Websites are the first representation of a business that clients get to see when looking for services. It starts from the loading speed of the page to how easy it is to navigate and find the information one is seeking. Any issues with the website will see users leave and head to other sites that are user-friendly. This year has seen a number of innovative and creative ways web design has been used to set brands apart from their competitors. These include creating a user-first and user-friendly environment on your website so that they can browse the website for an extended period of time which is great for the bounce rate as well as to leave a lasting impression on a user, so they want to return. If you are in search of web design in Melbourne and the rest of the country, here are some of the web design trends that made 2018 exciting and set the bar very high.
Font variations are the best
So gone are the days when web designers had to work with limited fonts out of fear that the website will look unprofessional. A variable font is an OpenType font format that includes a new technology called OpenType Font Variations. Created by Apple, Microsoft, Google and Adobe, variable fonts allow a single file to store a range of design variants. This means that a site can now have more font styles to use and you can adjust their height and width at your will, even to make your font bolder or italicized if you so choose. A variable font encompasses a font’s whole glyph set or contains individual glyphs that continue up to about 64,000 axes of variation and your variable font will behave like multiple fonts. This includes the weight and slant of a font as well as specific styles. Just because a font data has multiple styles does not mean the file will be big, its size is reduced which allows your webpage to load faster.
Be more mobile friendly
With search engines such as Google prioritizing mobile-friendly websites and penalizing those that are not, goes to show how important mobile use has become. This year, 2018, Google rolled out its mobile indexing and this means that the search engine will now use your mobile content to determine your search rankings. Websites that are not mobile responsive and do not give users a great online experience such as fast loading pages and easy navigation, will see a lag in their search results. This is because, in most of the world, mobile devices have replaced desktop computers as the main platform used to access the internet by users. Google and other search engines want to make sure that users accessing the internet on their mobile devices can do so with ease. With so much importance placed on it, it is no wonder more and more websites are optimized for mobile use.
Animation and Illustration
As most users are on the go while browsing the net, there is various online content vying for their attention. To capture an online users’ attention, animation has become a fun yet an easy and simple way to convey a message. You can also use it minimally to reveal extra details about the website or a feature on your site without clogging up too much space. Animation usually includes GIFs and videos as well as animated logos have become vital in the digital sphere and its correct use can set a brand apart from its fellow competitors. Animation can also be used to make the site more interactive and can be used at different areas of the site such as during navigation while moving from one page to another and scrolling through the site. However, using too much animation might affect the loading speed of a page. In an effort to stand out in the digital market, illustrations have become another trend that designers are incorporating into their websites, creating images that are interactive, fun and add a playful side. Illustrations can be custom made to fit in with the tone of the brand behind the website and give brands that are serious an option to appear fun without losing the message of their core function. They also show users what the business is trying to convey any difficulty. The illustrations include bright and bold colors as well as patterns that stand out, creating a punk-like vibe through the use of collages and bold textures. Illustrations come in various shapes, sizes and styles, and does not make the site look boring, instead of breathing new life to the website.
Colour
In 2019, there is no such thing as safe-to-use colours for the website and plain images and graphics. This year, designers have not shied away from using bold and vibrant colours that sets a brand apart from the rest and immediately attracts a user’s attention. Vibrant colours that are supersaturated, highlighted and have vibrant shades can be used to indicate to a user what is important and what they should focus on. This is all thanks to evolving technology and the capability of monitors and mobile devices to incorporate richer colours.
Floating navigator menu
While most websites are still using a navigation bar that is cemented at the top of the page, designers are becoming creative in order to generate a great experience for users. They do this by creating websites with a floating navigation menu that is slightly detached from the top and is displayed in the same spot on each page. Another creative way the navigation menu has been improved is to detach it completely and have it follow the user around as they browse through the site and have the menu on hand.
Because of ever-advancing technology and the internet where it is utilized best to share dreams, ideas and business goals, how your website looks are important. It tells a client of what you can potentially do if they were to ask for your help. Don’t lag behind when you can get assistance on web design, whether you are in Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth.
