I am not even sure about how to start answering this one.
Distortion is a tool, like any other effect. I would first say that if you sound bad without distortion, then you need practice. Distortion on it's own will not make you sound better. If you want distortion because you just want that sound then there are different ways to get it. I don't know what Amp you are using, but cranking up the gain can give you distortion. You can get a distortion pedal and put it between your guitar and amp, connected by cables, of course.
Oh, sound is also affected by the quality of the pickups, the guitar itself, your strings and the amplifier. It also depends on what you mean by "sound better." That is a very vague statement in regards to the guitar.
