Here are a few examples of some modern trends that you can focus on in order to create pleasing website that users would love.
3. Using of jQuery Plugins, HTML5 Animation, CSS3
There are so many great jQuery plugins out there! So many cool effects. In navigation, slide shows,... Now more and more websites feature a large slide show of some kind on the home page. Some use fading or sliding effects and some are very elaborate.
When you pick your jQuery effects, don't try to use them all on one page – it's hard to concentrate on a visual and content if everything is moving. Web design must involve the whole user experience - the animations and aesthetics as well. It means try to see if all your effects “work together” in a visually pleasing way.
A couple of things to keep in mind about using of animations.
Not all jQuery plugins work with each other. Most of them open source, so they could be not fully developed and they don't provide support. I noticed that one of my Datepicker jQuery plugins didn't work together with Cycle and Slider plugins. Cycle plugin didn't work correctly with Canvas function – when I wanted to have a full page slide show of the images stretched to the size of the user's screen. If you are a programmer, you can fix some of these problems. If not, then you have to pick another plugin. There are many forums where you can search if something doesn't go well. There are several educational tutorials and forums on the internet to help you in learning jQuery, CSS, and HTML5. But otherwise, it's a great saving of your time.
I can see many new plugins popping almost every day. Developers are busy incorporating new ideas into these effects. We'll see what will happen in 2013.
To summarize – use them! Your site will look great and it will save you so much time!
4. Navigations
We used to several standard options like horizontal bar, left or right side bar menus, buttons and photos with links. And that is almost all. Now there are so many cool options available! Most of them are using jQueries or java scripts or the combination of both. Many of them look like buttons with graphics but when you move your mouse over, they pop up and open windows with short descriptions and menu options. There are many cool looking expandable menus, sliding icons, accordion type of menus, cloud tags and so much more. Most of them look like they are using clean animation.
The most important thing here to make sure that your navigation is easy to use. Your visitor needs to know where to click next almost instantly. You have 3 seconds to catch your visitor's attention (usually with stunning graphics) and then to provide him with the easy navigation so he could move to the next page. If he can't decide where to click next, then he is tempted to move back and leave your site. So in using very cool menus options and effects, don't overdo it, keep them great looking but very intuitive.
But for sure use them! Great and intuitive menu is a wonderful tool that users love!
5. Simplicity
At one time, web designers thought that a more intricate design was needed to make it more visual appealing to visitors. However, these trends has gone by the wayside, as designers of today realize that less is more and choose minimalist designs.
Understanding the needs of consumers is vital in web designing. A consumer focused, user-friendly web site allows easy access to information, quickly and effectively. A simple web design that is quick to load and stays focused on what the services or product is all about will surely attract visitors.
Remember that you are competing against many other web designers. Offer what your customers need in simplistic terms. This way you will entice those to stay and order your service or product at the get go. Make sure your product or service is clearly defined, in order for your visitors not to go elsewhere.
So, here are a few final words. Design fads fade rather quickly. Here today, gone tomorrow. Real trends such as those mentioned above stay around for a long time. Large photo backgrounds, using of various new fonts and great effects supported by jQuery plugins, HTML5 or java scripts are here to stay, at least for longer than a couple of months. You can combine them with different font styles, photo backgrounds to make a website that is visually pleasing and simplistic at the same time. Keep this in mind when you are building a website or having a web designer build one for you.
