Capitalizing on website design trends plays a vital role in shaping brand identity and SEO performance. Not only does it set the stage for how people perceive your business, but it can also influence search rankings. A survey found that 54% of users gravitate towards content that appeals to their design sensibilities.
Like all technology, website design trends move at lightning speed, with previously popular elements falling from grace overnight. Unless your website design plans accommodate these changes, you may lose out on a ton of potential leads and clients. Very few people would want to engage with a website that looks shoddy and outdated.
Simply put, staying on top of the latest web development standards can help you create a highly functional, intuitive, and good-looking website that visitors can trust.
By all accounts, 2022 is the year website developers aim towards clarity, simplicity, and transparency, among a few other things. So, strap in as we take a deep dive into the five biggest website design and development trends for 2022.
Table of Contents
Safe, Simplistic Layouts
Scientific studies show that the human brain craves simplicity when it comes to visual designs. Websites that have a lot going on can easily overwhelm visitors, causing them to click away. On the other hand, a more safe, simplistic website layouts with adequate white space can help users feel calm, interested, and willing to connect.
Most professional-looking websites have a short, well-defined value statement, an attractive image, and an actionable call-to-action on their homepage. That’s just about it. The fewer number of things, the better.
Minimalistic web designs and lighter-weight experiences should be all the rage in 2022. However, you can break the monotony of white space by adding a few splashes of color to your pages. A little experimentation won’t hurt anyone, provided the end result is easy on the eyes.
Here are a few examples of what we mean by “simplistic websites”:
Innovative Optics
All Season Motorsports
P&F Machining
Since this may be a little difficult to digest, you can hire a full-service website design company to take on the job while you focus on other areas of your business.
Emphasis on Website Accessibility
Given that 26% of adults in the US have some form of physical or cognitive disability, it’s clear why website accessibility is no longer a fancy custom web design option.
Web accessibility is critical to building an inclusive, barrier-free society. From a business standpoint, an accessible website can help you better engage with differently-abled customers.
In this regard, the Web Content Accessibility and Guidelines (WCAG) provide a benchmark for accessible web content. They detail how developers can make their websites more comprehensible for people with permanent/temporary disabilities, or aging users with changing abilities.
According to the WCAG 2.0 Regulations:
- All web content must be accessible to the widest possible range of users
- Interfaces must include operable elements
- Controls and content should be easy to understand
- The content should support existing and future technologies
There are several reasons why you should prioritize website accessibility. Ineffective web design may be taken as discrimination against the disabled- a direct violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Legal issues aside, an accessible website will likely help you rank better on Google. When you enhance UX for disabled people, all users benefit from the improvements. And, considering the search engine’s respect for page experience signals, a user-friendly website may just propel you to Google’s coveted first page.
Outside-The-Box Typefaces
Gone are the days when Times New Roman ruled the world of web design projects. New-age typographers are experimenting with a variety of fun, out-of-the-box typefaces. For brands that are trying to be different, tasteful, creative typefaces are the way to go.
Unusually oversized typefaces are all set to be one of the biggest website design trends for 2022. This versatile technique works for both minimalist and ornate designs. Think big, bold, slightly animated letters on a neutral background.
Many web developers are also introducing typography in their hero images. Essentially, these sections reduce the use of photographs, allowing the message to stand on its own. Typography hero images are captivating and command the viewer’s full attention.
Let’s look at a few examples of typefaces that leave a lasting impression:
Whitetail Plans
SPS Metals
A.L. Woolhouse
Custom Scrolling
92.6% of internet users browse the web on mobile devices. As a result, you shouldn’t be taking chances when it comes to responsive web design.
One surefire way to improve your site’s mobile UX is custom scrolling. Although scrolling is commonly perceived as a vertical action, technology is now letting custom website development expert personalize their scrolling process for a better view on smartphones and tablets.
This is where horizontal scrolling comes in. In this navigation method, the user scrolls sideways to reveal the contents of a window.
Another enjoyable, mobile-friendly element is gesture control. By reducing the number of on-screen buttons, gesture control enables a more tactile and delightful user experience!
Custom scrolling allows for better interaction with mobile devices. For example, customers can swipe through multiple images of your eCommerce product, checking it out from all sides.
Voice Functions
Voice search has been a fan favorite for years. The global smart speaker sales transcended 150 million units in 2020, and is only expected to grow through the upcoming years.
The core idea behind voice search is facilitating user experience. People often find it easier to ask verbal questions and let computers transcribe their queries. As a result, voice search optimization can directly impact your SEO performance.
The good news is that new tech developments have made voice search a reality in custom web design. Although speech recognition is only reserved for the tech giants at present, it won’t be long before similar voice features become commonplace in websites across the board.
The Wrap
Even though website design trends rise and fall by the hour, you must play to the gallery to make your mark on the crowd. For this, you’ll need a web design strategy that checks all the boxes for attraction and smooth functionality. We hope you can make full use of these five web design trends and inspirations for 2022!
At Watermark Design, we’re committed to providing full-service web design services to startups, small businesses, and churches, among other establishments. In doing so, we put your services front and center and ensure your message is heard loud and clear.
Aside from building WordPress websites, we can also help you out with web hosting and graphic design. To know more, feel free to contact us today!
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