What makes the best web designer stand out today

It’s no longer just about good visuals, great web designers blend user experience, performance, and adaptability to create sites that truly work

What to expect when looking for the best web designer

There’s no shortage of people calling themselves web designers, but finding someone who really understands how to build a site that works, for both the client and the visitor is something else entirely. This is especially true when working with WordPress, where the platform offers endless flexibility but also demands a solid grasp of how its tools fit together. The best web designers today are more than layout experts. They know how to shape the user’s experience, plan the site around content, and deliver work that feels both clean and considered. 

Web design is often seen as a creative job, but that’s only part of the story. It also requires technical know-how, attention to detail, and a calm, methodical approach to problem solving. In the WordPress world, that means working with themes, patterns, blocks, and often a mix of custom plugins or page builders. Whether using native tools or something more advanced, the job is about staying current with changes while keeping the focus on clarity and usability. 

Not every web designer sticks with layout work alone. Some shift into related areas like support, SEO, or ongoing maintenance. Others become specialists in things like WordPress template sites or reusable design systems. The best WordPress web designers tend to stay curious, learn quickly, and know how to work with the grain of the platform. They’re not just trying to make something look good, they’re trying to make it work properly for the website owner. 

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What a WordPress web designer really needs to know

It’s easy to confuse good design with visual flair, but the best WordPress web designers are rarely focused on looks alone. They think about how the site is going to function, how the business owner is going to manage it, and how the visitor will move through it. That means understanding the structure of a WordPress site, knowing how to choose the right tools, and being comfortable building with blocks, patterns, templates, and themes. 

Designers who do well with WordPress tend to have a strong eye for layout and a good grasp of the platform’s features. They know when to use the built-in editor and when a project might need a more advanced layout system like a block-based builder. They understand the difference between full site editing and page-level editing. And they can talk a client through decisions like theme selection, responsive settings, or plugin options, without overwhelming them. 

What separates the best from the rest is often less about technical skill and more about mindset. A top WordPress web designer listens carefully, communicates clearly, and builds websites that reflect the goals of the business and not just current design trends. They care about how easy it is for the client to update content, how fast the site loads, and whether the layout will still work in six months’ time. They build with purpose, not guesswork. 

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WordPress Powerful blocks

Powerful blocks

Build anything with an ever-growing library of flexible, customisable blocks. No complexity, no limits.

Open

Instant designs

Instant designs

Choose from 2,000+ layouts to create beautiful pages in seconds. Just drag, drop and personalise to taste.

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Massive icon library

Enhance your design with 14,000+ built-in SVG icons and shapes. No extra plugins or licences needed.

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No-code editing

See changes instantly with a visual editor. Experiment freely, design fearlessly and never touch code.

Adaptive

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One-click styles

Transform multiple elements with a single click. Instantly swap between professional designs.

Fast

Design tools

Design tools

Use background layers, image masks and scroll effects. Achieve bold visuals without extra software.

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MaxiBlocks WordPress website builder

How a WordPress web designer builds a website

Every WordPress web designer will have their own way of working, but most follow a fairly clear process. A website is not just about building pages, it’s about planning, testing, adjusting, and making sure the final result works for both the client and the people using the site. This section outlines a typical five-step approach that helps keep the project on track from start to finish. 

1. Discovery: understanding the brief

Every good website project starts with a conversation. The first step in any WordPress web design project is getting a clear understanding of what the site needs to do, who it’s for, and what the client expects from it. This includes learning about the business itself, the purpose of the website, and the kind of content it will hold. A designer will usually ask whether the site is aimed at generating leads, selling products, building authority, or offering information amongst other options. 

This is also the time to talk about who will be visiting the site and what they need. Knowing the audience helps shape both the content and the structure of the design. If the client has existing branding or specific features in mind such as a blog, a booking system, or shop, then those are flagged early. Hosting and domain questions are often discussed at this stage as well, especially if the client is starting from scratch. 

