20 things to consider with website design trends


Website design trends
Website design trends

Important website design trends you need to know

Mobile-first design

Minimalism and simplicity

Dark mode

Dark mode has become very popular because it looks modern and helps reduce eye strain, especially in low-light environments. Instead of using a bright background, the site uses darker colours which are easier on the eyes. Dark mode is also better for battery life on certain devices. Many websites now give visitors the option to switch between light and dark versions of the site, which helps them stay longer because they can pick the view that feels most comfortable.

Micro-interactions

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New website design trends to improve user experience

Custom illustrations and graphics

Custom illustrations and graphics are becoming more popular because they give a website a unique feel. Instead of using the same stock photos that everyone else uses, websites are now investing in creating images that match their brand perfectly. A custom graphic can tell your story better, show off your personality and leave a lasting impression. It also makes your site look more professional and helps visitors remember your brand. Sites that use personalised visuals often seem more trustworthy because they look less generic and more thoughtful.

Bold typography

Bold typography is all about using strong and striking fonts to make an impact. It helps guide the visitor’s eye to the most important information on a page. A well-chosen bold font can make headings stand out, highlight key messages and give the entire site a confident feel. By keeping text big and clear, you also make the website easier to read on mobile devices where screen space is limited. Using bold typography properly means your visitors can find what matters most without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

AI and automation in web design

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Website design trends to make your site stand out

Voice search optimisation

With the rise of devices like smart speakers and voice assistants on phones, optimising your website for voice search is becoming more important. Voice searches are often longer and sound more natural than typed searches, so it helps to write your content using conversational language. Short, clear answers to common questions can help your site appear in voice search results. A website that is well-prepared for voice search can capture more traffic from people using hands-free browsing and stay ahead of the competition.

Advanced animation and motion design

Inclusive design

Sustainable web design

Asymmetrical layouts

Personalisation

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Modern website trends shaping the digital experience

As online behaviour evolves, websites must continue to find new ways to present information clearly and keep visitors engaged. Here are two more important trends that can help your site stand out in today’s competitive environment.

Data visualisation for clearer communication

Data visualisation is the art of turning numbers and facts into visual stories. Using charts, graphs, maps, and infographics helps users quickly understand information that would otherwise be hard to digest. Instead of long lists of numbers or complicated paragraphs, good data visualisation presents key insights in a way that is easy to see and remember. A website that uses data visualisation well can make complex subjects much more approachable, helping visitors make better decisions and improving how they interact with your content.

3D and immersive experiences to deepen engagement

Adding 3D elements and immersive features is a growing trend in web design. This approach makes a website feel more interactive, allowing users to explore spaces, products, or concepts in a richer, more dynamic way. It can be as simple as a 3D rotating product image or as complex as a full virtual environment users can move through.

Websites that embrace 3D and immersive experiences often leave a lasting impression because they make the visitor feel part of the journey rather than just an observer. Used well, these features can increase the time people spend on a site and encourage them to take further action, whether it is learning more about a product or completing a purchase. As technology improves, even smaller businesses can start using these techniques to make their websites more memorable.

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Website design trends that improve user engagement

Scrolling effects and parallax to create depth

Scrolling effects and parallax involve moving different elements at varying speeds as a visitor scrolls down a page. This technique creates a sense of depth and movement, making the browsing experience more dynamic. Websites that use these effects well feel more alive and immersive, helping to hold the visitor’s attention for longer. When used thoughtfully, parallax can make content stand out without overwhelming the visitor.

Interactive content for better engagement

Interactive content includes features like quizzes, polls, surveys, and clickable infographics. Instead of just reading or scrolling, users can interact with the content directly. This encourages participation and often leads to better engagement and longer time spent on the website. Websites that include interactive elements offer visitors a more enjoyable and memorable experience and can often see a boost in repeat visits and conversions.

