A cluttered website overwhelms visitors. When there’s too much going on (too many buttons, too much text, or too many distractions), people don’t know where to focus.
That’s a problem because attention is everything.
Studies show that websites with enough white space get 35-45% more visual attention than cramped, cluttered ones. That means people actually see what you want them to see, whether it’s a product, a CTA, or an important message.
Knowing that, we’ll break down how smart use of white space can boost your conversion rates and drive sales without you needing to overhaul your entire site. You’ll learn why this strategic design choice improves readability, guides users, and ultimately increases revenue.
White Space Makes Your Message Pop
When someone lands on your website, you’ve got about 15 seconds to grab their attention and make your main message stick. White space is your secret weapon here.
Giving your key message room to breathe will allow you to eliminate distractions and ensure that that’s the first thing visitors see. Clutter competes for attention – white space wins it.
To do this right, start by outlining your core value proposition. What’s the one thing you want visitors to remember? Then, place it front and center, surrounded by plenty of space. Use a clean, bold font and pair it with a simple background color (it doesn’t have to be white, just unobtrusive).
Avoid cramming in too many elements like buttons, links, or images nearby. Let your message stand alone, and you’ll instantly make it more impactful.
As an example, we’ll take a look at Somewhere. They’re a platform that helps businesses outsource remote employees, and their website nails this approach.
When you land on their homepage, you’re greeted with a clean header featuring their main value proposition on a solid green background – their signature color. There’s no clutter and no distractions, just a clear, concise message that tells you exactly what they do. It’s simple, effective, and impossible to miss.
This layout makes their message clear within seconds, keeping visitors engaged and increasing conversions.
White Space Gives Elements Room to Shine
When every element on your page is fighting for attention, nothing stands out. White space solves this by giving each component (whether it’s text, images, or buttons) room to shine. Your CTAs pop, your product images stand out, and your content sections become distinct.
This creates a visual hierarchy, guiding users naturally through your content without overwhelming them. The result is a smoother experience that keeps visitors engaged and focused.
To do this right, start by organizing your page into clear sections. Use generous padding and margins to separate elements, ensuring they don’t feel cramped. For example, if you’re showcasing products, arrange them in a clean grid layout with ample space between items.
Add filters or navigation options, but keep them simple and well-spaced. The goal is to make every element easy to find and use, without visual noise getting in the way.
Transparent Labs, a brand selling natural sports nutrition supplements, does this brilliantly. On their Krill Oil product page they use a crisp white background with the Add to Cart block on the right side of the page. And then underneath the product images they also use large white spaces for the text in the Overview, Ingredients and Benefits, How to Use, and Reviews sections.
The generous white space around each element makes the page feel organized and effortless to navigate. It’s this thoughtful use of space that turns browsers into buyers by making every interaction feel effortless. It’s a win-win for both aesthetics and usability.
White Space Boosts Your Content’s Readability
Your content might be pure gold, but if it’s hard to read, visitors won’t stick around long enough to discover that. No one wants to read a wall of text.
White space breaks up your content, making it easier to scan and digest. It improves readability by giving your eyes a place to rest, reducing cognitive load, and helping visitors focus on what matters.
When your content is easy to read, people are more likely to stay on your page and take action.
To do this right, focus on spacing out your text. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and headings to organize information. Leave plenty of margin space around blocks of text, and avoid cramming too much content into one area.
Line spacing (leading) is also key. Aim for around 1.5 times the font size to keep things comfortable. And don’t forget about padding around images or buttons. This keeps the layout clean and prevents visual overwhelm.
Cachet, a company offering specialized insurance, is a great example of this strategy. Since they cater to different target groups, their website has a lot of messaging to convey.
But instead of overwhelming visitors, they use white space strategically to make every piece of content clear and easy to read. Headings, paragraphs, and CTAs are all neatly spaced, creating a seamless flow that guides users through the information without friction.
This use of white space to enhance readability makes your content more approachable and engaging. It’s a simple tweak that can have a big impact on how your message is received.
White Space Contributes to Creating a Perceived Value
There’s a reason luxury brands love white space. It’s because it works. When you give your content room to breathe, you’re sending subtle signals about your brand’s quality and value.
When used well, it can make your brand feel premium, sophisticated, and trustworthy. A cluttered layout screams chaos, while a clean, spacious design whispers elegance. This subtle shift in perception can elevate your brand’s value in the eyes of your audience, making them more likely to trust and invest in what you’re offering.
To do this right, embrace minimalism. Focus on a few key elements and let them shine.
Use white space to frame your products or messaging, creating a sense of importance around them. Stick to a cohesive color palette and avoid overcrowding your visuals. Even small details, like generous padding around text or images, can make a big difference. The goal is to create a design that feels intentional and refined.
DDNA, a brand that sells jewelry with special meaning, nails this approach. Their website is a masterclass in minimalism, using white space to highlight the elegance of their pieces.
The clean layout, paired with imagery that blends seamlessly into the background, creates a sense of sophistication and purpose. Every element feels deliberate, from the spacing around product descriptions to the way the jewelry is showcased. It’s a design that tells a story of refinement and thoughtfulness.
This approach is a subtle but powerful way to win trust and stand out in a crowded market.
White Space Helps Simplify Your Mobile UI
With a significant portion of web traffic coming from mobile devices, designing for small screens is essential. White space plays a vital role here by simplifying your mobile UI, making it easier to navigate and interact with.
On a smaller screen, clutter can quickly turn into frustration, but white space ensures every element is clear, tappable, and user-friendly.
To do this right, prioritize simplicity. Use white space to separate buttons, images, and text, ensuring they’re easy to tap and read. Avoid overcrowding your layout, stick to one main action per screen, and keep forms or menus minimal. Increase font sizes slightly and add extra padding around clickable elements to prevent misclicks.
Remember, mobile users are often on the go, so your design should make their experience as effortless as possible.
MOO, a platform for designing and ordering branded merchandise, excels at this. Despite offering a wide range of highly customizable products, their mobile site is clean and intuitive. They use ample white space to ensure every image, field, CTA, and piece of text stands out clearly.
This thoughtful spacing makes it easy for users to browse, customize, and order without feeling overwhelmed. The result is a seamless mobile experience that keeps customers coming back.
Wrapping Up
Now, take a step back and look at your website. Are your key messages standing out? Is the user experience effortless? Does it look amazing on mobile?
If not, it might be time to give your content, products, and CTAs the space they deserve.
Start experimenting with white space today and elevate your design and conversions. After all, in a world full of noise, what you leave out can be just as powerful as what you put in.
