With a new year upon us, it’s time to reevaluate your web design, whether existing or imaginary. As someone who does freelance web design on a professional basis, I have noticed an interesting change in trends in the coming year. Of course, they may not all work for your particular site, but there may be an item or two that could really help.
1. Video Backgrounds
Many websites will open with a splash image, slideshow, or similar option that functions as a way to grab the users eye. In 2017, this trend seems to be moving towards video backgrounds. For example, musicians could use a live performance or video as the background to some text that prompts users to buy an album, download a song, watch the entire video, etc. Even the new default WordPress Twenty Seventeen Theme is prebuilt with a video background.
If you can’t afford to shoot a high quality video yourself, there are stock videos (see below for more on stock items) available for purchase. There are also ways to animate images that can be impressive.
2. More Interaction
It is standard for websites to have their phone numbers and emails readily available on each page. But if you are a customer based business with a dedicated sales division, should you go beyond this? The short answer is yes. More and more users want to be able to connect in one click. Depending on your type of business and user, this can include through social media, a popup form, chat option, or other. For example, if you are an international business, many of your users may be on What’s App and use it as their preferred form of communication.
3. Better Images
Unfortunately, stock images are becoming more popular and as a result, more common. This can become an issue as users tend to see the same stock images of smiling company people sitting around a table or similar. Those who use them may be dismissed as stale or may even be confused with a competitor who uses the same images.
A few options include getting images from lesser known sites or changing what kinds of images they use to express things such as innovation, communication, and other abstract items. Of course, one of the best options is to spend a few hundred dollars to have a professional photographer take pictures of your business, team, products, etc. This is especially true if you yourself are the business, i.e. a musician, artist, lawyer, etc.
4. Use Colors Wisely
While a white background and black text were a great way to convey information a few years ago, that trend is fading. Newer websites are leaning towards more color to take advantage of today’s incredibly detailed screens. Of course, there are limits. Text, graphics, and all content should not be difficult to read or find. Nor should they be too bright or too dark. Black and white can still be used in many cases, just not in all scenarios. Even more old-fashioned businesses, such as industrial or any B2B, can benefit from a splash of color here and there.
5. Streamlined Info
With all of the above adding so much information, it can be difficult for users to know what to do or where to go. This is why it is highly recommended to put your best foot forward. Using a video background? Keep the text simple yet straight forward on what you want the user to do. Using an abstract photo to prompt users? Make sure the content, such as a contact form, is simple and easy to use. The same goes for all your written content as well.
Houston Freelance Web Design
And if you need an expert who knows how to follow and improve upon these freelance web design trends for a business or professional, feel free to contact us.
