How to Create a Website Design That Works (and Wows)

Let’s be real: building a website can feel like a lot — but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you're launching a personal brand, portfolio, or small business, your website is where first impressions happen. It's your digital storefront, your 24/7 pitch deck, and your biggest brand ally.

In this post, we’ll walk through the essential steps to creating a functional and beautiful website — one that’s not just “live,” but actually working for you.

The Website Design Creation Journey (Let’s Break It Down)

Designing a website is more than dragging and dropping things on a screen. It’s a strategic process — and when done right, it brings clarity to your brand and confidence to your audience.

Here’s what the process typically looks like:

1. Clarify Your Goals

Are you selling a product? Showcasing your work? Building a community? Your website should reflect that — every decision stems from this foundation.

2. Map It Out

Create a simple sitemap to organize your pages. This is where you decide what goes where — think Home, About, Services, Contact, etc. Keep it clear and intuitive.

3. Design with Intention

Time to give your ideas a visual life. Start with wireframes (basic layout sketches), then bring them to life with colors, typography, and personality. Tools like Figma or Adobe XD help, or work with a designer who gets you (hi 👋).

4. Develop the Site

This is where the real magic happens — coding or using platforms like Wix to bring the design to life. Make sure your site is responsive (aka, looks great on all devices), and keep the experience smooth.

5. Write for Humans (and Google)

Content matters — a lot. Speak to your audience like a human, not a robot. Clear headlines, engaging text, strong visuals, and SEO-friendly keywords will keep people around and help them find you in the first place.

6. Test Before You Launch

Check every link, form, image, and button. Make sure your site works on mobile. Get fresh eyes on it if you can. You want visitors to feel trust the second they land.

7. Launch & Celebrate 🎉

Hit publish and share your site with the world — but don’t ghost it after. Keep an eye on what’s working, what’s not, and stay open to evolving.

What are the 7 Phases of Web Design?

To elaborate on each stage further, here’s a deeper look into the seven phases of web design:

1. Research

Understanding your competitors, market trends, and user behavior is crucial. Analyze similar websites and note what works well and what doesn’t. Tools like Google Analytics can provide insights into user engagement on your site.

2. Planning

After research, outline your website’s structure. This includes creating a sitemap that defines the pages and their relationship to one another. A clear sitemap helps in designing a user-friendly navigation system.

3. Design

Start with wireframes to establish the layout. Once your wireframes are complete, move on to mockups. Tools like Adobe XD or Figma can be useful in this phase. Choose a color palette and typography that reflects your brand’s identity.

4. Development

This phase involves both front-end and back-end development. Front-end development focuses on what users interact with, while back-end development deals with servers and databases. Ensure that your website is responsive—meaning it adapts well to different screen sizes.

5. Testing

Testing is an ongoing process. Use beta testers to gather feedback. Regularly check for website speed and performance to ensure users experience fast loading times.

6. Launch

Create a pre-launch checklist. Confirm that all functionalities are working, and be ready for any last-minute adjustments. Announce your launch on social media to draw visitors.

7. Maintenance

Periodically update your content and check for broken links or outdated information. It is essential to keep your website fresh and relevant.

Key Ingredients for a Website That Works

Your website should look amazing — but it should work even harder. Here are the must-haves:

✦ User-Friendly Navigation

Make it easy to move around. No one should be playing hide-and-seek with your contact info.

✦ Mobile Responsiveness

Your audience is likely browsing from their phone. Make sure your site looks just as good in the palm of their hand as it does on desktop.

✦ Compelling Content

Tell your story, clearly and confidently. Use great visuals, punchy copy, and keep it relevant to your audience.

✦ Fast Loading Times

Nobody likes a slow site. Compress images, streamline code, and test your speed using tools like Google PageSpeed.

✦ Clear Calls to Action (CTAs)

What do you want visitors to do — book a call, sign up, buy something? Make it obvious, clickable, and unmissable.

✦ Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Get found on Google. That means using keywords naturally, writing great meta descriptions, and optimizing your images and titles.

Real Talk: Maintenance Matters

Your site isn’t “done” once it’s live. You’ll need to:

• Keep content updated

• Fix broken links

• Refresh visuals

• Track performance

Think of your website as a living part of your business — not a digital brochure.

Final Thoughts (You Got This)

Creating an engaging, functional website doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right steps — and a little help when you need it — you can build a site that truly represents you and supports your growth.

At nadiaOrangestudio, I design and build user-centered Wix websites for women entrepreneurs, creatives, and purpose-driven brands. If you're ready to build something beautiful and strategic, let’s chat.

👉 Contact me today and take the first step toward a website you’re proud of.