This part of the process sets the tone for the rest of the project. It’s where the best web designer builds trust, shows they’re paying attention, and makes sure the brief is clear before anything gets built. Even with a strong start, most projects go through a few rounds of changes, and that’s normal. A good web designer expects some back and forth and treats it as part of doing the job properly. This early stage also gives the designer a feel for how the client prefers to work. Some like regular check-ins, others prefer to review work in batches. Taking the time to understand that rhythm early on can make collaboration smoother right through to final sign-off. 

2. Structuring the site

Once the planning is under way, the next job is to shape the structure of the website. This means deciding how many pages are needed, how they connect to each other, and what kind of content goes where. Some web designers sketch this out using visual sitemaps or wireframes. Others prefer to start building straight away, creating a temporary version of the site that the client can click through. With so many WordPress template sites, also called starter sites, this part is now quicker to do than ever. These pre-built layouts help clients picture what their own site might look like, and it often speeds up decisions around design and content. 

While this part is going on, there’s also a bit of technical work to sort out in the background. A good web designer will make sure the domain name has been bought and pointed to the right host, and that the hosting provider is identified and the account is correctly set up. They’ll also create a private testing site, often on a staging subdomain, where the build can happen safely away from public view. It’s a simple step, but one that helps avoid future headaches, especially when the site is ready to go live. 

This stage also gives the designer a clearer sense of the project timeline. If the client is still working on text, images, or other assets, the designer can use this time to test layouts or adjust the structure. It’s often easier to shift things around while the site is still in its early form. By having a working version to review, both the designer and the client can spot what’s missing, what needs fixing, or where the structure might be improved before any detailed design work begins. 

3. Designing the site

This is where the visual side of the project starts to take shape. Using either the structure or the temporary build as a base, the designer begins refining the look and feel of the site. Fonts, colours, and layout blocks are chosen to reflect the tone of the business. Sometimes this means working with a full design system, and other times it’s a case of picking from a handful of trusted design elements that work well together. Either way, the aim is to bring clarity and polish to the page, helping visitors find what they need without getting distracted or overwhelmed. 

Many designers today use WordPress blocks, patterns, and page templates to speed up this part of the job. There’s no need to start from scratch, and with tools like MaxiBlocks, layouts can be swapped and styled with very little effort. It’s also common for designers to share progress with the client at this point. Getting feedback early saves time later and helps make sure both sides are on the same page. Even if the client is happy straight away, most sites still go through several tweaks. That’s part of the process, not a problem. 

Alongside the visual work, this is also the stage where essential plugins are chosen. Most websites will need a contact form, an SEO plugin, and some sort of analytics tracking. Some clients will also need newsletter sign-ups or integrations with tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit. For online shops, a plugin like WooCommerce will need to be added and set up. A good designer picks tools that are reliable, supported, and not bloated with features that won’t be used. It’s part of making sure the finished site runs well and is easy to manage later. 

Many web designers choose to work with a WordPress page builder to speed things up and give them more creative control. WordPress website builders like MaxiBlocks come with a growing set of layout tools, responsive controls, and visual editing options. One of the biggest time-savers is the design library. Instead of building every section from scratch, the designer can choose from thousands of WordPress patterns, blocks, and page templates. These can be restyled using style cards to match the client’s brand, which keeps the workflow efficient without losing the custom look the client expects. 

4. Building the site

Once the design has been agreed, the site build begins. This is when the web designer takes all the planning, structure, and visual elements and starts putting them together in a working version of the website. If the site is being built with WordPress, this will often involve a page builder like MaxiBlocks, which allows for full design control using blocks, patterns, and templates. The designer adds the right content in the right places, checks for alignment and spacing, and makes sure everything behaves properly on different screen sizes. 

At the same time, this is when functionality is added to support what the website needs to do. Contact forms are installed and styled, newsletter integrations such as ConvertKit are connected, and any plugins needed for extras like booking calendars, photo galleries, or online shops are set up. For eCommerce sites, this is where WooCommerce is added and configured, including payment options and product listings. The designer may also install SEO tools, performance plugins, or security features depending on the needs of the client. 

