As web technology continues to evolve, so does B2B website design trends. Here are the up-and-coming trends of 2016 to help you keep your website fresh and engaging. How many of these web design trends does your website follow?
1. Material design continues to grow
Similar to flat design, material designs are clean, modern and focus on user experience design (UX). By using shadow effects and concepts of depth and movement, material designs provide a richer visual alternative and more realistic designs. While it is no longer considered “new” in the design world, it continues to become a widespread adoption.
Because consumers are increasingly searching the web on their mobile devices, material design focuses on providing a more mobile-friendly experience. This allows sites to better convert between mobile devices and desktop computers.
Elements frequently seen in material design:
- Grid layouts
- Responsive animations and transitions
- Long shadows
- Vibrant colors
- Bold typography
- Ghost buttons
- Minimalism
2. Card-style interfaces
Stemming from material design, card style interfaces are becoming increasingly popular among B2B website designs, apps and even printed pieces. They allow information to be contained and organized within an engaging user-friendly container. Card style interfaces translate seamlessly across all devices because cards can easily “stack” both horizontally or vertically without causing issues within layouts.
3. More iconography and illustrations with fewer photos
The use of illustrations and iconography continues to grow rapidly. Icons work well with the current trending material design, helping to quickly and clearly convey messages to the viewer. Hamburger menus, download symbols, account registration icons and more continue to remain important design elements across the web. With the availability of SVG formats, designers are now also experimenting with the use of oversized icons without having to worry about pixelation.
Illustrations are also growing in popularity because they tend to be more relatable. They allow viewers to interpret the visuals in their own way — opposed to trying to relate to a generalized stock photo — connecting with viewers on a more personal level.
4. Beautiful bold typography and bright colors
Beautiful, bold typography and bright colors continue to play important roles in branding, messaging and reinforcing values. With the availability of Google Fonts and Adobe Typekit, designers are no longer constrained by what traditionally used to be considered “safe” or technically possible. The accessibility of more web fonts has completely transformed how typography is used across the web. The shift toward unique typography continues to grow because it fits well with the other web design trends such as material design, card style interfaces, icons, and illustrations.
The use of bright colors also continues to emerge throughout material and flat design. As these trends persist, colors will continue shifting toward brighter, more vibrant palettes, making pages more visually interesting and attention-getting.
5. Video headers
Video headers capture the attention of viewers when they visit a site. With faster internet speeds and better plugin integrations, many websites are starting to use large video headers. These video clips range from small snippets to full-length previews that engage interest and enhance the user experience.
6. Responsive design continues to be important
The rise in mobile internet use continues to drive the importance of responsive design, quickly shifting it away from being a B2B website design trend and toward being a best practice. Responsive design allows your site to provide an excellent experience for all users. It can also increase mobile traffic to your site and drives more engagement. A bad mobile experience may deter potential customers from taking the time to view your site and learn more about your company.
What web design trends are you following this year? Leave a comment below to let us know.
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Kate Smith is a graphic designer at Schubert b2b. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Design from Kutztown University. When not in the office, she enjoys snowboarding, eating cauliflower, and staying up to the wee hours of the morning playing Destiny.
