2019 is here, and that’s got a lot of business owners thinking about what they might be able to do to improve their websites. Or, just as pointedly, it has several thinking about what their competitors might be up to going into the new year.
It’s probably not a surprise that we are continually asked to name the top web design trends that will shape our business in 2019. Today, we thought we would list five of the most important and prevalent. Some might be familiar to existing clients and readers of our blog. Others are newer ideas that are taking shape and changing the way we use the internet.
In either case, you can’t afford to have your business fall behind. So with that in mind, let’s look at five important web design trends for 2019…
#1 Considering Mobile Users as the Default Market
A lot of web design companies are touting a “mobile-first” approach to design and development. We see a twist on this trend – a simple recognition that half or more of all web visits (in most industries) are going to come from smart phones and tablets. If you assume that many of your customers are going to be using mobile devices, regardless of the exact proportion or percentage, it changes the way you think about putting layouts together.
#2 Faster Web Performance
Grabbing a potential customer’s attention quickly has always been a priority on the web, but now it’s a strict necessity. Most experts agree that you only get about three seconds before someone visiting your website from a search engine or social media link will click elsewhere. For that reason, website speed is going to be a major consideration in 2019 and beyond.
#3 Minimalism in Design Features
Once upon a time it wasn’t uncommon for web designers to take a “kitchen sink” approach to putting layouts together. The more you can stack onto a page to interest a buyer, the better. Now, with mobile browsing, website speed, and intense competition being big considerations, we’ve gone the other way. The name of the game in 2019 is conveying as much information as you can in a very short period of time. That means minimalistic designs and web content that’s slimmed down to the necessities.
#4 Intuitive Search and Navigation Tools
You might notice that speed and convenience are big themes here, and the importance of intuitive search and navigation tools just continues that thinking. Someone coming to your pages has a specific need or desire in mind. The faster you can get them to the information resource they want, the less likely they are to take their attention (not to mention their money) to another web destination.
#5 A Focus on Data Security
Your customers are probably more worried than they’ve ever been about having their passwords, financial details, or personal information lost or shared on the internet. Smart marketers recognize there are huge liabilities that come with the failure to treat data security seriously enough. That’s why they are investing in SSL encryption and advanced monitoring/analytics tools to prevent and detect any security breaches.
Is it Time to Update Your Website for 2019?
Wondering whether your business web presence is set up perfectly for new year? Have questions about the future of online marketing or want to see if you can make a few minor tweaks that will help your business attract more customers over the web?
The Chicago-based team at Weblinx is here to help. Contact us today at 630-551-0334 x1 so we can put our skills and experience to work for you!