WEB DEVELOPMENT IN 2018: 7 EFFECTIVE TRENDS TO LOOK UP TO
Every year advancements are made in web development like, 2017 was an eventful year with a number of new javascript frameworks and UX-based development process. Everything, from the languages to the platforms that make the web, is evolving continually. The only way to stay ahead is to be prepared and aware of the developments impacting the industry. Needless to say, 2018 has a few phenomenal advancements of its own. Keep reading to better equip yourself for this year’s version of the web.
1. AN EMPHASIS ON MOBILE-FIRST DESIGN
It is not new to design with a focus on mobile devices. Ever since mobile browsing surpassed desktop usage in 2016, web developers have worked towards making desktop-centric websites appealing on small screens. Over the years, mobile browsing has only become more prominent, leading to responsive website design becoming a necessity. Designers and developers today are looking at making websites for mobile first, with desktops as the secondary option. However, to be on top of this design trend, you also need to take into consideration other concepts, such as progressive web apps and one-page design.
2. A FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SUPPORT AUTOMATION
Toll-free support centers have really been great, but web development is ready to move on to better and bigger version of customer support – AI embedded systems and Chatbots. Thanks to improved understanding and Natural Language Processing, these technologies are capable of nipping tier-1 issues in the bud. The implementation of customer support automation has the potential to personalize customer profiles, as well as, enhance the possibility to scale operations. The next-gen human-like AI will keep the users wondering who is behind the screen. You would be surprised at how seamlessly these bots can handle conversations.
3. A PROGRESSIVE SHIFT FROM MULTI-PAGE TO ONE-PAGE WEBSITES
In case you are not aware, one-page and multi-page setups are the 2 primary types of websites. A conventional approach to website building is to have an entire page dedicated to one single topic. For a majority of websites, this makes sense. But, owing to the evolution of the way Internet users read the web, there is a strong demand for cutting down content to the bare minimum. This helps to boost conversion rates.
A large number of Internet users prefer using their mobile devices to browse the web. This is bringing to the fore design approaches that approve ease-of-scrolling and usability, making one-page web designs the smarter option. Ultimately, the demand is for well-structured one-page websites that still contain CTA (call to action) and a contact form.
4. THE FALL OF THE FLASH
Steve Jobs, in 2010, published thoughts on Flash. From his writing, it became comprehensible that this technology does not have much time.
The biggest problem with this technology is that it is not compatible with hand-held devices. Websites have to lose traffic only on account of the outdated technology.
Flash is an SEO killer that several computers face problem to run. It has been almost 15 years this Adobe-developed standard protocol has been in use and web developers have utilized it to display animations. But, then Google resolved to get rid of Flash to make way for HTML5, a web development language which allows you to create high-end animations easily. This alteration means that you can now optimize your animations for search engines and run on a huge range of computers.
In order to update your animations with HTML5, you should first port over any Flash components and Adobe have offered a for the job. HTML5 is turning into a universal format for all sorts of digital content. Missing the old Flash is normal. But, the new HTML5 is going to correspond with the most recent web development trends.
5. SIGNIFICANCE OF PUSH NOTIFICATIONS
User re-engagement has received a new face with mobile app notifications. Of late, web developers have started using this idea for websites and is turning it into a new development trend.
2018 has seen a rise in push notifications and many a site has been using it in their website design. These notifications offer a way for websites to notify you when new content is available and the good thing is, you don’t have to visit the portal in question or even check your e-mail. They are a passive tool for engagement that can assist you to increase traffic without you having to do much outreach, especially when they are activated for hand-held devices.
The workflow appears pretty easy – the user visits a website and has to make able push notifications. Then, the user will be notified of any alterations on the website (like a private message and new blog post), even after the tab has closed along with that website. They are better than SMS, emails and social media in offering up-to-the-minute information. They come on time, are fast and do not need any complex actions. To sum it up, they are user-friendly.
6. THE PREEMINENCE OF MODULAR PAGE CREATION
When it comes to WordPress, page builders are nothing new. Various top-rung solutions can assist literally anyone in creating a good layout. With the help of page builders, you can drag and drop modules on your page. This allows customization of design and does not need any knowledge of coding. They are extremely famous and not just within the community of WordPress. With the increase in other website builders featuring dedicated page creation tools like, Wix and Squarespace, WordPress has to update to stay relevant. This is where Gutenberg comes in.
Gutenberg is an open source project by Matej Latin, which is slated to be included in the core WordPress update 4.9.6. With the integration of Gutenberg, WordPress users can quickly drag elements to the desired locations to create websites. Even though this new editor for WordPress has been much criticized, it is reckoned to be the future of WordPress. Gutenberg empowers non-technical users to master website creation. In 2018, such kind of simplified drag-and-drop page building is a development trend.
7. THE SOARING POPULARITY OF PROGRESSIVE WEB APPS
Progressive web apps (PWAs) are being hailed as the next step to web development. PWAs are web applications that are regular websites or web pages, but they can be designed to appear like native mobile applications. They combine the best of both worlds – desktop and mobile devices.
When it comes to security, speed, usability and most importantly, offline access, PWAs is a web developer’s best friend. Developers can learn everything they need to about these apps from the fundamentals laid out by Google. What is even more interesting is the fact that PWAs do not require any middleman, such as an app store.
For beginner developers, implementing PWAs may not seem like an easy task because this is a higher-level concept. However, to get you started, you can build these apps within WordPress using Ionic 1.x and AngularJS.
Try out some of the aforementioned web development trends and watch as users roll in. Being apprised of the latest advancements in the world of web development is the only way to stay ahead of the competition and remain relevant in 2018.
