Website Design Trends: What to Expect in the Coming Years

Web design keeps changing as technology moves on and people's expectations rise. Some trends are mostly about looks, but the ones that last tend to make websites easier and more pleasant to use. Here are nine worth paying attention to.

1. User experience comes first

More and more, good web design is judged by how easy a site is to use, not just how it looks. That means clear navigation, pages that load quickly and content that's easy to find and read. The Nielsen Norman Group's definition of user experience is a good starting point if you want to understand the thinking behind it. Sites that are easy to use tend to keep visitors longer and bring them back.

2. AI in the design process

AI is changing how websites are designed and run. Designers use AI tools to generate layout ideas, suggest colour palettes and type pairings, write first drafts of content and check for accessibility issues. On the visitor side, AI powers personalised recommendations and chat assistants. Screenroot has an overview of AI's role in UI and UX design.

3. Dark mode

Many people prefer dark mode, especially in the evening, and on phones with OLED screens it can save battery. More sites now offer a dark version or switch automatically to match the visitor's device settings. AppMaster has a detailed article on dark mode in web design.

4. Nostalgic design

Retro typography, vintage colour palettes and layouts that nod to earlier eras of the web are popular again. Nostalgia can make a brand feel familiar and warm, and it works particularly well for audiences who value authenticity. Visual Design Journey looks at nostalgic design patterns in more depth.

5. Micro-interactions

Micro-interactions are small animations or responses that give feedback when someone does something, like a button that changes when you hover over it, a heart that fills when you tap it or a form field that shows a tick when it's filled in correctly. They make a site feel more responsive and help people understand what's happening. InVision has a good piece on using micro-interactions to improve UX.

6. Immersive experiences

As browsers become more capable, some brands are adding augmented and virtual reality, 3D product views and interactive scenes to their websites. Used well, these can make a site memorable. Used too heavily, they slow it down, so they work best for a specific purpose, like letting shoppers see a product from every angle. Toptal discusses AR, VR and the future of design.

7. Accessible and inclusive design

Inclusive design means building sites that work for as many people as possible, including people with disabilities. In practice that includes alt text for images, enough colour contrast, sites that can be navigated with a keyboard and compatibility with screen readers. It's increasingly a legal expectation as well as good practice, and it tends to make sites better for everyone. The W3C's introduction to web accessibility is the place to start.

8. Neumorphism

Neumorphism, sometimes called soft UI, uses soft shadows and highlights to make buttons and cards look gently raised or pressed into the page. It has a calm, tactile look, but its low contrast can make it hard to use, so it works best in small doses. Built In has an explainer on neumorphism, and I looked at it more closely in Will Neumorphic Design Stand the Test of Time?

9. Interactive content

Interactive elements, such as calculators, quizzes, interactive infographics and simple games, invite visitors to take part rather than just read. They can make information easier to understand and give people a reason to spend longer on a site. The Interaction Design Foundation covers interactive design in detail.

Bringing it together

You don't need to follow every trend. The useful question is which ones would make your site clearer, easier to use or more memorable for the people you're trying to reach. Start there, and the trends become tools rather than fashions.