Top Website Trends in 2021 and Beyond
How long has it been since you updated your website? In the hustle and bustle of everyday business, there is a good chance that trends and changes in web design and standards have been ignored. If your website isn’t updated with fresh content, lacks modern design UX or other valuable web best practices, not only will it affect it’s visual appeal, but SEO and conversions may also suffer.
A bad first impression could negatively impact your brand image and lead to a significant loss of potential revenue for your business. But with the digital space evolving so rapidly, how does a business owner keep track and adapt with each new change? Hiring a web design company could be one of the easiest ways to manage a website that will meet user expectations through 2021.
What Makes a Good Website?
The fundamentals of website design have not changed. A good business website still needs to do three main things:
1. Provide relevant information to its visitor, answering their questions and solving their issues. This is likely why they chose to visit the site in the first place.
2. Keep them on the site. Provide visitors with enough meaningful content or ways to keep them engaged once they have visited.
3. Nudge them toward a conversion like making a purchase or signing up for something.
A professional web design company will develop and manage a website that meets these three requirements. Being constantly in tune with the latest trends and requirements, a web design company will also be able to update your website as per the latest techniques.
Web Design Trends for 2021
Modern features complement the fundamentals described above by providing users with an experience that matches what they have come to expect from top businesses in your industry. Working with a leading web design company can help you implement these trends and modifications to create a new, updated site. Here are some of the website design elements users will be looking for in the coming years.
Web Notifications
Automated notifications can help you keep your users informed during their time on your page. This also adds a sense of timeliness and urgency to your content that many users find very compelling. These windows are best kept as small, simple, and unobtrusive as possible to enhance the user experience without distracting from the content on your website.
Fast Loading Speeds
If your website is slow to load, many users will click off in search of another company that can provide them with what they are looking for quicker. Something as simple as a few high-resolution photos can make your website so slow to load that users won’t bother waiting to see what you are offering.
Since many users are also searching with their mobile devices, it is important to ensure your site loads quickly in both mobile and desktop browsers.
Minimalism
No one likes an overly cluttered, disorganized website. Flashy website design often tends to look dated and can make it difficult for users to effectively navigate your site. If they cannot find the information they are looking for, they will likely leave your site and move on to one of your competitors instead.
A clean, simple website design is the best option. Current trends favour sites with basic colour schemes, a clear and accessible navigational layout, and a handful of high-quality images to add visual interest.
Unique Images
Stock photos and illustrations are an extremely convenient way to enhance your website, making them a popular option. Unfortunately, many websites in the same industry may be searching in the same image bank you are, which can cause repetition.
To avoid this, consider using your own images. Simple pictures like an employee working will go further when a user can see the photo was taken at your location. This can help you stand out among your competitors and reinforce your brand.
AI and Machine Learning
SEO has evolved significantly in the past few years, and old techniques no longer produce the same results they once did. This is mainly because search engines have evolved too. They now use complex algorithms and machine learning to better replicate human evaluation.
By knowing what the search engines are looking for, you can better improve your site’s visibility. The data they provide can also tell you what each site visitor is interested in and where they are in their buyer’s journey.
Personalized Content
AI and abundant consumer data make it easy to create a customized experience for each visitor to your website. You can set up your website to collect information on each visit a user makes and present them with specific, relevant content each time. You could also use this feature for lead nurturing, customer retention, or upsell opportunities.
Dark Mode
Having a dark mode option for desktop and mobile is helpful for users browsing late, those who find bright screens uncomfortable to look at, and people who prefer a darker interface. This alternate browsing mode is easier on the eyes than typical bright website designs, especially at night or in dark environments. Most websites with a dark mode browsing option include a way for users to toggle this feature on and off.
Refresh Your Website for The New Year
2021 promises to offer plenty of opportunities to businesses with a strong online presence. Updating your site to reflect the new website design trends will help attract and convert users instead of causing them to click off. Whether you make these modifications yourself or hire a web design company to do it, integrating some of the features and presentation formats noted above will put your business in the best position to succeed in the new year.
