25 Outstanding Magazine Style Website Designs (2024)

One of my favorite styles of web design to take inspiration from is the magazine-style. Creating a well-designed site that looks good, allows for good usability, and features a lot of content without cramming items onto the page is a very difficult task.

Blog theme designers can often put some of this inspiration into practice in their own work, as blogs often face the challenge of displaying a lot of content while still trying to look good. Here we’ll showcase different websites that utilize a magazine or news style layout.

If you’re looking to create your own site/blog with a news or magazine-style layout, we highly recommend the Extra theme from Elegant Themes. It is a beautiful WordPress theme that provides plenty of flexibility and customization to create an amazing website.

The Best News and Magazine-Style Website Designs

AdAge

AdAge shows featured content in the center column (with the largest width of the three columns). Popular content is in the right column and the most recent headlines are in the narrow left column. The top of the site also uses a lot of color.

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Vanity Fair

Like many news websites, Vanity Fair has gone through many iterations over the years. One constant is that it always looks great. The clean layout features a black, white, and red color scheme with beautiful typography.

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Frieze

Frieze uses a layout that is a little different than many news/magazine websites. The homepage displays content mostly in one column with multiple categories flowing together. Lower on the homepage it does break out into two and three columns in different sections.

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The New Yorker

The New Yorker uses a clean layout (aside from ads) that features big bold headlines. The header is very simple with the logo, a navigation menu including different categories, and a “subscribe” button.

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New York Magazine

This multi-column layout fits a lot of headlines and content onto the homepage, and this is another site that uses a basic black, white, and red color scheme.

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The Cut

A part of the New York Magazine family, The Cut features a similar style but in a cleaner and less cluttered layout.

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Newsweek

Newsweek uses trending links below the primary navigation to make it easier for visitors to find the content that they may be looking for. The multi-column homepage includes featured images, headlines, and descriptions or excerpts for many articles.

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Esquire

Esquire uses a very unique homepage design that includes a huge image for a featured story, taking up most of the area above the fold. Below the fold, it becomes more of what you would expect from a news or magazine website.

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UGSMAG

The UGSMAG homepage features an illustrated header. Content is displayed horizontally in rows with interviews, audio, and video content being showcased in different sections.

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VentureBeat

The dark blue background of VentureBeat’s header (the background is white below the fold) makes it stand out from other news websites.

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The Verge

The Verge’s homepage uses a dark background color above the fold where several recent posts are featured. Below the fold, a white background is used. Individual posts/pages use a single column for text with no sidebar, which is a different approach compared to most news websites.

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Glamour

Glamour’s homepages uses a three-column layout with a simple header.

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Brides

This grid-based layout features one recent post with a very large display above the folder. Lower on the homepage, content is displayed in horizontal rows.

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The Boston Globe

The Boston Globe packs a lot of content onto the homepage with multiple categories of news being shown in different locations.

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The Vulture

The Vulture is a part of the New York Magazine family. This design puts a small twist on the black and white color scheme with a nice, but not overwhelming, pop of color.

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ESPN

The worldwide leader in sports displays current and recent scores at the top of the site. Recent and trending headlines and stories dominate the homepage while visitors can navigate to specific content by sport.

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Fox Sports

Another leading sports site, Fox News takes a very different approach with the design and layout of the site. Fox Sports uses a clean layout the displays a small fraction of the content that is on ESPN’s homepage.

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Think Global Health

Think Global Health uses a beautiful and clean layout with an expandable navigation menu. While many news websites feel cluttered, Think Global Health proves that a lot of content can be displayed in a pleasing way.

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The Atlantic

The Atlantic is another site that favors whitespace over clutter. It’s a perfect example of a content-heavy website that uses a minimalist approach to the design and layout.

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Creative Review

Creative Review displays featured content in a grid, with the latest headlines in the right sidebar.

