Web Design Trends of 2020
Hindsight is 2020, right? So let’s use the lessons learned of this past year to get an idea where Web Design is headed in the future.
We all know what happened this year, so many of the trends we saw throughout the year are to be expected based on the changes endured during 2020. A LOT more consumers and businesses took their business online this year and the people who were already online saw some big changes to the landscape due to all of the new traffic. So let’s reflect.
5. Gradients
Gradient Backgrounds, Icons & Text came in to spruce up 2020 Website Designs wherever possible. Many businesses began using more gradients on their website to give them a more modern feel or to provide depth when combined with Blur effects. Heck, we even opted to use gradients primarily on our new Comvert Hosting website (www.comverthosting.com) to help differentiate it from our Comvert Marketing website.
4. Geometric Icons & Designs
Shapes.. everywhere.. While it’s true, shapes are not new in design, they in fact, solely make up design. However, in 2020 we noticed many designers using more simplified shapes or Geometric Icons and Designs to break up whitespace and provide meaning. Geometric shapes began taking over Logo & Graphic Designs years ago as we progressed into the Social Media Age because a simple circle or square can have a lot of natural meaning to people all over the world and it’s quickly recognized even in small formats. We use circles throughout our branding because to us, the circle represents unity, wholeness/cohesiveness and like Marketing & Design, there is no defined start or finish, it’s continuous. What do basic shapes like the circle, square or triangle represent to you? Chances are, it’s unanimous and if you apply those feelings or meanings to the Geometric Icons and Designs popping up throughout 2020, you’ll likely see what they’re trying to convey.
3. Interactive Motion
Similar to our point about Video in our post on Digital Marketing Trends of 2020, Interactive Motion in Web Design became even more popular in 2020. Have you seen Apple’s AirPod page? When you hover your mouse over the suspended AirPods, it turns and animates with your motion. Like Video in Content, as devices become more capable along with improved internet speeds, we expect to see more of this in 2021 and beyond. We expect it to be used with more functionality and purpose than just for the ‘WOW’ factor, building on what Apple has done with their page. If you haven’t yet, check out the AirPods page to see what we’re talking about.
INTERACTIVE MOTION EXAMPLE: https://www.apple.com/ca/airpods-max/
2. Functionality & UX
This one seems more like natural progression than a trend, but I guess, on second thought.. that’s what these all are. Functionality became much more important in 2020 since many businesses were forced to close their physical doors to customers and even their own employees. This undoubtedly pushed the envelope of what a Website can even do for a user. Figuring out how to Digitize your services or products may be the hardest thing you can do as a business owner, depending on what you sell. Either way, part of selling online is making it easy for your customer to buy so we saw many advancements in functionality, and even more businesses focusing on functionality to improve their User Experience on their platforms.
1. E-Commerce
Ok, we all saw this one coming, right? 2020 didn’t just show us that E-Commerce is the future, it rubbed our noses in it. Unfortunately, for many, a lack of an E-Commerce platform decided the fate of many businesses in 2020. To be fair, this change has been a long time coming. But if you weren’t already prepared or preparing for it, you may have been in quite a tough spot this year. 2020 showed us that not only is E-Commerce important, it’s a viable revenue stream for ANY business. Some owners who never thought it would work found it to be the new majority of their revenue. Restaurants began selling recipes, Gyms began selling their own Branded Equipment and Artists resorted to selling creative goods to their following or creating online content to make up for the loss of Event income. Although it may mean changing or adding to what you sell, you can likely start making money with E-Commerce in your business if you think outside the box and put in enough effort. You know what your customers buy, find a way to put it online! Granted, we know this isn’t always realistic, so we truly empathize with anyone that may have been forced out of business this year. If that’s you, please get in touch and we’ll do whatever we can to help.
We hope you enjoyed our take on the Web Design Trends of 2020. Do you agree? Or have you noticed other things more prominent this year? We’d love to know your thoughts either way! 🙂
Steve Shearer
Owner
