How to Seek Inspiration When Designing Your Website UI
Designing a website can feel like staring at a blank canvas. You want something clean but unique, stylish but functional.
Maybe you’re working on your first personal blog. Maybe it’s a portfolio, or a store, or your small business’s main online presence. No matter what the purpose, getting started is often the hardest part.
Of course, with a bit of inspiration, things do become a bit easier. However, where do you even begin when you don’t know what you want?
Here are a few ways to seek inspiration when designing your website UI.
Start by Exploring Other Websites
The internet is full of brilliant websites. From sleek tech startups to quirky personal blogs, there’s a lot to learn just by clicking around. Try visiting websites outside your industry, too. A portfolio site for a photographer might give you ideas for layout, even if you’re building a local business site.
Pay attention to how different pages feel. Do they make you want to scroll? Do you know where to click next?
Building an e-commerce site? Amazon is the best inspiration for you, then. Ideally, you should be looking to replicate the simplicity and easy navigability the site offers. Want to grab people’s attention? Check out the Frank and Oak website.
Take mental notes on colors, fonts, and how content is spaced out. These little things make a big difference. Once you start noticing, you’ll see how much design shapes the experience.
Think About the Experience You Want to Create
A good UI doesn’t just look nice. It makes the visitor feel something and helps them take action. So, pause for a second and think: what do you want people to feel when they land on your homepage? Excited? Calm? Curious?
If you’re building a site for your coffee shop, you might want something warm and inviting. For a tech company, you’ll likely want clean lines and a modern look. Think about the tone of your brand and how it should come through in the layout, navigation, and even the buttons.
Let an AI Website Builder Give You a Head Start
In the past, website design meant hiring professionals or learning the ropes of Photoshop and CSS. Or it meant hiring a UI designer for over $70 an hour. Today, AI web development tools change the game completely. You no longer need to brainstorm UI ideas with a designer. With the right AI website builder, you can skip that step entirely.
These builders aren’t just helpful; they can actually suggest entire layouts based on your content, brand colors, and goals. What’s more, according to Hocoos, you can have the site ready in just ten minutes. Hence, you get to save time and explore plenty of UI options when using AI.
Say you’re stuck deciding between a minimalist layout or something more dynamic. An AI website builder can generate options for you to explore instantly. You don’t have to be fluent in design language to make decisions anymore. You just pick what feels right for your project and keep refining it.
Look Beyond Design for Creative Sparks
Inspiration doesn’t always come from other websites. Sometimes, your favorite book cover or a beautiful poster at a café can give you an idea. Maybe it’s a color combination from a clothing brand, or the way a movie credits screen is arranged.
Real-world design is everywhere. Keep your eyes open, and you’ll start seeing it differently.
Even music can spark ideas. The mood of a song might guide your homepage color palette or headline font. You don’t need to follow trends. You just need something that feels right for your message and your audience.
Don’t Be Afraid to Start Messy
A lot of people hold back because they want everything to be perfect from the start. But creativity often needs a little chaos. Let yourself throw things together without worrying if it all fits. Messy first drafts lead to cleaner, more refined designs later. Once you see something taking shape, even if it’s not ideal, you’ll have something to work with.
The best part of using digital tools is how easy it is to make changes. You’re not stuck. You’re experimenting, and that’s how good ideas are born.
Designing your site’s UI doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Look at what’s already out there. Get a feel for what you like and what your brand needs. Then give yourself permission to start somewhere, even if it’s rough.
Whether it’s your first site or your fifth, the inspiration is always out there. You just need to take that first step.