Microcopy and conversational UI for clearer communication

Microcopy refers to the small pieces of text on a website that guide users, such as form instructions or button labels. Conversational UI means designing these interactions to sound more natural and friendly. Good microcopy can make even complex actions simple and stress-free. A conversational style helps visitors feel more comfortable and confident when using your site. Websites that get this right often feel easier to use and leave a better impression on visitors.

Augmented reality for interactive experiences

Privacy and security features to build trust

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Final thoughts on website design trends

Current website design trends

  1. Minimalism and Clean Design Clean, minimalist designs continue to dominate, emphasising simplicity, spacious layouts, and straightforward navigation. The goal is to remove distractions and allow the content to take centre stage. The focus is on reducing clutter and providing users with an easy, smooth experience. WordPress themes and page builders like MaxiBlocks support minimalistic designs with their clean templates and ample white space, ensuring content remains the focus.
  2. Dark Mode Dark mode has gained immense popularity, offering users a visually comfortable experience, particularly in low-light environments. Many websites are now offering a dark mode option or implementing it as the default. With tools like MaxiBlocks, users can quickly adjust their WordPress theme to support dark mode by tweaking colour schemes, providing an elegant, modern look that enhances readability.
  3. Micro-Interactions
    Micro-interactions are small animations or design features that respond to user actions, such as hovering over a button or clicking a link. These small details add a sense of interactivity and make the user experience feel more engaging. MaxiBlocks offers various animations and interactive elements that can be easily added to your WordPress website, from hover effects to animated transitions, enhancing the overall user experience.
  4. Video Backgrounds
    Video backgrounds are becoming increasingly popular, as they can effectively communicate a brand’s message in a dynamic way. A short, looped video on the homepage can grab attention and immediately convey the brand’s vibe. With MaxiBlocks, you can effortlessly integrate video backgrounds into your WordPress site, creating an engaging, immersive experience that enhances the design without slowing down your site’s performance.
  5. AI-powered Design Tools
    As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to develop, AI-powered design tools are making their way into web development. These tools help automate tasks like layout adjustments, content generation, and even image editing. While AI isn’t directly integrated into WordPress, using plugins like MaxiBlocks gives you access to powerful, easy-to-use design tools that simplify customisation, helping you create professional designs more quickly and efficiently.

How MaxiBlocks fits into these trends

MaxiBlocks is a fantastic tool to implement many of these design trends on your WordPress website. Here’s how it helps:

  • Flexibility for modern designs: MaxiBlocks offers an extensive library of pre-designed templates and block patterns, making it easy to create minimalistic and clean layouts without any hassle. You can easily customise the design elements to fit the trends you’re following.
  • Responsive design: With MaxiBlocks, you don’t have to worry about making your website mobile-friendly—it’s built right into the plugin. The designs automatically adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring that your site works perfectly on all devices.
  • Customisation and animations: MaxiBlocks allows you to incorporate micro-interactions, animations, and transitions to add life to your pages. These small interactive elements make your site more engaging and dynamic.
  • Typography and colour options: With MaxiBlocks, you can easily adjust typography, colours, and spacing to create bold, eye-catching designs that fit the latest typography trends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, staying on top of website design trends is essential for keeping your site fresh and engaging. Trends like minimalist design, dark mode, and custom graphics are shaping how websites look and function, and WordPress—combined with powerful tools like MaxiBlocks makes it easier than ever to implement these trends. With MaxiBlocks, you have the flexibility to create modern, responsive, and visually appealing websites that keep your visitors engaged.

If you want to create a WordPress site that stands out, follow these design trends and utilise MaxiBlocks to enhance your creative vision. Whether you’re building a blog, business site, or portfolio, MaxiBlocks offers all the tools you need to stay ahead of the curve.

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FAQs – Website design trends

What are the current website design trends?

Website design trends continuously evolve as technology and user preferences change. Some of the key trends this year include bold typography, custom illustrations, dark mode with vivid colour schemes, interactive 3D elements, and AI-powered tools. Designers are also focusing on sustainability with energy-efficient websites and incorporating gamification to engage users.