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The Next Web

The Next Web (TNW) features a very visual homepage that includes only a small amount of text above the fold. This is a much different approach than many news sites that showcase a lot of headlines above the fold.

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W Magazine

This clean design takes a slightly different approach but still manages to showcase the content in an attractive way.

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Time

Time’s clutter-free homepage showcases the trending content in a pleasing way.

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CNN

The CNN homepage showcases about as many headlines as you’ll find on any news website’s homepage. Some of the leading stories include a thumbnail image, but in most cases, it’s just a headline.

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Create Your Own Magazine-Style Design

If you’re looking to design or create a news or magazine-style website, we highly recommend the Extra WordPress theme from Elegant Themes. Extra is a beautiful theme that features endless customization options. With the theme options and them customizations panel, as well as the Divi Builder plugin that comes with it, there’s no limit to what you can create.

The screenshot above shows a sample of what you can do with Extra, this is basically the default version of the theme without any additional styling or customization.

You can easily create your own homepage to showcase content in a way that works best for your site. You can also completely customize the category pages and even build custom pages without touching any code.

I’ve been using Extra on some of my own websites/blogs since it was first released a few years ago and it is easily my favorite WordPress theme.

You can get access to Extra with an Elegant Themes membership. With the membership, you’ll get access to Extra as well as Divi, which is probably the most popular WordPress theme in the world. You’ll also get access to plugins for creating email option forms and for adding social sharing buttons to your posts. Membership costs $89 per year, which is an amazing value considering you can use these themes and plugins on an unlimited number of sites, including projects for your clients.

Reasons to Use a Magazine-Style Theme:

Excellent option for websites other than just blogs

Over the years, WordPress has emerged as a legitimate CMS in addition to being a great blogging platform. However, most websites won’t work very well with a standard blog theme and layout, so the options are to have a custom theme designed or use a theme that is specifically created to suit the needs of a typical website.

When compared to standard blog themes, magazine-style themes are much more effective for traditional websites because of the presentation of content. Many magazine themes make better use of the page system in WordPress and there is more control over what content is featured rather than just having the latest post at the top of the front page.

Give a blog the look and feel of a larger site

We’re probably all familiar with the layouts that are commonly used by large news sites. Magazine-style themes can give a similar look to a blog, which can give the impression to visitors that the blog is larger. In some cases, the standard blog layout can make it look deceptively small to new visitors. There may be hundreds of posts in a number of different categories, but the depth of the blog may be difficult or impossible to notice without digging deeper. A magazine theme can do a better job of communicating the size of the blog/site to new visitors.

Appearing larger may or may not be an attractive feature. For some blogs, it really doesn’t matter, but for others, it might.

Feature more content in a smaller space

One of the major advantages of magazine themes is that the front page will show more of the available content to visitors. For example, you may have sections for an excerpt of the most recent posts in categories A, B, and C. Images and links to all of these posts will be visible above the fold as soon as visitors arrive. With a standard blog layout, they’re unlikely to see more than one post without scrolling down, even if you’re using excerpts.

Achieving this without creating a cluttered look is difficult, but the good magazine themes do it effectively. This can help visitors to quickly find what interests them, and it also gives the opportunity for some creativity in the design and layout.

Improves the usefulness of categories

Categories in blogs are irrelevant most of the time. The links often get ignored by visitors, and bloggers typically don’t use an optimal system for categorizing posts. Most Magazine themes are heavily dependant upon the category that a post belongs to. What’s shown on the front page will change if a post is moved from one category to another.

Because content from a particular category will appear at a certain spot on the homepage, visitors become accustomed to looking in specific spots for certain types of content, thus making the categories more relevant. Additionally, this dependency on categorization can force the blogger to be more accurate and put more thought into the best ways to categorize the content.

Improved control over what is featured

Standard blog themes will display content on the front page according to which posts were published most recently. While there are ways to exclude certain posts or categories from the front page, this functionality can be somewhat limited.