Behind the scenes, there’s also a fair bit of technical tidying that happens during this phase. Images are resized and compressed to improve loading times, layouts are checked at different breakpoints, and any placeholder content is replaced with final assets. The testing site remains private during this stage, allowing the designer to share updates without pressure. As the site takes shape, it becomes easier to spot any inconsistencies or missing content, and changes can be made before moving on to final testing and launch. 

5. Testing and handing over

With the site now built, it’s time for a full round of testing. A good web designer will check every page, link, and feature to make sure everything works as expected. This includes testing on mobile, tablet, and desktop devices, as well as in different browsers. Contact forms are filled in and submitted, newsletter sign-ups are tested, and the checkout process is reviewed if the site includes an online shop. Any remaining bugs, design inconsistencies, or content gaps are fixed before the site goes live. 

Once the site is ready, the designer will prepare it for handover. If the client plans to manage the site themselves, the designer might offer a short tutorial, recorded video walkthroughs, or a one-page guide with basic instructions. Login details are handed over, and backups are made in case something goes wrong in the first few weeks. Some clients will also choose to keep the designer on a maintenance plan for updates, support, or future changes, but others prefer to manage things in-house. 

Even though the public launch is often seen as the end of the project, the designer usually stays involved for a little while longer. In the first week or two, small tweaks may still be needed. Someone might spot a broken link, a missing image, or a typo. It’s normal for a few things to surface once real users start clicking through the site. A thoughtful handover isn’t just about delivering a working website. It’s also about giving the client confidence that their site is stable, up to date, and ready to support their business. 

Success stories

Read genuine feedback from our users about their journey with MaxiBlocks

Just wanted to say this is an awesome product. Yall outdid yourselves. Designs are great and super easy to use.

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This is a promising great plugin that takes the WordPress Gutenberg a step forward & makes life much easier & site building more fun.

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Ahrale

I picked this up on it’s first run and it’s proven to be a brilliant purchase. he team have been consistent in rolling out updates and have been helpful when I’ve sent them messages.

MarkJDraper

MarkJDraper

I bought Maxi after receiving the bill for next year of Elementor… Library of pages, elements or icons is huge. I’m building new pages in Maxi and didn’t need to learn too much. 

marcin945

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Ten important trends every web designer should review to stay current

The work of a web designer doesn’t stop once a site is launched. With technology shifting fast, even the best web designers need to keep an eye on what’s changing around them. Whether it’s client expectations, browser behaviour, or broader shifts in how people interact online, these trends are shaping what modern websites need to deliver. Staying informed means being ready not only to meet client requests but to suggest smarter ways of building. 

1. Personalised user experiences: visitors now expect websites to respond to them in meaningful ways. That could mean showing different content based on location, adjusting headlines according to time of day, or tailoring product suggestions based on browsing history. WordPress plugins and third-party tools make it possible to build this kind of personalised logic into a site. It’s not about being clever for the sake of it. It’s about making each visit feel more relevant, so people stay longer and are more likely to act. 

2. AI-driven website creation: designers are beginning to use AI as a partner in their workflow. Tools can now write draft content, generate layout suggestions, and even help pick stock photos. WordPress includes its own AI support, and third-party options like Divi AI or content generating AI tools such as ChatGPT have made it easier to work as a web designer.  While these tools won’t replace creative thinking, they help with repetitive work and give designers more time to focus on decisions that matter. 

3. Strengthened security measures: security has moved up the list of priorities. Two-factor login, activity tracking, and regular updates are now part of the standard setup for most WordPress sites. Security plugins like Wordfence and MalCare are being installed as a matter of course. This isn’t just a technical requirement, it’s a trust issue. Clients want to know that their site is protected, especially when personal data or payments are involved. Designers need to make security a definite part of the service. 

