Definitive guide
Best Dark Websites of 2023 | 30 Examples + Templates
Best dark website examples
- General Condition
- KBI Digital
- Restaurant Tio Luchin
- Een Nul
- Cuthbet Interiors
- BLCK VC
- Bartlett School of Architecture
- Sterling
- DevArt
- Clmt. – Photography
- BlackFin Tech
- Mitchell Kanashkevich
- Andrew Leguay
- Yannis Yannakopoulos
- Studio Maertens
- The Virtual Economy
- Yuto Takahashi
- USSR Design Almanac
- Emanuele Millela
- Eyesprint
- Peter Lindbergh
- Throwback Music
- Furrow Studio
- Brother Film
- Le Studio Digital by BETC
- Hello from Here
- Neverbland
- Jess & Russ
1. General Condition
A warm welcome from this website with a creative and fun page above the fold. Below the fold, the black and white content continues to be very fun and enticing with lots of great images, animations, and write-ups. So nice to see!
Things we love about this web design
- Fantastic theme in word and image
- Creative way to show past work
- Fun design yet professional
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
2. KBI Digital
The overall black and white theme is very nicely implemented on this creative website. The color combination makes it immediately identifiable. The sliding pictures of the guests make the website more trustworthy.
Things we love about this web design
- Creative homepage
- Clean and simple below the fold
- Lots of whitespace
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
3. Tyler Grace
URL: https://www.pixpa.com/example/preview/?designid=216&url=https://www.tylergrace.com.au
Now, this is something different. Not only the colors of this website are dark but even the content itself. I like how they depict art beautifully and convey meaning differently. This can be too much for someone who is sensitive but if you are someone who wants to understand an underlying meaning of art, this might be for you.
What we love about this web design
- Unique styling
- Dark web design
- Metaphor aesthetic
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
4. Een Nul
URL: https://een-nul.com/
This Dutch web design agency really made a bold statement with their own website. They don’t do basic websites. I love their scrolling animations and their custom illustrations. Super inspiring!
What we love about this web design
-
Awesome scrolling animations
- Nice illustrations
- Playful web design
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
5. Cuthbet Interiors
Cuthbert Interiors features a great background image above the fold. Their color scheme repeats itself consistently throughout the website. Nice!
What we love about this web design
- Great headline above the fold
- Great pictures
- Lots of social proof by displaying membership of the designer institute
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
6. BLCK VC
Bold words are written on the first highlight and focuses on the services. With that, a dark background provides more emphasis. Sliding down follows different colored backgrounds with different write-ups
What we love about this web design
- Sectional website design and different background colors
- Call to action above the fold
- Nice photography
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
7. Bartlett School of Architecture
URL: https://bartlettarchucl.com/ss20
The Bartlett School of architecture built a pretty cool website which is very inspiring. Depending on what type of portfolio website you want to build, this website is definitely worth exploring!
What we love about this web design
- Amazing portfolio examples
- Nice animations
- Cool color scheme
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
8. Sterling
URL: https://n.foxdsgn.com/sterling-3/home-20-informative-hiv/
What an alluring animated display of the pictures of men and women. Highly captivating! The bold font also emphasizes and stops the user to discover something great here.
What we love about this web design
- Lovely choice of colors all over the website
- Nice animations
- Wonderful art style
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
9. DevArt
URL: https://devart.withgoogle.com/
DevArt is a website full of creativity where technology is their canvas and code is their raw material. The overall vibe is techy and would leave you wanting more! Kudos to the designer.
What we love about this web design
- Fresh, quality content
- Techno vibes
- Optimized for search and the social web
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
10. Clmt. – Photography
URL: https://clmt.paris/
This website’s homepage looks classy and professional! However, you need to lengthen your patience because it’s just coming soon. Nonetheless, it’s pretty worth the anticipation. Wait with me for an awesome dark website example!
What we love about this web design
- Classy and professional
- Strong brand identity
- Purpose & clarity
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
11. BlackFin Tech
URL: https://www.blackfin-tech.com/
I love how this dark website took advantage of yellow to display a warm, high-energy color. Honestly, it made the website comfortable and inviting. Check this website to look for protection against financial loss!