If you’re looking for more control, and easier control, over what is featured on the front page, a magazine theme may be a good option. Many magazine themes display a recent post from a “featured” category prominently on the page. In this case, if you’re posting something that you want to be featured, all you have to do is include it in that category. If you don’t want it to be featured over another post that was recently published in that category, don’t put it in the featured category.

Ability to scale to handle very large amounts of content

There are a lot of blogs out there that publish a huge amount of content. In these cases, standard blog themes are pretty inefficient. Posts that are not that old will quickly be pushed down the front page and out of the spotlight. Likewise, with posts that are extremely frequent, there is likely a good bit of variety in the types of content. A magazine-style theme would allow for featuring more on the front page and also for categorizing the content to separate it more effectively.

With a well-designed and well-executed magazine theme, you can support a very large amount of content. The scaling possibilities with standard blog themes is much more limited.

Avoid the traditional blog look

Many people really hate the traditional blog look that is seen pretty much everywhere. A magazine theme can make your blog look less like a blog. This will be most notable on the front page, as pages of individual posts will be a bit more like the individual posts from a typical blog.

The Downsides to Magazine Themes:

Despite all of the benefits and reasons to use a magazine-style theme, they’re still not a good fit for every blog. Here is a look at some situations where they can be ineffective.

They can be awkward if you don’t publish a lot of content

Standard blog themes will typically work better if you are not pumping out a lot of content. Visitors may come to your site and feel like nothing new has been added with a magazine theme, but with a standard theme, they can’t help but see your most recent post. If the content you post is somewhat time-sensitive, a magazine theme can make your blog look abandoned if outdated content is still being shown on the front page.

Unfortunately, there is no black and white number of when you should stick with a standard theme and when you should use a magazine theme. If you’re unsure, think about the content that’s currently on your blog that has been published in recent days and weeks. With a magazine theme, what categories of content would you prioritize? With your current content, what would wind up being on the front page? If you feel that some of it is outdated or would be awkward still being on the front page, stick with a standard theme.

Additional clicks may be necessary to reach the content

Ask 100 blog readers if they prefer full posts or excerpts on the front page and you’ll probably get a pretty evenly split response. With magazine themes, there is no option to publish a full post on the front page. One of the downsides is that visitors will have to click on a story in order to read the full post. This isn’t the biggest issue, but still something to consider.

Clutter

The front page of some blogs that use a magazine theme simply gives too many options for many visitors. With too many options, visitors may leave rather than finding one that they like. While the presentation and layout can be a major plus for magazine themes, it can also have reverse effects in some situations.

How Can I Know if a Magazine Theme is Right for My Blog?

Now that I’ve listed the pros and cons, some of you may find the question to be more complicated than ever. If that’s the case I’ll try to simplify things by listing a few factors that should be major considerations.

How much content do you publish?

If you publish tons of content on a regular basis, chances are a magazine theme would be a good fit. If you don’t, chances are you’ll be better off with a standard theme.

Does some of your content need to be featured over other content?

If you would like the ability to easily keep your best posts in a prominent position for a bit longer, you could benefit from a magazine theme.

What is typical in your niche?

You need to also consider your readers in the decision. Most likely they are also visiting and reading other blogs in your niche. What do they expect when they arrive at a blog? Will they be comfortable with a different layout? If you’re in a news-related niche for example, a magazine layout will be more comfortable for most of your visitors.

Which approach will give better navigation for your content?

One of the major differences for users of various styles of themes is navigation. As the blog owner, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many of your visitors won’t know exactly where to find everything. What layout style will make it easiest for visitors to find the content that they want?

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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Magazine-Style Web Design: Concepts and Examples

Magazine-style web design is a popular choice for websites that aim to showcase a lot of content while maintaining a visually appealing and user-friendly layout. This style of design can be challenging to execute effectively, but when done well, it can create a professional and engaging user experience. In this response, I will provide information related to the concepts used in this article.

