Web Design for 2010: Ten Trends

We all know that the Internet is growing at an alarming rate and with this expansion certain trends are evident. Here I'll explain what some of these are and what they do.

Anyone considering designing a website or blog, whether for themselves or for their client, should at least recognize some of the aspects of web design that seem to appeal to the masses, at least for now. Next year, who knows?

Before you dive in at the deep end and get totally immersed, stop and smell the roses. Here are ten of what I believe are the more noticeable traits that are driving web design in 2010.

• Tabbed Browsing: This is a fantastic tool as long as it's not overdone! Being able to view multiple pages simultaneously and not having to use the "Back" button is a real treat. Many of the links in your sidebar can be relocated here.




• Sideways Feedback Buttons are an excellent means of giving your visitors an easy way to contact you should they have any questions or advice to discuss.




• Large “Read More” Buttons provide the ability to easily locate the continuation of what it is your visitors were reading. Being able to do this without a magnifying glass will keep them happy. Why make it hard for them to read the entire article?




• Newsletter Revival: It was believed by some that e-mail marketing was on it's way out but such is not the case. Those opt-in boxes can be made to look very eye-pleasing nowadays!




• Single Page Layouts: These are very much in demand now. Most folks just don't want to feel they have to check out the entire site to find a specific piece of information. It's a no-nonsense approach to keeping your visitors coming back.




• Social Network Integration: By using "share" buttons from Twitter or Facebook, beneath blog posts, your visitors can quickly pass your comments on to their friends or colleagues.




• Introduction Blocks: Mission statements and important notices are a good example of what these can be used for. You'll see them in the top-left corner of the page - the first place people look at when they come to your site.




• White Space: Keep it simple and clean! Your visitors will thank you for it. Avoid all the clutter and show them what they really need to see - easily!




• Oversized Images & Headers: Don't be afraid to jazz up the headers with large graphics. Remember a picture is worth a thousand words. They are replacing splash screens and they're more appealing too!




• Textured Backgrounds: This concept is taking off in leaps and bounds. No more bland, undesirable backgrounds. Now we're seeing very subtle textures that are more pleasing to look at.

So if you want to keep trendy, your web designs should provide your visitors with a user-friendly, interactive, pictorial, personal, yet simplistic site that they can feel comfortable with, knowing that they can easily find what they are looking for.

What do you think?

About the Author: Keith Valentine is the owner of a Canadian home-based web design company Husky Web Design in Manitouwadge, ON.