Modern website designs: 9 expert tips for your future project

As a visitor lands on your website, you must instantly capture their attention. It is a known fact that web design shapes the first impression of a brand or business for a vast majority of users, so you must get it right. Ensure that your website resonates with your audience while staying true to your brand and values.

Now, this is easier said than done. There is just too much nitty-gritty involved when designing a website, and the whole process can be mind-boggling and exhausting. And the end result can be pretty questionable, especially if you’re a beginner or if you let an amateur handle the web designing process. We’re going to help you — through this article, you’ll learn 9 important tips to take your website design to the next level. To top it off, we’ve also included 15  great examples to inspire you and help you visualize what your future project may look like.

9 tips for modern web design

Your website mustn’t only be visually appealing — you also need to ensure that it’s easy to navigate, quick to load, and optimized for devices of all sizes. Ready to unlock the secrets behind stunning modern web design? In this section, we’ll share the insider tips our team has honed over the years of crafting amazing websites.

Be minimalistic

First off, cut the clutter and keep it minimalistic. You don’t need to go overboard with tons of information and fancy animations on your site. While amateurs might think this is cool, in fact, overstuffing your site will bog it down and distract your visitors. Instead, keep the elements minimal and aim for a straightforward user interface. This design philosophy is based on the age-old mantra of “less is more.” 

Minimalism is the true essence of elegance and functionality in web design.

A minimal website style leads to a faster loading speed with a credible and professional aesthetic, making it easier for your visitors to navigate and ensuring they remain focused on what you offer. More importantly, simple designs are timeless and work great across devices of varying sizes. This way, your customers will see the best of you regardless of whatever device they are accessing the site from. 

Make mobile-first websites

Most visitors will predominantly access your site via smartphones, so you must opt for a mobile-first website design. It means designing your website with a focus on mobile devices and then scaling it up for larger screens. This approach ensures your visitors will enjoy a seamless and user-friendly experience on their smart devices, which is immensely important nowadays. 

For a mobile-friendly approach, you can choose from two design methods: responsive and adaptive. The former relies on fluid grids and flexible images to fine-tune your website’s layout based on the screen’s size. On the other hand, adaptive design employs pre-defined layouts optimized for screens of specific sizes. The exact method you should go for will depend on your preferences and technical requirements.

Leave empty space

You must have heard of negative space, often referred to as “white space.” It refers to the empty spaces between elements on a web page regardless of the background color. But why leave empty spaces? Well, this greatly helps your site look clean and minimalistic. It also makes your pages easier to read, helps boost the user experience, and allows the important things to stand out.

Moreover, when you utilize white spaces, it might lower the number of elements on a page, thus enhancing the loading time. This, in turn, can lead to your visitors being more engaged, reducing the bounce rate. In all, leaving empty spaces on your site is an excellent way of making your site attractive, fast, and user-friendly.

Prioritize text style

The typography is just as important as any other element of your site — visitors aren’t going to bother exploring what your brand has to offer if your website is hard to read. You must choose a text style, keeping readability and aesthetics in mind. Pay particular attention to font size, style, and spacing. 

Choose a font that captures your brand’s idea and essence. For instance, if you’re a supplier of medical equipment, a colorful or quirky font style will be highly inappropriate. Instead, you must opt for a font that’s professional and simple. An attractive and unique font is a must, but you shouldn’t ignore readability — choose an appropriate size and include different sizes for the headlines and main text to structure your site.

Additionally, insert adequate line spacing. Keep in mind that too much space will look odd, while too little will make your text cluttered and unintelligible — you must strike the right balance. Lastly, ditch the rainbow palette and choose a few contrasting colors to keep your site professional and appealing.

Experiment with layouts

A great layout will strategically guide visitors to what your site has to offer. On the other hand, an inferior one will confuse readers and provide a poor user experience. You must always ensure that the design is intuitive — meaning that the structure aligns with the natural eye movement patterns.

