20 Best Websites That Are Killing It in 2023

Every business nowadays needs a website. But the difference between really good websites and the rest can be enormous. Wondering what are the best websites in 2023? Join us for a list of the best websites, and learn what makes them successful.

From small businesses to multinational corporations, organizations across the globe are increasingly recognizing the vital role that website design plays in establishing an effective online presence.

But why is that? Let’s look at some of the reasons why the nicest websites can also mean a more successful business.

Data on why website design is important

Research and studies consistently highlight the criticality of website design in capturing and retaining visitors' attention. According to a study conducted by the Stanford Web Credibility Research, 75% of users admit making judgments about a company's credibility based solely on their website's design.

On the other hand, a poorly designed website can have a negative impact on your business. According to Zippia, 88% of users won’t return to a website after a bad experience, and 42% of them will avoid unattractive websites altogether.

Data on user behavior on websites

Users have little patience for websites that are poorly designed and difficult to use. In fact, according to recent studies, the average bounce rate for a website is 58.18%, meaning that over half of website visitors leave the site after visiting only one page. Users are also quick to abandon websites that take too long to load, with the average time spent on a website being just 15 seconds.

But suppose you’re lucky enough to at least get people to stick around on your website (which we’ve learned happens in less than half of cases). What then?

The time users spend on a website is a key indicator of its success. Research indicates that users spend an average of 54 seconds on a webpage, emphasizing the need for quick and efficient delivery of information. Websites that can effectively communicate their value proposition and engage users within those crucial seconds are more likely to drive conversions and achieve their goals.

Data on website builder usage

There are thousands of new websites popping up daily. One of the reasons for that is the increasing number of great website builders that allow people with little to no website design experience to create professional websites.

According to recent data, the usage of website builders has witnessed a significant surge, with over 23 million websites built on popular platforms such as WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace.

So, why do we mention this topic when talking about the best website designs? Well, it’s just another reminder that there is virtually no excuse anymore for having a poorly designed site. Truth be told, using even some of the best website builders and customizable templates, doesn’t always bring the most original creations. Nevertheless, even these websites usually look good and are user friendly.

But we’re not here to talk about mediocrity! You’re here because you want to know what are the best websites in 2023?

So, without further ado, here’s our pick of 30 of the best website designs, and what makes them so effective!

Girlboss

This community and ecommerce website was built on Shopify. The most remarkable thing about it is how well it speaks to its target audience. The fun color scheme, photos of real women from their community, and playful design elements create a powerful sense of brand identity.

Knapsack Creative

This Squarespace website design agency really hits the nail on the head with a web design that’s both simple and fun. If you’re using some of the best website builders on the market, this website is a masterclass in how small elements, such as illustrations and image backgrounds, can make a simple template stand out.

Grette

The best websites for businesses like law firms and doctor’s offices exude professionalism and inspire trust with potential customers. The minimalistic design creates a sense of trust, as well as the professional headshots of the team. However the feature that makes this website stand out is the search bar at the top of the homepage, which makes for easy navigation and a pleasant user experience.

Curious & Curious

Let’s switch gears with a website that’s nothing if not intriguing. This creative agency’s website is both stunning and fun to use. With playful micro animations and different designs on every page it really shows that the best website designs sometimes break the rules and go with the “more is more” approach.

Switch

If you need ideas on how to include lots of content into a website, but still keep it user-oriented, this is a great example to learn from. One of the most important aspects in this respect is choosing the right website font, which looks both and has high readability.

Ready

Looking for best website designs in the minimalist category? Here’s one that will certainly tickle your fancy. Ready packs all the vital information in a single effective landing page, along with a single CTA - get ready. If you decide to go with this bold approach, this website demonstrates how you can make vital information stand out using graphic design (lines, arrows, fonts, etc.) and information architecture.

Hyer

Hyer is a private jet booking service with a stunning website. You won’t see loads of bells and whistles here, but it’s clear that every element was selected with care and a particular brand image in mind. Everything from the color palette, to minimalist sans serif typography, and even destination photos exudes the same sense of elegance and style.

Michael Kors Collection

Michael Kors is for many a name associated with great style. So, it’s no surprise even their website can provide useful guidance in that respect. Built with one of the best website builders on the market - Webflow - this website is both simple and quite memorable. The best thing about it is the use of the dark background. Not only is this user friendly (most mobile users employ dark mode on their phones), but it also compliments the website content - namely the sleek monochromatic fashion looks.

Superlist

This productivity app has one of the most fun websites, thanks to great content and the use of micro animation. The hero section has two versions, which change when you move your mouse from left to right, to suggest the app is suitable for both professional teams and personal arrangements.

Slite

Slite’s website might seem somewhat cookie-cutter at first sight. However, if you look carefully, you’ll notice a bunch of details that make this website a fun online experience: custom illustrations (which are also part of their brand identity), slidebars, and micro animations.

Digital China University

Modern educational institutions need great web design, just like most other businesses. This design project shows how you can transform a digital brochure into a relatively simple, yet visually stunning site.

Lacoste Heritage

This website is a beautiful tribute to an iconic brand. As you scroll through, you’ll keep seeing the recognizable logo, but thanks to fun animation and good proportions it doesn’t diminish the user experience, but rather helps to enhance it.

Chiara Luzzana

Although you might be deceived by its minimalist design, this website is anything but. The website’s visual elements (fonts, animation, 3D graphics) are perfectly paired with sound, making it a match made in heaven for this sound designer.

Makhon

Design and architecture studios are known for stunning design, but this one takes it to the next level. The homepage features an intriguing illustration that prompts you to explore the studio’s creative work. The rest of the website is a little more minimal, allowing for high-quality content (photos and videos) to shine.

The Pathway

Since they often deal with pretty serious topics, many nonprofits resort to pretty conventional, even drab websites. But that’s why some of the best website designs are precisely those that show thinking outside the box in a particular industry.

Moooi

Besides a beautiful aesthetic, the thing that makes this one of the best website designs is easy navigation. The homepage menu is beautifully designed (including the button), and a lot more user friendly than the usual lengthy dropdown menus. Sections such as “Products” and “Gift guide” are useful, as well as a search bar that allows visitors to find what they’re looking for in seconds.

The Octopus

Design blogs are great places to learn about design and marketing, and get inspired creatively (just take a bit of time to browse through our own blog!). However, great design can truly enhance the reading experience, and this site proves it. You won’t find a lot of gimmicks on this site, such as animation or immersive videos - but each custom graphic, carefully selected colors and fonts create a beautiful digital environment.

Bruno Simon

Gamification is a popular strategy in the best UI/UX design. This creative concept demonstrates perfectly why it’s so successful. Making the experience of a website feel like a game prompts users to engage with the website for longer periods of time, which reduces bounce rates and helps your site rank higher.

Simply Chocolate

If you’re looking for great ecommerce websites to learn from, this one is definitely worth a visit. The Danish chocolate manufacturers have created a site that’s both beautiful and simple to use. Although the packaging of the chocolate bars is quite simple, great layout and simple animations (chocolates “open” when you hover over them), make browsing through their virtual shop a very fun experience.

I-Spy

Ever wanted a digital version of Where’s Waldo? Here’s a website that allows you to play the character-finding game. Not only is it beautifully designed, but it’s also very responsive, which can sometimes be an issue with gaming sites like this one.

We hope this list of some of the best 2023 websites offers plenty of ideas for your next project. While you can wing it and turn to DIY design with website builders, the most memorable and nicest websites are usually custom-made.

Check out our easy and affordable flat-rate web design service and let our team of design experts create your new site!