Key Concepts in Magazine-Style Web Design:

  1. Layout: Magazine-style websites typically feature a multi-column layout that allows for the display of a large amount of content. The layout can vary, with some websites using a three-column design and others opting for a more fluid layout with content flowing together.

  2. Color Scheme: Many magazine-style websites use a clean and minimalist color scheme, often incorporating black, white, and a few accent colors. This helps to create a visually appealing and cohesive design.

  3. Typography: Typography plays a crucial role in magazine-style web design. Websites often use bold and eye-catching headlines to grab the reader's attention. Clean and readable fonts are preferred to enhance the overall user experience.

  4. Featured Content: Magazine-style websites often highlight featured content prominently on the homepage. This can include featured articles, trending topics, or popular content. By showcasing selected content, these websites can draw attention to important or engaging articles.

  5. Categorization: Magazine-style themes heavily rely on categorization to organize and display content effectively. Categories are used to separate different types of content and make it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for. The placement of content on the homepage may change based on the category it belongs to.

  6. Navigation: Navigation is a crucial aspect of magazine-style web design. Websites often include expandable navigation menus that allow visitors to easily explore different categories and sections of the site. Clear and intuitive navigation enhances the user experience and helps visitors find the content they are interested in.

Examples of Magazine-Style Websites:

  1. AdAge: AdAge features a magazine-style layout with a central column for featured content, a right column for popular content, and a narrow left column for recent headlines. The site also incorporates a vibrant color scheme to make it visually appealing.

  2. Vanity Fair: Vanity Fair's clean layout utilizes a black, white, and red color scheme, along with beautiful typography. The design exudes elegance and sophistication.

  3. Frieze: Frieze takes a slightly different approach to magazine-style web design by displaying content mostly in one column, with multiple categories flowing together. The layout breaks into two and three columns in different sections.

  4. The New Yorker: The New Yorker's clean layout features big, bold headlines and a simple header with a logo, navigation menu, and a subscription button. The design focuses on readability and simplicity.

  5. New York Magazine: New York Magazine's multi-column layout allows for the display of numerous headlines and content on the homepage. The site follows a basic black, white, and red color scheme.

These are just a few examples of magazine-style websites, each with its own unique design and layout. The choice of a magazine-style theme depends on factors such as the amount of content you publish, the need for featured content, the expectations of your niche audience, and the navigation requirements for your content.

If you are interested in creating your own magazine-style website, I highly recommend the Extra theme from Elegant Themes. It is a beautiful WordPress theme that offers flexibility and customization options to create an amazing website. With the Extra theme, you can easily design your homepage, customize category pages, and build custom pages without any coding knowledge.

Remember, magazine-style web design is not suitable for every blog or website. Factors such as the amount of content you publish, the need for featured content, and the preferences of your target audience should be considered when deciding on the right design approach for your website.

I hope this information helps you understand the concepts and examples related to magazine-style web design. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

25 Outstanding Magazine Style Website Designs (2024)

FAQs

What is a magazine style website? ›

Magazine website templates are pre-designed layouts and structures specifically created for online magazines, news websites and content-rich blogs. These templates provide a user-friendly interface, easy navigation and visually appealing design elements to showcase articles, images and multimedia content.

What is magazine layout design? ›

Magazine layout is about creating a harmonious relationship between text, images, and white space. If you use a graphic design tool such as CorelDRAW, you'll find it simple to drag and drop elements into place and make edits as necessary.

How do you create a professional magazine layout? ›

How To Design a Magazine Layout: A Practical Guide for B2B...
  1. Choosing the Right Tool: Adobe InDesign. ...
  2. Page Structure: Grids and Columns. ...
  3. Placing Copy: Headlines, Subheadings, and Body Text. ...
  4. Image Placement: Balance and Alignment. ...
  5. Typography: Font Choices and Styles. ...
  6. Color Scheme: Consistency and Branding.
Feb 23, 2024

What do you understand by web design? ›

Web designing is the process of planning, conceptualizing, and implementing the plan for designing a website in a way that is functional and offers a good user experience. User experience is central to the web designing process. Websites have an array of elements presented in ways that make them easy to navigate.

