As we kick off a fresh new year, brands everywhere are considering new tactics and refreshes to strengthen recognition and recall. Maybe your logo needs some work or the copy on your website is no longer applicable. There is no shame in updating your website or brand to ensure you’re making the most of what you have. To elevate your impact in 2022, consider ways in which your website or brand might need a facelift – it could be small changes, or a massive overhaul.

Below we’ll discuss five new website design trends that you might want to implement, as well as some general website trends to consider. These trends span from visual elements, to actual website content changes.

1. Minimalism

Minimalistic designs are on the rise. This could include muted colors, fewer images, and a lot more neutral space on your website. Think of lots of background color that will highlight your bold text. This trend definitely prioritizes your copy above anything else. With fewer images or bright colors, people are more drawn to the content you’re providing. This design trend makes your content look clean and modern, so it might not be the perfect fit for every single brand. Consider your tone and messaging before choosing to go minimal. For more inspiration on minimalistic designs, check out this Zyro blog.

2. Naturalism

Similarly to minimalism, naturalism implements lots of simplicity and – you guessed it – natural imagery and colors. The difference with this design though, is that it includes a wide range of levels of naturalism. For some, this means simply including natural colors and greenery on the site, for others this means a more literal approach. Possibly images of wildlife and a shift of your copy to better fit the theme. There are so many ways to achieve a more natural looking website. For more inspiration on natural designs, check out this 99designs resource.

3. Unique Typography

Gone are the days of Times New Roman and Arial; more and more people are aligning with newer, and bolder, type fonts for their websites and brands. People are gravitating towards typography that catches their eye and better embodies a brand’s style and voice. Brands are also using unique fonts to act as a secondary image of sorts. Rather than copy just being copy, by using bolder fonts, you can make your copy, specifically headers, another way to reinforce your message and image. For more inspiration, check out this WebFX compilation of unique uses of typography.

4. Bold is Better

On the opposite end of the minimalism spectrum, bold website design trends are emerging. This fits in more with younger generations, who are far more difficult to draw in. With shorter attention spans, and a never-ending world of content from social media and the internet, younger brands are utilizing bold designs to meet their customers’ needs and wants. This design trend uses bright colors (as well as multiple color schemes), unique fonts, interesting shapes, and 3D imagery. Some websites use some of these elements, while others layer all of the above to create an eye-popping display. While in the past, bright design was seen as unprofessional or possibly immature, it now showcases creativity and a newness that a lot of consumers are searching for. For examples of bold website designs, check out this Design for Founders and Muzli blog.

5. Animation and Illustration

Just like the trend of bold website design, many brands are incorporating animation or illustration to their sites to stand out. For illustration, they are utilizing playful colors, and unique drawings that capture a sense of newness. Rather than seeing the normal stock business images, people are now searching for websites that still promote a sense of professionalism, while stepping outside the box. In terms of animation, we are seeing an increase of movement on websites. From the actual movement around the website, to the animation of objects on the screen. This draws viewers in and makes them pay more attention to your page. For examples of website animation, check out this Elementor blog.

Now that you know what design trends are going to be booming this year, consider these additional trends and elements.

Accessibility 

Accessibility is now a necessity for your website. You want to ensure that any and all potential customers are able to use your website and learn more about your brand. For example, if you have a video on your site, make sure it includes closed captioning or alternative text for someone who might be audibly impaired. There are many checklists out on the internet you should look into to make sure your brand is doing what it can to be accessible to all. For more information, check out this HubSpot blog on accessible websites.

Interactive Resources

Do you want to increase the time someone spends on your website? Include something they can interact with. In most cases, this would be some sort of chat box that is available for questions and help. Going to a new website can sometimes be overwhelming, so make sure your resource is helpful, but not overbearing. This might mean enabling it to pop up after a certain amount of time so it’s not the first thing a viewer sees and deals with. This gives them the chance to look around the site on their own first. Call to action buttons and resources are other great interactive approaches. For these however it’s important to present CTA options that make your customers and prospects feel in control. Don’t just offer content you want them to read. Give them the option to ask questions, sign up for a newsletter, or enter their information to be contacted at a later date.

Each brand has its own voice and image, so not all of these trends will fit for you. Before you consider changing anything about your website or brand, think about what you want to portray the most. Is it a product? An initiative? Or is it the clients you serve? Every company will choose differently. Make sure your website matches your intention. Kick off 2022 with a brand that’s ready to engage and grow and contact Avista PR & Marketing to discuss website design today.