4. Web accessibility standards: accessibility helps ensure that websites can be used by people with visual, hearing, or physical impairments. It’s finally getting the attention it disserves because it affects search visibility and legal compliance. MaxiBlocks includes several built-in accessibility tools to support this, such as ARIA labels, focus indicators, alt text handling, and responsive containers. These are part of the core features listed at maxiblocks.com/features, making it easier for designers to meet accessibility expectations without extra complexity. Instead of relying entirely on third-party plugins, MaxiBlocks helps designers address key issues during the build, saving time and helping ensure the site is usable for everyone. 

5. Progressive web apps (PWAs):  PWAs let websites behave more like native apps—loading faster, storing content offline, and improving user interaction. For mobile-heavy traffic or content-rich sites, PWAs can make a big difference. They’re especially useful for online shops, blogs, and service businesses where repeat visits matter. Designers don’t need to build from scratch to benefit either. There are WordPress plugins that bring PWA features into standard sites without needing a full technical overhaul. 

6. Voice search optimisation: as more people use smart speakers and mobile assistants, websites need to answer questions the way people ask them out loud. That means using natural language, writing clear FAQs, and applying schema markup so search engines can extract the right details. Plugins like Yoast SEO, All in One SEO, and Rank Math help with this. It’s particularly relevant for local services, restaurants, and businesses that rely on quick, spoken queries. 

7. Headless WordPress architecture: this is more relevant for developers, but designers should understand the basics. Headless WordPress separates the content backend from the site’s frontend, allowing the use of modern frameworks like React or Vue for display. It can lead to faster, more flexible builds, especially for large content sites or apps with multiple platforms. Even if a designer doesn’t build this way, clients may ask about it, so it’s worth knowing how it fits into the wider WordPress world. 

8. Integration with emerging technologies: websites are now linking up with newer tech like blockchain for content verification or AI-driven chat tools for customer support. WordPress plays well with APIs, and there’s growing interest in decentralised storage, predictive search, and smart data tools. This trend isn’t about jumping on every new bandwagon, it’s about knowing what’s possible when a client has something specific in mind. Being able to say yes, or suggest an alternative, is part of staying relevant. 

9. Immersive experiences with AR/VR: although not mainstream yet, augmented and virtual reality are being used in real estate, retail, and education to provide walk-throughs, demos, and interactive learning. Plugins like WP VR allow 360-degree experiences to be built directly into WordPress. These features won’t be needed for most clients, but for those in specific industries, it’s helpful for a designer to know they exist and how they work in practice. 

10. Sustainable web practices: the environmental impact of websites is coming under more scrutiny. Designers can reduce energy use by limiting scripts, optimising image sizes, choosing clean themes, and recommending green hosting providers. Tools like GTmetrix or Lighthouse help measure impact as well as performance. Building efficient, lightweight sites isn’t just good practice, it’s something clients are starting to ask for, especially if sustainability is part of their brand. 

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Conclusion

Web designers don’t need to follow every trend, but they do need to know what’s happening. Clients expect more than a pretty homepage. They want advice, insight, and a site that’s built with tomorrow in mind. Keeping up with changes in WordPress helps designers stay ahead of the curve and offer work that stands up in a fast-moving web environment. It’s not just about being current, it’s about being confident in what comes next. 

WordPress_website_design_render
MaxiBlocks template library

Final thoughts

Every successful website build is a step-by-step process. It starts with understanding the client’s needs, moves through structure and design, and ends with a working site that does what it’s meant to do. A good web designer doesn’t rush any of these stages. Each one builds on the last, and skipping ahead usually means going back later to fix something that was overlooked. 

Using WordPress helps make the process more manageable. With the right tools, whether that’s a builder like MaxiBlocks, a library of WordPress patterns, or a collection of trusted plugins, designers can stay flexible without compromising on quality. It’s not just about building a site that looks good. It’s about creating something practical, reliable, and ready to grow with the business it supports. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Every client brings a different brief, and every site has its own quirks. But when the process is thoughtful and grounded in experience, the results tend to speak for themselves. And while no project goes perfectly from start to finish, a clear structure gives both the designer and the client something to rely on from day one. 

