Like the other components of digital marketing, website design trends are ever-changing… and the top website design trends of 2021 (and the reasons behind why they’re topping the trends lists) are no exception.
Today’s blog breaks down which website design trends of 2021 you should be looking to to inspire your next web dev endeavor.
Prioritizing Site Loading Speed
Web design accounts for 95% of a visitor’s first impression of your site and has been proven to improve conversions when done right.
However, an effective website design can only take hold if the landing page loads in time. With a staggering 53% of visitors reporting that they abandon a website if it takes longer than 1 – 2 seconds to load, to say that site speed is a priority would be an understatement. (This is a big reason why site speed is a key factor in Google’s ranking algorithm!)
What can you do on your website to improve its speed?
- Enable compression on HTML, JavaScript, and CSS files
- Reduce the number of redirects on your site
- Utilize a content distribution network
- Optimize on-page images by ensuring that they are in the best file format and compressed for web use
- Choose a team, like Time2GetOnline, to do this for you
Showcasing A Seamless Online Store
As outlined in a recent blog of ours, “Upgrading Your Brick-and-Mortar Business in Victoria to an E-Commerce Model”, seamless online store functionality has become a top website design trend in 2021 due to a pandemic-related uptick in online shopping.
If you are located here in British Columbia and are a small or medium-sized business, then following this trend comes with an extra incentive: the BC Economic Recovery Plan has announced their Launch Online grant program, which offers to pay up to 75% of the costs of bringing your business’s catalogue online. Visit the Launch Online grant program portal today to determine if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
Looking for help securing your funds? Time2GetOnline is working alongside business owners to develop their grant submissions; reach out today for more information.
Offering Dark Mode
First seen across apps including YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram, dark mode (also known as “night mode”) refers to the use of light-coloured icons, text, and general interface elements overtop of a dark or black background.
Utilized mainly for preserving a device’s battery life while being easy on the users’ eyes as they scroll through a site at night or in dark environments, dark mode is now a trending website design choice due to its sleek look and elegant pairing with white design elements and fonts.
Looking to combine dark mode with a pop of colour? Neon typography is a go-to choice to complement dark mode, creating an eye-catching homepage focal point.
Integrating Visitor-Triggered 3D Animations
Visitor-triggered 3D animations have entered the scene as an interactive, creative, and attention-grabbing way to lengthen the amount of time spent on website pages.
Examples of visitor-triggered 3D animations include:
- Clicking on an element to have it grow or shrink in size
- Hover above an element to have it move
- Scroll past an element to have it change design
Having these elements in 3D adds that extra bit of “pop” to make it stand out. A word to the wise, however: 1 – 2 elements per website is enough. No need to have the novelty wear off by incorporating them on every page at the cost of slowing your site speed.
Minimalism
Gone are the days of cluttered website design: minimalism is in, and it looks like it’s here to stay.
Originally a classic website design trend, centering your website around minimalism means two things: simplicity and usability. Whether it be a slim colour palette, minimalist elements, scarce text, or a limited website navigation, simplicity and usability need to be the name of the game if minimalism is what you’re after.
Looking for ways to scale back on text and images in particular? Opt instead for a graphic with text or explanatory video to condense your brand positioning, offerings, and/or contact information.
Which of These Top Website Trends of 2021 Are You Onboard With?
Let us know which of these 2021 web design trends have caught your eye in the comments section below.