New year, new trends! 2021 is coming to a close, and it’s time to figure out what to expect in the world of web design come 2022.
Now, more than ever, we are living in a time where the user attention span is continuously diminishing. Websites don’t have long to make an impactful first impression (just eight seconds if you’re lucky). Not only is it important that users are able to find the information they are looking for quickly, but websites should also be visually engaging. Looking ahead, what design trends can you leverage to amp up your web presence?
Dynamism
How do you captivate your audience? How do you get them to engage and stay on the page longer? The more visually intriguing your site is, the more likely users are to interact with it. Animation and imagery are just two of many ways to enhance the user experience.
Animation
Animations can be small or large. They help draw attention to specific elements or they can gradually appear as a user scrolls through the site.
Imagery
We’ve all been on the search for the “perfect” image. There are plenty of free online resources, but if you are going to prioritize the visual presence of your website, investing in a stock image subscription or purchasing the license to a specific photo that nails the message you are trying to convey is going to be worth it. Another reason to invest in photography, videography, etc. is that a lot of the free resources are heavily used and may be recognized from a different source. As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and customized imagery can help you tell your story in a way that empowers you to stand out from the crowd.
Horizontal Scrolling
The way we move from one section of a website to the next to browse the content can have a deep impact on our user experience. Scrolling doesn’t always have to be top to bottom. It can also be sinistrodextral (left to right). While this is an unconventional design choice and doesn’t work for all websites, it can be very engaging when done correctly (like the example shown here).
Dark Mode Website Designs
Built-in dark modes are common across all our devices these days. The dark mode setting reduces the amount of light emitted by screens while maintaining contrast for readability. As this setting becomes more familiar to users, web designers are integrating this stylization into their sites. It’s becoming increasingly common and something we will definitely see more of in the new year. Here are a few websites that are already utilizing this trend:
Site Speed
Since attention spans are shortening, you have no time to waste with site loading speeds. Having a high-performance site is not a new trend, but it’s one that’s always changing. Ensuring that users won’t have to wait around for your site to load gives you a better chance to effectively engage your audience. How do attain a high-performing site?
- Get a good hosting provider.
- Optimize the images loaded to your site.
- Don’t inundate your website with unnecessary or heavy plug-ins.
Websites are not tattoos — they are not permanent and modifying them is always an option. As the tech world continues to advance, new web developments and designs are coming out every day! At Compriseagency, we don’t only keep these trends in mind for our clients but for ourselves as well! Stay up to date with us as we are planning a website revamp in 2022. And if your website needs a little love, let our creative team know how we can help!
