Note: This is a guest post written by Dan Martin – A well-designed website will help you make a good impression on your audience. It can also be of help when it comes to creating leads and conversions. More importantly, it will provide a good experience to your users.
It can be challenging to stay on top of the latest trends when the world of web design is constantly evolving.
A highly visual website is key to standing out. But, premium publishers are slowly moving away from motionless and flat websites. They want to serve a more immersive and interactive experience to their users.
Let us list the top trends and interactive features that can help you develop an eye-catching website.
16 Web Design Trends and Interactive Features Used by Web Design Agencies
Every web design company strives to make its content more appealing to the audience. It is for this reason that these trends are currently being used in the web design industry. Design trends always emphasize responsiveness, which also increases your ROI and your visibility.
- Art Deco
Art Deco was a popular design style in the 1920s and 30s and is making a comeback in 2023. This design has symmetrical and geometric shapes. This will add a unique touch to any website design.
A defining feature of art deco is its decorative and ornamental design. Web page developers can apply these features by incorporating bold geometric shapes into their designs. These designs can be used as an overlay or a visual element that frames the content.
- Blending Photos with Graphical Elements
The trend of blending photos with graphical elements has become famous in the web design industry. This method includes overlapping graphics with photos to create an eye-catching and unique image. Elements such as lines, typography, and shapes can be added.
This will result in a dynamic image that combines the realism of photography and the creativity of graphic design.
- Y2K Aesthetics
This design is a trend that is gaining popularity with web design companies. This style is a nod to the 2000s design style. This year is when the turn of the century brought new and innovative ideas.
This design is a combination of nostalgia and a vision for the future. This makes it a unique and captivating style. The popularity of the Y2K aesthetic is connected to the rise of social media. Social media made the sharing and adoption of new trends easier and faster.
- Retro Design
One of the most popular designs in recent years is the retro design. The appeal relies on its ability to provide a sense of nostalgia and its ability to connect users uniquely. Web designers can create an out-of-the-box experience. This is done by combining futuristic elements with classic retro style.
This design is characterized by its usage of vintage and nostalgic elements. This includes muted color palettes, bold typography, and simple geometric shapes. It is often inspired by the styles and designs of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.
- Glass Morphism
This trend in web design has the potential to revolutionize the way websites are designed. A web design agency can create a sophisticated and visually appealing interface. This can be achieved by combining transparency, blur, and translucent effects.
Glass Morphism has become a popular choice for logo and illustration-making in the world of web design. Designers also use glass morphic effects. They use it for everything from web landing pages to UI components like onboarding screens.
- Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling involves the user’s scrolling behavior. Web designers will then create a dynamic and engaging experience based on the user’s scrolling pattern. Certain elements of the web page move at different speeds, which creates a sense of depth and realism.
- Dark Mode
Dark mode has been a popular trend for web design firms for years. Users have appreciated the comfort that comes with using dark mode. Not only is it easier for the users’ eyes, but it also helps save battery life.
A dark interface can also give a modern and professional look to a website. This also makes it accessible for people who have certain visual impairments.
- Neo Brutalism
One appeal of neo-brutalism is its denial of traditional UI design rules. Color theory and element alignment in particular. The design style is very unorthodox and unique. The contrast between modern design and pre-2000s design is also appealing to younger generations.
E-commerce websites were quick to adopt neo-brutalism in their designs. This makes it an increasingly popular trend in website design. But, this design might not suit all types of websites. This is because this design can come across as too raw and unrefined for some businesses.
- Quizzes
This feature is a fun way for your visitors to interact with your brand. It doesn’t even require your guests to exert as much effort as when they fill out surveys and forms. Quizzes can attract newsletter subscribers. This is useful for your e-commerce marketing efforts.
- Videos and Image Galleries
Image and video galleries are easy ways to make your website more interactive. Having a video on your page can increase a visitor’s retention time on your page significantly. A study shows that consumers spend an average of 1.4 times longer on pages that have videos and pictures.
Adding a video to your website is easy. You just have to grab the embed code from the video’s hosting site and paste it on your page. You can also use content or videos that were produced by somebody else.
- Reviews and Testimonials
Adding social proof to your website is a very effective way to build trust in your brand. This works because people can see that you have helped people with your product or service.
Reviews and testimonials help website owners present those opinions interactively. These social proofs work because they show how other people have experienced your product. They could also answer some common guest questions.
- Live Chat
Another way to provide an incredible interactive experience is by adding a live chat widget. Most tools would even let you customize the contents of the widget based on what page it is currently on.
A live chat feature has several uses. Buyers can use it by connecting with customer support. Buyers will be able to get answers to their questions that are potentially stopping them from buying your product.
- Social Media
Website design firms can find ways to use social media to increase website interaction. Adding share buttons to your website is the easiest way to interact with it. Visitors that enjoy your content will then be able to share your website on social media.
You can maximize the impact of this feature by optimizing the social share settings on each of your pages. This will let you choose how your content will be shown on social media.
- Audio
Using bad audio on your website is an easy way to turn your audience off and get them to leave. Nothing ends a session faster than listening to music that you weren’t expecting. Harmonious and subtle sound effects with pictures will add extra depth to your website.
- Animations
A web design agency can add animations to your website. The animation can create visual interest and can also draw attention to your website. It can also turn landing pages into more unique and interactive pages.
The whole purpose of the animation is to enhance the website’s design and fill up gaps. You should be able to identify which elements need to be animated. You should also know what kind of animation will be used to trigger it.
- Overstimulation
This design is a move away from the minimalist design approach. This trend embraces the maximalist approach with designs that aim to overstimulate. A single page may have many animations in the background. They can also have oversized typography or click effects.
The trends and innovative features listed do not reflect the current state of technology. It does reflect the desire for a more personalized design. Remember that the ultimate goal of a web design agency is to create an enjoyable user experience.
