web designing assignment

WEBSITE ESSENTIALS

How to design a website (step-by-step guide)

• Jenna Romano
• 27 min read

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain →

As technology advances, it enables us to achieve more and more tasks without even realizing how complex they are. Website design by yourself is one of these.

Thanks to the evolution of website builders , you can design a website and craft an impressive online presence of your own. Using professional web design features, you can generate revenue, nurture a community of fans, and promote your brand online.

So, what is web design (and what are the web design best practices ) and how do you get started? We’ve got the knowledge you need to put you on the right track. From choosing your website builder and domain name, to understanding how to design each element of your site from your design concept , this complete guide will walk you through designing and how to make a website .

How to design a website

Set your goal

Choose a website builder

Define your layout

Claim your domain name

Gather your content

Add the right pages

Design your website elements

Pick the professional tools you need

Make it accessible to everyone

Optimize for mobile

Strengthen your SEO

Engage with visitors

Ask for feedback

Publish and update

01. Set your goal

Before you design a website, be crystal-clear about what you want to achieve. With so many types of websites out there, you should start by deciding which kind will help you meet your goals and meet your target audience and market where they are:

An online store or eCommerce website to sell your products

An online portfolio to showcase your art

A business website to manage and grow your business

A resume website to grab the attention of potential employers

A blog to share your knowledge with the world

An event website for weddings, parties and company events

A photography website to display and sell prints

A fitness website to book new clients

A restaurant website to help with online orders, delivery and payment

As part of this step you'll want to make sure you do plenty of research into how your site should be structured and designed, both for the type of site it is and your brand. eCommerce sites are designed differently to blog websites, for example — and mainly because of the user experience (UX) and user intent (UI) and how they differ on each unique site. Look first to your competitors to see how they've designed their sites, maybe there are must have pages, content or layout you should have.

Once you decide which type you need, it’s time to start the exciting part - designing your site. As you set off on this journey, keep your overarching purpose in mind and think about how the design will help achieve your objectives.

Get started with a web design checklist.

As you move forward with designing a website, you’ll find that your choice of elements to include will vary depending on what you want to accomplish. For example, if you want to sell your photos online, try displaying your work in a portfolio format and including an online store where you can sell prints. Or, if you’re creating a website with the goal of landing a job, a simple and professional resume website sans embellishment might suit your needs perfectly.

If you need help envisioning a design that meets your goal, browse through these Wix website examples for inspiration. You should also tap in web design trends and galleries for further inspiration. Consider also creating a mood board, just to brainstorm colors, styles and anything else relevant to the early stages of designing your website.

Starting a design business? Use this design name generator to name it.

02. Choose your website builder

Now that you’ve identified your goal, your next step is to choose the right website builder to accomplish it. A website builder (also known as a CMS) is a platform on which you can design, personalize and publish a website without any knowledge of coding.

There are dozens of platforms available on the market. Not sure which one to use? Wix.com is an HTML website builder that was ranked # 1 out of the best website builders in the world, and for good reason.

Learn more about the advantages of Wix: Wix vs Squarespace

Here are a few Wix advantages:

Diverse pricing models : Creating, publishing and hosting your website is totally free , for as long as you wish. If you want to upgrade your online presence with some tailored features, Premium packages are also available. They include everything you need to succeed online, from professional templates and web design features, to a custom domain name .

Design customization: Whether you’re a seasoned web designer or are still learning how to design a website, you’ll find that Wix offers different creative routes for everyone. One option is the Wix Editor, whose drag-and-drop technology and WYSIWYG software gives you complete design freedom. Each element of your website’s design can be customized for the look you want, while plenty of tools and built-in features will heighten its professional presence. You don't need to know or understand markup languages ( HTML , CSS , Javascript ) to build a Wix website. Beginners might also enjoy using Wix’s AI website builder , a first-of-its-kind chat-based experience that taps into Wix's ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) to help you design a website in record time. Simply chat with AI about the vision for your site, and you’ll get a complete website that you can customize as you wish. Learn more about some of the best AI website builders .

At the same time, experienced creators can look into Velo by Wix , which lets you dive into your site’s engine and interface to build sophisticated apps, APIs and databases . You get to own your website development. This way, you’re sure to have a one-of-kind result that suits your brand perfectly, and looks like no other website in the world. Also look at Wix Studio , an advanced web creation platform build for agencies, who need more from their web creation platform.

Professional solutions: Because your website is the hub of your online life, Wix puts all of the professional solutions you need in one place. Tools like email marketing, invoices, bookings, social media accounts and more can be integrated into your website’s design for the best experience of managing your site and business. On top of this, you’ll also be able to optimize your site with Wix SEO to increase your chances of getting found on Google.

As a creator or entrepreneur, you're often wearing multiple hats. You're designing the website, you're optimizing for SEO. This means you need a website builder that makes it easy and very learnable for you to do all of those things, on the same platform and still deliver as if working with experts in those fields. Esin D. Habif, Product Marketing Lead Outbound at Wix.com

Unique design features: Wix’s design features are completely customizable, which means you can design your website exactly the way you want. From a suite of imagery and backgrounds to innovative features like transparent videos and scrolling effects, you’ll have plenty of options to start with, and you can always upload files of your own.

Customer service: You’re not alone in your journey of learning how to design a website. If you need assistance, you’ll always have someone to talk to thanks to Wix’s 24/7 support team and social media pages. If you want to read up on web design tips , find web design tutorials , and get inspiration, you’ll find plenty of helpful material available online, too. To grow your knowledge in web design, online marketing, SEO and more— take a look at the Wix Blog (sincerely yours) and Help Center .

Ready to design a website with the Wix Editor? Here’s how to get started:

Go to Wix.com from your desktop or mobile.

Enter your email address, pick a password—and voilà. You now have your account, from which you can create as many websites as you wish.

Explore the vast collection of website templates, pick the one that’s most relevant for your needs, and start customizing it with the tools and features of your choice. If you’d rather build your website from scratch, you can start with a blank canvas and take it from there.

Learn the ins and outs of building a website with the Wix Editor with this online course.

03. Define your layout

Once you’re logged into your platform of choice, it’s time to conceptualize your website layout. If you want to start from scratch, you may want to plan map out your website’s design (and structure) on paper before you start to use the drag and drop website builder . However, another option is to use a template, which is a pre-designed layout created by a professional designer.

Wix offers an extensive library of free website templates . You’ll find designs for every kind of website, whether you’re looking to create a business website, a blog or a personal website.Start by browsing through the hundreds of options until you find a layout that you love. Then, you can make it your own by fully customizing all its elements and removing, adding or changing details like text, images and color.

Of these designs, you can pick between a multi-page template and a single-page one. If your website includes a hefty amount of content, you’ll probably opt for a multi-page site. However, with less content to display, you may want to look into one page website templates . This trendy option is a popular choice for landing pages, event websites and other short-form content sites.

Pro tip: There’s no better way to get your web design juices flowing than by seeking creative inspiration. A good way to start is to look at website examples that got it right. Grab a pen and paper, and jot down ideas you like as you browse through some of the best website designs. There are plenty of social media platforms dedicated to design inspiration, such as Pinterest and Dribbble , so make sure to check those out too. You can also expand your design knowledge by exploring concepts such as the golden ratio and how it applies to effective website design, specifically the layout.

The most important thing before building a website is good research. Know what you want to do and collect good inspirations that will contribute to your design. Anna Suntsov, Blog and Social Design Team Lead at Wix.com

04. Claim your domain name

To put it in simple terms, your domain name is your address on the internet. It’s what your visitors will see in the bar of their browser, right after the “www.”

Registering your domain name is critical for online success. Websites with a customized domain are automatically perceived by internet users as more professional and trustworthy.

When chosen wisely, a domain name also helps search engines (like Google and Bing) understand what your website is about. This is important because it helps bring in more traffic to your website.

Now, how do you choose a domain name for your brand? To make it memorable, keep it:

Short: The longer it is, the higher the chances of visitors misspelling it.

Simple: Avoid symbols, special characters and numbers.

Professional: Your domain name should incorporate your own name or your business name, to avoid confusion.

Evocative: Hint about what you do into your domain name by incorporating words that are related to your business.

You can find out if your dream domain name is available by using this domain registration tool . If your top choice is still up for grabs, don’t hesitate to acquire your piece of virtual property. If it’s not, don’t panic. Try out different variations of your original choice by playing around with the word order, or adding “the” at the start.

Pro tip : Picking a domain name also means using the right domain extension. From .org to .com and .net , you can choose from 45 top-level domain extensions. It’s best practice to use one that suits your business type and geographic location.

Choosing a domain also means selecting the right web hosting provider . With Wix, reliable and secure web hosting is standard with every site designed.

05. Gather your content

Now that you’ve set the foundations for your digital design , it’s time to get practical and prepare the content that will be featured on your website. This includes all of your web content - images, text, logo, videos, and more.

Use your own material as much as possible to ensure you’re offering unique and branded content. If you’re not using original content, just make sure to acquire your resources legally. Wix comes with a wide selection of media features, including a library of over one million free photos from our partners at Unsplash, Vector illustrations , and interactive videos that are exclusive to Wix. There’s also endless stock photo and image reservoirs you can check out.

While having plenty of material on your website is great, remember to always put quality over quantity. In an era of decreasing attention spans, the best way to catch your visitors’ attention is to showcase only your best content.

Finally, make sure your content is fully branded. Think of your website as an online persona - everything from the written content to the colors and fonts you use should reflect who you are or what your brand identity is.

Pro tip: New to the marketing game, or feel like you could sharpen up your brand language? From creating a logo to defining your tone of voice, this guide explains everything you need to know about building a solid brand identity.

06. Add the right pages

Every business is unique, and so is every website. Nevertheless, there are some traditional sections that your site visitors will expect to see. If you’re going for a multi-page website design, here are some must-have web pages:

Homepage : You have one chance to make a good first impression, and your homepage is it. Since it’s likely to be the first thing visitors will see, aim for a homepage that’s clean, organized and eye-catching. It should clarify who you are and what you do, and serve as a starting point for visitors to navigate through your site.

Make sure it contains the most crucial information: your logo, the name of your business, and a navigation menu inviting visitors to browse further. Once you’ve got these basics down, consider what sort of website background, imagery, written content, and calls-to-action you can add here to engage with visitors.

About Us page: Tell your story, and share your values, methods and any other information that defines your brand with an About Us page. Welcome new visitors by using the first person (“I” or “We”), since it adds a friendly touch of friendliness and warmth. Also, don’t forget to include a picture of yourself or your team members, since clients always like to see the face behind a business.

Contact page: When visitors want to reach out, they should be able to get hold of you easily. That’s where a contact page comes in. Make sure to include your phone number, postal address, business email address and social media accounts. You can also consider adding a live chat widget that gives visitors the chance to reach out and get an immediate response, or a contact form where they can write their message directly through your site.

Extras (but highly recommended):

Your product or service page : The product page (or service page, depending on your industry) is where your visitors discover what you have to offer, and if they’re convinced, take out their credit card and make a purchase.

When you design a website with a product or service page in mind, here are some key recommendations: Add high quality product photography, write precise and engaging product or service descriptions, and be transparent about your conditions (such as shipping, return, or cancelation policies).

A blog: Starting a blog with a blog creator boosts your reputation as an expert, helps you foster a loyal community, and is an effective way to drive traffic to your website.

If you’re not a natural-born writer, don’t fret - you have much more to say than you think. You can write about your clients (success stories, case studies, interviews) or yourself (events you attend, new employees, and more). But the most valuable blog ideas will come from your own expertise. Your readers will love to discover the tips, methods and hacks you use to solve the problems you meet, and will definitely appreciate the added value.

Testimonials: An honest testimonials page is a wonderfully effective addition to your website design. Studies show that 77% of satisfied customers will recommend your business or service to a friend after having a positive experience. If the purpose of your website is to bring in new customers, leverage the power of word-of-mouth and let your satisfied clients do the selling for you. You can also consider using social proof examples as part of this page as well. This can help lend credibility to both your site and business.

Splash page: A splash page acts as a preview to your site, greeting visitors before they reach your homepage. This is a great way to engage with visitors using high quality visuals or interesting text, or to promote a special offer or event.

FAQ page: An FAQ page is a dedicated page on your website that provides visitors with quick and simple answers to common questions in an organized and structured manner. It can save time by providing automated answers and provide a great experience for users.

Privacy page: This may be necessary for legal compliance, so be sure to check in your own country. A privacy policy helps you establish yourself as a transparent brand, whom customers can trust. Also often using third-party services, such as web analytics platforms, or monetizing your website through ads, can mean you need a privacy policy page to work with these partners.

Once you've decided which pages you need, your next priority should be to plan and structure them within your website. Establishing a hierarchy of pages is important for your site's navigation and to make sure people can move throughout the site with ease. This will also help you decided which pages and links to prioritize on your header and footer.

07. Design your website elements

You’ve got your content ready, claimed your domain name and set up your website’s pages. It’s officially time to design the elements of your website.

In this section, we’ll talk about all the details that will bring your website together and how to arrange them to form one cohesive design - whether that's inspired by minimalist, modernism, brutalism or something else completely. Ultimately, these decisions should be guided by your brand identity - the distinct appearance and voice you use to communicate your message to audiences. On top of this, keep usability in mind: your website should always facilitate easy navigation and strive to give visitors an engaging user experience.

Here are some elements to work on when learning how to design a website:

Website architecture : In order to provide the best website navigation experience for visitors, your pages need to be properly connected to one another. Make sure visitors can easily find the pages they need by adding a navigation menu and implementing internal links. Ultimately, follow the “two-click rule.” Your visitors shouldn’t have to click more than once to access any page of your site, wherever they are.

When it comes to making a website it's worth considering building a plan for all your website pages from the start of the process. This means creating a clear website plan that includes your planned and potential future pages. This allows you to then build a url structure for your site that is clean and consistent. This in turn can also mean you avoid having to make fixes to your url structure later, with redirects and manually having to update our change your internal linking. Nitsan Eiges, Team Lead Technical SEO at Wix.com

Menu: This central element of your design will display the different items featured on your website, ensuring that visitors can easily find and navigate from one page to another. Website menus range from the standard horizontal header menu, to the condensed hamburger menu. Whichever style you choose, it’s recommended to make it accessible on every page of your site, and to keep the number of items to a minimum to avoid clustering the screen.

Colors: Color psychology proves that different hues have different impacts on human behavior, which is what makes it such an important aspect of website design. The colors you choose may involve different emotions in your users and can impact your site's bounce rate . When choosing your website color scheme, a general rule is to limit yourself to three shades: one primary color (60% of the mix), one secondary color (30%), and one accent color (10%). Of course, if you’ve already solidified brand colors for yourself or your business, these should be included. Don't forget to think about your color palette and your use of the concepts of web colors and color space .

Fonts: When you choose fonts for your website, pick typefaces that are legible (both on desktop and mobile) and consistent with your brand identity. While the world of web typography is vast, opt for a maximum of three fonts in order to avoid visual chaos and to ensure readability.

Header and footer: Your website’s header and footer are found at the very top and bottom of your website, respectively. Both of these elements can be used in your website’s design to enhance usability and engagement. Both your header and footer contribute to the visual hierarchy of your site, which is important for users and search engines to understand what your site is about and who it's for. A website header is a great place to include features that you want visitors to discover immediately, such as your own logo or navigation menu. While a website footer won’t be seen right away, it can still be used to help your visitors in a number of ways. For example, it’s a great place for you to add your contact information, social media buttons, or an email sign up form.

Motion: This refers to all of the non-static, multimedia elements of your website, which can be very handy when you’re trying to catch the eye of visitors. Motion can come in many shapes, sizes and locations across your website design: implementing hover effects to encourage interaction, using VideoBox to add stunning effects or even uploading a full video background. While animations will definitely spruce up your site, use them in moderation. This guide explains all the dos and don’ts of adding animation to your website design.

Scroll effects: As the name suggests, scroll effects appear when the visitors scroll up or down your site. Their sophistication has the potential to draw attention, but most importantly, they help create a smooth transition between the different layers of a website page. One such effect is parallax scrolling. This professional 3D effect can add a sense of depth to your page, resulting in a lively browsing experience. This, along with other scroll effects (such as reveal or zoom-in), can be achieved using the Wix Editor.

Favicon: A favicon is a small icon that will be used in a website browser to “represent” your website. Take a second to look up at this tab in your browser, and you’ll see a tiny Wix logo in the left-hand corner—that’s a favicon. Despite its small size, a favicon is a great tool for helping users locate your website in those moments when one too many tabs are open. It will also contribute to your website’s branding by presenting your logo in an extra location, and its sharp appearance adds a measure of professionalism to your website design.

