Website Design Trends to Ignore in 2017
Red carpets are rolling out everywhere this near-spring season, and there are plenty of trends begging to be noticed. In the design world, we’re glad to see that this year is shaping up to be a year of creative styles and can’t-miss plays on personality.
That said, there are also a few website design trends that we think should go in your don’t-do pile. Here’s a look at some of the things you should pass on if you’re considering updating your website:
1. Avoid Stock Photos
If you’re looking for a great photo to top off your blog, stock photos are fine, but if you’re building a website and looking for images that make an impact, avoid stock suits and shoots.
Instead, head for freelance photography sites that provide high-quality images that appeal to your audiences’ emotions.
2. Pick Something Other than Parallax Scrolling
Don’t get us wrong — Parallax scrolling is awesome if it’s used right and directed toward the proper audience. Be mindful, however, that it can be a bit cumbersome to understand for the everyday user, as the differing speeds of foreground and background scrolling can be a bit dizzying.
If you work in a creative field where curious minds love figuring how things work and where things go, parallax is one of those website design trends that can empower you to the next level of awesomeness.
On the other hand, if your audience is the everyday consumer, this nifty technique can lead to a daunting user experience that can steer people away from your site.
3. Put Some Meat on Your Hamburger Bun
Hamburger navigation first made its appearance when websites started going mobile. It’s a great idea for the limited real estate that’s available on smartphones and tablets.
When hamburger menus found their way to desktop layouts, however, they created a recipe for disaster. When people head to their computers, they want the full look and feel of a website, and they may not actually know what they’re looking for. This is converse to mobile browsing, wherein people generally already have a destination or idea in mind.
For desktop website design trends, it’s always best to steer clear of user un-friendly interfaces. Instead, opt for aesthetics that prompt discovery and navigation, imploring the audience to learn more about you by way of great content and well-placed guide links.
4. Take One Last Ride on Your Carousel
Carousels definitely had their place in the world of website design trends, but it’s time to move on. In today’s web of commerce, business leaders should be looking for ways to optimize speed, thus enhancing the usability of their websites. Carousels tend to slow down sites’ speeds, thus creating unwelcoming places for visitors to explore.
Beyond this, search engines don’t necessarily take well to carousels, which could leave your business ranked further down the SEO list than it would otherwise be, had you chosen a more user-friendly interface.
5. Cut Out the Cookie Cutters
In the end, your business is as unique as you are. It’s hard to convey exactly who you are when you’re using a cookie-cutter template. Consumers catch on to templates quickly these days, which could hurt your credibility.
Avoid the mass-audience mess by creating a custom website that tailors your services to the needs of your customers.
Beautiful web design doesn’t happen overnight, but with a great team beside you, you’ll enjoy a spectacular site that takes advantage of great design trends while steering you clear of the aforementioned pitfalls.
Check out our Sheffield Media Group portfolio, and let us know when you’re ready to chat!