What is a magazine website called? ›

Some online magazines distributed through the World Wide Web call themselves webzines. An ezine (also spelled e-zine) is a more specialized term appropriately used for small magazines and newsletters distributed by any electronic method, for example, by email.

What are the 10 key elements of a magazine layout design? ›

If you are planning to publish a magazine design layout for you or your client's business then you will need to understand the contents of this article.
  • Headline. ...
  • An introductory paragraph. ...
  • Body / Body Text / Body Copy. ...
  • Subheadline / subheading. ...
  • Pull Quotes. ...
  • Captions for Images. ...
  • Section head or running head. ...
  • Box copy.
Jun 30, 2021

What is the most important element of a magazine layout design? ›

Headline: Article headlines are the most critical elements of magazine design. Readers typically judge articles by the way their headings are presented. Headings should be typically larger than the body-text and should be meaningful and impactful enough to attract the attention of the readers.

What makes a successful magazine layout? ›

Images should balance each other without too many elements clouding them. In order to create consistency in the design of the magazine, the symmetry between images should also be considered. If images are asymmetrical, they should still be balanced along with other images so as not to break the harmony in the layout.

How do you structure an online magazine? ›

In terms of structure, carefully consider the organisation of your magazine. Determine the average number of pages you want each issue to have and divide them into sections that cover different topics. This creates a cohesive flow and allows readers to easily navigate through the content.

What is the best application to use when designing a magazine layout? ›

Marq's digital magazine maker offers a diverse collection of templates suitable for various genres and themes. Whether you're creating a lifestyle magazine, a travel guide, or a business publication, you'll find templates that you can customize to match your content and design preferences.

What is the best grid for a magazine layout? ›

2-column grid: This is a simple grid. It creates a nice symmetry to the page. You can also expand this to a 4-column grid. 3-column grid: The addition of an extra column allows you to to start creating more dynamic layouts.

What are the 3 types of web design? ›

Web designing is of three kinds, to be specific static, dynamic or CMS and eCommerce. Picking the sort of website design relies upon the kind of business and necessity of the entrepreneurs. Every one of these sites and be designed and developed on various platforms.

What makes a good website design? ›

Several factors such as consistency, colours, typography, imagery, simplicity, and functionality contribute to good website design. When designing a website there are many key factors that will contribute to how it is perceived. A well-designed website can help build trust and guide visitors to take action.

What should a web designer know? ›

11 Examples Of Web Designing Skills
  • Knowledge of design principles. ...
  • User experience (UX) knowledge. ...
  • User interface (UI) knowledge. ...
  • Search engine optimisation (SEO) knowledge. ...
  • Knowledge of agile development methods. ...
  • Programming. ...
  • Web hosting knowledge. ...
  • Proficiency in design software.
Aug 31, 2023

What is a magazine style article? ›

What is a magazine article? A magazine article is a specific text that can be found in a magazine or newspaper. It can be a report, a profile of an important person, an opinion piece, a discussion of a topic or a personal essay. Depending on the topic, a magazine article is usually 1,000 to 5,000 words long.

What does magazine format mean? ›

Format of magazine comprises of short pieces, editorials, regular columns, articles, features (main stories) and even shorter stories. One major difference between the ways a magazine reports news and a regular newspaper reports it is that magazines create their own version of the news.

How do you cite a magazine website? ›

Magazine Article From a Website

Author's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article: Subtitle if Any." Title of Magazine, Date of publication, URL. Accessed Day Month Year site was visited.

What is a magazine style ad? ›

Magazine style ads are text ads that we convert and render as "display-like" ads. When a text ad wins an auction for an image-only ad unit, we render the ad in the magazine style format.

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