10 web design trends to watch out for in 2022

4. The rise of Growth-Driven Design

We wrote recently about Growth-Driven Design – a fundamental change in how websites are planned and delivered. Growth-Driven Design websites are launched more quickly, with a lower lead-time and reduced upfront costs. Development then continues after launch so that the website is constantly re-evaluated and worked on based on observations of how customers use the website. We predict more businesses moving towards this model in the quest for websites that better meet customer needs. You can read more about Growth-Driven Design on our blog.

5. The revival of the one-page website

In the early days of the web, there were a lot of one-page websites. We’re seeing a revival of this. One page-websites prioritise simplicity. No navigation and no menus mean a better experience on mobile. One-page websites are particularly effective for portfolio or CV style sites.

6. Greater personalisation and tailoring of content

Web advertisers have been using our browsing history to show us more targeted ads for years. This trend is now increasingly mainstreamed in web design. Major companies are now using information like our browsing history, location and demographics to show us more tailored and targeted content on their websites. According to The eDigital, our web experience in 2022 will increasingly be shaped in this way. Imagine a local directory website that lists businesses in your area. If you review or bookmark Indian restaurants on your first visit to the website, then on your next visit, Indian restaurants will be billed most highly in listings. For retail websites, there is huge potential in highlighting products you have previously placed in a cart but not completed on.

7. Gender neutrality and inclusive design

We’re already seeing a shift in more companies incorporating gender-neutral language and pronouns and giving customers a greater range of options in drop-downs to describe their identity. Many tech blogs are pointing towards a shift in more gender-neutral design. Colour can play a huge part in web design (see our blog on the psychology of colour in web design for more) and often colour has been used to enforce gender stereotypes. Think overly pink cosmetic and fashion websites and (as Webflow describe it) ‘hypermasculine fire-wolves-and-knives themes for camping equipment.’ In 2022 and beyond we should see a move to more gender-neutral imagery, colour usage and branding, recognising that there are many potential audiences for each product.

8. Type-only heroes

We’re seeing more and more hero images that…aren’t images. Hero images are the large bold images that occupy the top of homepages and landing pages. A great hero image can really set the tone for your website and make a great first impression. Equally, a bland stock image that doesn’t fit your brand makes for a very poor experience. Increasingly we’re seeing text-only heroes. These allow the messaging in the words to take centre stage and you can still convey a lot about your brand through typeface and colour. We think that in 2022 more and more designers will ditch ill-fitting stock hero images in favour of bold text designs.

9. More micro-animations and interactions

Micro-animations are becoming more common – these are little movements and responses to your navigation as you move through a site. Micro-animations have been around for a while – think about the way some buttons expand or change colour when you hover a mouse over them. But in 2022 we think we’ll see more micro-animations and an increasingly sophisticated range of motions. If you’ve visited Amazon on mobile lately you may have seen the profile avatar waving to get your attention. We expect more and more sites to use micro-animations like these as a fun way of guiding you through the navigation of their website.

10. More user engagement

More and more businesses are seeking to provide visitors to their website with an engaging and interactive experience. Modern consumers want to connect with the brands they love and to interact and provide feedback in a fun and engaging way. Expect to see more polls, quizzes, calculators, surveys, games and contests. These can be used to collect data and feedback from your consumers but also give them a fun experience that they want to return for.

Why staying up-to-date with web design trends is important

As web developers, it's our job to stay up-to-date with the latest rends in web design. However, it’s a good idea for anyone that manages or owns a business website to have a feel for what is popular in design at any time. If you want your website to look current and contemporary, drawing on some trending influences can help keep your brand identity engaging. A web designer can help make recommendations, but no one knows your brand and products as well as you. You’ll want to draw on web design trends that align with your products and brand and so coming up with the perfect design for your business is definitely a joint approach.

Contemporary and engaging web design from QuayClick

If you’ve been inspired by any of the trends and features in this article and are thinking about a website redesign in 2022, why not work with us. We can build you an engaging and contemporary website that delivers for you and your customers. Get in touch with us to discuss how we could help. We’re based in Exeter, Devon and work with businesses from a wide range of sectors and industries.