How to design a website

Have you ever wondered how to design a website? There are so many things to consider when you decide that you need a website and there is a lot of information to sift through online. We want to simplify the process and give you some actionable tips to help you create the website you need.

Once you know you need a website, how do you go about creating one? We are here to help with some important steps to consider when designing your new website.

woman standing pointing at computer with woman sitting

1. Have a plan

Before you figure out how to build the website, you first need to decide what information it needs to have on it in order to connect with your ideal reader. Don’t know who your ideal reader is? We highly encourage you take the time to think about who your audience is and what kind of information they will be looking for.

Things to consider:

Who are you talking to? What kind of content do they need? What solutions are they looking for?
Do you need specific pages to explain more in depth who you are and how you can help?
What information can you add to pages to help your ideal reader connect with you better and provide a positive user experience?
How do you want people to navigate your website? What kind of information do you want them to see right away?
What colors would you like to use on your website to add visual appeal?
What functionality would you like your site to offer your readers?

2. Choose a platform

Unless you are an experienced web developer, you will likely want to use some sort of website template or website builder to create your site.

There are literally thousands of options from Wix to Squarespace to WordPress and more! So how do you know which one is best?

It’s important to consider your goals. We encourage you to create a website that will help you meet your long term goals and set you up for success.

We encourage you to strongly consider being on a self- hosted site for a few different reasons.

Optimization for SEO (search engine optimization)
More flexibility in regards to design and functionality
More storage space available
Ability to monetize with an ad network
Easily integrated with most 3rd party tools such as email marketing

Creating a self-hosted site on WordPress will allow you to choose from hundreds of themes to build your website.

woman's hands typing on laptop open to blog

3. Choose a theme

Speaking of themes, we suggest using a pre-made theme designed for WordPress.org to create your website.

Things to consider when choosing a theme:

will you have on-going support from the developer
creating a positive user experience
how much built in functionality is available with the theme
does the overall design offer a good user experience
is it built for SEO and speed optimization

There are hundreds if not thousands of themes available, but not all meet these criteria.

Based on our research, experience and consultations with a trusted web developer as well as an SEO consultant, we highly recommend a Kadence based theme along with a Restored 316 child theme to our students in The Ultimate Blog Bootcamp when they create their sites!

Kadence Parent Theme

Restored 316 WordPress Child Themes

4. Add Content and Design Aspects

One of the best parts of creating a website is adding fonts, colors and photos! Those are what add character and your own unique “feel” to your website.

Be sure to choose colors and fonts that are easy to read and have a lot of contrast. It’s important to ensure you site can be easily read by all, especially those with visual impairments.

Use original images that you have created yourself or paid for. You can also use stock photography that you have the rights to use.

When designing your site, pay attention to the backgrounds and colors used for fonts to make sure they don’t clash with the photos. Simple is best and you don’t want to overwhelm your readers with too much visual input or information.

It’s best to keep website design and navigation simple and to the point. You will want your readers to be able to easily find what they are looking for and to stay on your site as long as possible to keep looking for more!

Resources

Our podcast, The Ultimate Blog Podcast, has several episodes that dive deeper into website design Listed below are a few episodes you will find helpful.

If you are ready to start diving into blogging, we highly encourage you to consider thinking through some foundational pieces as you embark on this new adventure! We created an amazing beginner course for you to learn the important foundations of starting a blog and help you make the best decisions as you begin. Learn more about The Blog Depot here and use code BLOGDEPOT10 for $10 off the first month.

If you are ready to start your blog and want our help join the waitlist for The Ultimate Blog Bootcamp where we support you through the entire process and provide weekly coaching calls to provide guidance as you set up your blog and begin creating content.