Should You Follow Web Design Trends?

As a new year begins, we often see blog posts about new, emerging website design trends to follow. Although it may seem tempting to chase shiny, new web design trends every year, I don’t recommend following web design trends blindly just because. In this post, I outline some of the key considerations you might want to think about before completely redesigning your website to fit in with the aesthetic of the year.

When web design trends may be helpful

There are definitely times when web design trends can be informative or helpful. For some industries, web design trends can reflect current user preferences and technological advancements, so being in the loop and designing your website with these considerations in mind can enhance user experience and improve engagement with your site.

If competitors in your industry have a common look or feel to a website, you may be alienating yourself from customers or clients if your website doesn’t have similar design elements or functionality. In this case, being aware of web design trends specific to your industry can help you stay current.

When web design trends aren’t helpful

Although staying updated with web design trends can help keep your website looking fresh and appealing, not every trend will suit your business, brand, and audience. It’s essential to evaluate design trends and ask: does this work for my business? For example, if you’re a government entity, you may want to stick to a more timeless, professional and classic design instead of opting for a website filled with 3D images, illustrations an crazy animations. Doing a 180 on your current design could actually be shocking for website visitors, and not in a good way.

If you blindly redesign your website without considering your industry, website or audience, you could be losing sight of what is essential. Experimenting with new styles can be beneficial, but it’s important to prioritize functionality and user-friendliness to ensure your site remains effective for your business and your target audience regardless of the new design trends.

What I like to focus on instead of design trends

For me, looking at new web design trends can be informative, but essentially, there are things that will never change regardless of the year. As a designer, I’m always focused on creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but informative, easy to use, and make sense for the business I’m working with. You’ll never see me blindly following any design trends, as I’m focused on delivering designs that remain functional and helpful for years to come instead of for one season.

Conclusion

Ultimately, while it’s important to consider web design trends, it’s equally vital to maintain your brand’s unique identity. Striking a balance between trendy elements and your brand’s core values can create a distinctive online presence that resonates with your audience. If you’re on the fence about jumping on the newest design trends, it can be beneficial to ask yourself if this is indeed a good change, or if it’s just a sudden urge that you’ll end up changing again next year when new web design trends emerge.