Responsive design: Responsive design enables your visitors to have a seamless browsing experience, regardless of whether they are using a desktop computer, tablet or mobile device. With Wix Columns , your website automatically adjusts and stacks content vertically based on the screen size or device being used to view it. This ensures that your website maintains its functionality and visual appeal across various platforms.

Whitespace: This is the area of your website that doesn’t include anything. Frightened by all this empty space? Don’t be. First of all, despite the name white space doesn't mean the absence of color, but rather negative space. Also, white space gives your visitors room to “breathe” between images or pieces of content, contributing to a much better user experience. It also supports Hick's law , that the more choices people are given, the harder it can be for them to make a decision. You want to avoid this on your site where the goal is to get users to interact and move around it.

Pro tip: What would artists like Leonardo da Vinci have to say about how to design a website? A lot, we imagine. Some of the same rules that governed art and design for centuries are also applicable to the internet. From balance to symmetry, discover how the principles of design can be applied to websites. Don't forget you can also test how your website looks with a mockup or website wireframe , that will help show you your design and structure before you press publish.

Ready to put your website design skills to action? Start designing your site now.

08. Pick the professional tools you need

The internet is becoming one of the most important marketplaces in the world. It’s estimated that in 2022, over 2.14 billion people worldwide will purchase goods and services online. For the creative and professionally minded alike, adding some of the following tools to your website can help facilitate efficient and secure transactions. It can also help ensure the scalability of your business through your website.

To further help you design your site, Wix encompasses several bespoke solutions to help businesses across all sizes and industries interact with clients. Incorporating these features will elevate your website so that it not only looks good, but operates seamlessly and functions how you need it to:

Scheduling software: If you run a service business, your website needs to be able to receive online reservations and payments, 24/7. Wix’s scheduling software does just that. It includes the most sophisticated options on the market, from letting clients book appointments online to the ability to manage your staff’s calendars.

Online store: Want to sell your goods online and generate a continuous stream of revenue? An online store is the way to go. From tracking your orders to accepting payments online , to getting paid easily, you’ll be able to manage everything from one dedicated place.

Social posts: Raise brand awareness and drive traffic to your site by creating eye-catching social media graphics and sharing your posts directly to Facebook and Instagram.

Music: Wix Music is a cutting-edge platform for musicians who want to expand their audience while maintaining total creative freedom. It enables you to sell your music directly on your website and keep 100% of the profits. Simultaneously, it distributes your tunes to over 120 digital stores.

Video Maker: Did you know videos can boost organic search traffic to your website by 157% ? With the Wix Video Maker , you can enhance your website design with customized videos in order to engage with your audience and improve traffic. These can be used to promote your products or services, share exciting updates and more.

Wix app: The Wix app conveniently allows you to run your site from anywhere, whether this means live chatting with visitors, or designing your website on-the-go. You’ll even have a mobile space where your regular followers and clients can join.

Expert tip: The Wix App Market includes a large selection of apps to boost your website’s business potential. From chat to payment, pop-ups and advertising on Google, there’s a tool for every aspect of your business.

09. Make it accessible to everyone

These days, a truly great website design should be accessible to everyone. Web accessibility ensures that all people, regardless of their abilities, can comfortably experience and interact with your website. This includes people with vision impairment, temporary injuries, hearing loss and more. With over one billion people living with some form of disability, catering to everyone’s needs is crucial. It also shows that you and your business value inclusivity and diversity.

There are a number of ways to improve user experience on your website for everyone. Make sure to build your website layout hierarchically, using clear headers to define the different levels of information. In addition, ensure that your site is fully operable with a keypad, write alt text for your images, use heading tags and more.

"An accessible website benefits not only people with disabilities, but all people. Websites with good contrast for example are not only more welcoming and usable for people with low vision ,but also Improves the experience of a user using the smartphone while walking outside on a sunny day." Nir Horesh, Head of Wix SEO & Accessibility

10. Optimize for mobile

Smaller screens do not equal smaller impact. With an increase in smartphone and tablet usage, it’s crucial that you ensure a seamless browsing experience across all devices by optimizing your mobile website design.

When creating a site with Wix, a mobile version of your site is automatically generated with the Mobile Editor. This means that you won’t have to worry about building a new structure from scratch. However, it’s still up to you to make sure you’re optimizing your content to fit this smaller piece of real estate.

Firstly, on your mobile website design, try to keep only the most important elements on the page, removing whatever isn’t absolutely necessary. Secondly, optimize the space above the fold by placing the most vital bits of information there, such as your menu or name. This is what your visitors will see first on a mobile browser, so keep it engaging and informative.

11. Strengthen your SEO

After you design a website, nothing is more satisfying than watching the number of visitors grow. One way to increase traffic to your website is to build a website design with SEO best practices. SEO (search engine optimization) is the practice of optimizing your website’s content so that it ranks well in search results.

SEO requires time, patience and persistence in order to get results, but you can start setting up your SEO as you design your website. Here are some SEO tips that you can apply to your content to improve your chances of ranking in the top results:

Conduct keyword research : Keyword research will help you find the keywords that are most relevant for your site. Once you have them, pick one main keyword, and a couple of secondary ones - but no more than that. Place your keywords in strategic locations across your site (SEO title and description, homepage, etc.), but don’t overdo it. Search engines penalize websites that “stuff” keywords unnaturally into their content.

Include on-page SEO: This is about telling search engines what your pages include. On each page, your website builder will ask you to fill in the meta-data. This includes the URL, the SEO title (the blue link you see on Google’s results page) and the description. Although visitors may not notice these elements, they’re important when it comes to ranking.

Add alt text: Alt text refers to the descriptions that you give to your pictures. These won’t be visible to your visitors, but they give a strong indication to Google as to what the media is about. Google may have a lot of knowledge, but it can’t “see” photos or GIFs (yet!). Alt text will help your visual content appear in Google results pages. Plus, writing SEO friendly alt text for your images is also an important practice in improving your website’s accessibility.

Boost internal linking: This will ultimately make it easier for Google’s bots to navigate through and recognize your website. Adding links throughout your website design will also encourage visitors to discover more pages.

Create a sitemap: This will make it easier for Google and other search engines to crawl your site and understand what it's about. This can be done automatically with a Wix premium plan.

Pro tip: You can regularly track the growth of your web traffic and performance of your site by utilizing Wix’s marketing integrations and connecting your website to tracking tools, like Google Analytics or Google Search Console .

Subscribe to the Wix blog  for a weekly dose of fresh web design tips and trends.

12. Engage with visitors

These days, visitors expect to engage with you on your site and beyond. Including some of the following features when you design a website will keep your audience connected and informed. Connecting with your followers across multiple channels is a powerful way to build relationships with them - and will ultimately bring more eyes to your site.

Live chat: Adding a live chat widget to your site makes a big difference in your visitors’ ability to interact with you. Whether it’s to provide fast customer support or to help undecided visitors make their way to the cart, this small window at the bottom of your users’ screen is a friendly addition.

Social media: Similar to your website, your social media channels are an important aspect of your online presence. As you design your website, add links to your social accounts to build your social following and provide another outlet for visitors to connect with you. These should be located somewhere visible, such as under the menu, on the right or left side of your page, or in the footer.

Newsletter: Email marketing is a great way to maintain a connection with your audience. You can use email newsletters to update visitors about the latest sales on your online store, promote new blog articles, or celebrate your achievements with subscribers. Invite visitors to subscribe to your newsletter by placing a lightbox on your website.

Forms: One powerful way to build long-lasting relationships with your customers is to ask for their feedback. Creating an online form for your website makes sure that visitors have a safe place to share their thoughts about your products, services, website or customer support.

13. Ask for feedback, test and edit

At this point, you may know how to design a website successfully, but there’s still room for growth. Being impartial is especially difficult when it comes to your own creation, which is why designing a website involves asking for honest feedback from individuals you trust.

Be receptive to their critique, and remember that you may not always like what you hear. To ensure a flawless final result, ask a friend or colleague to double check the following elements:

Is the text correct? Spelling mistakes can ruin the professional reputation that you’ve worked so hard to build.

Are the pages easy to navigate? If it takes too long to find a strategic page of your site, it means that you may need to rethink your site architecture or improve the visibility of your menu.

Is your web design optimized for mobile? Over 50% of internet users browse websites using a mobile device. You certainly don’t want to leave half of the world’s population frustrated.

Are all the links working? Click on every link to make sure none of them return a 404 page (this indicates that the page doesn’t exist anymore). Check to make sure your call-to-actions (CTA's) are working with the correct links too.

Are the SEO elements filled out correctly? From alt text to title tags, there are some items to verify so you can rank higher and grow your search engine visibility.

14. Publish and update

Having a website is a necessity. But having a website that is up-to-date is what really makes the difference. A site that looks like it’s been lying dormant for too long is uninviting and unreliable. Make sure to be alert, stay in-the-know, and update or redesign your website's content as often as you can.

As you learn how to design a website that constantly grows and evolves, you’ll need to know how to update your site. There’s always room for improvement, and you want to make sure that you keep your website design fresh.

Stay savvy by keeping up with web design trends and UX design trends —use that knowledge to update your site’s design overtime. Don’t forget to keep your content up-to-date, too. Make sure it’s always relevant and proves to visitors that you’re on top of the latest developments in your industry.

What you need to design a website

To design a website, you'll need the following:

A domain name: This is the address of your website on the internet, such as example.com. You can register a domain name through a domain registrar.

Web hosting: This is the service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible to visitors. You can purchase web hosting from a web hosting provider.

A website builder or content management system (CMS): This is a software tool that helps you to create and manage your website's content. Using Wix as a CMS for web design offers you a wide range of templates, ease of use and affordability.

Design assets: This includes images, videos and fonts that you will use to design your website. You can find design assets for free or purchase them from stock photo websites and other online resources.

What to keep in mind when you design a website

When it comes to designing a website, it's worth keeping the following in mind:

Who are you designing the website for? What are their needs and interests? What kind of information are they looking for? This is all part of setting your goals for your website. What do you want visitors to do on your website? Do you want them to learn about your company, buy your products or contact you?

Learn more: Why is web design important?

Decide what your brand values are and what kind of image you want to project when you are designing your website. What colors, fonts and images will represent your brand? This is what your audience will come to associate with you, so choose carefully.

Deciding how your website will be structured involves answering important questions, from figuring out how many pages it will have to how visitors will navigate from one page to another.

Your website should be mobile-friendly, meaning that it looks good and functions properly on all devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Make sure your website is accessible to people with disabilities, too. This means using high-contrast colors, large fonts and clear navigation.

UX (user experience) is the overall experience of using a website. A good UX makes it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for and complete their desired tasks. On top of that, it's important that the design of your website be eye-catching and easy to use. Use colors, fonts, and images that complement your brand and make the website easy to navigate.

Make sure that your website is secure from hackers and malware. This means using secure passwords, encrypting sensitive data, and keeping your software up to date.

When to design a website yourself or hire a web designer

Whether you should design a website yourself or hire a web designer depends on a number of factors, including:

Hiring a web designer can be expensive, so it's important to consider your budget before making a decision. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider designing your own website using a website builder or CMS platform.

Time commitment

Designing a website can be a time-consuming process, especially if you're not familiar with web design. If you don't have the time to commit to designing your own website, then hiring a web designer may be the best option.

Skills and experience

If you have no experience with web design, then it may be difficult to create a website that is both visually appealing and functional. If you're not confident in your ability to design a website, hiring a web designer could be the best option. However, website builders like Wix offers easy-to-use templates for beginners, so it's not a necessity.

How to design a website with AI

When it comes to designing a website, AI can enhance various aspects of the design process, from user experience (UX) to visual design and even content creation.

The simplest way to get started is by firing up a platform like Wix's AI maker. A solution like this can connect you with advanced AI tools that take care of the back-end and front-end development of your site, so you can focus on the vision for your brand and business. Meanwhile, AI will suggest the best layout and design for your site based on business goals.

Platforms like Wix will go a step further and set you up with the right pages and business applications. For example, if you run a gym that hosts events and also sells its own apparel, Wix will automatically connect your site with its Bookings and Stores apps. This ensures that you not only have a professional-looking website, but also a fully functional workspace for managing all aspects of your business online.

Sign up for Wix and test drive its AI website maker for free today.

How to design a website FAQ

How much does it cost to design a website.

The cost of designing a website varies. You can start designing a website for free, with a website builder like Wix or choose from a premium plan. Using a designer or expert to design your website could cost from several hundred to thousands of dollars.

Can I design a website by myself?

Do businesses really need a website, how do you design a website from scratch, what are the best platforms for designing a website without coding knowledge, what are some common mistakes to avoid when designing a website, how to design a mobile friendly website, related posts.

18 outstanding Wix website examples that will inspire you

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8 awesome web design projects for beginners

As a novice web designer, you’re building your portfolio and looking for ways to attract clients and opportunities. You need web design project ideas that will help you (and other novice web designers) get the practical knowledge you need to make responsive and user-friendly websites and web applications.

Developing project ideas should not only help you become a better web designer, but they should also help you become a better programmer. After all, your work is more than website design — you’re also helping brands create apps and online tools that improve the customer experience. 

This article explains the prerequisites for completing web design projects, how to get them, and eight website project ideas that will help you improve your skills and build your portfolio.

(Looking for resources to simplify your project planning process? Look no further — learn how Teamwork.com has you covered .)

8 web design projects for beginners

Create a landing page using HTML and CSS

Design a useful, interactive blog

Build a login authenticator

Utilize HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and UX design to create a to-do list

Create an Amazon homepage lookalike

Make a business portfolio website

Create a functional calculator

Launch an internet meme generator project

These web design projects will help you better grasp previously mentioned programming languages. They will also help you master the skills you need to be a great web designer. As you grow, you’ll be able to manage projects better and improve client communication , just like the web development agency, DotSee. Learn more in the case study .

1) Create a landing page using HTML and CSS

Landing pages help businesses hit their website conversion targets. That’s why there’s a great demand for landing page designs, thus making it important for you to develop your skills in landing page design and optimization. 

Many landing page builders exist. But learning how to build a landing page from scratch using HTML and CSS will make it easier for you to customize whatever landing page builder or website hosting platform your clients use. 

There are several landing page project tutorials online that you can use as guides. Here’s one from The Free Code Camp that breaks down the process step-by-step. You can also get inspiration to create your own landing page design project from Behance. Use different designs to practice so that your landing page design skills are well-rounded. 

2) Design a useful, interactive blog

Blog posts are content marketing teams' second most successful content formats. And while improving the quality of content is a top priority, there is also a need for user-friendly blog pages that make helpful blog content accessible to readers. 

That’s why you should work on your blog design skills. Here are some inspiring blog designs to help you improve your design skills. Your blog web design project should focus on creating a blog page where new blog posts can be added and edited. Users should also be able to view other blog posts published on the platform. 

3) Build a login authenticator

There are five main types of login authentication processes:

Password authentication: This is the most common form of authentication you’ll see on a login page. 

Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Two or more independent methods must be used to authenticate a user. Codes generated by an authentication app and Captcha tests are the most popular forms of MFA.

Certificate-based authentication: Digital certificates are used to authenticate users. When presented at sign-in, the server uses cryptography to confirm the user has the correct private key for the digital certificate.

Biometric authentication: Unique biological characteristics of an individual are used for login.

The easiest way to build a login authenticator is to use identity and user management API services, such as Okta. 

Data privacy is a key consideration when building login authenticators. That’s why you should use these web design projects to learn how to keep user data secure while designing the best possible user login journey. 

4) Utilize HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and UX design to create a to-do list

A to-do list app will help you learn four fundamental aspects of the user experience — creating, reading items on the screen, editing, and deleting — and will help you improve your web development skills. 

Dribbble has some great to-do list app sample designs you can draw inspiration from. But remember that the app doesn’t only need to look good; it also needs to function effectively. Here are some tips that can help you create a functional to-do list app users will enjoy:

Make tasks the pathways to accomplishing goals.

Allow users to easily mark tasks as complete, leave comments, and add task fields.

Use simple keyword phrases.

Include subtasks and/or checklists. 

This video by Tyler Potts acts as a good guide for understanding the basics of using programming languages and your UX skills to create a to-do list. 

