WHICH WEBSITE DESIGN TRENDS WILL LAST BEYOND THE LATEST HASHTAG?
It seems like something can “trend” on the internet – only to be forgotten the following day. You’ve seen it happen with the latest hashtag or with a design element that people no longer love (remember comic sans?). However, as we work to create clean, mobile-friendly, custom websites here at Cornerstone Web Studio, we see trends that are here to stay for the next several years. Unlike installing Flash on your website, these are the trends we can get behind.
Many of you attempting to navigate this evolving digital world get caught up with the latest piece of technology – hoping it will keep you ahead of the curve. This may be the most recent mobile phone, a new piece of equipment for your business, or the latest in web design. It can be hard to figure out which shiny new piece of technology is vital to your success – and which is as unnecessary as a fidget spinner. That’s where Cornerstone comes in! We are here to help you find which design elements are vital – and which can be left behind. Here are several design trends that are valuable now and will remain relevant as your business grows and develops over the next several years.
COMPELLING CONTENT
We’ve all seen it: that website that has disjointed content stuffed with keywords and confusing, poorly worded sentences. This type of tactic may have worked to get Google search results in previous years, but Google is constantly updating algorithms, and nowadays it works to downrank such sites. Those sites with compelling, well-organized, and impactful content are getting more and more recognition.
While you want your site to have evergreen content – like your marketing message – it also needs to have updated information about your business, new developments, and more. Both your customers and search engines want to know that you are a knowledgeable professional in your field. Imparting updates and new information not only accomplishes this, but it informs new customers that they have found the right professional for their needs.
LANDING PAGES ARE HERE TO STAY
One of the best ways to market a particular product or service is to create a landing page. Such a page is a way to directly communicate about your product/service and provides a quick and straightforward way for someone to sign up or buy. The idea is to create rapid conversions with a landing page, so it can be used as part of a promotion or may be the first thing people see when they click on over to your site. This is basically a modern version of a print brochure, and is often more effective.
CONTENT DELIVERY VIA VIDEOS
Well-executed video can add life and sophistication to a landing page or overall website design. Additionally, it can explain something rapidly that may be difficult to put into words. Many of our dental, manufacturing, and real estate clients love using video to give the viewer a chance to see a property or understand a procedure.
Not only should a video be created with a specific purpose in mind, but it must also be mobile-friendly. That’s where we come in. Cornerstone specializes in creating websites that can be viewed on any device with no lost information or formatting problems.
LONG SCROLLING PAGES
You may have noticed that the tabs at the top of many websites have begun to help you navigate through one page – the home page. This technique allows you to put the most relevant information or your most effective call-to-action in the top-most area of a website, while still allowing viewers to discover everything they need to know about your business quickly.
Additionally, scrolling pages are easier for mobile users to navigate – and Google tells us that 61% of searchers are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing, with 40% visiting a competitor instead. So, such mobile optimization is vital to your business success.
CUSTOMIZED GOOGLE MAPS
Finally, embedded Google maps are now customizable to match your website. Map items like pins, structures, terrain and other elements can also be customized to add even more life to your site’s design.
CONCLUSION
Simply put, website design trends will come and go. Some will stick around for the long-haul whereas others will only be short-lived. How your site is designed ultimately comes down to what elements resonate with your audience and how your audience is most likely to find your site. The key is to have a well-rounded, high-quality, and unique site that most fits your needs.
Here at Cornerstone Studio, we listen to your needs, research and understand your ideal demographics, and create sites that fit both your and your client’s needs. If you are looking for a full-service digital agency that specializes in assisting small businesses, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us today and let us build the website that fits your aesthetic needs – and which effectively converts visitors into customers.