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Brands with website designs that nail both form and function

Written by: Rachel Leist
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FREE GUIDE: WEBSITE DESIGN EXAMPLE LOOKBOOK

77 of blog and website page design examples.

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Great web design earns its keep by making it effortless for visitors to find what they need and do what you want. The best website designs combine visual appeal with practical usability. Strong design depends on clear navigation and focused messaging that help visitors quickly find information or take action.

A company¡¯s website is one of its most important assets. If a lead or customer comes to your website and it looks like you didn¡¯t put a lot of time into making it attractive, they may leave the site. Even more important, however, is a website¡¯s functionality. If your website is beautiful but customers are unable to find what they¡¯re looking for, you can bet your buttons (pun intended) they¡¯ll click away from your site in a heartbeat.

Marketers can build websites that look great and help visitors take action. If you¡¯re considering , here are companies that nail both form and function from which you can draw some inspiration.

Table of Contents

Patagonia

best website designs, patagonia

homepage is designed to do two jobs at once: support purchases and reinforce the brand¡¯s environmental mission. It does that by pairing strong imagery with a limited set of clear choices.

  • Visitors can explore environmental content through homepage imagery
  • Visitors can use the top navigation to learn more about the brand
  • Visitors can start shopping without sorting through too many options

That balance makes the site visually engaging without making it harder to use.

Takeaway from ±Ê²¹³Ù²¹²µ´Ç²Ô¾±²¹¡¯²õ website: Don¡¯t give visitors too many options. Keep the homepage simple and beautiful so your audience can easily find what they¡¯re looking for, all while being enthralled by captivating images.

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    Ford

    best website designs, ford

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    When you go to a car dealership, you do one of two things. You either purchase a car that¡¯s already on the show floor, or you research the ideal features you want in a car so you can purchase it at a later time. gives you that exact same in-person experience on their website. Right from the homepage, you can choose the type of car you want and begin building it, providing a website experience that gets visitors excited about owning a Ford car.

    Takeaway from Ford¡¯s website: Try to give your website¡¯s visitors the same experience that they would get if they visited you in person.

    Sony

    best website designs, sony

    has thousands of products, so it risks creating an overwhelming experience for visitors who need to find one specific item. To prevent that, Sony built a navigation system that stays consistent across product categories.

    • Products are grouped into logical categories.
    • Each drop-down menu repeats the same core actions.
    • Visitors can quickly shop, compare products, find accessories, or get support and drivers.

    best website designs, sony menu

    That consistency helps users know what to expect no matter which product they explore.

    Takeaway from Sony¡¯s website: Think through the most logical categorization of the items in your navigation, and use drop-down menus to sort those items so visitors don¡¯t struggle to find what they need.

    Nest

    uses beautiful images on their website to explain the functions of its product. On their page ¡°¡° for example, they use visuals to walk visitors through what to do with their product during the first year.

    best website designs, nest

    Takeaway from Nest¡¯s website: Use visual elements to tell a story about your company that helps visitors understand the experience of working with your product or service.

    Apple

    best website designs, apple

    Ahh, , the golden child of beautiful and functional websites. The homepage makes it easy to select from their different products and find out more information about its features and prices.

    One part of Apple¡¯s website that makes it stand out from many others, though, is the way they lay out their product pages. These pages go into extreme detail to explain what the features of their products do, including high resolution graphics that show the features on the product¡¯s screen. Take a look at the , for example. It really brings the product to life for a visitor!

    Takeaway from Apple¡¯s website: Detailed product pages help buyers understand features and move closer to a purchase. If you sell a product, explain what each feature does using clear text and visuals so visitors can compare options and buy with confidence.

    Foursquare

    best website designs, foursquare

    website excels at creating a personalized experience for site visitors. The ¡®Explore¡¯ feature allows visitors to search for places in various categories including food, nightlife, and coffee, and combines that with visuals to help you explore new locations.

    For example, it shows an image of you and all of the other coffee shops to help users figure out exactly where they want to explore next. Plus, it shows where your friends have been, and what they have said about each location.

    Takeaway from ¹ó´Ç³Ü°ù²õ±ç³Ü²¹°ù±ð¡¯²õ website: Use personalized marketing to create a tailored experience for site visitors, leveraging past actions and behaviors to deliver the type of content they¡¯re interested in.

    Adidas

    best website designs, adidas

    What makes website stand out from its competitors are the beautiful visual elements on the homepage. Adidas uses a slider to showcase some of its top products to enthrall the visitor from the second they land on the page. We¡¯ve all come up against those sliders that aren¡¯t easy to click through or that scroll too quickly, but Adidas has nailed the timing and flow of images on their homepage slider!

    Takeaway from ´¡»å¾±»å²¹²õ¡¯ website: If the homepage slider is right for your company, use it. It will allow you to showcase the most noteworthy aspects of your company all in one place.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Best Website Designs

    What makes a website design both beautiful and functional?

    The best website designs combine strong visual appeal with clear navigation, fast access to information, and page layouts that guide visitors toward the next step. In other words, they look polished and make it easy for people to act.

    What are the most important elements of a great website?

    The most important elements are visual hierarchy, intuitive navigation, clear calls to action, strong brand consistency, and a user experience that helps visitors find what they need quickly. The examples in this article repeatedly show that great design supports both aesthetics and usability.

    What¡¯s the difference between good web design and great web design?

    Good web design looks professional, but great web design also removes friction, supports business goals, and gives visitors a clear path forward. The strongest sites in this article do both by pairing attractive visuals with practical user experience choices.

    How do I know if my website design is working?

    Your website design is working if visitors can quickly understand your offer, navigate key pages easily, and take action without confusion. If people bounce, struggle to find information, or abandon important pages, the design may need improvement.

    How can I redesign my website without starting from scratch?

    Start by identifying what already works, then improve navigation, page hierarchy, messaging clarity, and conversion paths before rebuilding everything. Many of the best website designs succeed because they refine core user journeys, not just visual style.

    Form and Function

    The best websites don¡¯t make visitors choose between beauty and usability. They deliver both. Whether it¡¯s ±Ê²¹³Ù²¹²µ´Ç²Ô¾±²¹¡¯²õ focused homepage, Apple¡¯s detailed product pages, or Sony¡¯s consistent navigation, the common thread is intentionality. Every design decision serves the visitor.

    As you think about your own site, start with the experience you want people to have, then build the visuals around it. A stunning design that confuses visitors won¡¯t convert. A site that¡¯s both intuitive and visually compelling creates an advantage.

    Free Website Design Inspiration Guide

    77 Brilliant Examples of Homepages, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø & Landing Pages to Inspire You

    • Agency Pages
    • Ecommerce Pages
    • Tech Company Pages
    • And More!

      Download Free

      All fields are required.

      Form not available

      You're all set!

      Click this link to access this resource at any time.

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