What we love about this web design
- User-focused
- Attractive, easy-to-read fonts
- Engaging social media buttons
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
12. Mitchell Kanashkevich
URL: https://www.mitchellk-photos.com/
This dark website is filled with high-quality photos combined with a strong sense of story. I love Mitchell Kanashkevich features stories of people working in unique environments and those who live in close bond with nature. What an icon!
What we love about this web design
- High-quality, engaging photos
- Ways to learn from and interact with cultures
- Drawn to ancient traditions which are still surviving and evolving
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
13. Andrew Leguay
URL: https://www.andrewleguay.com/
This website welcomes you with LARGE-FONT LETTERING that moves all over the place. I recommend that you prepare yourself before viewing this one because Andrew Leguay made sure that his homepage is full of excitement.
What we love about this web design
- Smooth and fast animations
- Well designed and functional
- Elements that facilitate engagement
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
14. Yannis Yannakopoulos
Yannis Yannakopoulos’ website brings life to unique concepts and designs. His flowing photo at the beginning only proves how creative he is. What more if you actually browsed the whole page? Come on. Be amazed like me!
What we love about this web design
- Stunning photos and a captivating video
- Great user experience
- Easy for people to navigate
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
15. Studio Maertens
URL: https://studiomaertens.com/
Studio Maertens is an interdisciplinary industrial design studio based in Berlin that specializes in product design, product consulting, and digital photography. As you browse this page, it grows increasingly technical and sophisticated. Overall, the designer elevated animation to a new level.
What we love about this web design
- Keeps website content fresh
- Classy and professional
- Visual options that are appealing to the eye
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
16. The Virtual Economy
URL: https://atelier.net/virtual-economy/
Are you a fan of galaxy designs? If yes, then you’ll absolutely love The Virtual Economy. As you open their website, you’ll be welcomed by a galaxy of activity. Visit them for a new economic frontier that may just be the answer to the generational wealth gap!
What we love about this web design
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Galaxy elements
- Page elements are memorable
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
17. Yuto Takahashi
URL: https://yuto-takahashi.com/
Yuto Takahashi is a 10/10 website! I love how creative Yuto is in presenting a portfolio worth looking at. The animation is excellent, and the colors that surround the pages enliven all corners. Beautifully designed!
What we love about this web design
- Design elements facilitate engagement
- Conversion is the top priority
- Navigation makes sense
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
18. USSR Design Almanac
This website’s dark surface is enhanced by the use of orange, a bold, warm hue that conveys enthusiasm. Like yellow and red, it can be very attention-grabbing, which is perhaps why it is often used in dark website examples. Overall, USSR Design Almanac looks modern and chic.
What we love about this web design
- Readily accessible contact and location
- Modern and chic color scheme
- Optimized for search and the social web
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
19. Emanuele Millela
URL: https://emanuelemilella.com/
This website is mostly concerned with web interfaces and interactive designs. If you’re interested in those two, I recommend checking out this one to discover how Emanuele Millela makes them work as a designer!
What we love about this web design
- Exceptional web interfaces and interactive designs
- Easy to use
- Very informative website
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
20. Eyesprint
URL: https://www.eye-sprint.com/
Eyesprint will literally make your eye sprint with everything that is happening. Each corner has a piece of vital information to make you hooked, and the black and white color combination didn’t disappoint. Nicely done!
What we love about this web design
- Excellent web interfaces and interactive designs
- High-quality content
- Strong brand identity
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
21. Peter Lindbergh
URL: http://peterlindbergh.obys.agency/
Out of all examples here, Peter Lindbergh focused on using zoom animations to introduce himself and his awesome works! I love how “emphasized” every element is to entertain each visitor. Well done!
What we love about this web design
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Well-written, keyword-rich content
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Well-formatted images that are easy to scan
-
Website loads within 4 to 6 seconds
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
22. Throwbacks Music
URL: https://bahaasamir.me/throwbacks-music/
Want to visit the music memory lane? Throwbacks Music presents musicians from the past that we still love and admire today. I appreciate how they presented each musician in such a way that we could listen to them as if nothing else mattered. Nice!
What we love about this web design
- Browser compatibility
- Good contrast between background and text
- The design automatically attracts the user’s eyes
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
23. Furrow Studio
Furrow Studio’s website is 100% awesome! I honestly thought I was in Microsoft Paint when I opened it. They actually nailed the part where the visitors have to uncover the background image because they dig deep to discover the great stories that lie just below the surface. Nicely done!
