It’s a no-brainer. You want to make more sales, generate a greater following, and produce the highest click-through rates.
You’re not alone. So do we!
The question is, how do you achieve these goals? Here’s a look the top web design trends we feel are on the rise and will contribute to a higher conversion rate.
Web design is moving at breakneck speed to embrace video.
By 2019, experts predict that nearly 80% of all internet traffic will be to videos.
Here’s what you should be thinking about today:
Below is a sample of the Invision home page [11 sec].
Pro Tip: To minimize video loading on websites, try placing a button on top of a static video to encourage your users to watch it. This will decrease the time it takes for the website to load, and also help users who choose to watch the video be patient as it loads.
If you take away one thing from this article, let it be that your website is about the user -- not you.
If the user cannot easily navigate through your website, you've let the user (and your client) down. The website’s design has failed.
Keep in mind the user experience has to be the same across channels -- whether a visitor accesses your site via a website, mobile phone or tablet.
The user wants to have a similar experience across all platforms because it’s familiar and comfortable.
Here’s how to improve your website's user experience:
Use the hamburger menu
The hamburger menu continues to rise as a top design trend.
But does it really help with conversions when only 52% of users over the age of 45 even know what the hamburger icon means?
The answer, yes it really can!
ConversionXL proved this theory on a recent A/B test they ran for generating revenue through the use of a hamburger icon. The results determined that the use of this icon brought in actual dollars.
Factors to consider if you’re using the hamburger icon:
Hide what isn’t necessary
Show users the most relevant, important navigational pages first.
If you want to convert them, give users fewer options that lead to an overall action.
This approach directs users’ focus where it’s most needed to convert them.
Less significant information such as About, News, and Resources should stay at the bottom of the web page -- in the footer.
The Capterra website home page provides a great example of proper navigation hierarchy.
The primary focus is on getting the user to search for the right software for their organization. To reach this goal, the website employs a completely stripped down top navigation.
The most important aspect is the search function. The Capterra design places a priority on this feature, relocating less-important navigation tabs to the footer. For your own website, create a navigation that converts by focusing on your goal. Then, you’ll nail those conversions.
Your website doesn’t have to be the Wall Street Journal of the internet to engage your users.
But it does need content that captivates the audience and prompts them to take action.
If your content doesn’t intentionally get the user to do something, that content might not be necessary Here’s how you can captivate your audience and convert them:
We all love things that move! We are enticed by visual elements that pop up or change upon hovering or scrolling back and forth.
It’s entertaining and draws our attention.
Keep in mind, animations are meant to enhance the user experience, not take it over.
Animation trends to follo
Get inspired by these animation design ideas: Motion Animation
Below, Bugaboo provides a perfect example of how you can engage users by providing subtle animations to enhance the product [11 sec].
Hover Animation Have you seen the fancy hovers, where text appears, social icons pop up and graphics fade in and out? Super subtle, but enriches the overall user experience. Visually provides a nice example of hover design [10 sec].
Loading Animation Below, Slack features a really creative approach to the loading experience for their users as they enter into their chat platform [5 sec].
Dive into animation for email marketing Email marketing is continuing to grow at a rapid rate.
Not surprisingly, millennials check their email from bed (70%), from the bathroom (57%), and while driving (27%) (don’t check your phone while driving, though!).
This presents a great opportunity to generate and convert more users to your website. Here’s how:
Want some great examples?
Mailbakery provides an excellent compilation of 25 animated gifs in email marketing. Be inspired!
Responsive design isn’t a new concept and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Ranking on Google is continually becoming more of a challenge for business owners.
Google won’t even look at your website if it’s not mobile responsive.
Check out the latest Quality Search Guidelines for Raters for yourself!
If you’re going to compete, and attract traffic, your website must provide users with a similar experience (if not the same) on all platforms.
Removing unnecessary elements and information when moving to mobile isn’t only ok, it’s essential.
Taking out images and content that doesn't directly contribute to your user doing something will streamline the experience.
Users should be able to easily interact with content so they can get to where they need to go, effortlessly.
Functionality is taking precedence over a nice website design.
Your website design may be ground-breaking, featuring amazing visuals and top-notch photography.
But if it doesn’t meet the visitors’ ability to use it -- you’ve lost.
Every $1 you invest in the user experience will bring $2 - $100 in return. The user experience should always be front and center. I
It should be a carefully thought out factor throughout every aspect of the website’s design -- from online to mobile to tablet. Design is lifeless without it’s ability to create purpose and engage your audience. It must always have purpose. With purpose it will convert.
It must always have purpose. With purpose it will convert.
What website trend will you be focusing on for 2016? Or which one have you already implemented? 
