Design a Website That Sells: Non-Techy Guide for Entrepreneurs

How to Design a Website That Sells: A Non-Techy Guide for Entrepreneurs

Introduction: Your Website Is Not Just a Brochure — It’s Your Best Salesperson

If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, chances are you’ve poured your heart into your product or service. But when it comes to your website? It may not be working as hard as it should.

The truth is, your website isn’t just a digital business card. It’s your 24/7 salesperson, your first impression, and often the deciding factor for whether someone clicks away or books you. And the good news? You don’t need to be techy to create a website that converts.

In this non-techy guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps we use at Nouvela Design Studio to create stunning, strategic websites for intentional entrepreneurs who are ready to grow online.

Why Website Design Matters More Than Ever

First Impressions Are (Still) Everything

Users form an opinion about your website in 0.05 seconds. That’s faster than a blink. If your site doesn’t feel clear, credible, and professional, you risk losing trust instantly.

A Website That Converts = More Than Just Pretty

A beautiful site alone won’t sell. It needs:

Purpose-driven layout
Clear calls-to-action
Easy navigation
Compelling copy
Fast loading times

Your Audience Wants Instant Clarity

Your visitor should land on your site and instantly understand:

What you offer
Who it’s for
Why it matters to them
What to do next

Step 1: Get Clear on Your Website’s Goal

Before you start designing, ask: What is the ONE main action you want users to take?

Examples:

Book a discovery call
Purchase a product
Fill out a form
Subscribe to a newsletter

All your design decisions should guide users toward this goal.

Step 2: Map Out a Simple, Strategic Structure

Keep it easy to navigate. Here’s a tried-and-tested page flow for service-based businesses:

Home — Clear intro, value proposition, and CTAs
About — Your story, values, mission, and approach
Services — Break down each offer clearly
Portfolio or Case Studies — Social proof through visuals or stories
Contact — Form, email, booking calendar, or phone info
Blog (optional) — For SEO and authority

Step 3: Write Magnetic Website Copy (Even If You’re Not a Writer)

You don’t need to sound clever. You need to be clear and human. Follow this simple copywriting formula for each page:

Headline: What do you do, and for whom?

Example: “Branding and Websites for Heart-Led Entrepreneurs”

Pain Point: What problem are you solving?

“Struggling to look professional online? Confused about where to begin?”

Solution/Benefit: How do you help?

“At Nouvela, we design websites that do more than look pretty — they guide, sell, and convert.”

Call-to-Action (CTA)

“Let’s build your dream site. Book a free discovery call.”

Step 4: Design With Intention, Not Just Aesthetics

Yes, we love beauty. But beautiful design should be strategic.

Essential Website Design Principles:

Visual Hierarchy: Use size, color, and placement to draw attention to what matters most.
Whitespace: Give your content room to breathe. It improves readability and focus.
Consistency: Use the same fonts, colors, and button styles throughout.
Mobile Optimization: More than 60% of traffic is mobile. Test your site on all devices.

Pro Tip: Think Like a Visitor

Ask yourself: “If I were my ideal client, would I know what to do here?”

Step 5: Choose the Right Platform for You

You don’t need to code. Here are beginner-friendly (but pro-level) platforms we recommend at Nouvela:

For Service-Based Entrepreneurs:

Showit — Highly customizable, drag-and-drop, stunning templates
Squarespace — Great balance of ease and design polish
Webflow — More advanced but great for long-term scalability

For E-Commerce:

Shopify — Ideal for selling products
WooCommerce (on WordPress) — Flexible but requires more setup

For Booking/Calendars:

Integrate with Calendly, Acuity, or TidyCal

Step 6: Use High-Quality Brand Photos

Strong imagery increases trust. If a full brand shoot isn’t in budget yet, try this:

Use natural light
Avoid busy backgrounds
Show your face! People connect with people
Mix wide, medium, and close-up shots

Want to level up? At Nouvela, we offer branding photography packages that align with your brand identity.

Step 7: Install the Basics to Track and Grow

Even a non-techy site needs the basics:

Google Analytics: To see what pages people visit and how long they stay
SEO Tools: Use keywords in titles, meta descriptions, and image alt text
Newsletter Signup: Build your email list from Day 1
Security & Speed Plugins (for WordPress)

Step 8: Test, Tweak, and Trust the Process

Your website isn’t a one-and-done project. It evolves with you.

What to Check:

Are CTAs clear and visible?
Are links working?
Does the homepage clearly state who you are and what you offer?

After Launch:

Use heatmaps (e.g., Hotjar) to see how users behave
Collect testimonials and display them
Tweak based on what works (and what doesn’t)

Common Website Mistakes to Avoid

Too much clutter: Simplicity sells
No CTA above the fold: Don’t make users scroll to take action
Low-quality images: It makes the whole site look amateur
Too much text: Break it into digestible chunks
Inconsistent branding: Your website should match your visual identity and voice

Final Words: Your Website Is Your Digital Home

You don’t need a complicated, flashy website. You need a website that clearly communicates your value, builds trust, and makes it easy for people to say YES.

At Nouvela Design Studio, we blend strategy with design to create websites that are not just beautiful — they’re built to grow your business.