Web design refers to the design of websites that are displayed on the internet. It usually refers to the user experience aspects of website development rather than software development. Web design used to be focused on designing websites for desktop browsers; however, since the mid-2010's  design for mobile and tablet browsers has become ever-increasingly important.

A web designer works on the appearance, layout, and, in some cases, content of a website. Appearance, for instance, relates to the colours, font, and images used. Layout refers to how information is structured and categorised. A good web design is easy to use, aesthetically pleasing, and suits the user group and brand of the website. Many web pages are designed with a focus on simplicity, so that no extraneous information and functionality that might distract or confuse users appears. As the keystone of a web designer’s output is a site that wins and fosters the trust of the target audience, removing as many potential points of user frustration as possible is a critical consideration.

Two of the most common methods for designing websites that work well both on desktop and mobile are responsive and adaptive design. In responsive design, content moves dynamically depending on screen size; in adaptive design, the website content is fixed in layout sizes that match common screen sizes. Preserving a layout that is as consistent as possible between devices is crucial to maintaining user trust and engagement. As responsive design can present difficulties in this regard, designers must be careful in relinquishing control of how their work will appear. If they are responsible for the content as well, while they may need to broaden their skill set, they will enjoy having the advantage of full control of the finished product.

The web design process allows designers to adjust to any preferences and provide effective solutions. There are many standard components of every web design, including:

1. Layout

2. Images

3. Visual hierarchy

4. Colour scheme

5. Typography

6. Readability

7. Navigation

8. Content

9. Mobile

The layout of the website is how the material is displayed on a page. Choosing the layout is an essential task for the designer. It should be simple, intuitive and accessible. Web designers can use blank areas called white spaces to organise the elements of the site with grid-based designs to keep them in order.

Designers can create specialised layouts for desktop screens and mobile devices. Mobile-friendly websites are a necessity because many visitors access websites on their cellphones or tablets. To ensure a website is ready for mobile visitors, the designer can use a responsive template that adapts to different screen sizes or a mobile-only look that will activate when a non-desktop device connects to the website. A consistent layout between supports contributes to the visitors' trust.

Images are illustrations, graphics, photographs, icons and others used to provide supplementary information to the text. To create the effect desired, designers can pick images that complement each other and the brand that the website represents.

Visual hierarchy is the order in which the user will process the information on the site. The designer creates it by applying a visual pattern to the website. The visual pattern is the way the design directs visitors' eyes and behaviours. For example, F-Patterns or Z-Patterns emphasise the top horizontal section of your site, where most designers place navigation and the brand's logo and sometimes a search box. These are elements that inspire user interaction and brand recognition.

The colour scheme is a combination of colours that is in harmony with the brand and industry it represents. To achieve this, they will pick a dominant colour and a few others to create a palette. A colour palette can be monochromatic (different shades of the same colour), analogous (colours close to each other) or complimentary. Designers also account for what colours users are more likely to be attracted to.

The typography is the style or font of the written content. Web designers pick one or a combination that is attractive and easy to read. To make the best choice, they should choose a font that corresponds to the target audience. Some sites may be better in serif fonts while others can use non-serif fonts, depending on the site's industry, purpose and typical user.

Readability is when the text of content is easy to see and read on a web page. The text on the website should be readable because visitors usually spend little time on it and should find information quickly. The designers can achieve this by selecting an appropriate size and pixel for the text. The contrast between the text and the site's background colours also improves readability.

The navigational elements are the tools allowing users to choose where they want to go within a website. They may be present in the header, body and footer of the website, depending on the site's layout and structure. These elements are essential as they direct visitors to the information they want as quickly as possible.

Designers can choose a variety of navigation designs and layouts, such as using a button that hides and reveal navigation menus. They can also incorporate one-click arrows and other buttons that direct users back to the top of a page, to a specific area of a page or another page entirely.

Content is all of the information available on the website. It is a pivotal element because visitors want to get information quickly. When the website communicates clearly and grabs the readers' attention, it is more likely to convert them into consumers. The designer can achieve this by using the appropriate tone and provide the right information on the entire website, including the "About" and "Contact" pages.