5) Create an Amazon homepage lookalike

Creating an Amazon homepage lookalike will help you master designing some of the most sought-after elements of an e-commerce website — one-click ordering, personalized recommendations, and advanced search filters. It’s a project that gives you room to learn how to build an e-commerce website from scratch. 

HTML and CSS are crucial for this web design project. Extensive coding must be done on the front and back ends, so prepare to spend hours (maybe even days) putting everything together. The beauty of the process is that you will learn a marketable skill that will help you regularly attract new clients.

AccioJob has a step-by-step tutorial for beginners that will help you use HTML and CSS to make an Amazon lookalike page.

6) Make a business portfolio website

Start by creating a business portfolio website for your web design business. Experiencing the process as a business owner will help you understand what some of your clients go through and why they need you. 

Here’s a four-step process that can help you build a portfolio website from scratch:

Purchase a domain name and then look into domain privacy protection as well.

Use GitHub Pages to build the website from scratch using HTML and CSS. Alternatively, you can use Heroku if you need to host the site with a back-end server and use PHP. Knowing how to do both will help you master full-stack developer skills. You can also use a website builder, such as WordPress, as your base and then add coding to personalize it to suit your needs. Or you can even try an AI-powered website builder , to fast track your process.

Deploy your website using the code you’ve created. 

Ensure the portfolio design matches what you want your brand to portray.

7) Create a functional calculator

Web calculators can be designed to do anything from basic math to pricing calculations and financial projections. Creating a web calculator will help you get more experience coding mathematical algorithms without compromising design and UX. 

There are 46 web calculator design examples on Dribbble that you can use for inspiration. There are calculators for mortgage calculations, basic mathematical calculations, weight-loss journey calculations, and many other types of calculations. These examples show that you can create functional calculators to match your brand's value proposition. 

Here’s an example of one such calculator created by Milan Opsenica.

Although Cruncher is a fictional company, it’s clear that Milan designed this tool based on his vision of the tool being helpful to people who are monitoring their diets. This calculator helps users of this fictional Cruncher app calculate their ideal macronutrient ratio based on their genders, weight goals, age, height, current weight, and activity level. 

8) Launch an internet meme generator project

A meme generator project will help you practice your HTML, CSS, and Java skills. You’re designing an app that allows people to upload images, insert text on the image, and export the completed file. These three steps form the basis of many apps and web programs, thus making it crucial for you to learn them. 

There are many tutorials available that can help with your internet meme generator project. Some popular options are:

Code With Ahsan

Bonus: Programming languages tips for beginner web designers

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the building block of all websites. It’s the first thing search engines will look at when visiting a website, thus making it important for you to know how to use HTML to build a website’s structure. HTML is what makes a website visible to end users. 

Tips for gaining proficiency in HTML

Complete a course that includes practical ways to learn HTML, as well as other relevant programming languages. The Web Developer Bootcamp 2022 is a course you could consider. It has over 830,000 students and a 4.7-star rating across over 240,000 reviews. 

Attend an HTML Bootcamp. Berkely offers a coding Bootcamp each year where you can learn the basics of HTML and get practical experience. 

Get HTML certification. A good certification to pursue is CanCanIt’s HTML5 certification . It proves you have basic knowledge of HTMLfunctions, structure, tagging processes, and media integration. 

Cascading Styling Sheets (CSS) is a programming language that focuses on the style and design of a webpage. It works alongside HTML to add colors, backgrounds, layouts, font sizes, and other design elements to websites.

Tips for gaining proficiency in CSS

Play an online CSS game. Each game helps players master a different aspect of CSS. You can check out a fun list of CSS games in this article . 

Access free beginner courses on YouTube. The Free Code Camp has a video that’s a little over five hours long that you can check out. It covers how to build and deploy your first website and various web design projects that will help you apply what you’ve learned. 

Get a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification in HTML and CSS. 

Java is a popular programming language used to develop website content, games, apps, and software. It’s mainly used in front-end development and is platform independent. 

Tips for gaining proficiency in Java

Watch YouTube videos from well-respected brands. You can check out two great tutorials from Programming With Mosh and Free Code Camp .

Complete the MTA Javascript certification . 

Attend a JavaScript BootCamp. Since JavaScript is one of the most popular programming languages, there are several Bootcamps to choose from. Here’s a list of 301 of the best JavaScript Bootcamps . 

User interface/experience design (UI/UX design)

UI design relates to all the visual elements you interact with when using a website, app, or electronic device. UX includes UI design but takes a more holistic approach by looking at a customer’s entire experience with a digital product. UI and UX design focus on how customers experience and feel about a digital product or website. 

Tips for gaining proficiency in UI/UX design

Use interactive courses that allow you to test and measure your design skills. Uxcel has a great UX design course.

Become familiar with the most popular UI design tools. You can check out nine of the best tools here .

Learn from leading UX experts on social media, such as Kim Goodwin, Dan Saffer, and Lizzie Dyson.

Learn how to create responsive designs that adapt to a user’s screen size, platform, and screen orientation (horizontal or vertical). 

Visual design

Have you ever seen a dull, uninteresting website and immediately bounced? You aren’t alone. Research from Adobe finds that “when pressed for time, 59% of global consumers crave beautiful design over simplicity.” Beautiful web designs are created using UI and visual design techniques (such as color psychology , spacing typography , and type hierarchy ) to enhance the look and feel of a website. 

Tips for gaining proficiency in visual design

Understand Gestalt Psychology and how it applies to design . Look for ways to apply these principles to your web design and web development projects. 

Learn more about emotional marketing so you can be more aware of the emotions you’re appealing to with your designs. 

Try recreating an existing design. Replicate a website or web application you admire using your preferred design tools. 

Create your own design challenge by creating a design prompt for a fictional company. For example, you could create a web app for a magazine geared towards minorities.

Organize your web design projects with Teamwork.com

Managing multiple web design projects can become time-consuming and overwhelming. You could use a spreadsheet and multiple Google Doc files to keep track of everything. Or you could use a project management tool built with web developers in mind. 

Teamwork.com is here to help you organize and manage your projects as you grow. Sign up for an account today and find out how we can help you succeed!

Ben is a Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Teamwork.com. Having held content roles at agencies and SaaS companies for the past 8 years, Ben loves writing about the latest tech trends and work hacks in the agency space.

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• Responsive Design

Web Design for Beginners

2 Course brief and assignment

3 ui design vs. ux design vs. web design, 4 learning to work with project briefs, 5 working with wireframes, 6 picking the right design tool, 7 color theory, 8 color harmonies, psychology and tools, 9 creating a color palette for our project, 10 let’s talk about typography, 11 creating the typography for our project, 12 spacing and sizing in web design, 13 using icons and images in web design, 14 definition and use cases for headers, 15 let’s design a header, 16 definition and use cases for hero areas, 17 let’s design a hero area, 18 definition and use cases for buttons, 19 let’s design some buttons, 20 definition and use cases for image galleries, 21 let’s design an image gallery, 22 definition and use cases for footers, 23 let’s design the footer, 24 definition and use cases for testimonials, 25 let’s design some testimonials, 26 definition and use cases for tabs, 27 let’s design some tabs, 28 definition and use cases for accordions, 29 let's design an accordion, 30 definition and use cases for contact forms, 31 let’s design a contact form, 32 what is a responsive website, 33 making layout changes for tablets and phones, 34 making a component responsive, 35 a quick word about prototyping, 36 next steps and key takeaways, what you’ll learn.

• The basic steps to becoming a web designer 
• The difference between UX and UI Design, plus other key terminology
• Typography, color, spacing, sizing, and using imagery
• Key design elements: headers, buttons, galleries, contact forms, and more
• How to work with project briefs, including your own demo project

“How do I pick typefaces, how do I pick colors, what the heck is whitespace, and how do I position and size elements correctly?”

These are exactly the kinds of questions which we’ll address in this epic beginner web design course.

In terms of fundamentals, you’ll learn about color, typography, spacing, sizing, imagery, and responsive web design. We’ll discuss the theory, best practices, and some tools you can use to make your job easier.

When it comes to common web design patterns, you’ll learn about the elements you can use to design a web page—things like headers, hero areas, buttons, image galleries, contact forms, and more. For each of these patterns, we’ll look at the definition and some use cases, and then we’ll apply that knowledge to a demo project: a three-page portfolio website designed specifically for this course.

Download Course Assignments

This is a huge course (05:20 hours long) and it’s split into 36 lessons in total. You’ll find it’s a great resource to dip in and out of, and make sure you bookmark the bits you’re most interested in.

Download the project brief and course assignments so you can follow along, and check out the lesson contents below to see what’s covered in detail!

Introduction

1. welcome.

So you want to become a web designer, but you have no idea where to start. Don’t panic! It’s not as hard as it seems, though it requires time and effort to learn. In this course, I will guide you through the basic steps of becoming a web designer. You’ll learn lots of great information, like the difference between UI and UX design or how to read project briefs and create wireframes. You’ll learn about typography, color, spacing, sizing and using imagery.

The course also has a practical assignment you can take so you’ll be able to solidify the information you learn. Through this assignment you’ll learn how to use some of the most common patterns in web design by creating a portfolio website.

2. Course Brief and Assignment

Alright so as I’ve been saying previously, in this course we’ll be working on a demo project and there will also be an assignment. For you. Don’t think about it as a homework because nobody likes doing that, but instead as an opportunity to take what you learned during the course and put it to good use, to practice, right?

So first let me show you the course project and then we’ll talk a little bit about the assignment.

Related links:

3. ui design vs. ux design vs. web design.

Alright so let’s see what’s up with all these acronyms. UI, UX, web designer… what’s their deal? How is a UI designer different from a UX designer? Are both of these web designers or is that something completely different? Let’s find out.

Project Briefs, Wireframes and Tools

4.  learning to work with project briefs.

Every web design project should start with the UX part, right? The user experience — because that’s what we need to focus on. Before we even consider colors or fonts, we need a clear structure of the content and we need to know who we’re designing this for.

And this is where a project brief comes very handy. So for this application, we’ll pretend we’re the UX designer and we just had a talk with the client. Based on that talk we created a project brief.

5. Working With Wireframes

Alright, let’s talk about wireframes. These are low-fidelity versions of the final design. You can even think about them as sketches.

The idea with a wireframe is to display the final content as well as its structure. But do it in a way that overlooks any aesthetic decisions. Meaning, a wireframe is not about colors or typefaces or spacing. It’s purely about the content, how that content flows and how it’s organised.

Now, coming back to our project, we’re still on the UX side. Right? We’re still looking at things from the user’s perspective and because we have a project brief ready to go we can get started on the wireframe.

To save a bit of time, I went ahead and created the wireframe so now I’ll walk you through it.

6. Picking the Right Design Tool

Alright so as we’re slowly getting into the UI design part of this course, it’s time to decide which software we’ll be using moving forward and I’m sure this is one of the main questions you’re asking yourself as a beginner.

And while it’s relatively easy to learn a UI design software, it’s always helpful to know about pros and cons before you begin so that you have the best information available when making the decision.

• Introduction to Figma

Fundamentals: Color & Accessibility

7. color theory.

When it comes to color theory, there is a lot of information and if you did design work before, then you probably know the basics. But just in case you don’t or maybe you need a refresh, this lesson is all about that.

I’ll try and give you a very quick guide to using colors in web design, without making it very complicated. Let’s go.

8. Color Harmonies, Psychology and Tools

Working with color can be daunting at times, especially as a beginner because, sure, you know the theory, but how do you put it into practice? How do you pick colors that work best for your project and also work very well together?

To answer that, let’s begin by exploring color psychology or the meaning of color.

• https://color.adobe.com/
• ColorSpace - Color Palettes Generator and Color Gradient Tool
• Dribbble - Discover the World’s Top Designers & Creative Professionals
• Free Gradients Collection by itmeo.com
• Color Palettes for Designers and Artists - Color Hunt
• Color Palette Generator - Create Beautiful Color Schemes

9. Creating a Color Palette for Our Project

Alright so now we’re in the realm of UI design. We have a project brief, we have a wireframe and a pretty clear direction. Now it’s our job to create a design based on that wireframe and the easiest place to start is the color palette.

Fundamentals: Typography

10. let’s talk about typography.

Arguably, typography is the most important part of any design because most of the content is usually text. So if you’re not using the appropriate typefaces, font sizes, line heights, font weights and so on, everything else kinda just falls apart.

It doesn’t matter how good looking the rest of the website is. If your typography looks bad, that’s going to translate to the whole thing.

So how do you get started with typography? Well, there’s a multi-step process and I’m going to try and simplify it for you. It all starts with choosing where you get your fonts from.

• A Beginner’s Guide to Using Typographic Scales
• Adobe Fonts
• Google Fonts

11. Creating the Typography for Our Project

Alright so let’s follow the steps I described previously and pick the right typography characteristics for our project. Let’s go.

• Type Scale - A Visual Calculator
• Archetype, Digital Typography Design Tool by Our Own Thing, using Google web fonts

Fundamentals: Spacing, Sizing and Imagery

12. spacing and sizing in web design.

Alright, spacing and sizing in web design. This refers to how much space you should use inside and outside of elements and also how big or small they should be. And these will sometimes overlap because the final size of an element can also be dictated by the interior spacing, like for example, a button.

• The comprehensive 8pt Grid Guide

13. Using Icons and Images in Web Design

Before we start putting pixels on the screen, I want to give you a few pointers for working with icons and images.

Don’t forget to check out Envato Elements for unlimited use of thousands of creative assets—including icons for web design!

• Vector Icon Packs - PSD, AI, SVG, PNG Files - Icons for any use
• Bootstrap Icons
• Font Awesome
• Ionicons: The premium icon pack for Ionic Framework
• Forge Icons - 300 right mix of SVG icons for use in e-commerce, travel, social media, app design and much more.
• A lightning-fast SVG icon organizer and manager.

Common Patterns: Headers, Hero Areas and Buttons

14. definition and use cases for headers.

Before we design a header, let’s look at what it is.

15. Let’s Design a Header

To design our header we’ll use the wireframe as a starting point and because I’m working in Figma I’ll be using the auto layout feature pretty heavily. But don’t worry, I’ll explain how it works as we’re building stuff with it.

• All the Templates You Can Download

16. Definition and Use Cases for Hero Areas

Hero sections were once considered to be a passing trend but they actually stuck very well in web design and pretty much all websites nowadays use one.

17. Let’s Design a Hero Area

Ok, previously we designed the header for the website of Robert Fox. And if we look at the wireframe, right below that we have a hero section. So let’s take that and work our magic.

18. Definition and Use Cases for Buttons

I think everybody knows by now what a button is. But just in case, let’s do a recap.

19. Let’s Design Some Buttons

My hero area is incomplete at the moment because I need to design the button. So while I do that I’ll also give you some tips and tricks for designing good-looking buttons. Let’s go.

Common Patterns: Image Galleries

20. definition and use cases for image galleries.

Alright, let’s talk about image galleries and I think the name is pretty self-explanatory.

21. Let’s Design an Image Gallery

Based on the wireframe, our website also has an image gallery even tho it’s more like a portfolio showcase. But we’re only displaying images there so can safely categorize it as an image gallery.

Common Patterns: Footers

22. definition and use cases for footers.

Alright, time to work with footers but first, let’s try and define them.

23. Let’s Design the Footer

Alright, time to get busy again and use our massive knowledge of footers to create our very own. Ready?

Common Patterns: Testimonials

24. definition and use cases for testimonials.

Alright, testimonials. What are they? Well, they’re basically nice things that your clients say about you. You the business, the brand.

25. Let’s Design Some Testimonials

Alright so our website has 2 places for testimonials: the homepage and the about page. And we’ll use a slightly different style between the 2 pages.

Common Patterns: Tab Controls

26. definition and use cases for tabs.

Alright, let’s talk about tabs. I’m sure most of you know what a tab control is by now, but just in case you don’t, here’s a quick definition.

27. Let’s Design Some Tabs

Based on the wireframes, the tab control we need to design is in the about page and its purpose is to present the tools that Robert Fox is using for design and for development.

Common Patterns: Accordion Controls

28. definition and use cases for accordions.

Ok, let’s talk about accordions. In UI design, these are very similar to tab controls in the sense that content is split up in multiple panels which can be opened by the user.

29. Let's Design an Accordion

Based on the wireframes, our accordion is for a Q&A section inside the contact page. So let’s get to it.

Common Patterns: Contact Forms

30. definition and use cases for contact forms.

I’m sure we don’t really need a definition for this pattern right? It’s pretty self-explanatory. It’s a web form that people can use to contact you.

