We at The Practice are in the midst of some exciting projects, which include working on website updates and communications strategies for a host of interesting and diverse businesses. With planning at the forefront of our minds, we’re thinking about the latest trends, and how we can incorporate these for our clients.

It’s important to consider wider trends across the digital landscape when it comes to implementing site updates for our clients, so we ensure that what we produce is consistent with evolving technological changes. One factor that particularly influences our work is the mobile and tablet sector; it’s crucial that we ensure their sites are optimised for these too, and not just for desktop. When it comes to design, this means really making the most of features such as long-scrolling sites so that users can easily internalize content, flat design in line with the iOS7 interface, and integration of social sharing buttons. And for configuration, we prefer to use responsive web design- this ensures that the site’s server sends the same HTML code to all devices, meaning there’s no redirection needed to the mobile site, and this also ensures fast loading speeds. Secondly, this method also means that all of the site’s content is contained under one URL.

It’s also important to make sure that sites are built on current platforms so that they can easily handle updates and alterations. Using managed WordPress hosting, for instance, has many advantages as it offers automatic site backups, updates WordPress files, optimises, and even scans for any viruses and hackers, all thanks to its vast selection of plugins. And perhaps most importantly, WordPress servers tend to function well, guaranteeing little to no downtime even when site traffic is high. We’ve most definitely seen a rise in the number of online businesses using managed WordPress hosting, most likely due to the fact that it enables a huge amount of support, and relieves from the stress of manual updates, backups, and security threats.

Although we’re not currently working on any redesigns, it’s interesting to note some new trends, including a move towards simplicity and navigation, particularly when it comes to organising content. And when it comes to typography, the right font speaks volumes about a brand, which is why we’re seeing a shift towards unique fonts and headers. While we can become accustomed to turning to trusty Helvetica, for example, seeing fonts that are used time and time again can often put off the user. Instead, bold headings, logos, and image-rich home pages with less emphasis on text are coming to the fore in order to captivate immediately. It’s only a matter of looking at Awwards’ “Sites of the day” to notice a significant trend in large and beautiful imagery that looks incredible on our retina displays.

Ultimately though, it’s essential to listen to our client’s wishes, and best advise in adherence to what it is they hope to achieve from their site. After all, no two builds or design processes are the same, especially when it comes to the amount of textual content or imagery that needs to be used. However, we look forward to employing the latest trends this year wherever possible, ensuring maximum functionality and enhancing the user experience.

Which design and website trends have you noticed this year and last? And which do you think will emerge in the future? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please tweet to us @PracticeDigital and share your comments on our Facebook page. And don’t forget to check out our recent work too!