What we love about this web design
- All design elements work seamlessly
- Keeps the target audience in mind
- User-friendly navigation
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
24. Brother Film
URL: https://brotherfilmco.com/
Brother FIlm’s website will never back down when it comes to design. As you visit them, you’ll instantly discover how experienced and solid they are as a creatively-led video production company. Click the link to know why I’m so smitten by them! Indeed, excellent site design = more trust = more profitable conversions.
What we love about this web design
- Great design with a purpose in mind
- Relevant and original content
- Color choices compliment each other
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
25. Le Studio Digital by BETC
URL: https://lestudiodigital.betc.com/
Le Studio Digital bt BETC is a French production partner working within the biggest creative hub in Europe. Visit this website to see how words, design, and tech create a delightful digital experience! Love this!
What we love about this web design
- Images add value to the visitor
- High-quality stock photography
- Excellent site architecture & navigation
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
26. Hello From Here
Hello from Here is a creative company. When you enter the name of a city, the generator creates artwork based on real-time data, such as temperature and weather. Is there anything cooler than this? Check their website now to see how high-tech and helpful everything is!
What we love about this web design
- Clear site navigation
- Professional animations
- Slick design
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
27. Neverbland
Neverbland is one of the most admirable dark website examples I’ve seen. It’s uncomplicated, uncluttered, and fast-loading. If you’re looking for a digital product studio with the knowledge and track record to create something extraordinary, get in touch with them!
What we love about this web design
- Responsive design and mobile-friendliness
- Fast load speeds
- Well designed and functional
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
28. Jess & Russ
Visit this emotional dark website example to discover a beautiful love tale. The story of Jess and Russ is told in a way that visitors can share their feelings for them simply by reading. Tbh, Jess is wholly smitten throughout the course, and we are too! Also, the designs are magical to look at
What we love about this web design
- Well-formatted content that is easy to scan
- Magical love story
- Unique storytelling
Click the blue & white buttons to get started, or find a web designer 🚀
These are my favourites.
BONUS – Here is my favorite template
Makeup Artist Template
URL: https://mycodelesswebsite.com/try-theme/bar
Why this is such a great template:
- Clean design, great to turn visitors into customers
- Wordpress compatible, easy to customize
- Free download if you’re a Divi member
🚀 Click on the blue button to download – or ask a web designer to help you
BONUS: Elegant Themes
URL: https://elegantthemes.com/
Although this one officially shouldn't be in this list - I couldn't keep this one from you. Elegant themes has amazing website themes and leads by example. Their own homepage looks stunning.
What you can learn from this great website
- Playful design
- Clear call to actions
- Great user experience
More website examples
Modern Examples
Startup Examples
Divi Examples
3 Award Winning Web Designers I recommend
I highly recommend you to have a look at their portfolios!
WORDPRESS EXPERT
HIGH-END
CONVERTING WEB DESIGN
Kegan Quimby
keganquimby.com
Kegan is a freelance WordPress designer/developer. He works with businesses of all sizes to share their story. He builds websites that are fast, mobile & SEO friendly, and built to last!
✓ He specializes in WordPress design and development. From branding to e-commerce, to mobile, and everything in between.
✓ He has a focus on small to medium size businesses but also has enterprise clients.
✓ Clients include Level Up Digital Media, Center for Human Insights by User Testing.
Vrrb
vrrb.com
Vrrb is an award-winning creative agency based in Los Angeles. 14+ years of experience building extraordinary websites, applications, and digital solutions for the world's most recognizable brands.
✓ Our core services include branding, website design/development, mobile apps, digital strategy, and ongoing support
✓ We engage with established companies (50+ employees), as well as funded startups looking to turbocharge their growth.
✓ Clients include Ferrari, Visa, HP, UCLA, and Behr Paint.
Lovepixel Agency
lovepixelagency.com
We Build Highly Converting Funnels / Brands / Websites that people fall in Love with. Personal Brands, Authors, Speakers, Influencers, Coaches, Consultants. Check my video to see how we work 👋
✓ This web design agency specializes in custom websites using WordPress.
✓ They focus on a personal touch that allows the visitor to connect with the website. Great for personal brands!