31. Let’s Design a Contact Form

Ok so based on the wireframe, the contact form is placed in the… contact page. Imagine that. So let’s get started.

• Responsive Web Design

32. What is a Responsive Website?

Alright, let’s talk about responsive websites and I want to start by telling you a short story.

33. Making Layout Changes for Tablets and Phones

Ok so first let’s see what kind of problems our layouts are facing when displayed on a smaller screen and then we’ll think about solutions.

34. Making a Component Responsive

Making a website responsive is not a very difficult task, but every now and then you will stumble upon a certain UI element that’s going to give you a hard time, for example a table.

We don’t have any tables in this design, but we have tabs. And these can sometime prove to be problematic as well so in this lesson I’ll show you how to make the tab component responsive.

35. A Quick Word About Prototyping

So what is a prototype? Well, it’s basically an interactive mockup of your design. It doesn’t necessarily mean the final version of the design, but instead a version that allows you to better see the functionality and the user’s journey through the website.

36. Next Steps and Key Takeaways

Well this was a big course. 36 lessons, over 3 hours long and a lot of hopefully useful information. So congrats for finishing it, I hope you learned something new and if you have any questions or feedback please reach out on social media! 

• Tuts+ on Facebook
• Tuts+ on Twitter

Web Design Assets on Envato Elements

You will find some of the best premium web templates on Envato Elements . These premium assets include high quality features that make it fast and easy for you to design and build websites. With your Elements subscription you’ll get unlimited access to UI kits, web templates, fonts, WordPress themes and other useful stuff for any web designer.

Even More Free Courses for Beginners

Html & css for beginners.

Now you’ve learned the fundamentals of web design, why not start learning how to actually build your designs? Check out this beginner’s course on HTML & CSS to get started.

UI Design for Beginners

In this beginners UI Design course, we’re going to start by wireframing a fictional app, then we’ll add a design layer and pick some colors. There’ll be plenty of design theory and UI design tips sprinkled throughout.

JavaScript for Web Designers

In this course, you’re going to learn the basics of JavaScript from a web designer’s perspective. 

How to learn web design in 9 steps (+ best practices)

Discover how to learn web design and learn the basics of UI, UX, HTML, CSS, and visual design.

Build completely custom, production-ready websites — or ultra-high-fidelity prototypes — without writing a line of code. Only with Webflow.

Start with a solid foundation by learning the basics of UI, UX, HTML, CSS, and visual design.

Learning how to design a website is an effort-intensive process. Starting with the fundamentals will save you time fixing errors later.

This guide covers everything you need to better understand web design so you can start the creation process with a big-picture perspective. As you read through, bookmark the more in-depth guides along the way. 

What’s web design, and what elements make it work?

Crafting a website is part artistry, part science. Designers turn concepts into aesthetically pleasing sites that enable an audience to take the site owner’s intended actions, whether it’s making a purchase or signing up for a service.

Web design involves several subdisciplines, like user experience (UX), user interface (UI), and search engine optimization (SEO). Good designers should know the fundamentals of these subdisciplines.

To create an effective (i.e., engaging and user-friendly) site, web designers need the following skills: 

• Attention to detail — A great designer notices granular details, styling each element carefully while never losing sight of how they’ll all come together.
• Adaptability — Designers must be skilled in various software and techniques to pivot strategies to reach multiple audience types.
• Organization — The arrangement of text and visuals on each page must intuitively direct users through the site. A skilled designer creates sites that deliver users to their destination in the fewest clicks.
• Innovation — The best sites are both unique (to keep the viewer engaged) and follow the user’s navigation expectations (so they can take their intended action).

Web designs are powered by the backend

The backend is everything that runs behind the scenes when displaying a website — back-end developers are the people who make it work. Websites reside on servers. When a user navigates to a specific section of a site, the server shows them a file filled with HTML and CSS that determines how the browser displays the content. It’s this back-end file that developers work on to ensure the site loads correctly and is search engine-optimized.

Back-end developers are often programmers who work in coding languages such as PHP. They also might use a Python framework like Django, write Java code, manage SQL databases, or use other programming languages or frameworks to ensure that servers, applications, and databases work together correctly.

The front end relates to what site visitors see

If the back end is the server side, the front end is the client side. The front end is where HTML and CSS — along with JavaScript and other coding languages — work together to display a website. Front-end development focuses on the parts of a web design that people engage with. It’s all about organizing information and presenting it in a way that’s visually appealing and usable.

Good visual design makes websites stand out

Though the best web designs look effortless in execution, they’re all based on the guiding principles of visual design . Some rare web designers have an innate eye for visual design, but most must learn and practice the rules of composition. Over time, you’ll understand how elements like shapes, space, color, and geometry come together to form sound web design.

How to become a web designer: 9 steps

Building websites is more accessible than ever, thanks to online courses and thorough design software documentation like that on Webflow University . That said, some fundamental principles make for a solid foundation to build on. The following nine steps are an ordered approach to learning these principles so you can fast-track your education.

1. Understand the key concepts of visual design

Effective web design requires you to understand the basic artistic principles you can leverage to make your designs more appealing. If you’ve ever taken an art class, the following fundamentals might look familiar, though applying them to web design is slightly different.

Every letter, border, and division in a web page layout is made up of lines that form the larger structure. As you learn web design, you’ll learn how to use lines to create order and balance. For example, you might create borders to separate elements on a page or horizontal lines to bookend paragraphs.

The three basic shapes in visual design are squares, circles, and triangles. Squares and rectangles work well for blocks of content, circles for buttons, and triangles for icons that accompany important messages or calls-to-action (CTAs). 

Shapes also evoke specific associations — squares with strength, circles with harmony and comfort, and triangles with importance and action.

Texture replicates something in the real world. Through texture, we understand whether something is rough or smooth. 

You’ll notice textures throughout popular web designs, from paperlike backgrounds to the colorful wisps of a Gaussian blur. Thoughtfully using texture can make your designs more interesting and give them a sense of physicality.

To create sites that aren’t an eye strain, educate yourself on color theory . Understanding the color wheel, complementary colors, contrasting tones, and the emotions that different ones evoke means you can more strategically design your site. 

A huge part of learning front-end web design is knowing what color combinations look good together — generate ideas by creating a few palettes with a tool like Coolors.

2. Learn HTML basics

HTML determines how a website's content, images, navigation, and other elements display in a browser. Though you don’t need to be an expert in HTML to become a web developer, it helps to be familiar with how it works, even if you’re using a visual-based design platform like Webflow. 

HTML tags are the instructions a browser uses to generate a website. These tags control headings, paragraphs, links, and images. You’ll especially want to know how header tags like H1s, H2s, and H3s create content hierarchy . In addition to affecting layout structure, header tags help web crawlers classify a site, which affects where your site lands in organic search rankings.

3. Understand CSS

CSS provides styling instructions for HTML elements. Applying fonts, adding padding , setting alignment, and choosing colors are all possible through CSS. Knowing how this styling works gives you the skills to create unique-looking websites and customize existing templates.

A CSS class is a list of attributes that come together to style elements. For example, 

  color:red;

The “p” at the beginning refers to the <p> HTML tag used to create paragraphs. When you give them the “color: red” attribute, every letter in every paragraph on your pages will appear red. You can style any complete HTML element this way, or you can create classes that you apply to specific elements, like:

.red-text {

With this class in your CSS file, you can style specific HTML elements to use red text, such as:

<p class=”red-text”>This is red text</p>

The above text would appear red in this example, but other paragraphs on your site would remain unaffected.

From the fundamentals to advanced topics — learn how to build sites in Webflow and become the designer you always wanted to be.

4. Learn the foundations of UX design

Beginners in web development often confuse UI and UX . In short, UX covers how users experience your site — whether they find it straightforward to navigate, if the visuals are intriguing, how they feel as they journey through it. UI focuses on a site’s interactivity, complementing the UX designer’s user-focused goals to ensure the site “hits.”

Here are a few fundamental UX principles you’ll need to consider.

User personas

Web design means understanding end users. You’ll conduct target audience research, create user personas, and figure out how to use this information to optimize a design for an audience’s needs.

Information architecture

Without clear organization, people will get confused and leave your site. Information architecture and content mapping provide a blueprint for how each section of the website works together to give a straightforward customer journey.

User flows plot how people move through a design. They help you prioritize the most critical sections and ensure people can access them seamlessly.

Wireframes show where headings, text, visuals, forms, and other elements will be located on a web page. Even if you’re building a simple one-page web design , mapping out a wireframe gives you a solid guide to work from. Wireframes are essential to creating a consistent experience and structuring layouts as you move on to more complex UX designs. 

Prototyping

Prototypes represent a functioning web design. Images, interactions, content, and other essential elements replicate the real-world design. Then, these mockups are sent to a test group of users who give feedback on the UX.

5. Familiarize yourself with UI design

UI work includes all the mechanisms that put a piece of technology into action. A doorknob is a user interface, as is the volume control on your car radio. Just as buttons and knobs enable users to interact with machines, user interface elements on a website allow people to put actions into motion.

Interacting and engaging with a website should be consistent and follow repeatable patterns. Users landing on a site should immediately understand how to navigate it, so the controls must appear obvious in their functionality. 

Whether minimizing the number of navigational options, making the checkout process quicker, or integrating interactive elements that increase accessibility , understanding UI best practices streamlines how people interact with your website.

6. Understand the basics of layouts

People latch onto familiar design patterns, making for an accessible route through a site. You likely intuitively know where to look because you’ve seen these patterns before. So, understanding common web design patterns helps you create websites that flow smoothly. 

Z-patterns and F-patterns are the most common reading paths on sites.

For layouts with generous amounts of negative space, such as landing pages , the Z-pattern is an efficient way to cruise through a website. When you start paying attention to where your eyes are going through a design, you’ll immediately recognize when a Z-pattern is in place.

Designs heavy on text, like for an online publication or blog, often follow a distinct F-pattern. On the left side is a list of articles or posts, and the relevant information is in the main body of the page. Optimize this pattern to give people all information they need, even at a glance.

Understand responsive web design

Along with understanding layout patterns, it’s also essential to know the fundamentals behind responsive web design . A responsive web design has a consistent look no matter what device users display it on.

7. Learn about typography

Typography serves several purposes in web design. It makes content legible, but it can also evoke emotions. The tasteful use of stylized typography adds to the overall aesthetic of a site.

Here are the three basic typographic types:

• Serif typefaces have minuscule lines (known as serifs) that decorate each letter
• Sans serif typefaces lack the identifying lines of serif typefaces
• Display typefaces are often used for headlines and can be either large and impactful or made of sharp, thin lines. They usually have sophisticated letterforms and are meant to grab attention

8. Put your knowledge into action and build something

You can watch tutorials, read blog posts, enroll in free web design courses, and absorb all the theory and information you want about web design, but the best way to become a web designer is to begin designing.

Start with a simple project like a blog. Creating one gives you practical design experience as you learn how to use a content management system . Plus, blogs are popular with clients looking to increase their website rankings in search results, so you can use this initial design to practice crafting something you’ll likely do often.

It’s crucial to select the right design tools from the start to avoid having to relearn a new tool later. Webflow offers beginners and experts the tools to create visually stunning sites — with or without writing code. It’s a great platform to start on and stick with long term.

9. Find a mentor

Mentors are valuable because they’ve been where you are — at the very beginning — and want to help you through the hard-earned lessons they’ve learned. They have a deep well of expertise and knowledge and are an excellent resource for getting feedback on your work, identifying your strengths and weaknesses. 

Try contacting friends or checking social media for mentors open to new students. When searching, consider finding someone who does the type of design you admire and specializes in what you want to learn.

A platform to design websites like a pro

Learning the fundamentals behind visual design, the basics of UI and UX, and how the front end and back end function sets you off on the right foot to becoming a well-rounded designer. 

When you’re ready to start practicing, Webflow empowers beginners and experts alike to build, manage, and grow professional-grade websites. 

Webflow offers fully customizable page structures, components, and beginner-to-advanced styling options so you can move at your own speed. And the Webflow CMS helps you make content-rich pages and collaborate with mentors and teammates as you learn this new craft.

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What Is Web Design: An Introduction to the Basics

A variety of skills are needed to create a great website

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Jennifer Kyrnin is a professional web developer who assists others in learning web design, HTML, CSS, and XML.

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Web design is the planning and creation of websites. This includes a number of separate skills that all fall under the umbrella of web design.

Some examples of these skills are information architecture, user interface, site structure, navigation, layout, colors, fonts, and overall imagery. All of these skills are combined with the principles of design to create a website that meets the goals of the company or individual from whom that site is being created.

This article will take a look at the basics of website design and the various disciplines or skills that are a part of this industry.

Design Is Key Part of Web Design

Design, obviously, is a key part of "web design." What does this mean exactly? Design includes both the principles of design —  balance , contrast, emphasis , rhythm , and unity — and the design elements — lines, shapes , texture, color, and direction .

By putting these things together, a web designer creates websites, but a good web designer understands not only the principles of design but also the constraints of the Web. For example, a successful web designer will be skilled in typographic design principles, while also understanding the challenges of  web type design  and specifically how it differs from other kinds of type design.

In addition to understanding the limitations of the Web, a successful web professional also has a firm grasp of the strengths of digital communication.

Web Design Has Many Different Roles

When you work as a web designer, you may be tasked with creating (or working on) entire sites or just individual pages and there is a lot to learn to be a well-rounded designer, including the following:

• HTML — This is the structure of web pages, creating the foundation of all websites
• CSS — This is how web pages are visually styled. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) handles the entire look of sites, including layout, typography, colors, and more
• JavaScript — This governs certain behaviors on websites and can be used for a variety of interactions and features
• CGI programming — CGI, and the next few entries (PHP, ASP, etc.) are all different flavors of programming languages. Many sites do not require any of these languages, but sites that are more feature-rich will certainly need to be coded using some of these languages
• PHP , ASP, ColdFusion scripting
• Information architecture — The way a site's content and navigation is structured and presented helps make for a successful site that is easy and intuitive to use
• SEO — Search engine optimization ensures that websites are attractive to Google and other search engines and that people looking for the products, services, or information features on that site can find it once they look for it online
• Server management — All websites need to be hosted. The management of the servers that host those sites is an important web design skill
• Web strategy and marketing — Having a website is not enough. Those sites will also need to be marketed with an ongoing digital strategy
• E-commerce and conversions
• Design — Creating the visual look and feel of websites has always been an important aspect of the industry
• Speed — A successful site is one that loads quickly on a wide variety of devices, regardless of a visitor's connection speed. Being able to tune the performance of sites is a very valuable skill
• Content — People come to websites for the content that those sites contain. Being able to create that content is a critically important component in the world of website design

There's also so much more areas and skills that cross into the field of web design, but most designers don't try to cover all of them. Instead, a web designer will generally focus on one or two areas where they can excel. The other items in web design that are needed are ones that they can partner with others one as part of a larger web design team. 

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Top Web Design Projects to Sharpen Your Skills and Build Your Web Design Portfolio

Web designers are in charge of creating, designing, and troubleshooting the design and layout of websites and web pages. Web design can involve creating entirely new websites from scratch or updating an older site with better UX and technical features. To become a web designer , you need to be prepared to manage all the visual content and design elements of a website.

Keep in mind that web designers are different from web developers . While the latter deal with backend coding, the former focus on the front end look of each page. But the two roles can overlap, so knowing some web development skills can benefit any web designer. You can use the web design projects in this guide to enhance your web development and web design skills.

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5 skills that web design projects can help you practice.

A good web design project will help you hone several practical and technical skills. Web design requires excellent artistic vision for design trends, as well as some web development knowledge and abilities. You should especially seek out project ideas that can give you hands-on experience in the five areas listed below.

• HTML. Most web designers these days are expected to learn HTML . Short for HyperText Markup Language, HTML lets you provide structure and form to your content. Your website cannot function without HTML, so it’s an integral skill for web designers. 
• CSS. An HTML page’s style is determined by CSS or Cascading Style Sheets. Simply put, CSS skills help you make your content more visually appealing. This coding language lets you do things like change fonts, tweak colors, and add or remove backgrounds.
• JavaScript . Web design is mainly a front end phenomenon, and JavaScript has become an essential tool for front end developers and designers alike. JavaScript is the best technology available for building functional web applications and making web pages more interactive and dynamic.
• User experience design. A website’s user experience (UX) design determines how a visitor feels while interacting with the website. Web designers are increasingly approaching their designs from a user-first perspective, which means that they conduct user research and use what they learn to improve navigation, content, and colors. 
• Visual design. This skill is closely connected to UX design. However, its focus is more on the aesthetic. Grid systems, space typography, color psychology, and type hierarchy are examples of visual design tools that successful web designers know a lot about.  

