This One Design Change Can 10x Your Conversions

Let’s be honest – your website, presentation, or marketing collateral might be leaving money on the table, even if you have the right product, message, and audience. If your numbers aren’t hitting like they should, the culprit might be your design. One simple design change can completely transform your conversion rates: visual hierarchy.

What Is Visual Hierarchy (and Why Should You Care)?

Visual hierarchy is the art and science of directing your audience’s attention to the right place at the right time. It’s what makes some designs effortlessly engaging while others feel cluttered and overwhelming.

If your audience doesn’t know where to look, they won’t take action.

The Problem: Your Design Is Competing with Itself

A common mistake is having every element on the page screaming for attention: a bright red “BUY NOW” button, a huge product image, a headline fighting for dominance, and a paragraph of text nobody wants to read.

When everything is important, nothing is.

The Fix: Give Your Audience a Clear Path

Here’s what to do instead:

#1: Make One Thing the Star of the Show

Decide what the most important element on the page is (e.g., a call to action, product demo, compelling testimonial). Everything else should support, not compete with, that focal point.

#2: Size Matters

Bigger elements attract attention first. Your key message, button, or headline should be noticeably larger than everything else.

#3: Use Contrast to Your Advantage

Want someone to click that button? Make sure it doesn’t blend in with the rest of the design. A high-contrast color (that still fits your brand) will draw the eye.

#4: Whitespace Is Not Wasted Space

A cluttered design feels overwhelming. Spacing out elements allows the viewer’s brain to process information in a logical flow. Less noise equals more action.

#5: Test, Test, Test

Your gut feeling is great, but data is better. A/B test different variations of your design to see what actually moves the needle.

Examples of Visual Hierarchy in Action

Let’s look at some real-world examples to illustrate how visual hierarchy can be used effectively:

Amazon: Amazon’s product pages masterfully utilize visual hierarchy. The product image is large and prominent, followed by the product title and price. The “Add to Cart” button is bright and attention-grabbing, while customer reviews and product details are positioned lower down the page.

Netflix: Netflix uses visual hierarchy to guide users through its vast library of content. Large, high-quality images of featured shows and movies dominate the screen, with clear calls to action (“Play Now”, “Add to My List”). The menu is simple and uncluttered, allowing users to easily find what they’re looking for.

Apple: Apple’s website is a masterclass in minimalist design and visual hierarchy. The focus is on the products, which are showcased with large, beautiful images and concise descriptions. Calls to action (“Learn More”, “Buy”) are prominent but not overwhelming.

The Bottom Line

Your audience is busy and doesn’t have time to figure out where to click, what to read, or what action to take next. If your design isn’t guiding them effortlessly, they’ll bounce.

Fix your visual hierarchy, and watch your conversions skyrocket.

Want to see how a presentation, website, or marketing design overhaul could transform your results? Let’s chat. (No clip art, we promise.)