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Web tech seems to change weekly if not daily and keeping your website relevant is a big challenge. The lifespan of a new site or redesign is short because of it.
If it’s been a couple of years or so since your last big update, you should be thinking about a refresh. If that’s the case, there are a few trends to keep in mind to keep your web presence up to snuff.
Animation
Text/image, text/image, image/text … all websites are basically the same format. But, not all websites are created equal.
Animation makes sites interesting to the user by adding a layer of interaction. We’re not talking about animated graphics or cartoons here. Animation is anything producing motion. You may have noticed websites that add motion as you scroll or hover over a box of content – that’s animation.
Video exemplifies this concept when it comes to websites. You’ve probably noticed a lot more of it lately, from the video that plays in the background at the top of a home or landing page to motion where images used to be the standard visual.
So, if you’ve got video assets, use them. Use them a lot.
If you don’t, there are still plenty of ways to add motion with a little creativity. Boxes, text or other art elements that gradually appear as the user scrolls are a few examples.
Filters
Filters and layering can turn a website from standard to stunning. We tend to integrate a brand’s entire palette into our digital presentations using gradients and other visual tricks that really set a site off.
This goes hand-in-hand with the animation we talked about. As the user scrolls, text and background colors may change to outline sections of content. In these instances, each section acts as a mini-landing page presenting new information in varied ways that keep users engaged while still remaining cohesive with the rest of the home page or site.
Plus, it just looks really cool.
Accessibility
Inclusivity is important and it makes the user experience better for all users, regardless of ability. Accessibility is a huge consideration that goes into every site we build, from alt text that describes photos and videos to more complex features.
A modern website should be as accessible as possible, whether it’s a toggle to slow or stop the motion on a page or color modes that present the site suited to certain types of colorblindness.
Virtually every disability is considered in a website design that is not only ADA-compliant, but thoughtfully constructed to be the best experience for all users.
Speed
A contemporary website gets nowhere without speed. Expectations are high among users who are used to instant loading even on sites heavy with video content.
This actually factors into SEO more than you might think. All the keywording and optimization in the world means nothing if an impatient user bounces from your site before the content even shows up.
One technique that we employ is a feature called lazy loading. As the user scrolls, the content is loaded in chunks to prevent sluggish performance. Considering a new website? These are just a few items submitted for your consideration.
The web moves fast and trends emerge and dissolve quickly. But animation, filtering, accessibility and speed are a few of the newer mainstays we expect to remain significant for a bit.
About The Author
With a love for web development and a knack for creative, Jon creates exceptional websites and digital media for ABC clients.
Jon transforms any content into one-of-a-kind sites that are responsive to both users and our clients. Here, he is able to effectively showcase his outstanding technical and creative abilities.
A natural web guru, Jon’s past experience includes creative media development and freelancing for several marketing firms. ABC fits his passion for the design and tech that advance organizations and brands.