Best Web Design Project Ideas for Beginners 

If you’re interested in web design but don’t have a lot of experience in the field, there are plenty of projects you can try. Learners at the beginner level will find the following five web design project ideas useful for building their skillsets and improving their resumes. 

One-Page Layout

• Web Design Skills Practiced: UX design, HTML, CSS

This beginner-friendly project involves recreating a one-page, responsive layout from a previously established one-page design. This project is excellent for beginners because you already have the source code at your disposal. You just have to edit it according to your needs and specifications. 

This project uses Conquer, a basic template that includes various one-page layouts to choose from. As a result, you can experiment freely with CSS layout technologies like Flexbox and the float property. 

Login Authentication

• Web Design Skills Practiced: UX design, HTML, JavaScript

This project will put your JavaScript skills to the test and offer you new insights into this text-based programming language. It entails designing a login authentication bar that allows users to type in their email and username credentials to log in to the site. 

Once the user logs in successfully, they should be able to access certain features that are not available to unauthenticated users. If you’re interested in getting into web design, this is a great project since almost every website uses some form of login authentication.

Product Landing Page

• Web Design Skills Practiced: UX design, HTML

Product landing pages are crucial for any web designer to know how to create. It’s a major type of digital media that users interact with, and web designers must understand HTML and CSS to create a strong landing page for any type of product.

The goal of this project is to design and develop a product landing page relevant to the target audience. You will do this by using HTML and CSS to add columns, content, and stock photos related to the product itself or the business. To make the layout more attractive, you can play around with additional features and tools, such as design templates and UX design elements. 

• Web Design Skills Practiced: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX design

A to-do list generated with JavaScript and HTML makes for an excellent beginner web design project. You will first use JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to create a prioritized list for tasks, due dates, and other upcoming deadlines. Once the basic page is in place, you can develop your UX design skills by changing the look and feel of your list. 

JavaScript is the most appropriate language for this project since it allows you to design the interactive coding lists however you want. You’ll be able to add, delete, and re-group the content more easily, using JavaScript to make the page more dynamic and compelling. 

Google Home Page Lookalike

• Web Design Skills Practiced: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, UX design

Have you ever wanted to create an iconic yet simple web page, just like Google? With this straightforward beginner-level web design project idea, now you can. This Google homepage lookalike project lets you design a Google-like homepage using JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and UX features. 

Essentially, you will need to create a picture-perfect copy of Google’s homepage, with all its logos, search icons, text boxes, links, and images. It won’t be necessary to worry about the page’s functionality since the goal is to replicate the homepage.

Best Intermediate Web Design Project Ideas 

If you’re feeling more confident in your web design skills, you should check out some more advanced online projects. The following project ideas will help you add more tools and skills to your web design arsenal. 

Giphy with Unique API

• Web Design Skills Practiced: HTML, CSS

This is an excellent intermediate project that you can sink your teeth into. You’ll have to design a web application that presents GIFs via search inputs and the Giphy API. Essentially, you’ll be recreating the Giphy website. 

The best way to go about this project is to use the Giphy API instead of making additional configurations to request data. The Giphy API will also help with creating a search bar for users. Upon typing the name of a GIF into the search bar, users will find specific and trending GIFs in a column format. You can include more search options at the bottom of the search field.

JavaScript Quiz Game

Here you’ll be building and designing a multiple choice quiz game using JavaScript. You must develop the game in such a way that the player can see the right and wrong answers upon finishing the game. 

This project is a great way to master JavaScript and get some UX design training. Additionally, you can delve into JavaScript DOM manipulation and data management by building and designing score charts and leaderboards.

SEO-Friendly Website

Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a crucial role in not only building your website but also allowing it to reach your target audience. Without SEO, your website will not be visible to organic search traffic in search engine results pages (SERPs). Web designers must understand the principles of SEO if they’re going to design web pages that get traction from users. 

For this project, you’ll be part web designer and part digital marketer. The goal is to construct a website with user-friendly URLs and a responsive design. If you’re not quite sure why SEO is important for digital design, we recommend learning about technical SEO basics before getting started with this project.

Survey Form

• Web Design Skills Practiced: HTML, JavaScript, CSS, UX design

This project involves creating a survey form or questionnaire using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Building a survey form will undoubtedly test your webpage structuring abilities and allow you to get creative with web design. A lot of companies collect information about their customers via survey forms even today, so this is a job-ready skill that employers appreciate.

The survey form must include all the necessary components, including relevant fields like name, age, email address, and phone number. You can generate multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank response types to gather a variety of users’ answers. Depending on the type of company or field involved, you can then add more industry-specific questions.

Exit Plugin

• Web Design Skills Practiced: HTML, JavaScript

If you have ever used the Internet, you have encountered tiny pop-up banners when trying to close a web page or website. These little pop-ups are called exit plugins, and they are designed to persuade users to stay on web pages through eye-catching advertisements.

In this project, you’ll be designing an exit plugin that would keep a potential user on your webpage a little longer. You can build exit plugins and exit widgets through JavaScript. The jQuery open source library provides a helpful tool for getting started on your project, but there are many other libraries available online that can provide the same resources.

Best Advanced Web Design Project Ideas

A successful web designer has to be able to work on advanced web development projects. More challenging tasks will improve the skills of anybody who wishes to become better at designing websites. Below are a few advanced web design project ideas that will put your web design skills to the test.

Online Affiliate Platforms

Affiliate marketing can generate passive income for businesses. Let’s say you run a business website. An affiliate website includes links leading to separate pages for other brands, products, or services. Each time a visitor purchases something through these platforms, you earn a percentage. As a web designer, you can decide how the affiliate program of your choice will appear on your website. 

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Being able to design an affiliate website can lead to freelance designers getting their big breaks. Web designers who can create affiliate platforms are highly sought-after by a wide range of companies and individuals interested in passive income.

AJAX-Style Login

• Web Design Skills Practiced: UX design, HTML, JavaScript, AJAX

Login forms are essential for numerous online businesses and websites. In this project, you will build the front end for an AJAX-based login page. AJAX is an advanced skill for building dynamic websites. With an AJAX-style authentication system, you will not need to reload the page to determine whether you have entered the right information.

Alternatively, you can use the software development process of hard-coding to input a username and password directly, which can then be the basis for validating login attempts. You can also implement error messages that pop up after unsuccessful login attempts.

Address Book

• Web Design Skills Practiced: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python

This project involves using some basic Python skills, along with CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, to create an app that works as a functional address book. This is an excellent project to teach you practical coding skills perfect for your dream web design career. You must ensure that the application has a functional search bar, data entry capability, and priority status options.

You can generate placeholder data through an API or JSON. AJAX requests, such as those created by jQuery or HTTP requests utilizing XML, are needed to load the data into the application. Caching requests can also reduce unnecessary network traffic.

Modal Pop-Ups

• Web Design Skills Practiced: HTML, JavaScript, UX design

For this web design project, you’ll have to design modal pop-ups that show up whenever a user accesses your page. These modal pop-ups will provide visitors with notifications, advertisements, and other data in a fun, animated way. 

You can create these pop-ups with JavaScript code. These pop-ups have to be appealing to look at, so you can incorporate some basic design and UX techniques. Try to include animations like sparkles or pulsating colors to make your pop-ups look more interesting. Additionally, you must design a way for users to close these pop-ups with one click. 

Social Share Buttons

Social media share buttons are available on the vast majority of WordPress-built websites. Sharing buttons allow users to share content on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, which is an excellent way to reach a wider audience online.

For this project, you will create a social share button for non-WordPress websites. You’ll be using JavaScript code to generate these share buttons, and you can link to any relevant social media site that you’d like. These dynamic buttons should add to the webpage’s UX, so they should seamlessly flow with the rest of the website design.

Next Steps: Start Organizing Your Web Design Portfolio

A portfolio of your work is essential if you want to break into the tech field as a web designer. Just like a well-designed website, an organized and well-written portfolio will catch the eye of any reader and help you get hired as a web designer. You can improve the appearance of your web design portfolio by following these tips.

Build a Portfolio Website

If you’re an aspiring web designer, building a personal website is a logical substitute for a web design portfolio and paper resume. A portfolio website is different than a personal blog. This should be a full-fledged website dedicated to reflecting your skills and expertise to employers.

A portfolio website is a way for you to contact and impress potential hiring managers or web design clients, no matter where they are located in the world. You can take some design inspiration from other professionals’ online portfolios, but make sure that your unique skills as a freelance web designer stand out. 

Follow a Proper Layout

If you want your portfolio website to be successful, you should separate it into logical sections. Giving prominent placement to your best projects is also a great way to make your portfolio more effective. If you magnify your best work, it will be much easier to browse. 

Include Relevant Skills

Make sure to list your relevant technical skills alongside each project, and provide details wherever necessary. Web design involves being knowledgeable about coding, so list the programs and coding skills you know. Also, list whether you have taken any online web design classes to further round out your resume. Whoever is looking at your portfolio or portfolio website should be able to see and understand the relationship between your projects and your skills. 

Web Design Projects FAQ

There are many elements included in the web design process. These include defining the objectives, creating a sitemap and wireframe, creating content, designing the UI, and testing the site.

While web design comprises many technical skills, the most basic design must include five elements. These are content, usability, aesthetics, visibility, and interaction. 

An average web project should take between 12 and 16 weeks from start to finish. When a project is particularly complex or has a considerable scope, it can take six months or longer to launch the final product.

An effective website design fulfills its intended function when it conveys a particular message while engaging the visitor. Things like consistency, colors, typography, imagery, simplicity, and functionality are essential building blocks of a good website design.

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32 HTML And CSS Projects For Beginners (With Source Code)

updated Aug 20, 2024

If you want to feel confident in your front-end web developer skills, the easiest solution is to start building your own HTML and CSS projects from scratch.

As with any other skill, practicing on simple, realistic projects helps you build your skills and confidence step-by-step.

But if you are new to HTML and CSS, you may be wondering:

Where can I find ideas for beginner-level HTML and CSS projects?

Even if you are just starting out with HTML and CSS, there are some fun and easy projects you can create.

Whether you are new to learning web development or have some experience under your belt, this guide is the perfect place to start improving your skills.

In this article, I’ll walk you through 32 fun HTML and CSS coding projects that are easy to follow. We will start with beginner-level projects and then move on to more demanding ones.

If you want to become a professional front-end developer, the projects below will help you expand your portfolio.

When it’s time to apply for your first entry-level job, you can showcase your skills to potential employers with a portfolio packed with real-life project examples.

Let’s get started!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links to products I use and recommend. I may receive a small commission if you purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

What are HTML and CSS?

HTML and CSS are the most fundamental languages for front-end web development.

Learning them will allow you to:

• Build stunning websites
• Start a coding blog
• Make money freelancing

Let’s take a quick look at both of them next:

What is HTML?

HTML or HyperText Markup Language is the standard markup language for all web pages worldwide.

It’s not a “typical” programming language like Python or Java since it doesn’t contain any programming logic. HTML can’t perform data manipulations or calculations, for example.

Instead, HTML allows you to create and format the fundamental structure and content of a web page.

You will use HTML to create:

• Page layouts (header, body, footer, sidebar)
• Paragraphs and headings
• Input fields
• Checkboxes and radio buttons
• Embedded media

Thus, HTML only allows you to determine the structure of a web page and place individual content elements within it.

For more details, check out my post on what HTML is and how it works .

You can’t format the look and feel of your web page with HTML, though.

Your HTML web page will look dull and boring. Sort of like this:

The example above is the first web page every built for the WWW , by the way.

This is how websites used to look in the ’90s. But we’ve come a long way since.

To make your HTML content visually appealing and professional-looking, you need another language: CSS. Let’s look at that next.

What is CSS?

CSS or Cascading Style Sheets is a style sheet language that allows you to adjust the design and feel of your HTML content.

Thus, CSS allows you to turn your pure-HTML pages into stunning, modern websites. And it’s easy to learn, too!

CSS allows you to target individual HTML elements and apply different styling rules to them.

For example, here’s a CSS rule that targets H2 headings, their font-size property, and sets it to a value of 24px:

You can use CSS to adjust:

• Page layouts and sections
• Backgrounds
• Fonts and text styling
• Spacings (paddings, margins)
• Borders and shadows
• CSS animations
• Responsiveness (with media queries)

If you want to create stunning websites and become a front-end web developer, CSS is one of the first tools you must learn and master.

For more details, check out my post on what CSS is and how it works .

Why build HTML and CSS projects?

Practicing on realistic, hands-on projects is the best way to learn how to create something useful and meaningful with HTML and CSS.

The more projects you finish, the more confidence you build.

To build a web page from scratch you need a basic understanding of how HTML works. You should be comfortable with writing the necessary HTML code to create a page without copying a boilerplate or following a tutorial.

Thus, if you want to become a front-end web developer , building HTML and CSS projects will teach you how to use these two languages in real life.

Therefore, practising your skills with the projects in this article will give you a competitive edge against anyone who’s simply following tutorials and copy-pasting other people’s code.

Finally, building HTML and CSS projects helps you build a professional portfolio of real-world projects.

When it’s time to start applying for your first job, you will have 10 to 20 cool projects to showcase your skills to potential employers. Not bad!

32 HTML and CSS projects: Table of contents

Here’s an overview of the HTML and CSS projects we’ll go through:

Beginner project: CSS radio buttons

Beginner project: css toggle buttons, beginner project: hamburger menu, beginner project: pure css sidebar toggle menu, beginner project: animated css menu, beginner project: custom checkboxes, beginner project: pure css select dropdown, beginner project: modal/popup without javascript, beginner project: animated gradient ghost button, beginner project: css image slider, basic html & css website layout, tribute page, survey page with html forms, sign-up page / log-in page, job application form page, landing page, product landing page, interactive navigation bar, responsive website header, restaurant menu, restaurant website, parallax website, custom 404 error page, personal portfolio website, blog post layout.

• Photography website

Music store website

Discussion forum website.

• Event or conference website

Technical documentation website

Online recipe book, website clone.

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This quick project is a great example of what you can do with pure CSS to style radio buttons or checkboxes:

See the Pen CSS radio buttons by Angela Velasquez ( @AngelaVelasquez ) on CodePen .

☝️ back to top ☝️

This HTML and CSS project teaches you how to create custom CSS toggle buttons from scratch:

See the Pen Pure CSS Toggle Buttons | ON-OFF Switches by Himalaya Singh ( @himalayasingh ) on CodePen .

Every website needs a menu, right?

This hamburger menu is beautiful and clean, and you can build it with just HTML and CSS:

See the Pen Pure CSS Hamburger fold-out menu by Erik Terwan ( @erikterwan ) on CodePen .

Placing your website navigation inside a sidebar toggle is an easy way to clean up the overall look and feel of your design.

Here’s a modern-looking solution to a pure-CSS sidebar toggle menu:

See the Pen PURE CSS SIDEBAR TOGGLE MENU by Jelena Jovanovic ( @plavookac ) on CodePen .

If you want to build a more dynamic, interactive website navigation, try this animated CSS menu:

See the Pen Animate menu CSS by Joël Lesenne ( @joellesenne ) on CodePen .

Styling your checkboxes to match the overall design is an easy way to elevate the look and feel of your website.

Here’s an easy HTML and CSS practice project to achieve that:

See the Pen Pure CSS custom checkboxes by Glen Cheney ( @Vestride ) on CodePen .

Standard select dropdowns often look dull and boring. Here’s a quick CSS project to learn how to create beautiful select dropdowns easily:

See the Pen Pure CSS Select by Raúl Barrera ( @raubaca ) on CodePen .

Modals and popups often use JavaScript, but here’s a pure HTML and CSS solution to creating dynamic, interactive modals and popups:

See the Pen Pure css popup box by Prakash ( @imprakash ) on CodePen .

Ghost buttons can look great if they fit the overall look and feel of your website.

Here’s an easy project to practice creating stunning, dynamic ghost buttons for your next website project:

See the Pen Animated Gradient Ghost Button Concept by Arsen Zbidniakov ( @ARS ) on CodePen .

This image slider with navigation buttons and dots is a fantastic HTML and CSS project to practice your front-end web development skills:

See the Pen CSS image slider w/ next/prev btns & nav dots by Avi Kohn ( @AMKohn ) on CodePen .

Now, before you start building full-scale web pages with HTML and CSS, you want to set up your basic HTML and CSS website layout first.

