Don't Fall Behind on These 2017 Web Design Trends

A new year is just the time to be reflecting on all your website is and all it could be. Indeed, in 2017, your website is vital your business.Like you’d ask of yourself on the big day, you need your website to look its best. Always.Curious about web design trends and web design trends-to-be?You’ve come to the right place. I’m calling it now…

These are the web design trends to keep up with in 2017.

Clutter be cleared.

For a year as technologically advanced as 2017 promises to be, websites will be going simpler this year.After years of building menus, headers, footers, sidebars, banners, buttons, calls to action, and the like, we’re seeing designers abandon those tools (or, at least all of those tools in concert) in favour of a streamlined navigation design and friendlier user experience.Think about it: do you really want all those menu options? Don’t long navigations have a way of dispersing focus? Isn’t there some tipping point at which you’re encouraging your audience to navigate away from the page they’re on, instead of taking the content in?We’ll see more responsive sites (which is an even better designation than the mobile friendly bit you’ve been hearing so much about for years now) for a smoother user experience across all devices. Indeed, the need to browse sites from a phone may be the very reason for this trend toward less junk, more space.Indeed, the need to browse sites from a phone may be the very reason for this trend toward less junk, more space.If the menus and tools we’re used to seeing are going away or getting smaller, what’s left?

Content takes centre stage.

We’re getting back to content, and this year we’ll see more bold content boasted in big, bold fonts.If you’re focusing on content, then it better be good.So write your feature-worthy copy, find the perfect font (have you browsed Google’s revamped open source library of fonts?), and put your message out there. What’s the very first phrase you want your audience to read when they land on your site? How can you make that moment memorable for your audience?What’s the very first phrase you want your audience to read when they land on your site? How can you make that moment memorable for your audience?While we’re talking about landings…

Landing pages are in, and home pages are...not out. But they’re taking a backseat.

With a focus on content comes a surge in content marketing. And content marketing is all about increasing awareness and conversions by directing traffic to pages that speak to specific audiences and their wants and needs.Let your visitors find your homepage later. Grab them with something better than a homepage first. Have them land on something more you, more 2017. Give them the feeling of, “oh, I’ve arrived.” Then deliver even more goods when they click through to the rest of your site.Give them the feeling of, “oh, I’ve arrived.” Then deliver even more goods when they click through to the rest of your site.

No more stock images.

It’s time to get rid of all those stock images that everyone who visits your website knows are stock images.As the world craves all things local, authentic, and representative, it’s wise to make sure your website shows who your business is. And it’s never been easier to take and share unique photos that capture you. So there are no excuses.Join the handmade revolution with more hand-drawn graphics. An artist can illustrate something for your site, or a designer can work your own hand-drawn creations into the design. What’s more authentic than something that comes straight from your hand?

Colour.

As things go simpler, when a website needs a pop of something, the pop that wins is colour.You’ve got that unique photo that captures your business, and you want it on your landing page. But you’re worried that photo is a bit intense for the minimalist age we’re in.A duotone can fix that. Lay a colour filter or two over the image to tone down the busyness of the image and landing page without muting it completely. Give your page a sensible pop of colour, and let your image peak through to show you, too.Give your page a sensible pop of colour, and let your image peak through to show you, too.

Animation. More of it.

We’re used to seeing images and videos in place of text.But what about GIF animation? It’s been coming about, and it’s got more to give.Sick of images and video or just want to mix it up? Want to encourage micro interactions via animated hovers, rollovers, and clicks?Your site might benefit from some GIF animations, which appear as a cross between image and video. Get your web designer on it, because this is one of the most exciting web design trends this year.

Bid farewell to 100% flat design. Say hello to personality.

Ever noticed how websites have been looking more and more the same? So many websites look like they were made by plugging content into a template.Sure, the proliferation of flat design and template tools has meant sleeker and more user-friendly designs, and we’ve all benefited from that.But let me ask you this: Is your business a template? No. It’s so much more than that. Your website can be, and really should be, too.No. It’s so much more than that. Your website can be, and really should be, too.Look out for designs and layouts you’ve never seen before, mixing flat and skeuomorphic design.Geometric shapes, lines, and patterns and inventive heading settings have already been making waves in 2016 and they’re poised to keep it up this year, too. The revolution is already underway.Now that you know about these web design trends...

Do you want to improve your website?

Get in touch with us!

Does your website need a makeover?

Are you eager to make these web design trends part of your 2017?What could be better than letting your bold copy inspire a bold layout and design that communicates exactly who you are and how you can help your audience?I design beautiful, highly functional websites that deliver results and I provide the expertise, knowledge, and services to grow your business.Website design and development are key to your business’s success in 2017 and beyond.Let's get in touch.