We’re already a month and a half into the New Year, and new web design trends are cropping up all over the internet. Other trends have been carried forward from previous years, albeit they have become more mainstream. Design is constantly changing and evolving with the world’s tastes, so it is essential to look at what other websites are doing to keep up with the latest styles. The following are some of the top web design trends that we personally consider as worth watching out for this year. We have also included some recommendations on how you should implement them on your site/s.
1: Mobile-First Website Optimization
This is not a new trend. It has already been established for the past number of years that more people have access to a smartphone with internet capabilities than ever before. As a result, the number of visitors to your website from mobile devices will continue to increase significantly throughout 2019. In fact, the majority of visitors to your site will likely be mobile users in the near future.
To address this need, more companies are implementing a mobile-first approach to their web design and optimisation. Many websites do not adapt well to mobile devices, frustrating users who then leave the site in favour of an optimised competitor. Google tracks how long users spend on your page and if they leave quickly, you will be penalised in your search result ranking.
You will need a website that is fast and fully optimised for mobile devices, as well as traditional screens. With these features, you will significantly improve your search engine rankings and receive more web traffic. Luckily, optimising your site for mobile devices is a relatively simple process that many web designers can accomplish through the use of frameworks such as Bootstrap.
2: Gradient Color Schemes
People love gradients. Ever since Instagram updated its icon to the beautiful magenta gradient from the camera icon, people have started to implement gradient color schemes into their websites. We see gradients on headers, in backgrounds, and company logos in 2019.
Modernised gradients move away from the traditional colour spectrum in favour of a subtler style. The possibilities are endless when it comes to this colour scheme, and you can update your website accordingly using your original colour scheme.
3: More White Space
White space refers to the portion of a web page that does not have any text or images. A long time ago, white space was a no-no in the web design world. However, more people have discovered in recent years the benefits that leaving ample white space has on improving the user experience.
White space does not need to be white – it just needs to be empty. White space creates a clean, simple look that allows for easier reading and navigation. It enables companies to direct user focus on the most critical aspects of a page. Using white space in a balanced manner can add an updated, fresh look to your company website.
4: Storytelling Through Websites
Storytelling has always influenced technology, but more companies are emphasising stories in their web content. Companies will begin to use narrative elements to engage and connect with the audience, compelling more people to purchase products and services. They will likely use animation, compelling diagrams, and second-person voice to tell stories through their websites.
5: Interactive Web Designs
Users love websites with interactive features. Your clients will spend more time on your site if you have an interactive element, plugging in different information and learning new things about your products, services, or company. Your consumer engagement will increase and you could see an increase in your leads and conversion.
More companies will start to use interactive tools on their websites this year, from calculators to maps to augmented reality fixtures. Brainstorm what interactive tool would make the most sense for your users, and hire a developer to implement it.
6: Custom Design And Illustration
More businesses are opting for custom graphics and illustrations. Artists are all over the web looking for an opportunity to draw or design a graphic for a real site. Usually, their rates are fair and affordable – plus, the return on investment for commissioning unique artwork for your site will outweigh the initial cost. You will stand out from your competitors and attract more leads.
7: Bright, Eye-Catching Colors
Colour is one of the most potent tools in web design. Bright, eye-catching colours are becoming the norm across company sites for many reasons:
- Bright colours can improve readability and make the site easier to understand.
- Attractive colour schemes make websites more visually appealing and make users more likely to peruse the site for longer.
- The longer a consumer stays on your site, the more likely they are to purchase something.
Using the right colour scheme can improve your web traffic and lead conversion significantly. Opt for bright, candy-coloured tones contrasted with a light-coloured background. As always, make sure your text is easy to read. Choose bolder fonts in a darker colour to contrast against your site background.
8: Fewer Loading Spinners
No one likes loading spinners. In fact, we often call these images “wheels of death” and they add to the frustration of the user experience. More companies will retire the loading spinner in favour of a more progressive loading screen. Besides, companies will continue to use cached data to decrease loading time and boost their page ranking in Google search results.
9: Integrated, But Not Invasive, Video
Autoplay video can be a nuisance in some circumstances, so many websites are starting to scale back on this feature. Instead of a pop-up that plays sound automatically, many sites are integrating video in their header that auto-plays once a visitor lands on the page.
Instead of blocking other text on the screen, the feature plays in a way that attracts customers without making the website difficult to navigate. Videos help retain visitors on your site and induces them to purchase your product, depending on your message.
10: Large, Bold Titles And Headers
People spend less time on websites than ever before. As a result, a web page will need to implement features to get its message across as quickly as possible. A large, bold title and eye-catching headers help break up the copy and allow for fast audience engagement.
Companies are adding large, catchy text to the top of their web pages to get their message and purpose across quickly. When they publish posts and pages, they use bold, informative headlines so that customers can skim a page and retain information without having to read the body copy – kind of like this article.
11: Detailed, Artistic Footers
When was the last time you scrolled to the bottom of a web page and checked out their site footer? In the past, consumers often ignored these elements since they seemed “boring” and did not contain detailed information that the user could not find elsewhere.
However, more companies are getting creative with their footers, adding illustrations and even more detailed information for consumers to peruse. Now, footers include additional resources vital to the home page and are integrated into the site’s overall design. This practice allows for more creativity, attractive graphics and information configuration options, and a seamless design.
Want to learn more?
If you’re interested in the intersection between UX and UI Design, then consider to take the online course UI Design Patterns for Successful Software and alternatively Design Thinking: The Beginner’s Guide. If, on the other hand, you want to brush up on the basics of UX and Usability, you might take the online course on User Experience (or another design topic). Good luck on your learning journey!
(Lead image: Depositphotos)