Why is typography important in website design?

Typography plays a crucial role in website design because it affects readability, user experience, and overall aesthetics. Bold and expressive typography can help convey your brand’s personality, create emphasis on key content, and guide visitors through your site. It’s a vital element that can make your website stand out and improve engagement.

How does dark mode impact website design?

Dark mode is popular because it reduces eye strain, saves battery life on mobile devices, and gives websites a sleek, modern look. Combining dark backgrounds with vibrant, contrasting colours creates a visually dynamic design. Many users prefer dark mode for its aesthetics, and incorporating it can improve user experience and accessibility on your site.

What is anti-design in website design?

Anti-design is a trend that embraces imperfection, breaking conventional design rules. It includes asymmetry, clashing colours, and unconventional layouts that create a more authentic and expressive experience. This trend seeks to move away from overly polished, symmetrical designs, opting instead for creative, bold layouts that stand out.

How can I make my website more sustainable?

Sustainable web design involves creating energy-efficient websites by optimizing code, reducing image sizes, and using eco-friendly hosting. By focusing on performance, you can reduce the environmental impact of your website while also improving its speed and user experience. Making thoughtful design decisions, like minimizing resource-heavy elements, also contributes to a greener digital environment.

What role do AI-powered tools play in web design?

AI-powered tools are revolutionising web design by automating tasks such as layout generation, content recommendations, and even creating custom designs. These tools make the design process faster, more efficient, and highly personalised, helping designers create unique and tailored websites without having to manually adjust every detail.

What are interactive 3D elements, and why are they popular?

Interactive 3D elements engage users by providing depth and interactivity within the design. These could include features like rotating product images, immersive backgrounds, or interactive animations. 3D visuals enhance the user experience by making websites more dynamic and engaging, especially in e-commerce or creative portfolios.

How does gamification improve website design?

Gamification involves incorporating game-like elements such as progress bars, rewards, and challenges into website design. These interactive features can make browsing more engaging and encourage users to take specific actions, such as signing up, completing a task, or making a purchase. Gamification enhances user experience and can improve customer loyalty and retention.

Why is mobile-first design important?

Mobile-first design prioritises creating websites that are optimized for mobile devices before considering desktop designs. This is critical as mobile traffic now exceeds desktop traffic. Websites that load quickly and look great on smartphones and tablets tend to perform better in terms of user engagement, SEO rankings, and overall satisfaction.

How can personalisation enhance website design?

Personalisation in website design involves tailoring content, recommendations, and user interfaces based on individual user behavior or data. By offering a more customised experience, websites can increase engagement, improve user satisfaction, and drive conversions. Personalisation can be based on factors like location, previous browsing history, or user preferences. 

What is a hero section and why does it matter? 

The hero section is the first visual element most visitors encounter. It introduces your site’s purpose and sets the tone for the rest of the content. For creative direction and layout ideas, take a look at this collection of hero banner examples that showcase what works well in modern web design.

Can I design a hero section in WordPress without any coding experience? 

Absolutely. The Maxiblocks hero section builder for WordPress lets you create striking, responsive hero areas using drag-and-drop controls. It’s perfect for anyone who wants professional results with minimal effort. 

Is there a specific Maxiblocks tool for building hero sections? 

Yes, the Maxiblocks website hero section builder is designed to help you craft custom header sections that align with your brand and engage visitors, all without needing a developer. 

What tools can I use to design a full website more efficiently? 

Choosing the right software can streamline your entire web design process. Whether you’re starting from scratch or improving an existing site, this guide to website design software breaks down tools that support both creativity and productivity. 

How can I ensure my website looks great on all devices? 

Responsive design is key to creating a consistent experience, no matter the screen size. This complete responsive web design guide walks you through the principles and techniques you need to build a site that performs beautifully across phones, tablets and desktops. 

Author-Kyra

Kyra Pieterse

Author

Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.

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