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5 things that make a website look expensive (and none of them cost extra)
Most websites don't look cheap because of the budget. They look cheap because of a few small details.
After building sites with Next.js and Framer Motion, here are the 5 things I always get right:
Spacing, then more spacing
Cheap sites are cramped. Premium sites let content breathe. Doubling the padding between sections is the fastest upgrade you can make.
One typeface, used with confidence
Two fonts max. Big, bold headlines, quiet body text. The contrast does the work, not a dozen styles.
Motion with purpose
Elements that fade up as you scroll, buttons that respond on hover. Subtle and fast, under 0.6 seconds. If you notice the animation, it's too much.
A tight color palette
One main color, one accent, neutrals for everything else. Every extra color makes the site feel less sure of itself.
Speed
A site that loads instantly feels premium before anyone reads a word. Optimized images and a modern framework make the difference.
None of these need a big budget. They need someone who sweats the details.
That's exactly how I'm building 10 custom websites in 10 days, for $100 each. If you want one of the 10 spots, send me a message.
The network for creativity
Join 1.25M professional creatives like you
Connect with clients, get discovered, and run your business 100% commission-free
Creatives on Contra have earned over $150M and we are just getting started
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How to create a simple cursor tracking effect for your website 👀
Cursor interactions are a simple way to make a website feel more responsive and engaging without adding too much complexity.
In this tutorial, I break down how to create the effect and how you can use it to add more personality to your web projects.
Watch the video, follow the steps, and try it in your next build.
Great work
My first biggest project was developing a Framer website for https://libertinelondon.com
Charged $2.5k for development
they provided the design
congrats
Just published another Framer code component to show your work!
Best part: it's connected to your CMS, so no need to manually update the content.
It has drag and scroll to stir the arc, plus an infinite project list 🔥
Check it here
Svg filters ?
