2023 Website Design Trends - Part 4 of 4 - Trends in Technology

January 2023

In the ever-changing world of web design, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in order to create a website that is attractive, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. Website design trends are constantly evolving with new technology and user preferences driving the way websites look and feel. In this series we will explore the top design trends for 2023.

Related: 2023 Website Design Trends - Part 1 of 4 - Motion Design Trends , 2023 Website Design Trends - Part 2 of 4 - Typography , 2023 Website Design Trends - Part 3 of 4 - What's old is new again with Retro Styles

 

Technology Trends in Web Design

Prioritizing Download Speeds - Fast loading websites are critical for providing an enjoyable user experience and optimizing website performance. With the emergence of 5G networks and the continued growth of mobile internet usage, website speed is more important than ever before. 

The speed of a website directly impacts how users perceive it. If a website takes too long to load, users are more likely to abandon it and find a similar website that is faster. Additionally, a slow website will not rank as highly on search engines as a faster one, leading to fewer visitors and decreased conversions.

There are several website design practices that can help prioritize download speeds. First and foremost, focus on making sure that the website’s images are optimized for size and quality. Images are often the most time-consuming element to load, and ensuring that they are optimized will help reduce loading times. Additionally, minimizing the use of JavaScript and HTML, and reducing the number of redirects, will help speed up the website. 

Leveraging a content delivery network (CDN) can have a significant impact on website speed. CDNs are networks of servers that can cache and serve content to users, resulting in faster load times. 

 

Content Loading - Content loading helps to create a seamless transition between different parts of the website, providing a smooth and natural flow for users as they navigate. This can help to create a more enjoyable experience for visitors, as well as helping to improve website performance.

Content loading can also be used to provide users with a more interactive experience. For example, when users click on a link, content loading can be used to dynamically load the linked page's content, allowing users to quickly and easily access the information. This can be especially useful for eCommerce websites, as it can provide customers with a more intuitive experience when browsing and purchasing products.

Finally, content loading can help to reduce page loading times, as it can be used to selectively load only the essential content that is needed for the page.  

 

Personalized Content Accessibility and Availability - For many businesses and organizations, providing a website that is tailored to the individual needs of each user is a key element to success. This may include a variety of different elements, such as providing content that is tailored to a user’s interests, allowing users to filter content based on topics and preferences, and allowing users to customize the look and feel of the website.  

Individualized content accessibility and availability has also led to the development of more interactive and engaging websites. Through the use of interactive elements such as drag-and-drop menus, forms, sliders, and other interactive elements, users are able to quickly find the information they need and interact with the website in a user-friendly manner. Additionally, modern websites are utilizing technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide users with personalized content recommendations based on their interests and preferences.

Data from a recent survey shows:

1. 91% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that provide offers specific and relevant to them.
2. 80% of customers are more likely to purchase products or services from brands that provide personalized experiences.
3. 80% of frequent shoppers (self-classified) only shop with brands that personalize their experience.
4. 79% of consumers are only likely to engage with a brand’s offer if that offer has been personalized to reflect previous interactions  that the consumer has had with the brand.
5. 72% of consumers only engage with marketing outreach customized  to their specific interests.

The increasing demand for individualized content accessibility and availability is creating an environment where users are more likely to find the information they need and enjoy using the website.

 

Thumb-Friendly Mobile Navigation - With the increasing use of mobile devices, website design must take into account the needs of users who are navigating the site with their thumbs. Thumb friendly navigation is a way of making websites easier to use on small screens. It is changing the landscape of website design in a few key ways.

The first way thumb friendly navigation is changing the landscape of website design is by making sites easier to navigate on a small screen. Traditional navigation menus are often too wide for mobile devices and require users to scroll or zoom to see the menu items. By designing a navigation menu that can fit within the width of a mobile device, users can easily access the menu items with their thumbs.

The second way thumb friendly navigation is changing the landscape of website design is by allowing for more efficient use of space. Traditional navigation menus take up a lot of space on a mobile device, leaving less room for content. By using thumb friendly navigation, designers can create menus that are compact and efficient, allowing for more content to be displayed on the page.

The third way thumb friendly navigation is changing the landscape of website design is by making sites more user friendly. Traditional navigation menus can be difficult to use on a mobile device, as the menu items are often too small to click on with a thumb. By designing a thumb friendly navigation menu, users can easily access the content they need without having to zoom or scroll.

Thumb friendly navigation is changing the landscape of website design by making sites easier to navigate, by using efficient use of space, and by making sites more user friendly.