The idea is to divide your page into logical HTML sections. That way, you can start filling those sections with the right elements and content faster.

For example, you can break up the body of your page into multiple parts:

• Header: <header>
• Navigation: <nav>
• Content: <article>
• Sidebar: <aside>
• Footer: <footer>

Depending on your project, you can fill the article area with a blog post, photos, or other content you need to present.

This layout project will serve as a starting point for all your future HTML and CSS projects, so don’t skip it.

Having a template like this will speed up your next projects, because you won’t have to start from scratch.

Here are two tutorials that will walk you through the steps of creating a basic website layout using HTML and CSS:

• https://www.w3schools.com/html/html_layout.asp
• https://www.w3schools.com/css/css_website_layout.asp

Building a tribute page is fantastic HTML and CSS practice for beginners.

What should your tribute page be about?

Anything you like!

Build a tribute page about something you love spending time with.

Here are a few examples:

• a person you like
• your favorite food
• a travel destination
• your home town

My first HTML-only tribute page was for beetroots. Yes, beetroots. I mean, why not?

HTML and CSS concepts you will practice:

• HTML page structure
• basic HTML elements: headings, paragraphs, lists
• embedding images with HTML
• CSS fundamentals: fonts and colors
• CSS paddings, margins, and borders

Here’s a helpful tutorial for building a HTML and CSS tribute page .

Whether you want to become a full-time web developer or a freelance web designer, you will use HTML forms in almost every project.

Forms allow you to build:

• Contact forms
• Login forms
• Sign up forms
• Survey forms

Building a survey page allows you to practice HTML input tags, form layouts, radio buttons, checkboxes, and more.

Pick any topic you like and come up with 10 pieces of information you want to collect from respondents.

Perhaps an employee evaluation form? Or a customer satisfaction form?

• form elements: input fields, dropdowns, radio buttons, labels
• styling for forms and buttons

Here’s an example survey form project for inspiration:

See the Pen Good Vibes Form by Laurence ( @laurencenairne ) on CodePen .

Let’s practice those HTML forms a bit more, shall we?

For this project, you will build a sign-up or log-in page with the necessary input fields for a username and a password.

Because we can create a user profile on almost every website, forms are absolutely essential for allowing people to set their usernames and passwords.

Your forms will collect inputs from users and a separate back-end program will know how to store and process that data.

Creating a clean and clear sign-up page can be surprisingly difficult. The more you learn about HTML and CSS, the more content you want to create to showcase your skills. But the thing is: a sign-up page needs to be as clean and easy-to-use as possible.

Thus, the biggest challenge with this project is to keep it simple, clear, and light.

Here’s an example project to get started with:

See the Pen Learn HTML Forms by Building a Registration Form by Noel ( @WaterNic10 ) on CodePen .

For more inspiration, check out these 50+ sign-up forms built with HTML and CSS .

Using a HTML form is the best way to collect information from job applicants.

You can also generate and format a job description at the top of the page.

Then, create a simple job application form below to collect at least 10 pieces of information.

Use these HTML elements, for example:

• Text fields
• Email fields
• Radio buttons

Here’s an example job application page you can build with HTML and CSS:

See the Pen Simple Job Application Form Example by Getform ( @getform ) on CodePen .

One of your first HTML and CSS projects should be a simple landing page.

Your landing page can focus on a local business, an event, or a product launch, for example.

Landing pages play an important role for new businesses, marketing campaigns, and product launches. As a front-end developer, you will be asked to create them for clients.

For this project, create a simple HTML file and style it with CSS. Be sure to include a headline, some text about the company or its services, and a call-to-action (CTA) button.

Make sure that your landing page is clean and clear and that it’s easy to read.

If you build a landing page for a new product, highlight the product’s key benefits and features.

To get started, follow this freeCodeCamp tutorial to build a simple landing page . You will need JavaScript for a few features. If you are not familiar with JavaScript, leave those features out for now and come back to them later.

For more inspiration, check out these HTML landing page templates .

A product landing page is a page that you build to promote a specific product or service.

For example, if you want to sell your ebook about how to use CSS to build an animated website, then you would create a product landing page for it.

Your product landing page can be very simple to start with. When your skills improve, add some complexity depending on what kind of information you need to present.

One of the most iconic product landing pages is the iPhone product page by Apple, for example:

Of course, the iPhone landing page is technically complex, so you won’t build it as your first project. But still, it’s a good place to find inspiration and new ideas.

The best way to design your first product landing page is to create a simple wireframe first. Sketch your page layout on paper before you start building it.

Wireframes help you maintain a clear overview of your HTML sections and elements.

To get started, browse through these product landing page examples for some inspiration .

Building an interactive navigation bar will teach you how to create an animated menu with dropdowns using HTML and CSS.

This is another great project for beginners, because it will teach you how to create menus using HTML and CSS. You’ll also learn how to style them with different colors, fonts, and effects.

You’ll also learn how to use anchors and pseudo-classes to create the menu navigation, as well as how to create the dropdown menus from scratch.

If you aren’t familiar with CSS media queries yet, building a responsive navigation bar is a smart way to learn and practice them.

CSS media queries allow you to create a responsive navigation menu that changes its size and layout depending on screen width.

To get started, check out this tutorial on how to build an interactive navigation bar with HTML and CSS .

One of the best ways to practice your HTML and CSS skills is to create custom website headers. This is a great project to add to your portfolio website, as it will show off your skills and help you attract new clients.

There are a number of different ways that you can create a stylish and responsive website header. One option is to use a premade CSS framework such as Bootstrap or Foundation. Alternatively, you can create your own custom styles by hand.

No matter which option you choose, be sure to make your header mobile-friendly by using media queries. This will ensure that your header looks great on all devices, regardless of their screen size or resolution.

To get started, check out this simple example for a responsive HTML and CSS header .

If you’re looking to get into web development, one of the best HTML and CSS projects you can build is a simple restaurant menu.

Align the different foods and drinks using a CSS layout grid.

Add prices, images, and other elements you need to give it a professional, clean look and feel.

Choose a suitable color palette, fonts, and stock photos.

You can also add photos or a gallery for individual dishes. If you want to add an image slider, you can create one with HTML and CSS, too.

Here’s an example of a very simple restaurant menu project:

See the Pen Simple CSS restaurant menu by Viszked Tamas Andras ( @ViszkY ) on CodePen .

Once you’ve built your restaurant menu with, it’s time to tackle a more complex HTML and CSS project.

Building a real-life restaurant website is a fun way to practice a ton of HTML and CSS topics.

Not only will you learn the basics of creating a beautiful, professional web page, but you also get a chance to practice responsive web design, too.

And if you’re looking to land your first front-end web developer job, having a well-designed business website in your portfolio will help you stand out from the crowd.

Make sure your website matches the restaurant’s menu and target clientele. A fine-dining place on Manhattan will have a different website than a simple (but delicious!) diner in rural Wisconsin.

Here are a few key details to include on your restaurant website:

• Clear navigation bar
• Restaurant details
• Menu for food and drinks
• Location and directions
• Contact details
• Upcoming events

To get started, check out this free tutorial on how to build a restaurant website with HTML and CSS .

To build a parallax website, you will include fixed background images that stay in place when you scroll down the page.

Although the parallax look isn’t as popular or modern as it was a few years back, web designers still use the effect a lot.

The easiest way to build a parallax HTML and CSS project is to start with a fixed background image for the entire page.

After that, you can experiment with parallax effects for individual sections.

Create 3-5 sections for your page, fill them with content, and set a fixed background image for 1-2 sections of your choice.

Word of warning: Don’t overdo it. Parallax effects can be distracting, so only use them as a subtle accent where suitable.

Here’s an example project with HTML and CSS source code:

See the Pen CSS-Only Parallax Effect by Yago Estévez ( @yagoestevez ) on CodePen .

404 error pages are usually boring and generic, right?

But when a visitor can’t find what they’re searching for, you don’t want them to leave your website.

Instead, you should build a custom 404 error page that’s helpful and valuable, and even fun and entertaining.

A great 404 page can make users smile and – more importantly – help them find what they are looking for. Your visitors will appreciate your effort, trust me.

For some inspiration, check out these custom 404 page examples .

Any web developer will tell you that having a strong portfolio is essential to landing your first job.

Your portfolio is a chance to show off your skills and demonstrate your expertise in front-end web development.

And while there are many ways to create a portfolio website, building one from scratch using HTML and CSS will give you tons of valuable practice.

Your first version can be a single-page portfolio. As your skills improve, continue adding new pages, content, and features. Make this your pet project!

Remember to let your personality shine through, too. It will help you stand out from the crowd of other developers who are vying for the same jobs.

Introduce yourself and share a few details about your experience and future plans.

Employers and clients want to see how you can help them solve problems. Thus, present your services and emphasize the solutions you can deliver with your skills.

Add your CV and share a link to your GitHub account to showcase your most relevant work samples.

Make sure to embed a few key projects directly on your portfolio website, too.

Finally, let your visitors know how to get in touch with you easily. If you want, you can add links to your social media accounts, too.

In this project, you’ll create a simple blog post page using HTML and CSS.

You’ll need to design the layout of the page, add a title, a featured image, and of course add some content to your dummy blog post.

You can also add a sidebar with a few helpful links and widgets, like:

• An author bio with a photo
• Links to social media profiles
• List of most recent blog posts
• List of blog post categories

Once your HTML structure and content are in place, it’s time to style everything with CSS.

Photography website with a gallery

If you’re a photographer or just enjoy taking pictures, then this project is for you.

Build a simple photo gallery website using HTML and CSS to practice your web design skills.

Start with the basic HTML structure of the page, and figure out a cool layout grid for the photos. You will need to embed the photos and style everything beautiful with CSS.

My tip: Use CSS Flexbox and media queries to create a responsive galleries that look great on all devices.

Here’s a full tutorial for building a gallery website with HTML and CSS:

If you love music, why not practice your HTML and CSS skills by building a music store web page?

Before you start, make a thorough plan about your website structure. What’s the purpose of your music store? What genres will you cover?

Pick a suitable color palette, choose your fonts, and any background images you want to use.

My tip: If you feature album cover images, keep your colors and fonts as clean and simple as possible. You don’t want to overpower the album covers with a busy web page with tons of different colors and mismatching fonts.

Create a user-friendly menu and navigation inside the header. Fill the footer with helpful links for your store, career page, contact details, and newsletter form, for example.

Building a music store website with HTML and CSS is a great opportunity to practice your skills while you are still learning.

Start with very basic features, and add new ones as your skills improve. For example, you can add media queries to make your website responsive.

A forum is a great way to create a community around a topic or interest, and it’s also a great way to practice your coding skills.

In this project, you’ll create a simple forum website using HTML and CSS.

You’ll need to design the layout of the site, add categories and forums, and set up some initial content.

Of course, you should start with creating the basic layout and structure with HTML first. You will need a navigation bar, at least one sidebar, and an area for the main content.

To make your discussion forum website more interesting, add new content and remember to interlink related threads to make the site feel more realistic.

Event or conference web page

Creating a web page for an event is a fun HTML and CSS project for beginners.

You can either pick a real event and build a better landing page than the real one, or come up with an imaginary conference, for example.

Make sure to include these elements:

• Register button
• Venue details
• Dates and schedule
• Speakers and key people
• Directions (how to get there)
• Accommodation details

Divide the landing page into sections, and create a header and a footer with menus and quick links.

Come up with a suitable color palette, pick your fonts, and keep your design clean and clear.

Every programming language, software, device and gadget has a technical documentation for helpful information and support.

Creating a technical documentation website with just HTML and CSS allows you to build a multi-page site with hierarchies, links, and breadcrumbs.

The main idea is to create a multi-page website where you have a sidebar menu on the left, and the content on the right.

The left-hand side contains a vertical menu with all the topics your documentation covers.

The right-hand side presents the description and all the details for each individual topic.

For simplicity, start with the homepage and 2–3 subpages first. Come up with a clean layout and make sure your links are working properly.

Then, start expanding the website with additional sub-pages, content, and elements.

• HTML hyperlinks and buttons

Creating an online recipe book as an HTML and CSS project requires a similar setup than the previous project example.

You will need to create a homepage that serves as a directory for all your recipes. Then, create a separate subpage for each recipe.

If you want to challenge yourself, add recipe categories and create separate directory pages for each of them.

• embedding recipe photos

One of the best ways to practice HTML and CSS is to clone an existing web page from scratch.

Use your browser’s inspecting tools to get an idea of how the page is built.

As with any HTML and CSS project, start by creating the basic page template with:

Then, divide your page into sections, rows, and columns.

Finally, fill your page with individual elements like headings, paragraphs, and images.

Once the HTML content is in place, use CSS to style your page.

Start with something simple, like the PayPal login page.

Then move on to more demanding cloning projects, such as a news website. Try the BBC homepage, for example.

Where to learn HTML and CSS?

There are no prerequisites required for you to learn HTML and CSS.

Both languages are easy to learn for beginners, and you can start building real-life projects almost right away.

Here are a few courses to check out if you want to learn HTML and CSS online at your own pace:

1: Build Responsive Real World Websites with HTML5 and CSS3

Build Responsive Real World Websites with HTML5 and CSS3 was my first online web development course focused 100% on HTML and CSS.

You don’t need any coding or web development experience for this course. But if you have watched some online tutorials but you’re not sure how to create a full-scale website by yourself, you are going to love it.

2: The Complete Web Developer Course 2.0

The Complete Web Developer Course 2.0 changed my life back when I started learning web development.

This course takes you from zero to knowing the basics of all fundamental, popular web development tools. You’ll learn:

• HTML and CSS
• JavaScript and jQuery
• and much more

3: Modern HTML & CSS From The Beginning (Including Sass)

I’m a big fan of Brad Traversy, and I really can’t recommend his Modern HTML & CSS From The Beginning course enough.

Even if you have never built a website with HTML and CSS before, this course will teach you all the basics you need to know.

4: The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp

One of my most recent favorites, The Complete 2024 Web Development Bootcamp by Dr. Angela Yu is one of the best web development courses for beginners I’ve come across.

If you’re not quite sure what area or language to specialize in, this course is the perfect place to try a handful of tools and programming languages on a budget.

5: Learn HTML (Codecademy)

Learn HTML is a free beginner-level course that walks you through the fundamentals with interactive online lessons.

Codecademy also offers a plethora of other web development courses. Check out their full course catalog here .

6: Responsive Web Design (freeCodeCamp)

The Responsive Web Design certification on FreeCodeCamp is great for learning all the basics of web development from scratch for free.

You start with HTML and CSS to get the hang of front-end web dev fundamentals. Then, you start learning new tools and technologies to add to your toolkit, one by one.

Also, check out these roundups with helpful web development courses:

• 27 Best Web Development Courses (Free and Paid)
• 20+ Web Development Books for Beginners
• 120+ Free Places to Learn to Code (With No Experience)
• 100+ Web Development Tools and Resources

Final thoughts: HTML and CSS project ideas for beginners

When it comes to learning HTML and CSS, practice makes perfect. Did you find a few inspirational ideas here to start building your next project?

Learning HTML and CSS may seem intimidating at first. But when you break it down into small, less-intimidating projects, it’s really not as hard as you might think.

Try these beginner-level HTML and CSS project ideas to improve your front-end web development skills. Remember to add your projects to your portfolio website .

It’s possible to learn how to code on your own, and it’s possible to land your first developer job without any formal education or traditional CS degree.

It all boils down to knowing how to apply your skills by building an awesome portfolio of projects like the ones above.

So, which project will you build first? Let me know in the comments below!

Once you feel comfortable with HTML and CSS, it’s time to start learning and practising JavaScript .

To get started, check out my guide with 20+ fun JavaScript projects ideas for beginners .

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About mikke.

Hi, I’m Mikke! I’m a blogger, freelance web developer, and online business nerd. Join me here on MikkeGoes.com to learn how to code for free , build a professional portfolio website , launch a tech side hustle , and make money coding . When I’m not blogging, you will find me sipping strong coffee and biking around town in Berlin. Learn how I taught myself tech skills and became a web dev entrepreneur here . And come say hi on Twitter !

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HTML Projects for Beginners: 10 Easy Starter Ideas

Updated: August 01, 2024

Published: December 11, 2023

Are you eager to level up your HTML skills? Embarking on HTML projects for beginners is an excellent way to start. As someone who once stood where you are now, I can confidently say that the journey from HTML novice to proficiency is both thrilling and immensely rewarding. It's not just about learning a language; it’s about creating and bringing your ideas to life. 

