The web design industry has seen a variety of new design trends and technique this year as the consumer market and technology continue to shape the digital landscape. If you’re thinking about building or upgrading your small-business website, keep reading to learn about the latest eye-catching trends.
Flat Design
One of the most surprising trends as far as aesthetic design to make a resurgence this year is the flat design style. The flat style is far from boring; in fact, it is one of the oldest design styles in web design. The influence for its integration into the World Wide Web goes back to the 1950s when the International Typographic Style, also known as the Swiss Style, was popularized in media and advertising. Microsoft first adopted the flat style in its Metro design language for programs such as the Windows Media Center and their Zune platform.
In 2013, the Apple iOS 7 update borrowed elements of the flat design, a refreshing change from the skeuomorphic design in previous operating systems. As the name implies, this trend de-emphasizes the use of three-dimensional design techniques like drop shadows and gradients. Instead, it relies on flat colors and simple shapes to present an approachable website with a clutter-free interface. Designers love the flat design because it’s easily adaptable to changes in various browsers and internet devices. The simplicity of the design decreases load times and, by extension, website traffic.
Scroll On
Scrolling sites have also become increasingly more popular thanks to the rise of smartphones and tablets. Scrolling for smartphone users is second nature, but computer users have become accustomed to the old style of web browsing, point-and-click menus that direct you to various web pages. Single-page websites encourage PC users to use the mouse wheel for a smoother viewing experience. Instead of having multiple pages with different information on each page, all your company information is available on one page. The scrolling design has been proven to increase the amount of time a client or potential client spends on your sites. Studies show that it also increases customer engagement and attentiveness because visitors must scan the page to find the information they’re searching for. The single-page scrolling site loads faster than a traditional site with multiple buttons and links.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness in the web design industry goes beyond customer interfacing and, thanks to Google’s new search algorithms, it’s a factor that business owners can no longer ignore. Google’s algorithms now rate website responsiveness by whether or not the site is mobile-friendly. Older websites that haven’t upgraded their coding to adapt to mobile devices will often find themselves at the bottom of the search result page, or worse, several pages behind the competition. With the majority of consumers using mobile devices, you can’t afford to be on page 3 of the Google search results. The card-style design—similar to what you’ll find on sites such Pinterest and Tumblr—has become one of the most popular types of responsive websites because of its ability to adapt to mobile devices.
There’s no shortage of ways to create a website that reflects your business values and goals while using a visually attractive design. To learn more about creating custom business websites, contact the professionals at AT&T Website Solutions.