Your site’s layout must keep visitors engaged and motivate them to explore more of what you offer. Some experimentation with a few different styles might be required, and for this, you can choose between the following:

• Vertical split-screen layout. True to its name, this layout splits your elements into multiple vertical sections, which helps you showcase a wide range of content on a single screen or follow distinct user pathways.
• Mixed layout. It employs distinct layouts for each section, allowing you to add more dynamism to your content.
• Broken grid. Unlike conventional grids that adhere to specific structures, websites with broken ones are inventive and engaging for users.

Use videos for background headers

Videos are one of the most popular content formats and are great for instantly hooking your web visitors. When it comes to your website, opting for a video in your header background might be a really good idea. This will grab your visitors’ attention and motivate them to discover more about your brand.

Fullscreen videos are also excellent attention grabbers. However, you must ensure that they don’t distract the users from the main content. Regardless of how attractive your video is, you don’t want it getting in the way of users taking the necessary actions.

A well-placed video in a website header is a dynamic invitation to explore your brand’s story.

Add ghost buttons for a subtle touch

For a minimalist and professional web design, ghost buttons can be a great addition — characterized by their absence of color fill and defined borders. They contribute a subtle yet sophisticated touch to the design layout. However, you need to be cautious and place them strategically, as ghost buttons can be difficult to spot, and if your users can’t see them, well, then what’s the point, right?

To use them effectively, it’s important to consider the following:

• Strategic transparency. While their subtle nature is appealing, it’s crucial to balance transparency with visibility. Avoid placing ghost buttons on highly textured or colorful backgrounds where they might blend in. Instead, choose backgrounds that provide sufficient contrast and select a border color that complements your design while standing out.
• Intentional placement. Position ghost buttons strategically in areas where users naturally expect to find interactive elements, such as beneath primary calls to action or within navigation menus. This creates a clear visual hierarchy and guides users through your desired flow.
• Enhanced visibility. To further amplify the presence of ghost buttons, consider incorporating subtle hover effects or color changes to attract attention and signal interactivity.
• Creative outlines. Explore a variety of outline styles beyond simple borders, such as dotted lines, dashed patterns, or subtle glows, to add visual interest.

Utilize card-based design 

When it comes to professional web design solutions, one effective strategy is to incorporate a card-based design. This involves organizing content into distinct, visually appealing cards, each representing a discrete piece of information or functionality. Card-based design not only enhances the overall aesthetic of your website but also allows for a responsive layout that adapts across different devices and screen sizes.

Cards provide a clean and structured layout, making it easier for visitors to navigate through your content. Whether showcasing products, services or featured articles, the card-based approach allows for a visually cohesive presentation. Moreover, this design concept is highly responsive, helping deliver a smooth experience across various devices. Embracing card-based design adds a touch of modernity to your site and contributes to a more engaging and user-friendly browsing experience.

To delve deeper into this topic and learn more about the principles behind this technique, read our separate article titled

<div class="post__style-link">Card UI design: Inspiring cases and pro tips.</div>

Incorporate micro-interactions

Ever noticed how some websites have buttons that light up or change color when you hover over them? That’s what we call micro-interactions. These tiny animations and effects, like a menu item that slides out or a button that seems to press down when you click it, make the website more usable and easy to use.  

However, it’s important to use these elements sparingly and thoughtfully. Overdoing them can lead to a cluttered and confusing interface, while your goal is to create a dynamic and enjoyable experience for every visitor. So, add these little interactive touches here and there to make your site feel more alive, but keep it simple and sleek.

15 Examples of modern website design

Having covered the essential tips, we now invite you to check out some 15 great designs crafted by Halo Lab for our esteemed clients across various industries and niches. Hopefully, they will serve as a source of inspiration.

Praiseworthy

Halo Lab transformed Praiseworthy’s digital presence with a focus on user-centric app and website design. The app’s UX was refined with added features and a super-friendly aesthetic, incorporating round illustrated stickers and playful textures. The sleek website layout highlighted ease of use, with subtle animations showcasing platform elements.

The distinctive logo, harmonious fonts, and vibrant color palette enriched Praiseworthy’s identity. The result is a visually captivating and efficient website, complementing the app’s approach to positive employee recognition within organizations.

