Rampant technological growth has changed our relationship with – and approach to – the internet. If you’re a business, you’ve most likely had to adjust your website design (and marketing efforts) to accommodate the increasing importance of mobile, AI, and video content, among other digital advances. Today, more than ever before, technology is shaping website design, resulting in experimental and ever-evolving trends.
That’s why, whether you’re creating a new website or upgrading an existing one, it’s important to be aware of today’s popular website design trends. Keeping pace with them will help you design a website that differentiates your business from the competition. If you want to get a head start making your website, you may want to consider working with a website builder. For example, Wix.com offers over 500 drag-and-drop templates to choose from, and they are an affordable and artistic way for freelancers or small business owners to create a trendy, eye-catching website without having to hire a professional designer. Plus, Wix provides resources that help you get started, like their guide to creating a website.
Regardless of whether you use a website builder or create your own website you will find many different design trends to use to make your website look beautiful. We created a breakdown of some of the best options. So, let’s look at 5 of this year’s popular web design trends to consider for your own website.
Popular website design trends of 2019
Monochromatic or black-and-white palettes
Color is one of the most crucial elements of overall branding, including your website design. However, while vibrant colors can grab viewers’ attention and cultivate mood, lack of color can do the same. If done effectively, using a monochromatic design, while seemingly constrictive, can actually help enhance a website design and make it more memorable. Since most websites use up to a handful of colors throughout, using just one single color will catch viewers’ eyes, making you stand out.
In fact, nowadays, many websites are choosing to eliminate colors altogether. Instead, they’re going for a dramatic black-and-white web design, which makes a daring statement. The soft, clean look of white combined with the assertive look of black can produce striking aesthetics that sharpen images and shapes. Not to mention, adding an accent color against a stark black-and-white or monochrome palette will notably break up your website design and dramatically emphasize key content and calls to action.
Natural, organic and fluid shapes
This year, the trend is to move away from the usual geometric shapes that we’re all used to seeing (squares, triangles, rectangles, etc.,). Instead, these traditional, straight-lined shapes are being joined or replaced by more natural, organic shapes and lines (shapes of ponds and lakes, ripped pieces of paper, an ink or paint splatter, etc.). These not-so-straight-sided and fluid design elements are inspired by life and nature. Through their illusion of movement and imperfection, these free-drawn shapes and lines represent a softer, more human and engaging feeling; they aim to capture the spontaneity of man-made accidents, like the aforementioned paint splatter. They are also intended to come off as more approachable and in line with human nature and vulnerability. As these organic shapes are naturally asymmetrical, they can provide depth and contrast to any web design.
Incorporating video content
No, video content is not a new trend, but it’s still a vital element in website design. For example, 72% of businesses say that video has improved their conversion rate. Design-wise, video diversifies any web page. Plus, it also satisfies viewers who have become accustomed to seeing video everywhere and who lack the time, patience or attention span to read a lot of text. For SEO purposes, incorporating video into your website design is also vital since Google’s algorithms are increasingly prioritizing websites that feature video content in its search page results.
Showing diversity
Today, more than 4.3 billion people use the internet worldwide, connecting people of different races, cultures, religions, and gender identities and preferences. It should be no surprise, then, that internet users want to see their diverse selves reflected in online content instead of the traditional, unrelatable stock photo images. Ever since Apple first introduced emoji’s with varying skin tones in 2015, web content and design has gradually become more authentic. Today, more web designers are embracing and using imagery and designs that relay inclusiveness, social consciousness and diversity. The aim is to make websites more attractive to a wider range of people.
Minimalism, including using extra white space
Though we’re in an age where digital design options keep evolving, a timeless and classic web design trend remains popular: minimalism. This is because having fewer design elements on a web page makes it less distracting for viewers and thus easier and faster for them to find exactly what they’re looking for. As we’ve already established, time is of the essence when it comes to getting – and keeping – viewers’ attention.
A related design trend that’s also popular this year is to intentionally use more white space. Sure, designers have been effectively using white space as a design tool for years. But what’s unique in this year’s trend is the extra amount of white space being used – it’s even become the focal point on some sites instead of the content. Turning extra white space into part of the design aesthetic adds contrast, drawing more attention to content below or to the side of it.
The Bottom Line
As technology keeps advancing, web design continues to evolve. It’s essential to keep up with today’s web design trends, since your website plays a big role in showcasing your business to the world. Plus, web design is seemingly more influential than content when it comes to earning (or losing) viewers’ trust. For instance, in a recent survey, when users were asked to describe why they mistrusted a particular website, 94% of those surveyed said it was related directly to certain web design elements. Meanwhile, only 6% referenced specific content.
No matter what design you use when creating your website, the end result should contain relevant elements that spark and retain interest and trust. For the best success, consider using elements of the five popular web design trends for 2019 that we’ve listed here.
On related note, do check out these web trends we covered in 2018.
