The internet has, quite literally, taken over our lives over the past twenty years. It has fundamentally changed the way we consume information, the way we shop, the way we work, the way we communicate with one another, and it’s only continuing to evolve.
Web designers have had a massive role to play in this revolution, and will continue to do so as the internet continues to move forward. While it might be impossible to tell the future, we can make some predictions on what to expect, so here they are.
Mobile UX
A surprising number of websites are still aimed at desktop users. This anachronistic approach to web design is totally outdated, and can do a lot of harm, given that over 53% of all web traffic is on mobile in 2022.
Mobile sites need to be optimised when it comes to user experience – people expect seamless responsivity, with easy-to-access links that help users travel between popular parts of the site. The competition has set the bar high, and it’s only going to get higher as we progress towards and into 2023.
AI chatbots
One of the main problems with the online world has been the lack of a personal touch – up until now that is. AI and human chatbots help make the digital experience just that bit more personalised; you can have your questions answered in real-time by a life-like bot, who hands over to a human if things progress beyond its capabilities. Designing these bots just right and integrating them in an appropriate manner will require the assistance of a web agency.
AI enhanced security
As the online world continues its rapid advance forward, so do the tools available to hackers. This cycle of attack vs defence has resulted in some truly impressive defensive measures against cyber attacks – some AI technologies can actually predict threats before they happen in around 85% of cases.
AI security solutions also stand to help businesses save a significant amount of spending on their human counterparts; certainly not a total replacement for people in the cyber security world, but at least a significant complementary force.
VR and AR
One of the most significant drivers of innovation when it comes to web design will likely be VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality) and IoT (internet of things). While they were once seen as little more than gimmicks, they are possibly the future of our collective online experience, with massive industry leaders such as Meta leading the way forwards.
Importantly for web designers, it will revolutionise the design process – think interactivity on steroids. It will be a learning curve for all of us, and it’ll be web designers who take us by the hand and lead the way, a scary but incredibly exciting prospect for anyone in the profession.
Read more:
2023 Web Design – What does the future hold?
