Web design trends | 6 website design trends to look out for in 2024
2024 is here with a bang, and so we’re digging into the top digital trends that we predict will sit front and centre in 2024.
We’ve barely put the Christmas decorations away and bang! 2024 is here, full throttle. And while some of us (????♀?????♀?) may intentionally be taking January as slowly and mindfully as possible, a new year does present a great opportunity for business owners to look ahead at the upcoming trends that you can harness to grow your business, maximise your brand and revolutionise your reach.
As the experts when it comes to website development and design , we spend a lot of time every new year checking in with what’s coming up and how this might play a part in the way that we deliver our service. 2023 was a big year in terms of transformation in the digital-sphere, and 2024 looks to be no different. From the rapidly increasing rise of AI, to deeper storytelling, accessibility and microinteractions, there’s a lot to be excited about.
So, stop what you’re doing, grab a handful of those leftover Miniature Heroes and prepare yourself to make some notes: this is going to be a juicy one.
What website design trends can you expect in 2024?
The beauty of website design (and the thing that keeps us enthralled 24-7) is that it’s forever evolving. What was the ‘way to do it’ one year can completely turn on its head by the next. And as a website design agency who’s been in the game for over a decade, we’ve seen our fair share of trends come, go and a good handful stick around.
This year, we’re keeping our eye on six top trends in particular:
Read on for our lowdown on each one.
1. The (ongoing) rise of AI.
You’d be hard pressed to turn a digital corner without running into some AI. Since Chat GBT , Artificial Intelligence has been becoming more and more prevalent in the world of online businesses. There’s no escape from it – and rather than pushing it away, now could be the time to utilise it.
While we believe that there’s nothing quite like authentically written copy, personally curated images and, of course, uniquely designed websites, there are many areas that AI can take your website to the next level without compromising on authenticity. For example, AI can enable content recommendation engines – these will analyse user behaviour and preferences to suggest certain products, articles, content or service offerings. It’s a great way to tailor the customer journey, helping them stay engaged for longer and upping your chances for conversion.
In addition, you can use AI for predictive analytics. Here, AI will anticipate what a customer needs long before time or supply takes a spanner in the works. So, for example, if you’re an eCommerce site selling beauty products, AI can predict when the customer is about to run out of said product and will send a nifty reminder and reorder email notification. Simple but incredibly effective. Likewise, AI can look into user behaviour, analyse it and match it up against industry trends. This information can then be used to strategise around design, content and marketing.
Of course, the good old Chatbot still has a rightful place in website strategy. AI powered chatbots take things to another level, delivering immediate customer support, answering ‘most asked’ queries and gently guiding customers on their website journey.
2. A major focus on accessibility.
Accessibility has always been important for all forms of communication and marketing – but, with new standards that are increasingly being written into law – accessibility is a necessity.
There are so many ways to make your content and designs accessible (all of which deserve a full blog of their own – watch this space!), but a snapshot roundup of them includes:
Remember – while new laws and standards make this a vital part of your business protection, the bigger driver should be ensuring that those with disabilities (auditory, cognitive, neurological, physical, speech and visual) are still able to access, understand and interact with your content the same as anyone else.
3. Simplistic designs.
We noticed a huge call for more simplistic designs throughout 2023, and we think this is going to snowball in 2024. Think minimalism and clean layouts. Ooo – beautiful!?
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There’s a few reasons why we see this trend hitting an upwards spike. People have an onslaught of digital information CONSTANTLY. From emails to social media posts, adverts to articles, the online world is constantly dropping content at our doorstep. And so – we are finding – that people crave the ‘less is more’ approach. Something modest and yet impactful.?
But this isn’t the only reason that simple designs work: far from it. Minimalist designs also lead to an enhanced user experience, thanks to less cluttered interfaces and a more natural, straightforward content pathway. It also allows for more screen space on the mobile version of sites; and now with so many businesses opting to make their site mobile-first , this really is a crucial element to consider.
Add to this that simple designs will lower your website loading times (hello SEO tick!), give your brand more space to breathe and cater to a more diverse user base, simultaneously making your content and website more accessible.
Need we go on?!
4. More moving content.
Video is now King – you only have to look at the astronomical rise of TikTok to realise that! With the enormous popularity of moving content, it’s hardly a surprise that website design is feeling the ripple effects.
The exciting thing is that this doesn’t have to come in the form of traditional video (although it totally can!). Animations, looping GIFs, microinteractions (more on this soon!), transitions, and complex scroll effects all add up to a really interesting and engaging user experience. Luckily for us designers, there have been some promising updates in CSS functionality in recent years, and this is constantly growing; essentially, this means that waaaay more is possible, and without impacting the speed and functionality of your site.
5. MANY microinteractions.
What on earth is a microinteraction, we hear you ask!?
A microinteraction is a subtle animation that guides the user through visual feedback. They’re intuitive, efficient and engaging – your trifecta of success. Your microinteraction kicks into gear when a user hovers or clicks on a specifically chosen piece of content; they’ll then receive an animation or a visual or audio response.
Their purpose comes down to user experience – while they can be a decorative tool, you’re seriously missing a trick if you don’t make more out of them. Our recommendation is to weave them into the overall strategy of your website – how can you use microinteractions to help a user get to where they need to be? Design them intentionally, make sure they seamlessly slot in with the rest of your design and keep them as natural as possible.
6. Succinct but powerful storytelling.
We mentioned simplicity earlier in the blog, and this also extends to the way you use your website to tell a story. We also mentioned the rise of AI. These two points come together and produce a very unique route when it comes to your storytelling.
There are many, MANY businesses out there using AI to write their copy. Ultimately, this leads to a bunch of websites and brands sounding exactly the same. You can stand out by making sure your content is dripping in your brand voice.
And here comes the balance point – can you do this while also keeping your content succinct, so that it truly packs a punch without drowning your design in words?
It all circles back to people’s attention span and their need for meaningful brevity. It’s an art, and one that you may feel comfortable tackling on your own. If not, this is where a professional copywriter is worth their weight in gold.
Can Littlebigbox help you create a stellar website in 2024?
We thought you’d never ask!
With over a decade behind us, we live and breathe website development and design. We’ve worked with a huge range of clients from a beautiful blend of industries, and we would love to connect and find out more about you!
Book a free consultation and let’s get the ball rolling.
Great post!