Your website represents your nook of the worldwide web. Your website is an opportunity to showcase your brand to millions of people every day, but other brands are competing for the same opportunity. So how does your nook of the WWW set yourself apart from the others? Well, you could say that the better your website looks, the bigger your nook of the worldwide web can be. An exceptional website follows aesthetic trends in web design.

We’ll go over 10 of the best web design trends in 2018 that you can use to stay relevant in the competitive landscape of the worldwide web. You’ll find that some of these trends have popped up in the last few years and are here to stick around for a few more. You’ll also notice that some of these trends closely relate to how we’ve trained our eye to take in information, whether it be on our phone or through social media apps.

Web Design Trend: Parallax

A parallax is an effect that shows a small movement in a photo as you scroll. It’s a way of adding the effect of animation to a single image. The effect is commonly used in conjunction with a top hero image or throughout a homepage as a way of breaking up sections in a more visual way. This is an appealing way to add more depth and context to your brand’s website.

Website using Parallax: acura.com

Web Design Trend: The end of Homepage Slideshows

Although there are a significant amount of companies still out there using slideshows on their homepage, it’s not a clear way to demonstrate your brand upon first impression. Slideshows tend to cause distraction and risk the user not scrolling beyond the fold. They are not ideal for conversions, as one study suggests. There should be one main visual above the fold that clearly captures your brand and keeps the user moving along.

Website not using a homepage slideshow: nike.com

Web Design Trend: Single Page Home

Minimalist design elements are not anything new, but we are seeing it pop up more than ever. A single page homepage is when there is no scrolling involved on the homepage, and therefore, everything is above the fold. You’ll see this more frequently with artist portfolios or cafes.

Website using Single Page Home: thecheesecakefactory.com

Web Design Trend: Wider Margins

From the homepage banner, to content and images, we’re seeing more left and right space (on the desktop view specifically). The reasoning for this is likely because our eyes are getting used to reading left to right in smaller spaces; ie Instagram captions, Facebook feed, news app, etc… Wider margins allow the user to skim through your page effortlessly.

Website using wider margins: creativebloq.com

Web Design Trend: Integrated Video (and not an embedded Youtube video)

Video has been an emerging trend in web design for some time now. Businesses are encouraged to use video more frequently on social media while youtube continues to grow. Only now, our expectation for video is growing, and we expect to see integrated auto-play HD video. No longer should we have to click on a youtube play button, wait for an ad, only to see an average quality video. Integrated video is often used as a background hero banner or on a single page homepage.

Website using integrated video: tesla.com

Web Design Trend: Whitespace

Another minimalist favorite. Using more whitespace is a tactic to give your site a more clean and focused look while avoiding visual clutter. Not only does it force you to only show the most important components of your site, but it also helps the reader focus on those elements.

Website using whitespace: dropbox.com

Web Design Trend: Grid Layout

A common trend, especially for ecommerce sites, is outlining the page like a grid. This can be done in several different ways, but the most common is to show a row with text and a photo, and to alternate the following rows with the opposite positions. Our eye has started to get used to this kind of layout, likely because we’re used to seeing it on Instagram and other visual social media platforms. The main brand page template that Amazon provides to its sellers also uses a grid format.

Website using a grid layout: wework.com

Web Design Trend: 3D Images

This is a strong visual element that can actually tie in many of the other trends mentioned. Using a product image that shows as many angles as possible, this is a compelling feature to give the audience more context about the item. It’s a way of bringing the product to life and captivating the user. This is not a trend that has caught up as quickly as the others, but it’s definitely one to look out for.

Website using 3D Images: apple.com

Web Design Trend: Subtle Animation

This is the case where less is more. Using animation can help capture someone’s attention as they’re scrolling through your website, but you want to also be careful not to use too much. Many consulting pages or websites that require a lot of text will use animation in a way where if you’re scrolling down, headers and text section will subtly pop up.

Website using subtle animation: adidas.com/us

Web Design Trend: Strong Calls to Action

A strong call to action isn’t so much a trend as it is a MUST. With only a few seconds to capture someone’s attention, they need to be instinctively led through the website, and a good way to do this is with catchy buttons leading them to the page you want them to see. A strong call to action should be using your accent color, with a bold font, and a direct action (shop now, see more, get started today).

Website using strong calls to action: skillshare.com “Get started for Free”

These are some of the best trends in web design so far in 2018. You should include at least one of these in your website, but not all of them. Continue to keep up with website design trends so that your page can continue to be visually engaging with your audience. If you need any guidance on website buildouts, design, or review, please contact me at bri@digitalnomaddesigns.com