How to Design a Website That Brings in More Clients

Have you ever poured time, money, and energy into building a beautiful website…only to wonder why it’s not bringing in any new clients?

A website is more than just an online business card. It should be one of your hardest-working marketing tools. And yet, many business owners struggle to turn visitors into leads because they focus on the wrong things.

This guide breaks down how to design a website that brings in more clients by covering what really matters–website marketing, SEO, and simple design principles that help your business grow. Whether you’re building your first site or improving an existing one, Perlee Digital is here to help you succeed, even if you’re not a web expert.

Most people assume that if their website looks professional, it must be effective. Unfortunately, that’s not always true.

From a marketing perspective, your website should be doing three things really well:

1. Attracting the right visitors (people who are likely to become clients)
2. Guiding them to the right information (through clear navigation and messaging)
3. Encouraging them to take action (like booking a call or filling out a form)

That means your website needs to be more than just pretty. It needs to be strategic. This includes things like fast loading times, easy-to-read content, clear calls-to-action, and yes, SEO–which brings us to our next point.

You’ve probably heard the term SEO thrown around, but let’s keep it simple.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is a fancy way of saying:

“Making your website easier for people to find when they search on Google.”

Good SEO helps your website appear higher in search engine results, so potential clients can find you more easily when they’re searching for services you offer. If your website isn’t optimized, you could be missing out on a huge number of potential clients.

Common SEO Myths (That Hurt Business Owners)

• “SEO is just about using the right keywords.”
  Keywords are important, but so are things like page speed, mobile-friendliness, plus helpful content.
• “I only need to do SEO once.”
  SEO is ongoing! Search engines and competitors are always changing, so staying current matters.
• “Any traffic is good traffic.”
  Not exactly. You want the right traffic. People who are looking for what you offer and are ready to take action.

Learning how to do SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Focus on the basics first (more on that below), and you’ll already be ahead of the game.

So what does a marketer look for when designing a website that gets results?

It starts with clarity and intent. Ask yourself:

• What do I want my visitors to do?
• What problem am I solving for them?
• How can I make it obvious that I’m the right person or business to help?

Here are a few website marketing tips from a marketer’s point of view:

1. Lead With Your Value

The first thing visitors should see is a clear headline that tells them what you do and who you help. Keep it simple and skip the fluff.

Example: “Custom Websites That Help Small Businesses Attract More Clients” instead of “Welcome to Our Website!”

2. Make Navigation Easy

People should be able to find what they need in just a few clicks. Avoid cluttered menus or fancy names for pages.

3. Use Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Tell your visitors what to do next:

• Book a consultation
• Get a free quote
• Download a guide

These should be visually clear and placed throughout the site, not just at the bottom.

4. Build Trust

Include testimonials, reviews, certifications, or case studies. People want to feel confident in choosing you.

Even if you’re not a designer or SEO expert, there are simple things you can do right now to improve your site.

1. Speed Up Your Site

• Compress images (try TinyPNG)
• Remove unused plugins or widgets
• Use a reliable hosting platform

2. Fix Your Headlines

• Make your main page headlines clear and keyword-focused
• Avoid generic phrases like “Solutions Made Simple”

3. Add Keywords Naturally

Use keywords in your:

• Page titles
• Headings (H1, H2)
• Image alt text
• URLs

Make sure they fit naturally and avoid stuffing.

4. Update Your Google Business Profile

Especially if you’re a local business, make sure your info is accurate and complete on Google. This improves local SEO and trust.

5. Add a Strong Call-to-Action

Make it easy to contact you, schedule a call, or sign up for something. Use buttons, not just text links.

You don’t have to do everything yourself, but it helps to know who you might need on your side.

Common Roles:

• Web Designer/Developer: Builds and updates your site
• Copywriter: Writes compelling and clear content
• SEO Specialist: Optimizes your site to rank in search engines
• Marketing Strategist: Helps align your site with your business goals

Automation Tips:

• Use Calendly or Acuity to let clients book directly
• Connect your forms to email tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit
• Use chatbots to answer FAQs or collect leads automatically

These tools save time, help convert visitors, and make your site work 24/7 even when you’re offline.

If you’re building your first website, start simple and strategic.

Top Tips:

• Focus on clear messaging, fast speed, and mobile-friendly design
• Avoid over-customizing a generic template–your site should feel like you
• Launch something functional, then improve it over time

You don’t need to get it perfect on day one. Just make sure it’s clear, professional, and easy to navigate.

Your website is more than a digital business card. It’s a marketing tool that can bring in clients, build trust, and grow your business.

Here’s what we’ve covered:

• What is SEO and why it matters
• Website optimization tips for beginners
• The marketer’s approach to website marketing and design
• How to get more clients with simple improvements
• Building a team and automating your site’s success

If your current website isn’t doing the heavy lifting, or if you’re just starting from scratch–we can help.

Ready to Start?

At Perlee Digital, we specialize in building beautiful, SEO-powered websites that actually convert.

Schedule your free consultation today for a personalized plan designed to bring in your target clients.

Let’s turn your website into your #1 business asset.