When creative web designs take off, users notice. Are you prepared for the web design trends 2018 has in store?

It’s easy to slip into a traditional design. But your web design says more about your business than you think.

Your web design can capture users’ attention. It can direct them where you want them to go.

Consider what an outstanding web design could do for you. The following cutting-edge techniques will help you achieve that outcome.

What Should I Know About ‘Web Design Trends 2018’?

Keeping up with the latest trends means learning or relearning your craft, year after year.

In just a decade, web design has transformed exponentially. According to Forbes, “One important lesson learned from all of those years of changes and trends is that being successful is often related to riding the wave of change rather than following in its wake.”

In 2018, your design will represent all aspects of your business. That’s because a good design has channels for all modern business functions. That can include:

• Marketing
• Lead Generation
• Customer Service
• Retail
• B2B Sales
• Business Information

All relevant functions should be incorporated into your design. They should be enabled to perform at their full capacity as well.

But what are companies doing differently than in 2017? As the needs of users and customers evolve, so must the functions of your website. This is true, even if your core business goals remain the same.

Top 6 Web Design Trends 2018

Designers must balance several elements in a design. These include usability, functionality, style, and engagement.

But what will work best with users in the year to come? What’s going to drive the greatest business value? Let’s review the top six web design trends of 2018.

1. New Techniques for Managing Long-Form Content

The term “below the fold” comes from the age of newspapers. It describes articles that can’t be seen when a newspaper is folded.

We continue to use the term in web design. It describes content that can’t be seen at the top of a website. This is generally a bad thing, especially if “the fold” breaks up the text.

But as the long-form content becomes popular in 2018, designers must become more creative in how they manage it. Here are some of the emerging strategies:

• Space it out. Long-form content is more digestible when it is surrounded by white space. That’s because the eye perceives it as being more manageable.
• Use large typography. The text will appear more manageable as fewer words fill up the screen, even as users scroll.
• Break It Up Using Images and Animations. This will release the user from the monotony of the text. But be sure your images and animations are not disruptive.
• Make scrolling easy. Users should be able to scroll without thinking too much about the fact that they have to do so. The scrolling motion should be fluid and controlled.

2. Full-Screen Video

Full-screen video removes all other content from the user’s view. It isolates their attention and enlarges the video to full capacity.

Your full-screen video should be highly compelling. It should be something your users want to see. If they feel it is taking away from their experience, they will see it as a frustration.

Your full-screen video should be easily turned off or optional. You might also use a silent full-screen video as the background of your homepage.

Use good judgment when it comes to video. It is highly engaging when it’s well placed and disruptive when it’s not.

3. Popular Typography

When it comes to typography, you have nearly endless options. But you don’t want to choose styles that have become outdated.

Your users depend on text to know what they should do. Here are some important tips for choosing typography for your website:

• Keep fonts consistent throughout your website using CSS
• Avoid centered text–it’s more difficult to read
• Be sure the color of your type doesn’t blend with your background, at all
• Alignment issues like spacing and kerning can make or break readability
• Avoid Lorem Ipsum during design–put your actual content first

Finally, get creative with your typography. Your users are interested in a unique experience. Just be sure to put their needs and your own needs first.

4. Unique Illustrations & Photographs

Images and photographs are more engaging than text. They are the first things users notice when they visit your website. What are they doing for your business?

The Basecamp homepage illustration looks like something from a comic strip. Yet it is such a representative and rarely deployed illustration style, it has proven effective recruiting over 900 companies who use the tool for business.

Here are a few tips for how to incorporate illustrations into your web design:

• Use a well-chosen, engaging image on the homepage of your website
• Avoid stock photography–source real photographs or use your own
• Use infographics to show data and complex ideas in a compelling way
• Coordinate with text–use long images alongside long-form text, for example

5. Transformative Design

Your site needs to evolve. Even if you plan to continue a particular type of article or customer portal, your users will be impressed with an updated appearance.

For example, Skilled Golf claimed to offer the best irons in 2017. How should it update its design for their best irons in 2018?

You can modernize logos, web pages, and even images without losing the familiarity you want to keep for your users. Consider how the web design trends 2018 has to offer can apply to your designs.

6. Networking Designs

Having all business resources available in a browser is convenient and accessible. It’s also a great way to collaborate and store information. Why can’t we do more online?

Network designs enable businesses to consolidate communications and important functions without using email or disk space. Like social networking sites, businesses can scale out operations easily without using internal resources.

What does that mean from a design standpoint? It means network designs need to be highly intuitive and functional.

Thorough testing is essential. You have to remove all roadblocks to your users’ progress. Any hindrance will turn companies off to the investment.

Want to Learn More About Web Design Trends 2018?

You want customers to realize the value of your business. A cutting-edge web design will get them through the front door.

Then, captivate your audience. Create an experience beyond that of your competitors. Coupled with your outstanding brand, you’ve doubled your chances of success.

You’re moments away from an outstanding web design. Access PSD Learning to learn more about the latest trends in web design, special effects, interface design, and more.