(Or: Why Comic Sans Is Still a Crime)
Typography might sound like one of those fancy design words that make people nod politely while secretly thinking, “Sure… fonts.”
But here’s the truth: fonts matter more than you think. A lot more.
The right font makes your website feel professional, friendly, trustworthy, or exciting. The wrong font makes visitors leave faster than you can say “Why does this look weird?”
Let’s break it down in simple language, with zero design snobbery and a little humor.
Why Typography Matters (Yes, Really)
People don’t read websites first — they scan them.
Before anyone reads your brilliant content, their brain already decides:
- Is this easy to read?
- Does this feel trustworthy?
- Does this look modern… or like it was made in 2004?
That decision happens in seconds.
And typography plays a huge role in it.
Good fonts say:
👉 “Relax, I know what I’m doing.”
Bad fonts say:
👉 “Welcome to my website, I learned design yesterday.”
The Two Big Font Families (Meet the Cast)
Let’s keep this simple. Most web fonts fall into two main groups:
1. Serif Fonts 🧐
These have little “feet” at the ends of letters.
Examples:
- Times New Roman
- Georgia
- Merriweather
Vibe: Classic, traditional, bookish
Good for: Blogs, long reads, editorial sites
Think: newspapers, novels, serious opinions.
2. Sans-Serif Fonts 😎
Clean letters, no feet, no drama.
Examples:
- Arial
- Helvetica
- Roboto
- Open Sans
Vibe: Modern, clean, friendly
Good for: Almost everything on the web
Most modern websites use sans-serif fonts because they’re easy on the eyes — especially on screens.
Rule #1: Readability Beats Everything
Let’s say this loudly for the people in the back:
If people can’t read it, they won’t stay.
A beautiful font that’s hard to read is like a stylish chair that hurts to sit on. Looks nice. Nobody uses it.
Simple readability tips:
- Use normal letter spacing (don’t stretch letters like chewing gum)
- Avoid ultra-thin fonts for body text
- Keep font sizes comfortable (16px+ for body text)
Your visitors should never squint. This is not an eye test.
Rule #2: Limit Yourself (Fonts Are Not Pokémon)
You do not need to catch them all.
A classic beginner mistake is using:
- One font for headings
- One for subheadings
- One for body text
- One “fun” font because why not
Suddenly your website looks like a ransom note.
The sweet spot:
- 1 font → clean and simple
- 2 fonts → professional and flexible
- 3 fonts → only if you really know what you’re doing
More than that? Step away from the font picker.
Safe Font Combos (That Won’t Get You Judged)
If you don’t want to think too hard, here are easy wins:
- Roboto + Roboto (same font, different weights)
- Open Sans (body) + Montserrat (headings)
- Lato (body) + Lato Bold (headings)
Pro tip: Using one font family with different weights already looks polished. Designers love this trick. Now you know it too.
Personality Matters (Fonts Have Feelings)
Fonts communicate mood — whether you want them to or not.
- Rounded fonts → friendly, casual
- Sharp fonts → modern, techy
- Serif fonts → serious, thoughtful
- Handwritten fonts → personal… or chaotic
Ask yourself:
If my website were a person, how would it talk?
A law firm probably shouldn’t sound like a birthday card.
A kids’ website shouldn’t sound like a legal contract.
Match the font to the personality.
The Comic Sans Rule (Yes, We’re Going There)
Let’s clear this up once and for all.
Comic Sans is:
- Not evil
- Not illegal
- Still… usually a bad idea
Unless:
- You’re making something for children
- You need accessibility for specific readers
- You’re doing it ironically (designers do this sometimes, don’t worry about it)
For everything else?
There are better options. Many. So many.
Web-Safe and Free Fonts (Your Wallet Will Thank You)
You don’t need expensive fonts to look professional.
Great free sources:
- Google Fonts (huge, reliable, fast)
- System fonts (already on users’ devices)
Popular choices:
- Roboto
- Open Sans
- Inter
- Lato
- Poppins
Used by millions of sites. Still effective. Still classy.
Final Thoughts: Fonts Are Quiet Heroes
Typography doesn’t scream for attention.
It whispers: “This feels right.”
When you choose good fonts:
- People read more
- People stay longer
- People trust you more
And the best part?
Most visitors won’t even notice your typography — which means you did it right.
So choose wisely, keep it readable, and remember:
A good font doesn’t show off.
It gets out of the way and lets your content shine.
Happy font-picking ✨
