We’ve come a long way since low-quality websites used Times New Roman as their font. These days, if a website loads with that font and the links appear in blue, it’s most probably broken. You have to refresh the page to see the actual web design. But in the 90s until the early 2000s, such websites were normal and even considered well-designed.
If you weren’t born yet during Google’s early years, you might be surprised to see what the search engine’s first logo looked like. Fun fact: they had two “original” logos. Google was originally named BackRub, so they started out in 1996 with the BackRub logo in red font. Then, they rebranded to Google in 1998, launching a multicolored logo that said “Google!”
Back then, the default homepage of Google wasn’t so different from what it looks like today. It featured a white background with the search text box in the middle of the page. However, you wouldn’t see your frequently visited sites below the text box, and Chrome themes didn’t exist because Google Chrome wasn’t even born yet in the first place.
Now, Google has transformed into a highly functional search engine that doesn’t just show us websites and photos but also videos and other kinds of media. But despite this, they still maintain a clean, minimalist look, only changing the logo during the anniversaries of notable events in history. This goes to show that web design doesn’t have to look flashy or showcase too many features at once to be helpful. Instead, the content should be useful, with clear functions other than looking pretty.
Impressing Your Audience in 2021
People are shopping online more than ever. The internet has now become a mall, so online retailers must complete using their site’s content. However, there is no one-size-fits-all web strategy for all online retailers. A brand similar to Apple, for example, can’t make its website look like Amazon. However, there are specific things consumers look for in an online store, and every brand can adopt them.
1. The Right Platform
A renowned web development agency often handles brands’ web strategies. Even if you have an in-house IT team, it’s essential to hire agency help because they specialize specifically in web design and development. Meanwhile, an in-house IT team usually handles support, cybersecurity, and network maintenance.
Web design experts know which web design tools and platforms are right for you. For e-commerce sites, they typically go for Magento or Shopify. WordPress is another popular choice. Magento is used by many major retail brands, most notably Coca-cola, Ford, and Nike. Its feature-rich extensions offer benefits for pricing, discounts, and data collection. However, Magento can be quite pricey, so they may not be fit for startups.
Shopify may be a better option, as it’s more affordable and convenient. It already comes with a payment processor, so customers who would order products will no longer be redirected to a separate payment processor. Customers will appreciate this feature and may be encouraged to shop from your site more often.
Lastly, e-commerce WordPress sites are aided by a plugin called WooCommerce. It allows you to add products and credit card processing to your site. While this platform is easy and convenient, it may not support a large selection of products.
2. Sophisticated Animation
To impress your audience from the get-go, incorporating interactive media is key. In 2021, parallax animation is trending. You’d see it in almost all popular e-commerce websites. They’re like a slideshow that appears on the homepage, showing featured products, promo media, and information about a brand.
A parallax is an optical illusion in which objects near the viewer appear to move faster than objects farther away. The effect is similar to looking out the window in a fast-moving car. Parallax animation has become popular because it brings a fantastical element to a site. But of course, your parallax animation should be responsive for it to gain positive feedback.
3. User-friendliness
It couldn’t be stressed enough how user-friendliness is the most important characteristic in a good web design. It doesn’t just entail being easy to use. It should also be compatible with smartphones and other mobile devices besides a PC. With more than 8 in 10 users browsing the web using mobile devices, you can’t afford to overlook compatibility while building your website.
Navigation should be a breeze as well. Like Google, your website must clearly indicate the function of each feature. For instance, the search box should have a magnifying glass icon. Users must immediately know how to browse products and find other content. If they have a hard time navigating your website, no amount of color palettes and aesthetic themes can make up for it. Function should always come first before appearances in e-commerce web design.
Unlike websites in the past, which often looked flashy, web users now seek simplicity. So, focus your design plans on delivering an enhanced user experience while also blowing them away with some surprising content. That’s the perfect balance on e-commerce websites in 2021 and beyond.
