Form may be fleeting but function is forever. Some website trends just aren’t going to cut it in 2022. Is your website free of them?
An updated website is crucial for your business, it’s true. But effectively redesigning your digital face requires more than an understanding of current style guidelines and modern web design principles.
Like all fads, website trends also come and go. Your business must be able to adapt to these changes in order to stay relevant online.
Here are just a few website trends we recommend leaving in 2021.
Obvious Stock Imagery
Look, we’re all guilty of it; You can’t find the right organic imagery for a particular page so rather than leave the space blank, you fill it with the next best thing: a stock image.
But just because it’s common doesn’t mean that it’s right.
In 2022, we urge you to try and use as little stock imagery as possible on your website, or, at least on the main pages of your website. While we understand that stock photos may not be entirely unavoidable – and they certainly have their time and place – limiting their use will help your brand in the long run. Plus, real photos will always communicate your brand values better than stock.
Impersonal Content
The urge to appear “professional” is real, but don’t get caught up in appearances. Personality is important too.
Today’s customers aren’t just looking at your website to validate your skills or services, they’re searching for a sense of who you are. While it may be tempting to keep the content of your web pages strictly business, try and inject a bit of charisma and identity as well.
Today’s customers are better at spotting jargon than you might think. Go for honesty and clarity, first and foremost.
Muted Color Schemes
Business doesn’t have to be boring. If you identify your brand with bright, powerful colors, then your website should reflect that.
While muted color schemes might be in vogue, we always recommend using a color story that speaks not to current website trends but to the values and personality of your business. This isn’t to say whites and grays don’t have their place in modern web design (did someone say hyper-minimalism?), but rather that you should only head for the minimalist design aesthetic if it speaks to you.
Annoying Media
Animations, video, and sound are great! But if done incorrectly they could also detract from your overall message.
The goal of autoplay media is to garner attention from visitors, enticing them to extend the time that they stay on your page. However, if this media is too loud, too garish, non-stopping, or just blatantly annoying, you’re likely to experience the opposite effect, with visitors clicking off almost as soon as they got there.
If you hope to use media on your webpage – and trust us, you should – make sure the implementation is overseen by the experts.
Design For Everyone
Your website is public-facing. As such, there is a tendency for business owners to want the design of their website to appeal to the public as a whole.
However, like all forms of advertising, a website that speaks not to the general but your specific audience is always going to be more successful. Your website design should reflect the internet literacy, aesthetic values, voice, and functionality of your target audience in addition to adhering to brand standards. The more specific you can get, the better.
Going It Alone
One last website trend to leave in the past? DIY.
Let the experts guide you through creating an incredible new digital face in 2022. EMPIST curates and creates custom websites or mobile apps for businesses looking to improve their customer experience, update their digital presence, and ultimately grow to new heights.
To learn more about EMPIST web design and development, visit us online today. To get started with an EMPIST expert right now, contact us, here.