a clean layout. It even has minimal text and bold call-to-action buttons like “Buy” or “Learn more.” To tell you more, the navigation is smooth as butter and every page flows naturally into the next step.
2. Avoid Overloading with Choices
Too many options can lead to no action at all. I’ve worked on web designs that had everything laid out at once: products, services, contact forms, blog posts and guess what? People left without doing anything. Here’s how to keep things focused:
Fewer options mean faster decisions
Give people a clear path instead of making them choose between ten. Focus on your main goal. Whether that’s booking a service or buying a product, don’t bury it under too many extras.
Use focus areas to guide action
Keep each page centred around one purpose. On your homepage, highlight what you do best. On your product page, show one clear call to action. Help people move forward without second-guessing.
Example: Dropbox.com
A strong example of this principle is Dropbox.com as you can see its homepage is extremely focused. You’re not overwhelmed with a dozen features or paths to click. Instead, there’s a single headline, a short description and one clear call-to-action: “Sign up for free.”
3. Guide Attention with Visual Hierarchy
You have just a few seconds to show someone what matters most. If everything on your web design looks the same, nothing stands out. Many businesses lose clicks simply because the key message was hidden in the noise. Here’s how you can guide attention where it matters:
Size, colour and placement
Use bigger text for headings and brighter colours for action buttons. Put important elements, these include calls to action, where people naturally look first, like the top or centre of a page.
What people see first matters
Think about what someone notices in the first few seconds. Make sure it’s the one thing you most want them to know or do. Don’t let that message get lost in long text or complicated busy visuals.
Example: Airbnb
A perfect example of a strong visual hierarchy is Airbnb.com. When you land on Airbnb’s homepage, your attention is immediately drawn to the main search bar in the centre of the page. It’s large, clear and surrounded by white space. Supporting text and visuals are smaller and placed below, guiding your focus from top to bottom in a smooth flow.
4. Stick to Familiar Patterns
Trying to be too different can backfire. I’ve seen web designs that looked amazing but confused everyone who used them. People don’t want to learn how your website works as they want it to feel natural from the start. Here’s how to make that happen:
People know what to expect
There’s a reason menus are usually at the top and carts are in the top right corner. When things are where people expect them to be, they move faster and trust what they’re doing.
Layouts should feel intuitive
Stick with formats that work. Use common button styles, page layouts and icons. It might feel basic to you, but to someone visiting for the first time, it makes everything easier and less frustrating.
Example: Amazon
A solid example of sticking to familiar patterns is Amazon.com. It doesn’t try to reinvent how eCommerce works and that’s why it’s so effective. The search bar is right at the top, the cart icon is in the top right, and product pages follow a layout we’ve all seen before: images on the left, price and “Add to Cart” on the right, and reviews below.
5. Design for Scanning, Not Reading
Most people don’t read every word. They skim. If your message doesn’t stand out quickly, it gets missed. I’ve seen great offers buried in walls of text, even years later, nobody found them. Here’s how to make sure your content gets noticed:
Break text into short blocks
Keep your paragraphs tight and punchy. One idea per block. If it looks long, people will skip it. This helps them take in key points without effort.
Use headings and visuals for flow
Clear headings are a key part of good web design that helps people jump to what they care about. Use bold text, spacing and simple visuals to guide the eye. This makes the whole page feel easier to use.
Example: Zapier
A great example of scan-friendly design is Zapier.com. Zapier’s website is built for scanning. Key features are broken into short sections with bold headings, minimal text and icons or illustrations. You never have to hunt for information because your eyes are naturally drawn to what matters most.
6. Keep It Simple
More features don’t mean more value. You might’ve seen websites packed with options, pop-ups and banners. Let me tell you none of it will ever help in succeeding. Less is usually better. Here’s what to focus on:
Remove what people don’t need
If it doesn’t help someone take action or understand your offer, take it out. Focus on what helps, not what fills space.
Focus only on what matters
What’s the main thing you want someone to do? That should be front and centre. Everything else should support that action or get out of the way.
For Example: Stripe.com
Stripe’s website is clean, focused and fast. There are no unnecessary distractions, just clear headlines, concise descriptions and a single call to action. Every design choice supports the goal of helping you understand their product and get started quickly. No pop-ups, no clutter, no overload.
7. Make Actions Clear and Easy
People will act if your web design is simple and obvious. If they have to guess what button to press or fill in a long form, they’ll leave. I’ve seen it happen in seconds. Here’s how to make your calls to action work better:
Strong buttons that stand out
Your call-to-action should be bold and clear. Use colours that stand out from the rest of the page. Make the text direct, examples include: “Buy Now,” “Book a Call,” “Get Started.”
