Web Design Trends

[adamscomputers]

I was reading today about web design trends and graphics, take the glass/reflective effect as an example. Is the glass effect still *in* and what is the latest trend(s)? Also, should the website be updated accordingly?

[PointandStare]

glass effect was in for about a week sometime 18 months ago.
Seriously, don't go down that route!

As for updating your site. Aim to lead, not follow.

[matt.chatterley]

I wouldn't worry about trends asuch - as PAS says - try to lead, not follow.

In so doing, each website needs to be an appropriate representation of the company it represents (and their brand image) - and must be suitable for fulfilling their requirements.

It's also heavily subjective as this means different things in different scenarios - e.g. a super fancy site with wonderful graphical effects would perhaps be a poor match for the RNIB - just as a plain text one would be a bad idea for an artists consortium.

[dreadman]

I agree with the thread sentiment - be the trend seter but focussing on meeting your clients` needs is very important.

[A Web Apart]

Forget about cosmetic web design trends, today's latest and greatest trendy cool cosmetic effect soon becomes over-used, naff, cheesy, and so 'yesterday' or 'last year'.

There are some important web trends you should keep in mind:

1. Web browser trends, what are people using to browse the web and your website, (e.g. recent important trends include iPhone and netbooks, very small laptops, and the associated web design screen sizes involved for these devices)

2. Web usability trends, thankfully these don't change too often, the basic ways we navigate through sites, the way we add products to baskets and checkout etc, but these are important, because if your site works like other popular sites users visit, users will already be familiar with your site too. Follow the accepted de facto norm in this case, don't opt for some new user interface that is unfamiliar and unfriendly for your users.

3. Search engine trends. Search engines are continually evolving their algorithms so if search engine ranking and traffic is important for your site, you need to keep up with this and treat it as an ongoing process.

[Aabas]

Also good modern web designs put less energy into designing the page background - the canvas and permanent page features - and rather focus on designing the content itself.

This reflects the principle of drawing the viewer's attention to the content.

[Paul Norman]

I am going to go with the majority here! Ignore trends. You will spend a fortune for nothing. Instead focus on your customers, and on your aims for your website, and have it built accordingly.

Indeed, as PAS suggests, be a bit radical. Stand out from the crown. Break a rule or three.

So long as this does not render your site invisible to the search engines, or annoying to your clients, it will make it stand out, and give it greater longevity, if done well!

[Mat]

A Web Apart made a good post, which basically says it all.

What I would say is the design is that in-depth knowledge of your target visitors and intelligent use of copy will make your company stand out more than a design ever could. The design itself is almost secondary.

[adamscomputers]

Thanks for all the input so far. I will be re-launching my website with a very minimalistic feel. I'll post an update on the forum when I've uploaded it so people can take a look!