Halo Lab

Halo Lab’s website features an eye-catching design with a mix of blue, black, and yellow hues, drawing attention to crucial areas. Our site has a dynamic touch of various animations, including bright 3D elements, which captivate visitors without overwhelming them. One of the unique aspects of the website is the diverse scrolling experiences it offers, encouraging users to explore and interact with it more deeply.

The site uses a folder-based style that structures information, making it easy for visitors to navigate through the sections. Such an organization covers services, projects, blog articles, client feedback, and many more, simplifying access to the required content. Additionally, we’ve adopted a card-based system to display our client portfolio. This method showcases our cooperation in a clear way and adds a modern and professional touch to the site.

The Variable

In crafting The Variable’s website, our team embraced a bold and brutal design, selecting black, purple, and red colors to convey a rebellious yet friendly mood. The Barlow Condensed font for headers and classical Montserrat for the main body added contrast and energy. Customized stickers, unique animations, and prominent CTA blocks further defined the platform’s love for experiments and innovations.

Leveraging Webflow technology, we ensured seamless content management and optimal performance across devices. The result is a visually striking website that not only met The Variable’s specific needs but also garnered praise from the client and their customers, solidifying a confident and creative brand image.

Bookclub24

Bookclub24’s design embraces a mobile-centric approach while implementing a consistent, scalable system. Intuitive functionalities, a seamless payment process, and an organized main page are all carefully crafted to enhance user interaction. 

The Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic strikes a balance between calmness and engagement, and the outcome is a visually captivating, user-friendly platform that positions Bookclub24 as a leading force in the online book market.

HeyTutor

HeyTutor is an online platform that goes for enhanced user engagement and functionality. The design is focused on intuitive navigation for tutors, creating clear user paths and elevating brand perception. Through a vibrant and playful design, the platform radiates a sense of joy, speed, and smart studying.

A reserved color palette, dynamic graphic elements, and a restyled academic cap logo contribute to HeyTutor’s unique identity. This website, with a thought-out content structure and a lively aesthetic, positions HeyTutor as the leader in the ever-growing online education market.

Happy

Happy is a company that sells clear aligners, and its site features a joyful and inclusive design. Tailored for a diverse audience, the sticker-style layout, enriched with interactive features like Treatable Cases and a Mini Quiz, enhances user engagement. The brand’s youthful spirit is captured through a playful logo, a blend of lively colors, and smiley photos.

Holographic textures add a modern touch, setting Happy apart in the dental industry. Overall, the website delivers a smooth user experience with some seriously wholesome vibes.

Alukaze

Alukaze is a fenestration company with a deep philosophy that its site has to reflect. The company’s name cleverly merges the idea of aluminum and wind, and those concepts had to be carefully translated into the website’s design. 

The minimalist approach is evident from the sleek lines of the logo, symbolizing not just modularity but also the essence of urban construction. This design extends further through the use of lemon accents against a graphite backdrop, projecting confidence and a sense of alacrity.

Moreover, the background image artfully melds metal with the concept of wind, creating an immersive experience. The website’s intentional use of white space contributes to an airy, spacious feel, greatly improving readability and navigation.

Catalyze AI

Catalyze AI boasts a custom design that ensures a streamlined user flow, intuitive sign-up, and simplified navigation. The website creates an authentic and friendly atmosphere through a thoughtfully selected color palette, dynamic elements, and engaging hover effects. The smart use of contrasts helps further highlight the important parts of the site, making navigation even easier.

Skillex

Skillex’s website stands out for its user-friendly design, employing vibrant and contrasting colors to enhance readability and create an engaging interface. The strategic use of easy-to-read fonts and a clear hierarchy ensures a smooth navigation experience. The prominent search bar at the header simplifies course discovery, catering to user needs efficiently. Moreover, the inclusion of a customer testimonial at the bottom adds credibility and builds trust.

JUO

JUO’s website epitomizes elegance and professionalism, showcasing a minimalist approach that harmonizes with the furniture and interior design niche. The use of contrasting colors enhances the visual appeal, while headers and text titles provide a structured and easy-to-follow layout. Placing the search bar at the top simplifies navigation, ensuring a great browsing experience. 

