Web Design New Trends for Responsive Websites

Web Design New Trends for Responsive Websites

by | Dec 9, 2019 | Development, Web Design

Each year the trend of responsive web design becomes different to the previous year.  Consumers can expect an experience that is personalised as technology progresses.

Responsive web design as a term has been around for some time now. If you have not heard the term, it describes website creation that functions and adapts correctly to all kinds of devices – tablets, phones, desktops etc. The practice should evolve just as the technology does.

Five very relevant responsive principals and design practices to consider are covered below.

1. Mico Interactions – New Trend!

A recent trend is the use of micro interactions. Web design writers have noticed this as one of the most common things evolving since last year.

These are variables allowing users to interact with a page without the need to reload it. A good example of micro interaction is seen on Facebook where ‘likes’ now have an option added so ‘reactions’ can be made to a post. Emotions can be indicated toward the content in a post by reacting with a smiley face, a heart, a sad face etc. The page stays the same because it doesn’t reload.

Because the page doesn’t reload, micro interactions make the UX (user experience) a lot more fun while also saving time. It is expected these interactions will become very popular in the near future.

2. Typography – the Smart Type

In addition to page aspects typically designed for responsiveness, it is commonly overlooked that you can create a typeface responsively.  An example would be using Verdana 24 pt for headers and a smaller type of Arial for a mobile version of the page.

Some fonts are designed to be large making them less effective when used on a mobile page. This trend makes it crucial to the user experience that titles and text are set up using different fonts and sizes depending on the device being used.

3. Mobile Knowledge

These days, the majority of web traffic is coming from mobile devices. make a need for the concepts of websites and apps to be separated in your mind as having a responsive app is different having a responsive website.  App user experience and usage is important and while there are many similarities for a mobile site to focus on, there are also some semantics a responsive web design can’t deal with.

While the number of possible screen sizes to be used is a consideration for both, A/B testing for each will be different for example.

4. The Grid Innovations

Innovating your grid layouts keeps a website differentiated from other sites while remaining aesthetically pleasing. This trend will grab people’s attention from the use of grid designs like the 12 unit grids, rule of thirds etc by using column combinations that are not so common or playing with the CSS and whitespace for new page organsation.

5. The Colour Wheel Vibe Trend

Elegant Themes design writers agree that current web design tools will allow us to experiment with vibrant colors next. Tools like Material Design and Flat Design 2.0 have made advancements and suggest gradients with vibrant colours as something to take advantage of going forward.

The more technically advanced our mobile devices become, the better vibrant color trends translate well with complex visual designs with less a divide between content quality displayed on those devices compared to desktop display. This is how the semantics of colour has even become responsive in design.

 

Professional Website – Why your Business Needs One

Professional Website – Why your Business Needs One

by | Dec 9, 2019 | Business, Development, Web Design

Gain Credibility with a Professional Website

These days most people search online to compare prices, find solutions to problems or get information about businesses, restaurants and stores etc before they purchase the things they want.  If you don’t yet have a professional website, your competitors who do, will more than likely get your potential customers especially if you are a business based at home without a shop front address.

Having a website will give your business credibility as well as provide information potential customers are looking for.  It gives you a presence that says you mean business and you’re here to stay.

You may be thinking why should I pay someone to build a website when I have a free one built by myself.  A free website is better than none, of course, but you should consider does it provide you with the professional image you desire for your brand?

A lot more credibility will be gained for your business if you have a professional web developer help to create it. Is there anything less professional than your site saying “Look! I used a free page builder to make a website!”

A site designed professionally and responsively will give your customers a great experience when they visit on their phone, a table or a desktop computer while providing a professional image for your business and brand.

A Professional Website Saves you Money Going Forward

When you consider the costs of advertising such as TV, radio, promotional materials and networking events, a website is a cost effective way to promote your business and build your brand long term.

Think about the potential market you can reach, even if your skill level requires your developer to maintain and update the site for you, the costs will still be lower than ongoing traditional marketing.

If you build your site using WordPress and depending how tech savvy you are, you can add to and update your own content on a regular basis, saving you money.

Keep Customers Informed with a Professional Website

Having a website is a very effective way of introducing new services or products to your customers or to announce future events and special promotions. You can also use a blog on your site to post tips, resources and other information providing added value.

A website is easy to update with current information and news, unlike printed brochures etc, and if you discover any errors after publication, it’s quick and easy to resolve.

Not only can your website be a brochure or catalogue online but you can also promote and grow your business with podcasts, webinars, eBooks containing information about your niche and YouTube videos.  With these resources together with integration of social media, your professional business website can reach an even wider audience.

Accessible 24/7/365

Given today’s busy lifestyles, being able to make a purchase decision 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is a fabulous selling point. There are many people not able to get to your bricks-and-mortar location and a website makes your products and services accessible from anywhere in the world as long as there’s a connection to the internet.