Turning your website green: Seven steps to make your site more sustainable

1. Find the right balance between video and still imagery 

While video content remains a powerful storytelling tool, it comes with a cost. Hosting and streaming videos require significant energy resources – making it crucial to use them sparingly. Reducing the use of background videos or offering a pause button to visitors can lessen the energy impact without compromising the user experience. 

2. Embrace a mobile-first approach 

Mobile-first design isn’t just about usability – it’s also a win for sustainability. Designing for mobile encourages simplicity, efficiency, and smaller file sizes;, all of which reduce the energy required to load and use your website. A compact and streamlined design often results in a lower carbon footprint. 

3. Consider using a system font 

Typography might not seem like a big player in sustainability, but it can make a difference. For example, when designing Laudes Foundation’s website, we opted for a system font (Arial) to help minimise emissions. System fonts are pre-installed on devices – eliminating the need for additional downloads and reducing the data required to display the website. 

4. Optimise images with WebP 

Images are often a significant contributor to a website’s data load. Switching to modern file formats like WebP instead of JPEG or PNG can drastically reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. This optimisation not only improves page load speeds but also lowers emissions associated with data transfer and hosting. 

5. Opt for dark mode and energy-saving options 

Dark mode is gaining popularity – not just as a design trend but also as a practical way to save energy. Devices with OLED or AMOLED screens consume less power when displaying darker colours. We've implemented Dark Mode on projects like Cofra Holding’s website to help reduce their carbon footprint. L’Oréal’s financial report also incorporates an energy-saving mode – showcasing a forward-thinking approach to digital sustainability. 

6. Prioritise digital accessibility  

Of course, sustainable web design isn’t just about minimising energy consumption – it’s also about creating an inclusive digital experience for everyone. Accessibility and sustainability often go hand in hand, as accessible designs tend to be simpler, lighter, and more efficient. 

For example, optimising websites for screen readers and keyboard navigation encourages developers to write cleaner, semantic code – inherently more efficient and easier to maintain. Accessible designs that prioritise clear typography, intuitive navigation, and well-structured content not only benefit users with diverse needs but also reduce unnecessary interactions and data-heavy elements, lowering the site’s environmental impact. 

7. Ensure the design is user-focused to reduce time on-site 

Helping users achieve their goals quickly and efficiently is another way to reduce a website’s environmental footprint. The less time users spend navigating through unnecessary pages or waiting for data-heavy content to load, the lower the energy consumption. 

Streamlined navigation, clear calls-to-action, and optimised search functionality ensure users find the information they need without frustration. Simplifying menus and removing redundant features not only improves user satisfaction but also reduces the energy required for unnecessary interactions. 

User-focused design respects both the user’s time and the planet’s resources, making it a crucial element of sustainable website practices. 

The way forward 

Sustainable website design is an ongoing journey. From reducing data-heavy content to adopting energy-efficient practices, every step counts towards creating a greener digital footprint. As companies strive to meet their sustainability goals, their websites have an essential role to play in aligning digital strategies with environmental priorities. 

Want to explore how sustainable design can benefit your website? Contact us to learn more about our approach and how we can support your sustainability journey. 

See also our previous article on this topic: Is your corporate website sustainable