Website Design Ideas in 2017
At the beginning of a new year, everyone gets quite nostalgic about the previous year, giddy with new year’s resolutions. We gear ourselves up with steadfast tenacity to never repeat the mistakes of the past. Although our resolutions usually apply to us on a personal level, there is no reason why a new year can’t also be an opportunity to explore new horizons for your business ventures. In the business world, digital is paving the way forward. Corporate websites play a key role in any business’s digital presence. Here is a summary of some interesting website design ideas and trends that will be emerging in 2017.
Respond or become despondent
According to a Forbes article by Kloefkorn, one of the most prominent trends in website design that will become even more prominent in 2017, is responsive design. With the growing use of mobile phones, it is not hard to see why it is so crucial for a company to ensure that their website can reach their audiences across all device platforms.
Customers are always at the heart of business, and responsive design meets their changing needs. It also provides them with a platform that will not only make it easier for them to engage with your brand but add value to their experience with your brand.
Micro-interactions becoming bigger
As Dan Saffer said, “It’s the little things that turn a good digital product into a great one,” and that is exactly what micro-interactions are all about. Micro-interactions provide a good way for users to interact with a website or mobile app.
Well-designed micro-interactions have a powerful impact on its users. They come in different shapes and sizes, such as adjusting the volume on a music player, turning a feature on/off, to simply adjusting settings. The goal of these interactions is that the experience gets richer for a user with every touch, scroll, and click. Additional interactive elements and animations are so much more immersive when used correctly.
If you want to bring in micro-interactions, you will have to ensure that these interactions happen almost invisibly. The key is to keep it simple. Consider the details that you are adding and as always make sure that it adds value to the experience of the user. Micro-interactions have to have a human-centered design ethos.
‘Grid’ your teeth
Of all the website design ideas that we have seen, one that has taken the world by storm is the use of unique grids. Gone are the days where all websites have to look alike. We are seeing more and more websites getting creative with their grid layouts. Many people have started to rebel against using standard grids as it can very restrictive and hinder creativity.
A simple example is the stacking of images one on top of each other to allow for a more visually appealing element for the website users. Going against the grain (or in this case the grid) might be exactly what your website needs to stand-out.
Cinemagraph is the new photograph
Cinemagraphs are extremely effective visuals and can add that extra layer of wonder and mystery to your website. If you feel your website is missing something, cinemagraphs may be exactly what you have been looking for. Not only do cinemagraphs add a dash of excitement to make it more than just a still shot. They also don’t use as much bandwidth as videos. Although this isn’t completely new technology, we can expect to see it used a lot more in the year to come.
This is a great way to add visibility to your website, but this technique is to be used in moderation as too much movement can be very disruptive to the user.
Begin 2017 with a bang
The digital realm is definitely an exciting and growing area. Any brand that wants to be relevant today and tomorrow, must have a solid and strategically-led online presence. That is why it is important to be aware of the trends for 2017 and incorporate them into your website design ideas, and then work with a professional team to select those trends that fit with your brand’s image. With this approach, you can ensure that your business also starts the year on a new and refreshed note.
To start the year for your business with a bang, please email sales@shackdemos.co.za or contact us on (011) 021 2992. Alternatively visit our website www.shack.co.za for more information.
