A page begins with a purpose
A website gets easier to design when its purpose is written in one sentence. What should a visitor understand, find, or do? That sentence gives every design decision something to answer to.
Write before arranging
Start with real headings and a rough version of the copy. Put the most useful information first. Notice where a long paragraph wants to become two shorter thoughts, and where a heading promises more than the section delivers.
Let the shape follow
Once the content has a hierarchy, the layout has a starting point. A project gallery needs room for images. An essay needs a comfortable reading measure. A booking page needs a date, a time, and a clear next step.
Leave room to change your mind
The first layout is a working idea. Try it with a longer title, a smaller screen, and a visitor who arrives in the middle of the site. The goal is a page that continues to make sense when the ideal conditions disappear.