Since the introduction of comprehensive and popular CMS systems like WordPress, and the universal increase in the performance of mobile devices for web browsing, there haven’t been any radical changes in Web Development – and 2019 promises to be a year of refinement rather than revolution. Here are five trends to look out for:

Minimalism.

The widespread use of mobile computing for web browsing and app use has brought a unified aesthetic to the vast majority of the current state of the art of web development, and that will only continue. Rather than being just a slick interface though, minimalism in web design has a significant pragmatic element. Being able to easily navigate and read content, and having the same visual approach across all formats, is a trend that is here to stay, and is likely to be more widely taken up over time. Expect sites to be designed around eye-catching colors and bold graphics, rather than filled with masses of content, and for design to be unified across formats to provide a strong visual brand.

Cybersecurity.

Digital security, from passwords to banking details, has hit the news repeatedly over the past few years. While cybersecurity might not be the most glamourous selling point, web developers have taken steps to integrate security features into many aspects of their products. Expect this to continue, and perhaps some new industry standards to rise as cybersecurity technology matures. Current methods, with multiple verification points, can be clunky and slow; anything which speeds up the process without skimping on security is likely to be quickly adopted.

Asymmetric design.

Web design has traditionally focused on dividing pages into easy-to-handle squares and rectangles. Advances in coding technology in part responding to a desire for new ways to design pages may lead to an increase in sites and apps built along diagonal lines. While it may seem a simple thing, breaking away from the usual two axes might significantly change the way developers operate.

Modular pages.

Modularity is popular with developers and programmers alike: the ability to pick and choose ready-made elements reduces development time, increases reliability, and allows for a level of easy customization that would previously have taken much more work to get right. With huge communities providing support and many languages optimized for easy integration into modular systems, this is a trend that will only grow over time.

Story-driven content.

While it may seem more of a marketing concern than a design concern, more and more companies are putting storytelling at the front and center of their online presence. Incorporating narratives that reveal brand values, a human element, and a way for customers to become invested beyond the product has become integral to how many companies present themselves. This is about more than just shifting units: customer loyalty has, for many large companies, become a significant driver of new products. Building trust in manufacturers and service providers starts with effective content marketing on the homepage, and finding innovative ways to highlight that message is integral to the design brief developers will be given.

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