In my early days of exploring web development, HTML was the cornerstone that laid the foundation for my career. Now, with several years of experience in web development and a passion for being a resource for beginners, I understand the importance of starting with practical, easy-to-follow projects.

In this blog, I'm excited to share with you a curated list of HTML projects that are perfect for beginners. These projects are designed not only to increase your understanding of HTML but also to spark your creativity and enthusiasm for web development.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Basics
• Project 1: Personal Portfolio Page
• Project 2: Simple Blog Layout
• Project 3: Landing Page
• Project 4: eCommerce Page
• Project 5: Recipe Page
• Project 6: Technical Documentation
• Project 7: Small Business Homepage
• Project 8: Simple Survey Form
• Project 9: Event Invitation Page
• Project 10: Parallax Website

The Road Ahead in Web Development

Free Guide: 25 HTML & CSS Coding Hacks

Tangible tips and coding templates from experts to help you code better and faster.

• Coding to Convention
• Being Browser-Friendly
• Minimizing Bugs
• Optimizing Performance

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Understanding the Basics: What is HTML?

Before I dive into the exciting world of HTML projects, I want to share why grasping the basics of HTML is crucial. HTML , which stands for HyperText Markup Language, is the foundational building block of the web. It’s not a programming language, but a markup language that I use to define the structure and layout of a web page through various elements and tags.

To me, HTML is like creating a framework for web content, similar to how an architect designs a building's blueprint. You would use tags to mark up text, insert images, create links, and lay out web pages in a format that browsers can understand and display. These tags , the basic units of HTML, help differentiate between headings, paragraphs, lists, and other content types, giving the web its versatile and user-friendly nature.

Every web developer starts somewhere, and for many, including myself, that starting point is HTML. It's a language that empowers me to create, experiment, and develop various digital experiences . So, as we embark on these beginner projects, remember that you're not just learning a new skill. You are stepping into a world full of endless possibilities and opportunities.

10 HTML Projects for Beginners: Your Journey Starts Here

As a web developer passionate about teaching, I‘m thrilled to guide you through this series. This section is crafted to progressively enhance your skills, offering a blend of creativity and learning. I’ve seen firsthand how these projects can transform beginners into confident creators, and I‘m excited to see the unique and innovative web experiences you’ll bring to life. Let's embark on this adventure together, turning code into compelling digital stories!

Project 1: Creating a Personal Portfolio Page

One of the best ways to start your HTML journey is by creating a personal portfolio page. This project allows you to introduce yourself to the world of web development while learning the basics of HTML. It’s not just about coding; it’s about telling your story through the web.

The objective here is to craft a web page that effectively portrays your personal and professional persona. This includes detailing your biography, showcasing your skills, and possibly even including a portfolio of work or projects you've completed. This page will be a cornerstone in establishing your online presence and can evolve as you progress in your career.

See the Pen HTML Project 1 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Showcase and Evolve : I'm selecting projects that best represent my abilities, and I plan to continually update my portfolio as I develop new skills.
• Simplicity and Clarity : My focus is on creating a clear, user-friendly layout that makes navigating my story and achievements effortless for visitors.

Project 2: Building a Simple Blog Layout

After creating a personal portfolio, the next step in your HTML journey is to build a simple blog layout. This project will introduce you to more complex structures and how to organize content effectively on a webpage.

The goal of this project is to create a basic blog layout that includes a header, a main content area for blog posts, and a footer. This layout serves as the foundation for any blog, providing a clear structure for presenting articles or posts.

See the Pen HTML Project 2 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Consistency is Key : In designing the blog, I'm focusing on maintaining a consistent style throughout the page to ensure a cohesive look.
• Content First : My layout will prioritize readability and easy navigation, making the content the star of the show.

Project 3: Designing a Landing Page

For the third project, let's shift gears and focus on creating a landing page. A landing page is a pivotal element in web design, often serving as the first point of contact between a business or individual and their audience. This project will help you learn how to design an effective and visually appealing landing page.

The objective is to create a single-page layout that introduces a product, service, or individual, with a focus on encouraging visitor engagement, such as signing up for a newsletter, downloading a guide, or learning more about a service.

See the Pen HTML Project 3 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Clear Call to Action : I'm ensuring that my landing page has a clear and compelling call to action (CTA) that stands out and guides visitors towards the desired engagement.
• Visual Appeal and Simplicity : My focus is on combining visual appeal with simplicity, making sure the design is not only attractive but also easy to navigate and understand.

Project 4: Crafting an eCommerce Page

Creating an eCommerce page is an excellent project for web developers looking to dive into the world of online retail. This project focuses on designing a web page that showcases products, includes product descriptions, prices, and a shopping cart.

The aim is to build a user-friendly and visually appealing eCommerce page that displays products effectively, providing customers with essential information and a seamless shopping experience. The page should include product images, descriptions, prices, and add-to-cart buttons.

See the Pen HTML Project 4 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Clarity and Accessibility : In designing the eCommerce page, my priority is to ensure that information is clear and accessible, making the shopping process straightforward for customers.
• Engaging Product Presentation : I'll focus on presenting each product attractively, with high-quality images and concise, informative descriptions that entice and inform.

Project 5: Developing a Recipe Page

One of the best ways to enhance your HTML and CSS skills is by creating a recipe page. This project is not only about structuring content but also about making it visually appealing. A recipe page is a delightful way to combine your love for cooking with web development, allowing you to share your favorite recipes in a creative and engaging format.

The aim of this project is to design a web page that effectively displays a recipe, making it easy and enjoyable to read. This includes organizing the recipe into clear sections such as ingredients and instructions, and styling the page to make it visually appealing. The recipe page you create can serve as a template for future culinary postings or a personal collection of your favorite recipes.

See the Pen HTML Project 5 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Clarity and Simplicity : My focus is on presenting the recipe in an organized manner, ensuring that the ingredients and instructions are easy to distinguish and follow.
• Engaging Visuals : I plan to use appealing images and a thoughtful layout, making the page not just informative but also a delight to the eyes.

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Project 6: Creating a Technical Documentation 

Implementing a responsive navigation menu is a crucial skill in web development, enhancing user experience on various devices. This project focuses on creating a navigation menu that adjusts to different screen sizes, ensuring your website is accessible and user-friendly across all devices.

The goal is to create a navigation menu that adapts to different screen sizes. This includes a traditional horizontal menu for larger screens and a collapsible " hamburger " menu for smaller screens. Understanding responsive design principles and how to apply them using HTML and CSS is key in this project.

See the Pen HTML Project 6 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Flexibility is Key : I'm focusing on building a navigation menu that's flexible and adapts smoothly across various devices.
• Simplicity in Design : Keeping the design simple and intuitive is crucial, especially for the mobile version, to ensure ease of navigation.

Project 7: Building a Small Business Homepage 

Creating a homepage for a small business is a fantastic project for applying web development skills in a real-world context. This project involves designing a welcoming and informative landing page for a small business, focusing on user engagement and business promotion.

The aim is to create a homepage that effectively represents a small business, providing key information such as services offered, business hours, location, and contact details. The design should be professional, inviting, and aligned with the business's branding.

See the Pen HTML Project 7 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Clarity and Accessibility : My priority is ensuring that key information is presented clearly and is easily accessible to visitors.
• Brand Consistency : I plan to incorporate design elements that are in line with the business's branding, creating a cohesive and professional online presence.

Project 8: Setting Up a Simple Survey Form

Creating a simple survey form is a valuable project for practicing form handling in HTML and CSS. It's a fundamental skill in web development, essential for gathering user feedback, conducting research, or learning more about your audience.

The objective of this project is to create a user-friendly survey form that collects various types of information from users. The form will include different types of input fields, such as text boxes, radio buttons, checkboxes, and a submit button. The focus is on creating a clear, accessible, and easy-to-use form layout.

See the Pen HTML Project 8 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Simplicity in Design : I'm aiming for a design that's straightforward and intuitive, ensuring that filling out the form is hassle-free for users.
• Responsive Layout : Ensuring the form is responsive and accessible on different devices is a key consideration in its design.

Project 9: Creating an Event Invitation Page

Designing an event invitation page is a fantastic way to combine creativity with technical skills. This project involves creating a web page that serves as an online invitation for an event, such as a conference, workshop, or party.

The aim is to create a visually appealing and informative event invitation page. This page should include details about the event like the date, time, venue, and a brief description. The focus is on using HTML and CSS to present this information in an engaging and organized manner.

See the Pen HTML Project 9 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Visual Impact : I'm aiming for a design that captures the essence of the event, making the page immediately engaging.
• Clear Information Hierarchy : Organizing the event details in a clear and logical manner is crucial for effective communication.

Project 10: Building a Parallax Website

Creating a parallax website involves implementing a visual effect where background images move slower than foreground images, creating an illusion of depth and immersion. It's a popular technique for modern, interactive web design.

The objective of this project is to create a website with a parallax scrolling effect. This will be achieved using HTML and CSS, specifically focusing on background image positioning and scroll behavior. The key is to create a visually engaging and dynamic user experience.

See the Pen HTML Project 10 by HubSpot ( @hubspot ) on CodePen .

• Balance in Motion : While implementing parallax effects, I'll ensure the motion is smooth and not overwhelming, to maintain a pleasant user experience.
• Optimized Performance : I'll be mindful of optimizing images and code to ensure the parallax effect doesn't hinder the site's performance.

As we reach the end of our journey through various web development projects, it's clear that the field of web development is constantly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities. From creating basic HTML pages to designing dynamic, interactive websites, the skills acquired are just the beginning of a much broader and exciting landscape.

Embracing New Technologies: The future of web development is tied to the ongoing advancements in technologies. Frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js are changing how we build interactive user interfaces. Meanwhile, advancements in CSS, like Flexbox and Grid, have revolutionized layout design, making it more efficient and responsive.

Focus on User Experience: As technology progresses, the emphasis on user experience (UX) will become even more crucial. The success of a website increasingly depends on how well it engages users, provides value, and creates meaningful interactions. Web developers must continuously learn about the latest UX trends and apply them to their work.

The Rise of Mobile-First Development: With the increasing use of smartphones for internet access, mobile-first design is no longer an option but a necessity. This approach involves designing websites for smaller screens first and then scaling up to larger screens, ensuring a seamless experience across all devices.

Web Accessibility and Inclusivity: Making the web accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, is a growing focus. This includes following best practices and guidelines for web accessibility, ensuring that websites are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

Performance and Optimization: As users become more demanding about performance, optimizing websites for speed and efficiency will continue to be a priority. This includes minimizing load times, optimizing images and assets, and writing efficient code.

Emerging Trends: The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in web development is on the rise, offering new ways to personalize user experiences and automate tasks. Additionally, the development of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) is blurring the lines between web and mobile apps, offering offline capabilities and improved performance.

Continuous Learning: The only constant in web development is change. Continuous learning and adaptation are key to staying relevant in this field. Whether it's learning new programming languages, frameworks, or design principles, the ability to evolve with the industry is critical for any web developer.

As you continue on your path in web development, remember that each project is a step towards mastering this ever-changing discipline. Embrace the challenges, stay curious, and keep building, for the road ahead in web development is as exciting as it is limitless.

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Web Design Projects

Working on different web design projects helps you gain valuable experience and build a strong portfolio . Creating a website involves combining design elements like layout, colors, and typography with technical skills such as coding and user experience optimization. Whether you’re creating an online store, a business website , or a social networking site , each project will enhance your UI/UX design skills . This guide lists various web design projects, from e-commerce to tech company websites , to help you practice and improve.

A well-designed website not only attracts visitors but also enhances user engagement and promotes brand identity. It serves as a platform to attract clients and opportunities , offering user-friendly websites and scalable web applications . For developers, mastering web design projects means becoming a better programmer , capable of delivering solutions that improve the customer experience and meet modern digital demands. This article provide you a list of web design projects, from planning and prototyping to development and deployment , essential for creating impactful websites in today’s competitive online environment.

What is Web Design?

Web design is the process of creating the look and feel of a website . It involves planning and building elements like layouts , colors , fonts , images , and content to make the website attractive and easy to use . Good web design ensures that a site is visually appealing, user-friendly, and provides a great experience for visitors . Whether you’re designing a simple blog or a complex e-commerce site, web design is all about making the online experience enjoyable and effective for users .

List of Web Design Projects

Web design projects involve creating websites that look good, work well, and are easy for people to use. These projects start by understanding what clients need or what the project aims to achieve. Then, designers plan out how the website will look and function, often using sketches or digital prototypes . They use coding languages like HTML , CSS , and JavaScript to build the actual website. Testing ensures everything works smoothly on different devices and browsers . Finally, the website goes live for people to visit and use. Good web design projects focus on making websites attractive , easy to use, and reliable for everyone who visits them.

In conclusion, web design projects are essential for creating functional and attractive websites that meet modern digital demands. These projects blend design creativity with technical skills like coding to produce websites that are both visually appealing and user-friendly. Effective web design not only enhances user engagement but also promotes brand identity and attracts clients and opportunities . By focusing on improving the customer experience and ensuring web applications are scalable and responsive, designers can deliver impactful solutions. Whether you’re starting as a beginner or honing skills as a seasoned developer, understanding the fundamentals of web design projects is crucial for success in today’s online landscape.

Web Design Projects – FAQs

How to start a web design project.

Web Design Project Step-wise Process: 1. Planning 2. Create Design Brief 3. Define User Needs 4. Create Moodboard 5. Create Sitemap and User flow 6. Create the Project

What is a Web Design Example?

Home Page or any page of a website is the example of its Web Design like GeeksforGeeks website.

What is a Web Design Project?

A web design project involves creating and developing the look and layout of a website, including images, colors, fonts, and structure.

Is Web Design Profitable?

Yes, Web Design is profitable as freelancing and fulltime job.

Does Web Design Require Coding?

A good Idea of HTML and CSS is important for Web Design to understand website structuring and styling respectively.

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Why create your own website project as a student, some ideas to make a website as a final project, final thoughts, related articles, 7 website project ideas [for students].

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Updated on: July 25, 2024

The web development space has so many segments to it. The jobs that entail within this sector are abundant and there is a lot of emerging technology throughout the web industry.

Web development is a great place to start, there are loads of resources to get started, loads of courses online to learn new skills, something which you can also learn about with required web developer skills that I wrote about.

g One of the best ways to improve your web developer skills is to get started on a project, something that you can actually start to build and face real-world issues during development. You can join all the courses or read all the books but you won’t learn real skills until you develop something from scratch yourself.

It may feel like you are throwing yourself in the deep end but you’ll be much more competent afterward.

You may be looking to improve your web developer skills or you may have been given a college assignment to complete a website project yourself . Either way, it will be a great journey to complete a project yourself. That’s why we have pre-selected a list of website project ideas ideal for your final project as a student.

Here are some great website project ideas for students:

• Single Page Portfolio Website
• News Website With Slider
• To-do List App
• Code-snippet storage
• JavaScript Drawing Canvas
• CSS Grid Layout
• Calendar App

Each student website project idea will be easy enough to complete as a beginner but hard enough to challenge you, a good balance between being practical and something you can be proud of.

And remember, you may be reinventing the wheel but it doesn’t matter, these website project ideas are for students, for you to learn and understand what goes on in the real world.

Let’s start!

1. Single-Page Portfolio Website

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This student website project idea can be more interesting than it seems. It holds so much value to it. Even though we will give just a general idea, you can spin this one into your own. Pick a design for a single-page website : a photography portfolio, a web developer portfolio or even a video portfolio – The choice is pretty much endless.

I’ve written about photography websites before and different website layouts . With this idea, you can really show off your skills and piece together graphic design, CSS animations and web developing skills in general.

You can add as many things as you consider to make it more complex. Comment system connected with a database, newsletter subscriptions, work on performance, play with SEO, etc.

You can even use some made-up components that might help with your portfolio design such as fullPage.js – A JavaScript library that allows you to create beautiful full-screen websites that will include all the features to show off your work: easy navigation, large media elements, responsiveness, etc. Check it out!

2. News Website With Slider

If you are looking to build something that has more requirements for both front and backend, this one’s for you. This website project idea for students is based around a news website where articles can be posted, maybe even supporting multiple authors and profiles between them.

The website can be used to display a range of different articles on a topic of your choosing. There could be a website homepage that shows off the currently available articles – You could even get fancy with this and rotate articles based on date or view count, etc.

If you are looking to challenge yourself more, once the frontend is done you could program a backend that allows you to post an article and save it to a database. Or maybe even add a comment system… The feature list is endless! For the frontend as well, it would be amazing to create a news website slider to showcase popular articles on the site.

