Proven ways to create a digital experience that converts.

May 9, 2023 / Estimated read time: 4 minutes

Whether you’re a freelancer, artist, entrepreneur, small business, or massive corporation, a well-designed website should be the foundation of your digital marketing strategy. Your website is more than just a URL—it’s your brand’s most valuable real estate. Whether you’re scaling a startup or running a household name, the rules are simple: sleek design that puts function first, wins. Think of your site as a 24/7 storefront where every click is an opportunity to connect.

At HRVST, we’ve mastered the art of crafting websites that don’t just look incredible—they deliver results. Here are our top web design practices to level up your online presence.

1. Left-aligned logo: keep it classic

Users instinctively look for your logo in the top-left corner, making it a UX power move. Placing your logo on the left isn’t just a nod to tradition—it’s about usability. Studies reveal brands with left-aligned logos are 89% more memorable. Whether you go minimalist or maximalist, this is one convention you don’t want to break (most of the time). It anchors your navigation and keeps your site feeling intuitive.

2. Put the important stuff up top

First impressions are everything, and the top of your site is prime real estate. The first thing people see isn’t just a header—it’s your elevator pitch. This is the space to showcase your logo, key navigation, and a strong call-to-action. Users scan pages in an F-shaped pattern, so hook them fast with bold headlines, punchy subheads, and sleek design elements that pull them in right away.

Quick wins:

Short paragraphs and white space keep it clean.
Use bullet points to highlight key info.
Ensure colours and fonts reflect your brand.

Make it effortless for visitors to understand your brand and trust you before they even scroll.

3. Navigation: make it stupidly simple

Clear, logical navigation is a cheat code for keeping visitors engaged. Your site’s navigation isn’t the place to get cute. Stick to familiar labels like “About,” “Shop,” or “Contact.”

Simple structures work best:

Use breadcrumbs to help users track where they are.
Keep dropdown menus intuitive and categorized.
Limit menu links to avoid overwhelming users.

Great navigation is like a good friend—it should always guide you in the right direction.

4. Call-to-actions (CTAs): Above the fold and in the footer

Strategic placement drives conversions without feeling pushy. CTAs are the bread and butter of conversion-friendly design. Make them visible above the fold for users ready to act and repeat them in the footer for the browsers who need a nudge. Whether it’s a sticky banner, a “Get Started” button, or a “Learn More” link, CTAs need to be punchy, actionable, and easy to spot.

5. Ditch stock photos (when you can)

Authentic visuals connect better than generic images. Stock photos can feel staged and forgettable. Whenever possible, invest in custom photography that tells your brand’s story. At HRVST, we champion original visuals because they build trust and reflect your authenticity.

Pro tip: Add dynamic visuals like animations, videos, or GIFs for extra flair. Showcasing your product or team in action grabs attention and keeps visitors engaged longer.

6. Mobile-first design: think small, win big

Over half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, and mobile-first is Google’s gold standard. Building for mobile-first forces you to focus on what matters—clean layouts, fast load times, and finger-friendly navigation. From collapsible menus to responsive design, make sure your site feels seamless on every screen.

HRVST tip: Test your site across multiple devices to spot any hiccups. Small tweaks can make a massive difference in user experience.

7. Humble bragging is encouraged

Trust sells, and nothing builds trust like showing off your wins. Case studies, testimonials, and before-and-after results turn curious visitors into confident buyers.

At HRVST, we spotlight client successes because they speak louder than ads. Want proof? Check our site, where client wins take centre stage. Your site should follow suit—show your audience what you’ve done and what you can do for them.

8. Speed is everything: faster load times, happier users

Slow sites kill conversions (a one-second delay in load time can drop your conversions by 7%). Optimize your site’s speed by compressing images, minimizing plugins, and investing in quality hosting. Not only does speed boost user satisfaction, but it’s also a key factor for Google’s SEO ranking.

Quick fixes:

Use a content delivery network (CDN) to speed up global load times.
Run regular performance audits to catch lag before it costs you leads.

Your website should do more than look good—it should work as hard as you do. At HRVST, we don’t just build sites; we craft experiences that elevate your brand and drive results. Every pixel, every click, every decision is designed with purpose: to make your brand unforgettable.

Whether you’re starting fresh or ready for a redesign, HRVST is your go-to Shopify Partner.

Let’s create a digital storefront that works as great as it looks. Ready to make it happen? Drop us a line and let’s get started.

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8 web design best practices (that we actually do)