The world of web design is fast paced and ever-evolving, and as we enter the last quarter of the year it’s a good time to look at which trends have cut through. 2023 has seen artificial intelligence (AI) being applied in new ways to enhance user experience, and this has shaped many of the biggest trends of the year.
A website that is intuitive and enjoyable to use, and that also looks contemporary in terms of visual design is now essential for any business to thrive in today’s competitive online world. No matter how effective your marketing strategy is, if your website design is outdated you will lose customers to rival businesses. Here’s a look at the current trends.
Microinteractions
Microinteractions are small lightweight design elements that have a subtle animation, such as hover effects or button animations. It could be as simple as a sliding effect, a progress bar or a fade, or a little more complex such as a character that changes facial expression or gestures in response to a user interaction.
These can provide subtle prompts to help the user journey around the website and encourage them to take steps towards a goal, such as making a purchase. They also add a touch of personality to a website, making it more memorable and enjoyable to use, without overloading the site and making it slower.
Video
The rise of TikTok and other short-form video platforms mean that web users now look for video content for an engaging website experience. Short videos are more likely to be engaged with than text, especially on smaller devices such as smartphones and tablets. Video is eye-catching and shareable.
It is now easier and more affordable than ever to produce good quality video content that helps to boost user engagement. It’s an ideal format to provide ‘how to’ demos, tell the brand story, and show the human face behind the business, therefore building emotional connection and brand loyalty among customers.
3D graphics and mixed reality
More advanced technology means that it is now possible to incorporate 3D elements into a web design. These add depth and interest, helping to attract and retain visitors. Mixed reality can create a dynamic user experience and is set to be used much more widely over the coming years.
More inclusive design
Inclusive web design that enables users with disabilities to engage with the website is now considered as a fundamental element of the site, rather than an afterthought. This means always using accessible colour schemes, alt text, and alternative keyboard navigation.
Bold and bright colour schemes
For years, muted and neutral colour schemes have dominated the website scene, but this year vibrant colours have come back into favour. This could be for background gradients or accent colours to make certain elements of the website really pop. This can help your website to be truly memorable in a sea of restrained white and grey palettes.
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