3. To-do List App

Everyone has heard of a to-do list website in some form or another. This can easily be built and is a great way to learn a wide range of skills. Both front and backend skills.

Expect to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the frontend. You can easily set up routine tasks, reminders, and task groups. For the backend, a simple Node.js application or something built with PHP and linked up with MySQL would work fine.

There are many features to a to-do list so you can pick ones which you are interested in. Could be a file upload, group labels, kanban boards, etc.

To push this website project idea for students even further, you could implement a login/register system, there are many frameworks that help you with this.

4. Code Snippet Storage

As a programmer, you will have come across lots of different ways of doing things and maybe you wanted to save snippets of code to help you remember things?

That is where a code snippet manager will come in handy, some will even have an HTML & CSS sandbox to test code in as well. However, it’s great to keep useful bits of code organized and saved somewhere safe.

A code snippet website app will allow you to make a frontend and backend. You will need somewhere to save these code snippets, a database like MySQL would work nicely. Other features like sharing, snippet groups, and a notes section might be a good idea to push this project idea for students further.

We are sure your programming teachers will love this website idea for students and maybe they will start using it for their job!

If you want some recommendations for a database management tool, check out our review on TablePlus , available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS.

5. JavaScript Drawing Canvas

Ever wanted to make your own art studio online? Have you been inspired to make something like the Windows Paint program? You could make your own online website for drawing and art creation.

By using HTML5 you can use a canvas with the addition of CSS and JavaScript to create your own paint tool. Add buttons for different pens, colors, and shapes.

Then you could even add a backend for people to log in and save their work or share it with others via a generated URL, you don’t have to go that far but the possibilities are endless. Perfect for a student website project.

6. CSS Grid Layout

If you are looking to test your frontend design skills, CSS grid layouts are a fantastic way to build a complex design that is both responsive and great for displaying lots of content. This website project idea for students will take advantage of CSS Grid or CSS Flexbox properties.

CSS grid offers a layout system that works best for a page with busy content, take this example from the Imgur.com website and their grid system:

This is a classic example of why a CSS grid system works so well for busy sites. You could make an app or design to do with images, news articles, or build something to display videos. Either way, a CSS grid system is a great way to show off your CSS skills and build a layout that is responsive and flexible.

7. Calendar App

This website project idea for students could be done by building a nice frontend website that displays a calendar. We see the use of calendars in email services like Gmail and Outlook. They are good ones to get inspiration from.

You could adapt this student website project idea to add different features like events, link up with work tasks, schedules, and meetings, etc. Maybe you can mix this website project idea with the to-do list project mentioned before.

With this website project, you would need to build both the frontend and backend so that a user could save their calendar items for later. It would be a good idea to add a cache system so items are not downloaded from the server all the time.

I truly believe that starting your own project is such a great way to learn new skills and get stuck in with your interests. Web development has many segments and starting a project can help you find what you enjoy.

With all these website project ideas for students , hopefully, you have found some inspiration. Don’t worry about feeling overwhelmed either, at first it might feel like you are in the deep end but you would be surprised how quickly you can learn something, especially in the world of web development, there are so many resources out there.

More articles which you may find interesting:

• Great Website Ideas
• Best Candle Website Ideas

Luke Embrey

Luke Embrey is a full-stack developer, BSc in Computer Science and based in the UK. Working with languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, C++, Bash. You can find out more about him at https://lukeembrey.com/

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20 Website Homepage Design Examples and Best Practices for Pixel Perfection

• Celeste has worked in the online marketing space for twenty years. She has written for sectors including tourism, sustainability, education, lifestyle, food, and marketing. You can find her work featured by Green Building Media South Africa, Stodels Gardening, and The Post House Hotel. In magazines, you may have seen her in The Cape Times, Oprah South Africa, and The Property Magazine. While you can find her writing up on the latest SEO trends and exploring digital techniques during the day, her love of story-telling carries on in enriched games and books after hours.

Knowing what to do and seeing how it works is a great way for you to explore what is best for your homepage. Often, successful websites will use a combination of best practices, which is why they are successful. For example, the first website on this list (Apple) uses clear branding and a beautiful balance of white space.

Looking at other websites will enable you to see what looks and feels best and what design elements and practices you want to implement in your own design.

On this page, we’ll share 20 website homepage design examples to inspire your website’s design!

Once you have an idea of what you want, you can reach out to us to build it. We can create custom websites that are fully optimized for you and capture your brand. Phone us at 888-601-5359 to speak to a specialist about your vision.

Bonus Read! Looking for a best practice checklist for your website? Check out our 9 web design best practices checklist

20 web design best practices and examples

We have scoured the web, pulling together home pages that showcase the best practices, along with website homepage design examples that will help you understand the significance that a well-designed and user-centric home page can offer to your clients.

1. Have clear branding like Apple

Apple’s logo is iconic, so they don’t even use their name. A single black apple, with a bite missing, white background, and you know what it is. Their entire brand, from product to their website, is clean, minimalistic, and aligns 100% with their brand identity.

Their home page is a website example that is consistent with that identity, from font to design elements.

2. Have simple navigation like Google

Search engines are home pages as well! The home page is incredibly simple, except for the occasional holiday where Google might change its logo. There’s one search bar to use that’s prominently displayed in the middle of the page.

Other options, such as Gmail and images, have been kept unobtrusive but still accessible in the top right corner.

3. Be responsive in your design like Airbnb

Many websites, like social media and streaming platforms, pioneered responsive design because they quickly realized their target audience was viewing them on mobile devices. Airbnb was one of the first accommodation websites to realize this.

Today, it adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. Layout, images, and text automatically reflow for their users to receive optimal experiences.

4. Have a fast load time like Dropbox

If cloud solutions are your main business model, then having a fast load time will be your biggest unique selling proposition (USP) . Dropbox has ensured fast loading time by keeping their images light, optimized, and backed that up with efficient coding practices.

5. Get a compelling headline like Slack

Slack has always included an engaging headline in their design, stressing the point that they are all about coworkers being able to communicate. Their phrase, “Made for people. Built for productivity,” strongly emphasizes that this is not like a ‘discord’ or regular messaging platform for casual conversation but a place of purpose and professionalism.

6. Implement high-quality images like Squarespace

Squarespace’s top priority is promoting its website design and aesthetics . It follows that through by leading with its own design. It uses high-resolution, visually appealing images to showcase the beauty of websites created with its platform.

7. Use minimal text like Stripe

Even though Stripe is in the finance sector, there isn’t a large wall of jargon on their site. In fact, their site is quite the opposite. There is decent white space , large, powerful headings, and then a small paragraph to capture the audience.

This is then finished off with a powerful call to action (CTA) to guide the user to the next step. Their concise copy highlights only the features and benefits without overwhelming the user.

8. Integrate good CTAs like Netflix

Netflix’s branding is a great website example for using color to draw the eye. The sharp red-on-black pulls your eye right in. But they also use this color combo for their call to action. While the text is still highly visible and readable in white on black, the buttons are the real star of the homepage.

The wording also calls the user to action by using simple, direct, active instructions such as “get started” or “sign in.” These instructions are strategically placed to encourage the user to push them. After all, everyone has always wanted to push the big red button.

9. Use white space like Albert

Albert is a simple banking finance app, and they wanted to express that in their website design. Their homepage makes incredible use of white space. They also use a very subtle approach to capture the eye with movement. But unlike other sites that do this with text change or a whole image, Albert does this by flicking between the screens on its app.

It’s a gentle change that draws interest while keeping the focus on what is really important. The spacing between elements prevents clutter and allows the user to focus on the product.

10. Use a prominent logo placement like Mad Tasty

Mad Tasty has a distinct logo: White, capitalized text that is clean and minimal on a solid black rectangle. The main logo is in a focused point position in the top banner. The design is then replicated in CTA’s and main headings. Their logo also services as a button to their home page, providing an easy way for users to navigate back to the starting point.

11. Create great “contact us” accessibility like Basecamp

While most companies offer a “contact us page” in their top navigation, most CTAs will probably direct you to sales or their pricing page. Basecamp offers all of that but also gives links to their customer services, and if you want more of a personal connection, they offer the CEO’s email address directly.

Not a lot of CEOs out there are willing to be that hands-on.

12. Integrate social proofing information like Zendesk

Testimonials , case studies , and client logos are prominent on Zendesk’s home page. The company showcases its credibility by displaying the positive impact of its solutions on its clients.

Elements from third parties work similarly to word-of-mouth credibility. Being endorsed by others reflects well on the company’s customer service and ability to deliver, making the potential new client feel safe investing in the product.

13. Use interactive elements like Spotify

Almost every element on Spotify’s home page can be interacted with, played, or expanded to see more options. Spotify is a great website example of how interaction can improve the customer’s journey .

You can preview music and personalized recommendations. With each interaction, the user’s browsing experience is enhanced and attended to.

14. Be consistent with your layout, like Microsoft

Microsoft has had a very clean, consistent, clear, functional branding for decades. They have always prioritized website accessibility and ease of use in their operational systems and software, and their homepage is no different.

It has a clean structure with lines, good use of white space, and a conventional layout, so users can easily navigate and find the product or service they require.

15. Have user accessibility like W3C

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is designed with accessibility in mind. To ensure all users can access their contact information, they have provided alt text for images, keyboard navigation, high-contrast options, different language settings, and more.

The main focus of the W3C is to drive technology so that everyone has access to information and create guidelines for website accessibility . They demonstrate that they are not only discussing these issues but leading by example by implementing many of them on their own website.

16. Have articles and blog features like TechCrunch

TechCrunch prominently displays articles and news stories on the homepage. The main section has featured articles that capture the user’s attention immediately.

Each article has engaging thumbnail images and diverse content formats. Regular updates ensure the content remains current, encouraging users to visit often.

17. Be user-centered with a design like Asana

Asana’s website focuses on clarity and ease of use. Their support chat box appears quickly, their text is written with no jargon, and their headings are concise. Throughout the home page, you’ll find helpful videos, easily laid out features, and clear buttons and navigation.

The design gives important information first so that clients can understand how Asana can help them manage their projects and taste efficiency. There is also a personalization element, where recommendations are made based on the user’s needs.

18. Give personalization like Tailor Brands

Tailor Brands gives clients tools to personalize and build platforms. Their homepage does the same for the client, doing everything possible to get the client to go on a journey of personalization for their idea.

Based on these inputs, the website immediately gives options and recommendations, giving the user a tailored engagement and an experience relevant from the start.

19. Include analytics integration like Shopify

Shopify focuses on highlighting the analytics and reporting features of its website builders directly on its homepage. It wants to showcase that its platform provides users with valuable insights into their stores’ performance.

How do they do this? By providing detailed sales processes, customer behavior analytics, marketing insights, and more to visitors.

20. Give a clear hierarchy like BBC

Newspapers and magazines often give hierarchy to the layout within their print publications. The biggest, important stories go on the front page, while warm fuzzy stories go on page three. BBC has focused similarly on its website, emphasizing larger, distinct headings for the big story and lesser eye catchment for the others.

The structure helps users easily find news, articles, and other content that would be of engagement to them.

Create the best website homepage design with WebFX

Having looked at the website homepage design examples, you should now be ready to incorporate that in your own site.

Need help implementing your favorite design elements? WebFX offers custom site designs that will give you the opportunity to launch a site that captures your brand, improves your conversion rates, all with the best website practices in mind.

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Table of Contents

• 20 Web Design Best Practices and Examples
• 1. Have Clear Branding Like Apple
• 2. Have Simple Navigation Like Google
• 3. Be Responsive in Your Design Like Airbnb
• 4. Have a Fast Load Time Like Dropbox
• 5. Get a Compelling Headline Like Slack
• 6. Implement High-quality Images Like Squarespace
• 7. Use Minimal Text Like Stripe
• 8. Integrate Good CTAs Like Netflix
• 9. Use White Space Like Albert
• 10. Use a Prominent Logo Placement Like Mad Tasty
• 11. Create Great “contact Us” Accessibility Like Basecamp
• 12. Integrate Social Proofing Information Like Zendesk
• 13. Use Interactive Elements Like Spotify
• 14. Be Consistent with Your Layout, Like Microsoft
• 15. Have User Accessibility Like W3C
• 16. Have Articles and Blog Features Like TechCrunch
• 17. Be User-centered with a Design Like Asana
• 18. Give Personalization Like Tailor Brands
• 19. Include Analytics Integration Like Shopify
• 20. Give a Clear Hierarchy Like BBC
• Create the Best Website Homepage Design with WebFX

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Web design is thriving amid election uncertainty—here's how to get involved.

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Written by Willow Kai, Advisor + CMO of Becca Luna Education - Learn more about how to become a Web Designer here!

In 2024, conversations about politics and the economic climate have been a hot topic. Many Americans are feeling the pinch of increased living costs and higher unemployment rates compared to 2023. And with the rise of AI and layoffs impacting various fields of work, it’s easy to feel like the creative career landscape is a little unstable. On top of everything, we're in an election year, and historically, elections can add stress about job security and money . But the growth of the online business space over the last five years has created a new platform for young creatives to forge their own stable, lucrative career path. In my experience, web design, in particular, has proven to be a resilient career path that actually thrives in challenging times.

The Impact On Jobs In The Creative Sector

With the gap between take-home pay and cost of living widening and political uncertainty increasing in the lead-up to the election, it often feels like creatives are the ones to pay the ultimate price—their jobs. Though recent rounds of layoffs have largely impacted employees across the tech sector, we’re seeing marketing budgets slashed across industries and creatives like designers, copywriters and creative directors scrambling to keep up and keep their jobs .

Historically, election years have led to a certain amount of instability in creative fields. In the lead-up to the 2016 election, we saw many businesses reduce or reallocate their budgets for creative campaigns due to fears of economic instability and regulatory changes . Similarly, during the 2012 election, we saw a country in recovery from an economic crisis .

Despite concerns both in the past and today, certain areas of the creative industry, particularly digital marketing and web design, have continued to see steady growth and demand even in times of political and economic uncertainty. I believe this is a result of businesses seeking to strengthen their brand presence in anticipation of potential market fluctuations. After all, a website is the digital home base for any brand, and in a world that’s more online than ever, the need for a functional, noticeable, conversion-focused website is steadily increasing. With more than 30 million small businesses registered in the United States alone, there is a lucrative opportunity for creatives interested in building a web design business.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Thursday, August 22

Oprah endorses kamala harris at dnc: her political history—and rare endorsements—explained, bill clinton takes crack at trump’s hannibal lecter references in dnc speech, how to get involved in the industry.

I've seen firsthand the opportunity and stability this industry can offer. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 were critical periods of growth for our business. With more entrepreneurs taking their brands digital, we were able to meet the increased demands for high-quality web design and website templates and, in-turn, scaled quickly past the six-figure mark. During that time, we also taught thousands of unemployed creatives how to launch, market and scale web design businesses of their own.

If you're considering a career in web design, here are some tips to help you get started:

Build your skills on one platform first.

Instead of setting off to learn web design as a whole, start by selecting a specific platform to be your bread and butter. Practice and get good at designing websites on that platform, so that you can start selling web design to clients while learning any other platforms that you might want to offer. We use Showit because we've found it's an in-demand, intuitive and user-friendly design platform.

Find an educator you can trust.

The best way to learn web design is with the assistance of a skilled web designer. Of course, you'll want to make sure that they have proven skills as a web designer and proven results for both their clients and students, but it's also important to choose someone whose style and personality you align with. Find someone whose teaching style matches up with your learning style. If you learn by doing, then you don’t want a course that teaches entirely through reading and writing.

Identify an industry or “niche” that needs web design support.

When you’re first starting out, it’s best to target your services toward a specific industry or niche. This allows you to get hyper-specific in your marketing and reach more clients quickly. It’s important that you enjoy working with your selected niche and that it’s an industry that actually needs web design support. Here are a few ideas:

• Hair stylists and salons.

• Business coaches.

• Local small businesses.

• Real estate professionals, home stagers and interior designers.

• Restaurants and hospitality businesses.

You can also do contract work for larger agencies that already have established relationships within an industry.

As we push on toward the 2024 election, the conversation about job and economic stability is bound to ramp up. If you’re a creative seeking a career path that allows you to flex your artistic abilities and remain steadily employed, it’s likely that you’ll feel both fulfilled and safe working as a web designer. Wherever you choose to start, diving into the world of web design now can get you on the ground floor of a booming industry that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

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