Emerging Trends in Web Development
Introduction
To get started in the course I was tasked with creating a report with coming up with five emerging
trends. After conducting my research I came up with dark mode, micro-interactions, AI Chatbots, parallax
scrolling, and full-page headers. I described what each one is and why I thought it was important. To
display the information I was asked to make a website to show the report.
Scoring Guide
Here is the scoring guide for my Emerging Web Trends Report page: Web Trend Report Scoring Guide
Here is my list of emerging web design and development trends that I think are important.
Dark Mode
Dark mode has become more of a practical design choice rather than an aesthetic
one. Users are
becoming accustomed to having an option to change the contrast mode. There are benefits to
providing a dark mode such as reducing eye strain, especially in low light situations. It can
also provide an energy-saving aspect on screens because when pixels are black or turned off they
consume less power.
I think this is a trend that is already becoming standard. A lot of operating
systems and programs now have an option to turn on a dark mode. It seems only natural that
websites will start to transition to providing a dark mode to help match the aesthetic of an
operating system and browser. As well as capitalize on the practical benefits of providing
easier reading on the website and potential energy-saving benefits.
Micro Interactions
Micro-interactions are the small interactions that occur when a user interacts with
a website.
These interactive elements are added to different elements on a website such as hovering over a
button or clicking on an icon. They can often be subtle but can increase engagement and
intuitiveness for users. The real-time feedback they provide can help guide users through the
website while providing a fun way to navigate the website.
This is a trend that I like because some websites can be so dull or
over-stimulating with
animations. I think micro-interactions are a nice in-between to help catch the user's attention.
I do think it can be overused then and makes a website frustrating to use. When implemented
correctly I think it encourages a user to explore a website more than they would a static
website.
AI Chatbots
Artificial intelligence chatbots have emerged as a new trend in web development
that can help
provide support and information to users. These chatbots mimic having a conversation with a
human. They help websites and businesses provide 24/7 support through instant responses to
user's questions. They can help guide users through the website to help them find their needed
information. This level of interaction can improve user experience and make them feel valued.
From a business perspective, it can help free up human resources to work on other tasks. Also,
they can help businesses gather data from the interactions so they can analyze where customers
are having problems.
I think this is becoming more common on websites. According to the Space-O
Technologies article, It is forecasted that the artificial intelligence market will grow to
around 126 billion dollars by 2025. This makes me think it will keep growing and being
implemented as technology evolves. Being able to gather data from conversations with users is
also valuable for businesses to figure out where improvements can be made. Overall though it
provides another way to help users navigate a website and easily obtain information related to
their needs
Parallax Scrolling
Parallax scrolling brings depth to a website by varying the scroll speed between
the background content and foreground content. This also creates a sense of motion when
scrolling through a website. This helps a website stand out and helps convey a story while
navigating the page. This helps to create a memorable experience for users in hopes of keeping
them engaged longer.
I think this is similar to the micro-interactions that it can be overused and make
a website harder to access by making it too busy. Overall though I think this is a trend that
will keep being integrated into web designs because it can help make a website more inviting to
users. Rather than a wall of text, it can provide a seamless and interactive way to inform
and guide users.
Full-Page Headers
Full-page headers take up the entire screen at the top of a website. It is also can
be referred to as a hero section and provides the first impression for users. Web designers use
these hero sections to show off visuals to grab attention. These visuals could include a
promotional video, an engaging headline, or a high-quality image. By having a full-page header
you direct users attention to an important visual or message. This is another way for a website
to enhance its storytelling ability and convey its values and story.
This is another design-centered trend that I think is important because it is
another way for a company to stand out from the others. Some brands need to catch users'
attention right away and explain what the brand is about. These hero sections can provide a
quick peek into a brand's story and values when a user lands on the homepage. This type of
engagement can help connect with users and try to keep them engaged with the website.
Reflection
Looking into these trends taking over web development has shown me how much the landscape
can change. Each year brings about new trends in how websites are made and designed. I only selected
five topics to focus on for this report but after doing my research there is a lot more trends changing
web development. While I only covered five topics I can see that being in the web development career
field will need constant learning and research to stay on top of trends.
Resources
Gartner, J. (2024, August 7). The 11 most popular web design trends for 2025. White
Peak
Digital. https://www.whitepeakdigital.com/blog/web-design-trends/
7 emerging web design trends for 2024 and beyond. (2024, February 29). Webflow.
https://webflow.com/blog/web-design-trends-2024
Patel, B. (2024, July 11). 10 web development trends in 2024 [Benefits + examples].
Homepage.
https://www.spaceotechnologies.com/blog/web-development-trends/
Lara, C. (2024, August 1). 24 top web design trends 2024. TheeDigital.
https://www.theedigital.com/blog/web-design-trends/