Moreover, the homepage is adorned with curated product displays and offers a glimpse into JUO’s craftsmanship. A concise “About Us” section, complete with an “Explore” button, invites visitors to explore further. The strategically placed prominent CTA at the bottom, titled “Let’s Have a Chat,” encourages engagement and exemplifies JUO’s commitment to personalized service.

AIG Investment

AIG is a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing NFT culture by making modern art investment accessible to tech-savvy individuals, particularly those in their twenties. The site exudes a trustworthy aesthetic, featuring a user-friendly interface adorned with compelling visual details.

The bright 3D art circles at the top and vibrant cyan, lemon, and cherry hues in the footer against a sleek gray background help create a memorable experience. These intentional design choices aim to captivate young audiences, fostering engagement and encouraging them to explore the world of art investment.

Gig Share

Gig Share is the ultimate platform for effortless and secure large file and idea sharing. Engineered to integrate flawlessly with collaboration tools like Slack and Zoom, Gig Share ensures a foolproof infrastructure, shielding users from data breaches and high traffic volume concerns.

Our team strategically designed the website to exude professionalism and trust, incorporating geometric elements like squares, circles, and cones. Vivid, motley colors against a serene light-grey backdrop add a touch of memorability to the interface. With a trendy, user-friendly design and an attention-grabbing “Add Your Files” button, Gig Share stands out as a modern solution for businesses seeking seamless file-sharing experiences.

Vestox

Vestox’s website aims to marry simplicity with sophistication. With a clear and user-friendly structure, minimalist approach, seamless navigation, and captivating animations, website design embodies ease of use. 

The strategic play of fonts and headlines resonates with the financial industry’s tone, ensuring a professional touch. The color palette of white, orange, and black not only exudes simplicity but also aligns with Vestox’s corporate identity, creating a visually appealing and impactful online presence.

Databest

Databest’s website is another great design example, effectively blending aesthetics with functionality. With a clear structure and distinct flow, users are greeted with a harmonious interface that prioritizes pastel colors for a soothing experience. Bold and clear illustrations of their talented employees add a personal touch, while strategically placed data numbers and statistics showcase the company’s impressive track record.

The hierarchy is thoughtfully crafted, with navigation buttons like Company, Pricing, and Connect on the right and Product, Resources, and Support on the left, framing the central Databest logo.

Sight Banking

Sight Banking’s website offers a glimpse of the future of banking — convenient, efficient, and entirely online. The vibrant and contrasting colors immediately capture attention, setting the stage for a good experience. A captivating animation of credit cards at the header draws users into the site, accompanied by an irresistible call-to-action: “Join 5.5M Sight Clients.” The ingenuity continues with a curated list of esteemed clients, creating an eye-catching display. The website’s trendy and uncluttered design, coupled with smooth fonts and ample white spaces, ensures an enjoyable user journey.

The best way to get ideas for your website design

If you’re searching for design ideas, inspiration is everywhere — you just need to know where to look! Try going on a journey, either in person or online, to get your creative juices flowing. Exploring new places exposes you to different cultures and styles, which can give you fresh ideas for your designs.

Pay attention to what you see in everyday media. Ads and social media posts are full of design elements. Take a good look, and you might spot some cool ideas to use in your own projects. Join design communities, both online and in person, to connect with other creative folks — you can learn about the latest trends and get advice from people who share your interests.

Look closely at the world around you: even everyday media holds hidden gems for design ideas.

On the internet, platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Behance are gold mines for design inspiration. Check out accounts that showcase new trends, interesting layouts, and color schemes. By mixing real-life experiences with online exploration, you’ll have a well-rounded approach to finding ideas.

Bring your vision to life

And there you have it — our comprehensive guide filled with essential tips and inspiring examples to kickstart your website design journey. Remember, the true power of web design lies in its ability to connect deeply with the essence of your brand. This is where the magic happens, and it’s also why choosing the right team to bring your vision to life is crucial.

At Halo Lab, our team of experienced and professional web designers is ready to bring your vision to life. With a track record of creating bespoke, user-friendly websites, we’re excited to help you, whether you’re building a new site or transforming an existing one. Have questions about web design? Feel free to drop us a line. Just a click is all it takes to start the journey towards your dream website with Halo Lab. Let’s make something amazing together!