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FAQ’s on best web designer

What makes the best web designer stand out?

The best web designers combine creativity with technical skill, but also bring strong communication and planning to each project. They guide clients through key decisions, adapt when things change and build websites that are not only well-designed but also easy to manage. 

How involved is the client during the website build?

Most designers involve clients throughout the process, especially during the planning and design stages. Clients usually provide content and give feedback, while the designer handles the structure, design, and timeline to keep everything on track. 

Do web designers need to handle domains and hosting?

Often, yes. Many web designers help clients register domains, choose suitable hosting, and set up staging sites for testing. This ensures a smoother launch and helps the client avoid technical issues. 

How do designers choose which plugins to use?

It depends on the website’s needs. Most projects include essentials like contact forms, SEO tools and newsletter signups. For eCommerce, a plugin like WooCommerce is added. Designers choose tools that are reliable, well-supported and suited to the site’s goals. 

What happens after the website is finished?

After testing, designers usually hand over login details and offer basic training or guides. Some offer ongoing support or maintenance plans, while others hand over full control so the client can manage the site themselves. 

Why do some designers use page builders like MaxiBlocks?

Page builders save time and offer visual flexibility. MaxiBlocks, for example, includes a large library of design patterns, responsive layout tools and accessibility features. It helps designers deliver professional websites more efficiently without compromising quality. 

What does a web designer do when building a WordPress website?

A web designer handles everything from early planning to final launch. This includes gathering requirements, creating layouts, designing the visual style and building the site using WordPress and tools like MaxiBlocks. They add functionality with plugins, test the site across devices and browsers, and then hand it over with clear instructions or training. Good designers stay flexible and keep communication clear throughout the project. 

Why do many designers use WordPress page builders like MaxiBlocks?

Page builders like MaxiBlocks help designers work faster without losing creative control. With thousands of pre-built patterns and templates, plus tools like style cards, accessibility features and optimised output, designers can focus on visuals and performance. It also makes client handover easier, as sites are simpler to manage and update. 

What are the steps involved in handing over a completed website?

The handover process includes final testing, checking all content and functionality, and making sure the site looks right on all devices. Designers usually provide login access, backup files and a quick walkthrough or tutorial. Some offer a short support window or long-term maintenance, depending on the client’s needs. 

How can web designers stay relevant as the industry evolves?

Staying relevant means keeping up with both technical trends and user expectations. This includes learning about things like performance, accessibility, mobile-first design, and modern tools like AI assistants, PWAs or headless WordPress. Designers who keep learning and adapting are better prepared to lead projects and deliver results in a changing industry. 

Resources

Technical and coding

WebTNG
A helpful blog by a developer who shares insights and tutorials based on real-world experience. The goal is to give back after benefiting from others’ generosity online.

SolidWP
A company focused on WordPress security. They develop and sell trusted tools for improving site protection.

TechRadar
A well-known tech website offering buying advice, product reviews, and tutorials. Their mission is to help people understand and enjoy everyday technology.

SEO

Search Engine Journal
A respected source for SEO strategies, industry news, and expert insights into search engine marketing.

WordPress

Why WordPress?
WordPress is an ideal platform for creative freedom. It empowers both beginners and professionals to create sites that showcase their work. Artists and creatives use WordPress to build a strong online presence that goes beyond physical galleries.

This description is shared by Ultahost, a top-rated WordPress hosting provider offering services suited to creatives and businesses alike.

Learning WordPress

WordPress.org tutorials
Explore free lessons for beginners and advanced users at WordPress.org. A great place to start learning how to build your site from scratch.

Darrel Wilson on YouTube
Darrel teaches users how to make WordPress websites without needing coding knowledge. His videos focus on drag-and-drop builders and beginner-friendly design.

Jamie WP YouTube channel
Jamie creates WordPress tutorials and plugin development videos. He also offers premium courses for deeper learning, available through his website.

Discover tools and layouts used by the best web designers

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