✓ Clients include Oto Gomes, Laura Dawn, Sigrid Tasies.
1
Website hosting that I recommend.
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Selecting the right page builder.
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Grab my install guide.
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Best Practices (BONUS).
Claim the right domain before it's gone
Spend your money wisely.
We recommend Divi, it's great for beginners and allows you to customize everything.
About the author
My name is Ralph de Groot. I love excellent web design. In fact, you can wake me up at night if you find an inspiring website. Besides writing on My Codeless Website I also love to read and travel.
PS: If you decide to purchase a tool I recommend, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Checklist: 5 ways to make your dark website beautiful and highly converting
1. Don’t break the 5-second rule
The moment a visitor lands on your website you only have 5 seconds to make a good impression.
That’s 5 short seconds to convince your visitor to stay on your website – and don’t hit the ‘back’ button.
Make sure the text on your website is appealing and gets your visitor excited. Don’t waste the first 5 seconds of somebody’s visit with unnecessary fluff.
2. Don’t confuse your visitor with too many call to actions
Great call to actions draw the attention of your visitors.
That said, you don’t want your call to action buttons fighting for the attention of your visitor. Pick the most important call to action for that page, and go with it.
In case you want to show multiple call to actions anyway, make sure to give them a different design, with your primary call to action being the most notable one.
3. Design mobile first
Last year over 52% of all the website traffic worldwide came from mobile devices.
More than half of the website visits are on a mobile device.
This percentage will only increase in the coming years, therefore the mobile design of your website is crucial for the success of your dark website.
When designing your website, think about mobile design before you build your desktop website.
4. Watch people using your website without telling them what to do
Once your website is ready it’s time to launch. Well, almost.
Invite some friends or colleagues and put them in front of a computer. Ask them to pretend to be a potential customer and have them visit your website.
Now sit next to them, and don’t say anything (this will be harder than you think).
Do this with at least 5 people and learn from their behavior:
- Did they follow the steps you expected them to?
- Did your website load fast enough?
- Was everything clear to them?
5. Collect real testimonials from real members
By now you probably realized social proof is extremely important when it comes to building a great website. Take it to the next level, and add testimonials from your members.
Don’t write them yourself, don’t ask your friends to write them. Everybody will feel something is off.
Want to go for the perfect score? Include video testimonials. Trust me, this will turn your website into a conversion machine.
Growth hacking: 3 powerful strategies to promote your dark website
1. Go viral with a viral give-away
Imagine.
You send your website to 5 friends. Who each send it to 5 friends.
Now, these friends also send it to 5 friends. Oeh la la! Continue this loop for a while, and your website is actually going viral.
Viral Loops is a referral marketing tool that helps you to explode your website with new visitors.
We’ve used Viral Loops to create virality with multiple websites. It allows you to build a sustainable referral scheme that helps you to grow your website rapidly.
2. Use local SEO
SEO is a great way to attract local clients. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and helps you to get free website traffic through search engines.
Check out these articles about local SEO if you want to learn more about this:
3. Do a press release
Yikes! A press release? That’s not for your website, right?
Well. It is actually. Journalists LOVE small businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them. It makes sense – if you’re at a birthday party, friends are probably always asking how your business is doing.
Everybody loves entrepreneurs.
Write a press release about a milestone your company achieved. It doesn’t really matter what it is your company did, just make it juicy and interesting.
Create a list of journalists and reach out to them. The key in this process is the follow-up. If you’re just sending them just one email you’re probably not going to have a lot of success. Remind them at least once within a period of 7 days.
Being featured by local news outlets actually is good for your SEO. The more websites mention you on their website, the higher you’ll rank in the search engine.
FAQ
What makes a good dark website?
A great dark website should have a clean design, be easy to navigate and include a lot of social proof. Have a look at this page for great example websites.
How to create a dark website?
1. Analyze the best dark websites on this page
2. Make notes of what you like – and what you don’t like
3. Design your own site with this drag & drop website builder (includes free themes)
4. Publish your website with a cheap hosting plan (includes free domain + SSL)
How much does a dark website cost?
A dark website will cost you anywhere between $1200 and $5000. Of course, it’s cheaper to do it yourself. Have a look at the tools I recommend in this article to get started for under $100.