Creating an engaging website is a must for optimum results on investment. While development of website can remain consistent, website design needs to change with time.
As time progresses, the preferences of people also changes. Hence, when you are appealing to a targeted audience, you need to talk in their language.
Website design is among the major factors that dictates attention of the user. Hence, it is a sound investment to keep in touch with the latest website design trends and base the website around it.
Top 20 Website Design Trends
- Retro Fonts
Having fun and unique font on the website can go a long way. One growing trend for 2021 is the stylized version of the retro fonts.
The old fonts with modern spins are in right now. So, be creative with the font design to grab more attention.
However, while designing the website, ensure that the new font still offer legibility. It is a balance that you will have to create.
- Dark Mode
OLED screens support dark mode efficiently. It is among the parameters that has caused the uptake of the feature.
Several social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer the choice of using the mode.
It makes the website look chic while providing a vibrant contract to the content on the website.
- Horizontal Scrolling
While horizontal scrolling is fun, it is also a challenging feature to add to the website. It helps provide information progressively.
However, the designer needs to be more thoughtful while implementing the feature. Offering alternate option to reach the information like arrows or clear labels is necessary.
Moreover, never use the horizontal scrolling for text.
- Hand-made Creativity
Having the hand-drawn designs on the website makes your website more real and humane for the users. It offers a reprise from the technological aspect to the traffic.
The ragged edges and the imperfections of the design make it more appealing.
The perfection that comes with technology can become tiring for the consumer. At a time while people are craving human touch, these additions help make your brand more recognizable.
- 3D Visuals
3-dimensional designs have come a long way. High resolution screens aptly support the website design characteristic.
Use a minimalist layout with 3D to make an impression. Add the animation and other 3D designs into the website to create a unique and dimensions-filled webpage.
It will add depth to the website while creating a harmonious overall look.
- A Mix of Photography and Graphics
Use a combination of photos and graphics to show your creative side. It helps improve the visual experience of the website.
Also, the webpage stands out. Decide on the shapes as per the needs of the website.
For example, the geometric designs provide a more complex experience. Cartoon swirls are ideal for a more playful theme.
- Multimedia Webpages
Using all four elements, that is, test, visuals, videos, and audio can create a cohesive experience. The feature is becoming more prominent as people get better internet speed.
However, while opting for the design, prioritize simplicity. Otherwise, there is a good chance that the user will get overwhelmed.
For videos, avoid autoplay. Instead, offer a bold play button to ensure that the user can see it.
- Minimum Navigation
Ensuring that the user can find the most relevant information on one page has become crucial. It panders to the audience with low attention span.
Moreover, as users shift to smaller screens like mobile phones, minimal navigation has become an integral part of the design.
Also, users are gravitating towards voice-scripted videos for information. So, keep the text low, while offering informative videos can do the job.
- Augmented Reality (AR)
AR offers an immersive experience that is better than the 3D option. It is among the more advanced technologies for website design.
It can work quite well for retailer websites with customizable products.
The use of augmented reality for the purchasing customer can make the process simpler, engaging, and empowering.
- Frosted Glass Effect
Another cool effect that grabs the audience’s attention is the frosted glass. It allows the designer to blur out the image while adding a contrasting clear text to the space.
It helps add more colors to the background and make the webpage more appealing for the user.
Moreover, the text appears high-definition with legibility.
- Muted Colors
Make the website look more natural with the muted colors. The not in your face color scheme goes a long way.
Subdued colors look beautiful and users avoid associating tackiness with the brand. The trend seems to work for several businesses.
However, depending on the personality you want to portray, it might not be the best course of action for you.
- Use Visual Hierarchy
A balance between immersive design and important information upfront is crucial for customer retention. It is a challenging task.
Visual hierarchy ensures that the user finds the information quickly to reduce the bounce rate. Moreover, it helps users find the information they are looking for easily.
The designers generally know the basics of visual hierarchy. But, it is common for people to experiment with the rules.
- Gaussian Blur
Soft focus that you can create with Gaussian blur is intriguing. The blurry colorful design makes the page look better. Moreover, the bold letters on the top look even better.
The theme also allows viewers to see colors that are fascinating and fun. The designer can choose the option of using bold colors with the blur. Or, opt for a lighter color scheme for a subtle look.
- Custom Cursor
Custom cursor is a design features that many websites do not consider. However, it is the ultimate choice for websites that want to stand out.
The cursor can also have custom animations for loading to make appearance cooler.
Being creative with the cursor will offer users a new experience when they visit your website.
- Mobile-focused Design
As mentioned, smaller screens are getting more traction today. Hence, websites cater towards adjustable design.
Either create a completely new design for the website or opt for interactive design. The interactive design changes to match the screen size.
Optimize the mobile experience of the users to facilitate success in 2021.
- Fully Color-less Design
Color-less design is a creative method to grab attention. It is unique, as less people are doing it right now.
Moreover, the designer can create a website where certain sections turn colorful when the user places the cursor on the space.
The design generates curiosity in the users, encouraging them to stay longer on the website and explore.
- Photo Art
Photo art includes the use of images that encourage imagination. The patterns do not necessarily make anything. However, human mind tends to give meaning to the shapes.
Use of photo art can improve the session time for the users. Moreover, it gives the website a fun look.
- Audio
Inclusivity is becoming essential for users. Audio ensures accessibility for visually challenged individuals.
Moreover, users who enjoy listening to the information, rather than reading a huge chunk of text can benefit from the feature.
- Use of Realistic Textures
Textures are hard but rewarding part of the website design. Create fun outlines and grains to create textures that users can feel.
Use your imagination, but keep the texture simple. Too much detailing can divert the mind of the user from the brand.
A professional website designer can create fun texture elements on the page to improve engagement.
- Faster Load Speed
One aspect of website design that will never go out of fashion is loading speed. People do not want to wait for the website to load.
With various options in the market, the user will jump ship without a second thought if loading takes too much time.
Hence, it is best to have good loading speed. Also, smart content loading, where the visible section loads faster is effective. The longer pages can load as the user scrolls through the website.
Smart loading allows users to engage with the content before the entire page loads.
Conclusion
Website is an integral part of your business. It is an extension that from the first impression on potential clients.
Website design is the section that affects the interaction of the user with the portal. Hence, clear ideation is crucial for success.
Though, it isn’t possible to use all the website design trends in a single website, but experimentation is crucial.
Take the time to create a unique design for the website and check the changes in interaction. Choose the trends that complement your business.