Introduction
Your website isn’t a portfolio piece.
It’s a tool.
It exists to help people understand what you offer, trust that you can deliver, and take the next step—whether that’s joining your email list, booking a call, or buying your product.
When creators overcomplicate their sites, they confuse visitors and stall conversions.
This post will help you apply simple design principles that make your website easier to navigate, clearer to read, and more likely to generate revenue.
Make Your Purpose Obvious
If a stranger landed on your homepage, would they know in five seconds:
What you do
Who it’s for
How you help
Your headline should answer these questions without jargon or clever wordplay.
Example:
“Courses and resources that help freelancers raise their rates with confidence.”
Clarity is the fastest path to trust.
Use Clean, Consistent Typography
Typography is one of the easiest ways to improve or ruin your site.
Best practices:
Two fonts maximum—one for headings, one for body copy
Plenty of white space around text blocks
Large enough size to read comfortably on mobile
Consistent hierarchy (headings always styled the same way)
If people have to squint or guess what’s important, they won’t stay.
Limit Your Color Palette
You don’t need a rainbow to look professional.
Pick:
One primary brand color (buttons, highlights)
One or two neutrals for backgrounds and text
One accent color if needed
Consistent color makes your site feel cohesive and credible.
Use High-Quality Images—But Keep Them Relevant
Stock photos are fine if they support your message.
Avoid:
Generic office handshakes
Obvious stock models looking off-camera
Images that distract from your call to action
If you can, invest in brand photography that feels personal and aligned.
Prioritize Clear Calls to Action
Every page should have a clear next step.
Examples:
Join the newsletter
Download the free guide
Buy the course
Book a consultation
Make your calls to action visually distinct. Buttons should stand out, not blend in.
Simplify Navigation
Too many links create decision fatigue.
Keep your main menu to 4–6 primary options:
Home
About
Work with me / Services
Shop or Courses
Blog or Resources
Contact
If you need more pages, use footer links or submenus.
Optimize for Mobile First
More than half of visitors will experience your site on a phone.
Check:
Are fonts legible without zooming?
Are buttons easy to tap?
Do images resize correctly?
Test your pages on multiple devices before you launch.
Remove Clutter
Ask yourself:
Does this element help someone take action?
Does it build trust or clarity?
If not, cut it.
Clean design feels trustworthy. Too much filler creates doubt.
Final Thought
Your website doesn’t have to be flashy. It needs to be functional.
When you focus on clarity, consistency, and simplicity, you make it easier for people to say yes.
Edit ruthlessly. Design intentionally. Let your site do its job.
— Sloane MacRae
