In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of website building, keeping pace with the latest web design trends, client demands, and technological innovations can feel like being on a treadmill set to maximum speed.
Yet, every challenge represents an opportunity for agencies to push their boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and come up with breakthrough solutions.
Let's unravel three of the biggest web design trends your agency must dominate in order to deliver beautiful, modern, and high-performing websites.
The design spectrum is as broad as it is beautiful. On one end is the sleekness of minimalism, and the other end is lit up by vibrant colors. Straddling these two extremes is a common dilemma for agencies, with each style having its unique appeal and rationale.
Take, for instance, the website of tech giant Apple. It's a stellar example of minimalist design, with its ample white space, limited color palette, and sleek product images. This clean, fuss-free design aligns perfectly with Apple's brand identity, which is all about simplicity, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology.
On the flip side, we see designs that pack a colorful punch. They use bold hues, gradients, and animations to create a visually stimulating experience and strategically use color to draw attention to important elements to make them stand out. This approach can work exceptionally well for brands that cater to a younger demographic or those that want to exude a vibrant, playful vibe.
So, how do you pick a side in this clean versus colorful face-off?
How to Pick a Side
It all boils down to the brand's identity and its target audience. Does a minimalist design complement the brand's ethos and its audience's preferences, or would a colorful design hit the mark? Understanding these dynamics can guide design decisions and ensure creations resonate with clients' objectives.
For instance, forward-thinking and innovative companies might lean towards design and color schemes that "push the boundaries". On the other hand, clean and traditional design will probably help an organization that wishes to emphasize their lengthy history of reliability to their established audience.
The key is understanding the audience's expectations and effectively conveying the brand's story through design.
2. KNOWING HOW TO USE TEMPLATES (AND WHEN TO START FRESH)
Another challenge that keeps agencies on their toes is balancing between the efficiency of templates and the originality of custom designs. Web design agencies need to navigate this terrain with careful consideration of their client's unique objectives, and budget and time constraints.
The beauty of templates lies in their proven structures and time-saving capabilities, which can be particularly effective within a client's specific sector. They also provide consistency, which is key for maintaining a cohesive brand image.
Yet, there are times when a brand's individuality demands a unique approach, and this is where a custom design steps in.
What Most Agencies Are Doing
Our "State of Website Building Report" shows that the vast majority of agencies (88%) use a mix of templates and custom design when building client websites. Around 8% of interviewees reported using only templates, and 4% always start a website from scratch.
According to the survey, templates are more often used for recurring needs like eCommerce, memberships, portfolios, etc. However, as customers’ needs become more sophisticated, a more personalized approach may be needed to deliver a solution that makes the most sense for each individual client.
How to Choose
The process of deciding on the appropriate equilibrium between the use of templates and custom designs requires a deep understanding of the client's vision, their target audience, and prevailing industry trends.
Building on a platform that can do both, i.e., use templates but also be flexible enough to allow for customization – is something that agencies should prioritize in order to meet increasingly sophisticated client expectations and stay competitive.
Navigating this intersection between template efficiency and custom refinement is the essence of web design in the modern age. By mastering this art, agencies can ensure each client's online presence mirrors their business's distinctiveness and vibrancy, without compromising efficiency or brand coherence.
3. CLIENTS EXPECT CREATIVITY AND NEW IDEAS
Finding fresh inspiration can sometimes feel like searching for a hidden treasure. So, how to keep creative wellspring flowing?
Where to Find
Digital platforms like
Landbook and
Muzli can be instrumental in this quest for inspiration. Landbook allows designers to find inspiration based on various categories like industry, style, or color, while Muzli curates innovative designs directly to the browser to allow for always being abreast of the latest trends.
Don't confine the quest for inspiration to the digital realm. There's a whole wide world out there, bursting with colors, patterns, and ideas. Switching work location and spending a day in a bustling coffee shop, visiting an art museum or a local design exhibit, or simply taking a walk in a park can spark new ideas and give a fresh perspective.
Award websites, such as Awwwards, CSS Design Awards, and The FWA, also serve as excellent sources of inspiration, showcasing standout web designs. These platforms present a wealth of innovative styles and approaches to kindle creativity.
But Keep a Discerning Eye
Yet, it's crucial to approach these sites with a discerning eye, akin to viewing the latest designs at New York Fashion Week. The bold and avant-garde designs are fascinating, but much like high-fashion, they aren't always practical for everyday use.
Therefore, while it's beneficial to glean inspiration and stay updated with trends from these award sites, designs should be tailored to the client's needs and their audience's expectations.
Strive for a balance between aesthetic appeal and user-friendly, intuitive designs that resonate with the brand's identity and goals. This approach will make designs not only visually pleasing, but also effective and impactful.
Find the spark
Between client meetings and looming deadlines, it can be very challenging to feel the creative spark in web design.
Yet, the web design trends also present an opportunity to stretch creative muscles, experiment with new concepts, and come up with solutions that not only satisfy clients but also allow for pride in design work.
In the dynamic landscape of web design, being resilient, adaptable, and open to learning is the key to staying ahead. So, embrace the trends armed with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration needed to create spectacular web designs that make a lasting impact.
