4 website design trends to watch in 2016

When you're tasked with running a business, you probably don't have time to keep up with the latest web design trends.

Website designers, on the other hand, constantly chase trends -- and try to beat them to the punch.

If you're interested in the future of web design, check out these four trends that will unfold throughout 2016.

1. Lazy-loading galleries

Image and video galleries that employ lazy loading make it easier for
people to consume content at their own pace.

Over the past few years, the Internet has simultaneously become more visual and more intense. Social media sites like Pinterest and Instagram allow users to scroll through seemingly endless rows of images and videos. Lazy loading delays gallery content until the user is ready for it.

Essentially, a gallery with lazy loading code won't load new content until the user scrolls down. This hastens page loading times and allows the device to consume less memory as it accesses files on the site.

Expect more personal and corporate websites to adopt lazy loading for their galleries. From professional portfolios to personal blogs, lazy loading will allow website administrators to flood pages with more content while still delivering fast load times.

2. Original web design

In his IT World article, software engineer Matthew Mombrea points out that many of the world's top websites look the same. They have adopted similar UX designs that employ current trends like parallax scrolling, large hero images, and hidden navigation. However, Mombrea predicts that 2016 will lead web designers toward more original creations on the web.

Specifically, he believes designers will turn to custom animations and hand-drawn elements. This type of design is difficult to replicate, so a website feels fresh and inviting instead of like a carbon copy of every other site on the Internet.

3. Visual storytelling

Although text still reigns supreme as marketers' content of choice, video and still imagery is coming into its own. Expect 2016 to produce new methods and applications of visual storytelling, from cinemagraphs to photojournalism. It's also possible that illustrations will make a comeback in place of photography.

Visual storytelling engages the viewers' senses more accurately and thoroughly than text on a screen. Additionally, it lends elegance and continuity to a web designer's work, particularly when paired with engaging (but not overwhelming) copy.

4. Bigger, bolder text

The proliferation of smartphones and other small devices will inspire
bigger, bolder text from web designers.

Typography has become a foundational element in many web designers' arsenals. It's a simple way to make a statement on a website and to enhance a business's or person's brand. Since web fonts have expanded significantly over the last few years, it's become much easier to make design statements with typography.

However, 2016 will most likely bring larger and bolder text to the design mix. Since so many Internet users consume content on small screens, larger design elements aid in visual clarity. Look for big, bold headlines and sub-headlines as well as text-dominated logos and taglines.

Web designers are constantly looking for ways to make their web creations more powerful. As a business owner, you know that web design plays a large part in your overall branding strategy. If you're looking for ways to boost your leads and sales, get a free inbound marketing assessment from us today.