Are you looking for ways to update your business website? Wondering what the current trends are in web design?

Website design typically evolves gradually and subtly over time. However, these are not normal times. Lockdowns and the pandemic have brought huge cultural and societal shifts that have reverberated throughout the world. And the world of website design is no exception.

Our team at The Web Connector has gathered the top three web design trends for 2022 to help inspire your next website redesign.

1. Make it more upbeat and fun!

As the decade progressed, web and app design became more and more minimalist. The trend made sense at the time. In 2007, the iPhone was launched, and the first iPad appeared in 2010. Most people were relatively new to the Internet at that time. Hence, making digital services easy to use, comprehend, and navigate was the top priority.

That this side effect dampened down the more fun and experimental side of early web development. There's likely room to return to some of those platforms now that most people are familiar with them.

We have lived through nearly two years of a pandemic, and our lives have been impacted like nothing we have ever experienced. Isn't it time for a bit of fun?

Designers agree, judging by the latest websites. There is a lot of visual optimism in website design at the moment—bright colours, fun features, outlandish typography, positive messaging, and interactive elements. The lighthearted and often unpredictable approach is a welcome way to ease us back into “normal” life and take our minds off more serious issues for a while.

2. Mindful Web design.

For most people worldwide, lockdown meant a smaller, simpler, and quieter world. The web remains a shouty, busy, stressful place, yet there are now parts of it where a sense of calm has taken hold.

We see a return to clean design with generous white space, giving the eye and content a chance to breathe. It's an approach that understands that people don't want to be overwhelmed with too much information or overly busy graphics.

Interestingly enough, this trend aligns with the requirements of Google's recent algorithm update, whereby making your website load faster benefits you in search engine rankings. In the end, a simpler design means less content to load, so it's a win-win situation.

The trend is also in line with Google's requirement that sites be mobile-friendly. With people using a bewildering array of devices, building a website that works on all of them is increasingly challenging. However, the simpler your design is, the simpler that task will be in practice.

3. 3D design and multimedia

Technology has always prompted new web design trends, and the current era is no different. Today's screens provide far more detailed resolution than ever before, and this is having a major influence on how we perceive things.

Therefore, many websites are moving beyond the traditional model of text & images. To make their websites more engaging and entertaining, web designers are embracing 3D design, animation, augmented reality, virtual reality, and large-scale video and imagery. While not appropriate for every industry, exploring what options you have available can potentially mean the difference between a visitor and a paying customer.

When you own a website, page speed, UX design, and the conversion ratio are important metrics to monitor. Tackling the factors that slow down or date your site can boost speed, improve rankings, and increase the time users spend on each page. If you need help optimising your website, contact our experienced team at The Web Connector today.