Website Design starts with Inspiration and Strategy

Finding Website Design Inspiration Online

Creating a visually appealing and functional website starts with inspiration and asking the right questions.

Whether you're a designer, developer, or business owner – exploring high-quality design resources can spark fresh ideas and guide your web-design project.

Below are some top platforms and strategies for finding website design inspiration online, along with a strategic question list to help you prepare, before we start a website design project.

Top Platforms for Website Design Inspiration

1. Awwwards

   This is our favourite place for UX/UI inspiration. Awwwards showcases award-winning websites with a focus on creativity, usability, and innovation. It’s a go-to for discovering cutting-edge designs or trends, with filters for categories like typography, animation, and interactivity.
   

2. Behance Behance is Adobe’s creative platform, features portfolios from designers worldwide. Search for web design projects to find unique layouts, colour schemes, and user experiences. It’s ideal for discovering diverse styles that work globally.
   

3. DesignRush DesignRush curates some of the best interactive website designs, highlighting micro-trends like immersive storytelling, micro-interactions, or unusual visuals. Their curated lists are perfect for staying updated on what’s trending in web design.
   

4. Pinterest Pinterest is a constant treasure trove for visual inspiration. While not the most reliable in knowing actual results of the designs – it’s great for gathering ideas across industries and aesthetics and being able to communicate your ideas to us visually.
   

5. SiteInspire SiteInspire offers a clean, curated collection of websites, sortable by style, type, and subject. It’s a great resource for finding polished designs and seeing how designers balance form and function.
   

Strategic Questions to Ask Before Designing a Website

Before diving into a website design project, we encourage you to clarify your goals and requirements.

Here’s a strategic question list to guide the process:

• What is the primary goal of the website?  (e.g., e-commerce, brand awareness, lead generation)
  

• Who is the target audience?  (e.g., age, interests, demographics)
  

• What are the key functionalities needed?  (e.g., forms, search, e-commerce, blog)
  

• What is the desired aesthetic or feeling you want to convey?  (e.g., modern, minimalist, bold, professional)
  

• Are there competitor websites you admire or want to differentiate from?
  

• What is the budget and timeline for the project?
  

• Will the website need to be mobile-responsive or support multiple devices?
  

• Do you have existing brand assets? (e.g., logo, colour palette, fonts)
  

• How will success be measured?  (e.g., traffic, conversions, engagement)
  

• Who will maintain and update the website after launch?
  

Answering these questions helps align the design process with your vision and ensures the final product meets both aesthetic and functional goals.

Tips for Using Inspiration Effectively

• Combine ideas: Mix elements from multiple sources to create something unique rather than copying a single design. Don't focus on trends, instead keep your customer avatar close and ensure you're planning a design that's a fit for your industry.
  

• Adapt to Your Needs: Ensure the inspiration aligns with your audience and goals. Some may say following a trendy design might not suit a professional service – but if you're a disruptor in your market (or want to be perceived as one), then a mould-breaking UX may just be your answer.
  

• Stay Updated, Not Confused: Web design evolves quickly, so check platforms regularly for fresh ideas. However, once you've started the process and know that it's aligned to your goals – adding in fresh interactive experiences may confuse the customer. We tend to leave website in a the blink of an eye, and go shop elsewhere, so keeping customer experiences seamless is key.
  

By exploring these resources and asking the right questions, you can create a website that’s both visually stunning and strategically sound.

And if you want support in guiding a sound web-design strategy – book in a 1-1 BrandSpark Session for a free consult!