Best Designed Websites of 2019

In 2019, the best websites did more than look good. They made information easy to find, worked smoothly on mobile and used thoughtful design to help visitors take action. From bold, image-led brand experiences to clear, practical public services, the year’s standouts showed that good web design begins with understanding the people using it.

There is no single definitive list of the best-designed websites: what works for an online shop may not suit a government service or a creative portfolio. The examples below highlight design approaches that made a mark in 2019.

What made a website stand out in 2019?

• Clarity: Visitors could quickly understand what the organisation offered and where to go next.
• Responsive design: Pages adapted smoothly to phones, tablets and desktop screens.
• Purposeful visuals: Photography, illustration, colour and animation supported the message rather than distracting from it.
• Accessibility: Legible text, clear navigation and considerate interactions made sites easier for more people to use.
• Performance: Fast-loading pages helped keep the experience smooth, particularly on mobile connections.

GOV.UK: design that puts people first

GOV.UK remained an influential example of practical, user-centred design. Its restrained visual style, consistent layouts and plain English helped people find public services and guidance without unnecessary distractions. It demonstrated that a website does not need elaborate effects to be well designed: for many users, clarity and reliability matter most.

Stripe: making a complex service feel approachable

Stripe’s website showed how a company can present a technical product in a more welcoming way. Clear page structure, carefully organised explanations and confident visual design helped introduce online payment tools to businesses with different levels of technical knowledge. The broader lesson was valuable: even complex services benefit from simple language and a clear route through the information.

Airbnb: visual storytelling with a practical purpose

Airbnb continued to use photography and destination-led content to inspire visitors, while keeping search and booking central to the experience. The combination of appealing imagery and useful functionality illustrated how brand storytelling can support a practical task rather than compete with it.

Apple: product pages built around focus

Apple’s product pages were notable for their disciplined use of space, large imagery and concise copy. By presenting one idea at a time, the pages gave products room to stand out and made key features easier to absorb. This approach also showed the importance of restraint: visual impact can come from removing clutter, not adding more.

Spotify: bringing a recognisable brand online

Spotify’s strong colours, expressive imagery and confident typography helped create a distinctive digital identity. Its website demonstrated how a brand can feel energetic while still guiding visitors towards useful information about its products and services. Consistency across digital touchpoints helped make the experience instantly recognisable.

Lessons from the best websites of 2019

The most effective websites of 2019 shared a common principle: design should make the experience better for the visitor. Attractive visuals can make a strong first impression, but they work best when supported by fast performance, accessible content and intuitive navigation.

For businesses planning a new website, the key takeaways are straightforward:

• Start with the needs and questions of your audience.
• Make the most important information easy to find.
• Design for mobile devices from the outset.
• Use animation and visual effects only when they add value.
• Test the website with real users and improve it over time.

Conclusion

The best-designed websites of 2019 were not defined by one particular look. They ranged from minimal and functional to expressive and image-rich. What united them was a clear purpose and a considered experience. The strongest designs made it easier for people to understand, explore and act—and that remains a useful standard for websites today.

 

Exploring the Best-Designed Websites of 2019: Trends, Awards, and Lessons for Businesses

1. What were the best-designed websites of 2019?
2. Which website won the top web design awards in 2019?
3. What design trends shaped websites in 2019?
4. Which websites had the best user experience in 2019?
5. What made a website design stand out in 2019?
6. Which websites had the best mobile designs in 2019?
7. Where can I find examples of award-winning websites from 2019?
8. What can businesses learn from the best-designed websites of 2019?

What were the best-designed websites of 2019?

There was no single definitive list of the best-designed websites of 2019, as the strongest examples depended on what you valued. GOV.UK stood out for its clear, accessible design; Stripe made a complex service easier to understand; and Apple, Airbnb and Spotify used distinctive visuals and carefully structured pages to support their products and brand stories. Together, they showed that great web design is not just about appearance—it also makes a site easy to use, quick to navigate and effective on mobile.

Which website won the top web design awards in 2019?

There was no single website that won all the top web design awards in 2019: organisations such as Awwwards, CSS Design Awards and The Webby Awards each judged different categories and selected their own winners. The answer therefore depends on which award and category you mean; their 2019 archives provide the most reliable way to check a particular winner.

What design trends shaped websites in 2019?

Websites in 2019 embraced bold, oversized typography, vibrant colour palettes and expressive gradients, often paired with generous white space for balance. Custom illustrations and authentic photography helped brands feel more distinctive, while subtle animation and micro-interactions added feedback and personality. Responsive, mobile-first layouts remained essential, and designers increasingly focused on accessibility, fast loading times and straightforward navigation—showing that the strongest trends worked best when they made websites more engaging and easier to use.

Which websites had the best user experience in 2019?

There was no single definitive winner, but GOV.UK, Airbnb, Stripe and Apple were often praised for user-focused experiences in 2019. GOV.UK made essential information easy to find with clear language and consistent navigation, while Airbnb combined destination-led imagery with straightforward search and booking tools. Stripe helped users navigate complex payment services through well-organised explanations, and Apple’s product pages used focused layouts to make features easy to explore. Their approaches differed, but each put clarity, usability and the needs of visitors at the centre.

What made a website design stand out in 2019?

A website design stood out in 2019 when it combined visual appeal with a genuinely useful, easy-to-use experience. Clear navigation, responsive layouts that worked well on mobiles, fast loading times and accessible content were just as important as striking photography, colour or animation. The best designs used these elements with purpose, helping visitors find information or complete a task without unnecessary distractions.

Which websites had the best mobile designs in 2019?

There was no single definitive ranking, but GOV.UK, Airbnb, Apple, Stripe and Spotify were strong examples of mobile-friendly design in 2019. Their sites adapted content to smaller screens, kept navigation clear and made key actions easy to complete, while balancing visual appeal with usability. The best mobile designs also prioritised readable text, quick loading and touch-friendly controls—so visitors could use the site comfortably on the move.

Where can I find examples of award-winning websites from 2019?

You can find examples of award-winning websites from 2019 in online galleries such as Awwwards, CSS Design Awards, The Webby Awards and FWA (Favourite Website Awards). Search each site’s archive or winners’ lists by year to browse recognised projects, see why they were honoured and explore the agencies and designers behind them.

What can businesses learn from the best-designed websites of 2019?

Businesses can learn that effective website design starts with the needs of the people using it. The standout sites of 2019 made information easy to find, worked well on mobile and used clear, accessible content alongside purposeful visuals. They also showed that design should support a goal—whether that is making a booking, understanding a service or buying a product—rather than adding features for their own sake. By keeping navigation simple, prioritising speed and testing with real users, businesses can create websites that are both attractive and genuinely useful.