Short forms with clear labels
Only ask for what you need. Name, email and maybe one extra detail is often enough. Clear labels help people move quickly without second guessing.
For Example: Netflix
There’s no better example other than Netflix that I can think of. When you land on Netflix’s homepage, there’s one thing they want you to do: sign up. The call-to-action is bold, placed front and centre, and uses direct language like “Get Started” or “Join Now.” The form asks for one thing: your email. That’s it!
8. Mobile-First Always
Most people visit websites on their phones. If your web design only works well on desktop, you’re missing a huge chunk of traffic. I always test mobile first. Here’s how to make your website mobile-ready:
Design for small screens first
Start by making sure everything fits in your web design, it loads fast and is easy to click on a phone. Then adjust for tablets and desktops.
Touch-friendly and fast-loading
Buttons should be big enough to tap without zooming. Cut anything that slows things down, this can include extra animations, large images or pop-ups that block the screen.
For Example: Canva
Canva’s mobile experience feels just as smooth as its desktop version. Menus are easy to tap, buttons are large and spaced out properly, and the interface loads quickly, even with visual content. They prioritise small screens by keeping the design clean and the navigation simple. You can sign up, browse templates or start designing with just a few taps, no pinching, zooming or waiting.
9. Fix Problems Before They Happen
I’ve worked with businesses who only looked at their website after complaints came in. That’s too late. You need to catch problems before they cost you customers. Here’s what you can stay on top of:
Improve speed and test across devices
Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. Test your website on different phones, browsers and screen sizes. Slow load times and display issues can cost you sales.
Avoid broken links and blocked actions
Check every link, button and form. One broken action can stop someone from buying or getting in touch. Do a full walkthrough of your web design regularly to catch anything that’s off.
Example: Booking.com
Booking.com constantly tests and updates its platform based on user data. Pages load quickly across all devices, forms are regularly checked, and buttons always work. Behind the scenes, they run hundreds of A/B tests to spot issues before users do.
They also prioritise speed, whether you’re on desktop, tablet or mobile, the experience remains smooth. This kind of continuous optimisation helps avoid the problems most businesses only fix after it’s too late.
10. Keep Improving with Feedback
Your website isn’t done after launch. The best ones keep evolving based on how people actually use them. Real feedback beats guesswork every time. Here’s how to make progress over time:
Watch how people use your website
Use tools like heatmaps or session recordings to see where people click and where they get stuck. Ask a few people to try your website and watch what they do.
Make updates based on real behaviour
If people are ignoring a key button or leaving on a certain page, change it. Small tweaks often make the biggest difference over time.
For Example: Spotify
Spotify frequently updates its web interface based on real user data. They track how people navigate, what features they use and where drop-offs happen. From button placements to layout tweaks, every change reflects how users actually behave and not what the company thinks they’ll do.
This feedback-driven approach keeps the experience smooth, relevant and competitive. That’s exactly what continuous improvement in web design should look like.
Common Questions Asked About Web Design
Do I need a web design agency or can I build my own website?
If you’re just starting out and have a simple offer, you can build your own using tools like Shopify or WordPress. But if you need a custom layout, advanced features or faster performance, working with a website design agency in Melbourne can save you time and help you get better results from the start.
How much should I spend on website design Melbourne businesses trust for results?
There’s no set number, but it helps to start with what you need right now. A basic but well-designed website can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. It depends on how many pages you want, what features you need and whether you’re hiring someone or doing it yourself.
Can I update my website myself after it’s built?
Yes. Most modern websites are built with systems that let you update content without touching code. Just ask your designer or speak with experienced website designers in Melbourne. Australia businesses trust to set it up in a way that’s easy to manage on your own.
How often should I update my website design?
Every one to two years is a good rhythm to review your design. Trends shift and people expect fast, simple experiences. Small updates like new images, clearer buttons or updated copy can keep your website fresh without a full redesign.
Final Thoughts on Web Design That Works in 2025
A good website doesn’t just sit there as it helps your business move forward. It should support your goals, earn trust and feel easy for people to use from the very first click.
If you’re ready to improve your website or build something from the ground up, PrintVideoWeb is here to help. As a trusted website design company in Australia, we provide professional Web Design Services in Melbourne built around how people actually use the internet today. Get in touch and let’s create something that not only looks good but gets results.
