Website Trends & Functionality in 2021

Technology and the digital space evolve in the blink of an eye. That includes websites. Let’s chat about some of the hot new things and must-haves for websites to attract and engage. 

Website Functionality  

Overall functionality has a high impact on how your website is indexed by Google. A mobile responsive design is a MUST. 

Beginning March 2021, Google implemented their Mobile First policy which means desk-top versions will not show up in search results. As the name suggests, Google is focusing on mobile sites and mobile responsive sites. If you have to zoom in and out to see all the words on the page of your mobile site, it is not mobile responsive. Do a quick check! Here are some other things to watch for this year: 

• Is your website loading fast? A high bounce rate could indicate your site is not loading fast enough for your visitors. Using pagination could help. Pagination is when the viewed segments load instead of the whole site.  
• Ease of use. There’s a lot of talk about user experience, but what is it? Well, have you ever gone to a website and couldn’t find what you need? That right there is a terrible user experience. Your website needs to have a logical flow so it is easy to navigate and find the information you need. 
• AI and Chatbots are quickly changing the face of customer service. The logic behind them can really help your clients on a level that is satisfying for a culture that wants answers fast. 

3-D, Animation, and Interactive  

We’re seeing trends toward all of these elements. Websites are no longer 2-dimensional business brochures. They’re fun, interactive, inspiring, and sometimes a bit like Sci-fi. Some of the more popular elements that will attract and keep visitors on your site are listed below. Keep in mind, these elements must still be optimized so your site loads fast. If it doesn’t, you will never get a chance to WOW your visitor because they will bounce right off your page.  

• Polls and quizzes to gain consumer intelligence. 
• AI and chatbots are interactive and can be used for fun and customer service. 
• Moving, bending, changing features. Think of it as watching a building go up in time-lapsed real life through animation. This can be done as an abstract element or a regular time-lapse. 

Website Accessibility  

Website accessibility is a somewhat new concept, and to be honest, it is not really well defined yet. The best source to get information about this topic is from the Website Accessibility Initiative. This how WAI defines website accessibility: 

“Web accessibility means that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. More specifically, people can: perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with the Web; and contribute to the Web” 

Stay tuned for more articles about how to make the most of your website. And, if you need some help with your website, let’s start a conversation.