With the arrival of HTML5 and CSS3, websites are becoming more interactive and appealing than ever. An updated, modern-looking, and easily navigable website is vital in today’s market.  If your company is considering a redesign of your website, keep the following trends in mind:  

  1. Growing Monitors: In homes and businesses, the screens are getting bigger and bigger. This allows for web designers to make the dimensions of their sites larger, and well as incorporating larger images that appeal to the eye.
  2. Mobile Editions: As we discussed in previous posts, people are going online via their smartphones and tablets now more than ever. Websites need to be mobile-compatible to compete in a tough economy.
  3. Simpler Designs: Another hot trend is simplicity; many sites are finding ways to condense information into the very basics in order to keep their design simple and easy to navigate. Instead of complicated layouts, large wallpaper-sized images are being used as backgrounds. 
  4. QR Codes: Quick Response codes are two-dimensional barcodes that smartphones can scan to take them directly to a website. These commonly appear in print ads so that smartphone users immediately go to advertisers' websites. If you plan on sending out a direct mailing, create a barcode for your site and put it in your piece!
  5. Large Headers and Footers: With wider computer screens, web designers are taking advantage of the impact of headers and footers by making them larger and putting calls-to-action in them.  Headers have immediate impact on readers, while footers are often a last-chance way to grab their attention after they scroll through the page.
  6. Social Media Icons: They are clean, recognizable, and a professional way to link to your social media pages. Icons are also getting larger, so don't be afraid to make them more prominent.  

For more helpful marketing tips and information on effective marketing strategies for your business, go to www.lookingglassmarketing.com or visit the Marketing Know-How blog.