Modern web design has come a long way from the early days of the Internet. Where once flashy banners, automated code, and literal digital neon signs were the hallmark of an expensive website, today’s sites are considerably more sophisticated, relying on wide open spaces, large text, unique fonts, and simple graphics to catch the eye. Minimalism is definitely in, and users will thank the designers who follow trends for focusing on experience rather than appearance. If you’re hiring a Seattle web designer, you should consider many of the elements of modern web design, and try to implement the best of it into your own design (but don’t copy).

Unique Fonts

Font or typography is one of the easiest ways to ensure that readers remember you, simply because you stand out more. While the choice is up to you when choosing between a serif and sans serif font, you should choose something that is large, easy to read, and that you can read when standing about 10 feet back from your computer for headlines and banner text. Fonts also tell readers who you are, because a font can be fun, serious, stylish, formal, and so on.

Large Media

Images and photos are both incredibly useful for web design because they improve visual appeal, and video can be used to increase time on page, decrease your exit rate, and improve your bounce rate, which all help with your marketing. If your images are of products, you also want them to be responsive, so that you can click, zoom, and take a closer look at what you’re doing.

Responsive

If the modern web could have a calling card, it would be either responsive or mobile optimized. You need mobile optimization, or a website that resizes itself for mobile users. Creating different versions of your site for different types of web browsers (iPhone, Android, tablet) is essential for continued success on the web, especially as more and more users move away from the desktop and laptop, towards primarily only accessing the web via mobile devices.

Better Menus

The days of long overly complicated menus with sub menus are over. If you have to click more than three times, or hover your mouse at just the right angle to get a sub menu, and a sub menu from that, you’re doing it wrong. Hidden or hamburger menus are also popular, because they stay out of sight, which improves the visual appeal of the website.

Flat Design

Flat web design has become a definite trend since Apple adopted it for their website, and for good reason. With little to distract the reader, and only small allusions to depth, it’s simple, minimalistic, and directs the reader where you want them to go, instead of wasting valuable time trying to impress the reader with your web design team’s skills. Flat and semi-flat design are both great options.
No matter what you’re considering for your website, you should have a discussion, or a free consultation, with your local Seattle web design team before you start planning. Choosing items based on your budget, your business needs, and the design team capabilities is important if you ever want to see your plans brought to life.
Want to know more? Contact Rory Martin for more information.