An Interior Designer's Guide to Updating Your Website to Attract Clients—2025 Edition
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Originally Posted on November 6, 2024 / Updated on April 26, 2025
Your website is so much more than just a portfolio. It’s your most powerful sales tool. When optimized correctly, it works around the clock to attract ideal clients, filter out the wrong ones, and book discovery calls—allowing you to focus on your craft. But here’s the truth: many designers never learn how to build a website that’s strategically optimized to convert visitors into leads or clients. Worse, they often struggle to even get visitors in the first place. Don’t worry, though; it’s never too late to turn things around!
With just a few simple (yet impactful) changes, your website can start working harder for you. Let’s walk through several actionable strategies to transform your site into a lead-generation machine—no tech degree required.
Refresh Your Brand Identity
Your brand is a reflection of your business, and it should evolve as your business does. If your logo, fonts, or colors no longer align with your current aesthetic or the clients you want to attract, it might be time for a refresh. Whether you’ve shifted towards more modern renovations, added full-service design offerings, or even expanded your target clientele, your branding should clearly communicate that to anyone who lands on your site. A quick visual update can speak volumes about your services and elevate your overall professionalism.
Ask yourself:
Do my colors and fonts still reflect my style… aka minimal, luxe, modern, or playful?
Does my homepage instantly communicate who I serve and the type of projects I specialize in?
Does my branding align with my ideal client’s needs and desires?
Streamline Your Navigation
A cluttered or confusing navigation menu can drive potential clients away before they even get started. If your visitors can’t quickly find what they’re looking for, they’ll bounce. Keep your navigation clean and straightforward—five to seven top-level links are ideal. Stick to the essentials like “Home,” “About,” “Portfolio,” “Services,” and “Contact.” It’s tempting to get creative with menu labels, but simple, clear wording always wins.
Add a Clear Call to Action (CTA) on Every Page
Every page of your website should offer a clear next step for visitors. Whether it’s booking a consultation, exploring your portfolio, or filling out a contact form, a CTA guides potential clients toward taking action. Instead of the typical “Learn More” button, use inviting phrases like “Let’s chat about your space” or “Schedule your consultation.” Make sure your CTAs are above the fold—visible without scrolling—especially on your homepage and services page.
Revamp Your Services Page
Think of your services page as your digital elevator pitch. It should be clear, concise, and easy to navigate. If you’ve recently added new services or adjusted your workflow, update this page to reflect those changes. A “What to Expect” section or a visual roadmap of your process can help demystify the journey for potential clients. Transparency is key, so consider including a general pricing range to build trust and show what your services entail.
Break down your offerings into digestible categories such as:
Full-Service Design
Room Refresh
Virtual Consultations
Add bullet points or icons to make your services easy to skim. This will make clients feel more informed and excited about working with you.
Bring Your Portfolio to Life
While high-quality photos are essential, storytelling takes your portfolio to the next level. Add context to each project by sharing the client’s goals, challenges you solved, and the design solutions you implemented. For example: “This Brooklyn brownstone was redesigned for a young family needing more storage while retaining a touch of modern charm. We maximized functionality while keeping the palette soft and timeless.”
To elevate your portfolio, include before-and-after images, and consider using a slider tool to let visitors compare the transformations. Keep it fresh by only showcasing 6–10 of your most recent projects—quality over quantity!
Embed a Scheduling Tool
Gone are the days of endless back-and-forth emails to schedule consultations. Make it easy for potential clients to book discovery calls with an embedded scheduling tool. Not only does this save you time, but it also shows that you're organized and ready to work. Link the scheduler to your calendar and place it on both your contact and services pages. For an added bonus, use the tool to send clients a pre-consultation questionnaire to streamline your intake process.
Optimize for Mobile Devices
Since over half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, ensuring your site is mobile-friendly is crucial. Open your website on your phone and test for ease of navigation, readability, and tap-friendly buttons. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, it could be turning potential clients away. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check how your site performs. If needed, switch to a new mobile-friendly template or enlist a developer to optimize your site.
Highlight Your Signature Process or Experience
Show potential clients what it’s like to work with you by showcasing your unique design process. A branded process—like “Our Signature Design Journey”—can add personality and structure to your services. Include this section prominently on your homepage or services page to build trust and reduce client uncertainty. Breaking down the process into simple steps (like Discovery Call, Concept & Visioning, Sourcing & Procurement, Installation & Reveal) will make clients feel more at ease and prepared for what’s ahead.
Include Testimonials Strategically
While it’s tempting to place all of your testimonials on one page, strategically sprinkling them throughout your site can be even more effective. Consider placing a testimonial on key pages such as your homepage, services, and portfolio sections. Short, powerful client quotes are an excellent form of social proof. If possible, include a photo of the client (with permission) or even a short video testimonial. A real client’s experience can help potential clients feel more confident in choosing you.
Offer a Lead Magnet or Free Resource
A lead magnet—such as a free room checklist, style guide, or renovation roadmap—can keep potential clients engaged even if they aren’t ready to book with you just yet. Offering something valuable in exchange for their email address helps you stay top-of-mind when they are ready to take the next step. Consider using a tool like MailerLite to set up an email capture form and deliver your freebie automatically.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overhaul your entire website to see dramatic results. Small updates, like adding a scheduling tool, revamping your copy, or showcasing your process, can make a big difference. Take the time to implement a few of these strategies, and watch as your site begins to work harder for you, attracting the ideal clients and projects you’ve been dreaming of.
You’ve got this!
xx, Danae
P.S. While we have every confidence that you can make these changes yourself, we understand that sometimes it’s easier to have a helping hand. If you’re looking for expert support, consider hiring a virtual design assistant from us! Our team specializes in optimizing websites for designers, and we can quickly and efficiently make the tweaks necessary to start attracting your ideal clients. Let us help you take your website to the next level!