The birth of the internet took place in 1983, and since then, web development have continuously evolved. Presently, the internet hosts around 1.58 billion websites and attracts around 5 billion users daily. As a website owner, it’s imperative to remain vigilant and track the latest trends in Web development to integrate new best practices. Neglecting to do so can potentially have severe consequences on your website’s user experience and performance.
Moreover, this post focuses on the most influential website development trends that will likely dominate in 2023.
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11 Web Development Trends in 2023
It may come as a surprise, but numerous trends already exist, and their prevalence is expected to grow in the upcoming years. Utilizing these best practices has become more crucial than ever. Let’s explore some of them:
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Although progressive web apps (PWAs) are not new, their latest iteration is set to replace traditional web apps completely. PWAs enable websites to function offline and load quickly, similar to apps like Google Maps. Major companies like Uber, Pinterest, Starbucks, and Twitter have already embraced PWAs to enhance the user experience. In 2023, we can anticipate more organizations following suit.
During the second half of 2022, mobile devices (excluding tablets) accounted for over 58% of web traffic. With the increasing usage of tablets and smartphones for various online activities, transforming web applications into PWAs has become imperative.
Apart from delivering an exceptional user experience, they offer additional advantages such as seamless maintenance for providers. Moreover, they visually resemble and operate like regular web pages.
WordPress Development
WordPress Development remains a prominent choice with its widespread usage, powering more than 40% of all websites. WordPress, an open-source platform, consistently enhances its features to cater to user demands.
In the upcoming year, WordPress is anticipated to undergo several enhancements. Notably, a revamped navigation structure will streamline the user experience by integrating template experiences and the post editor, which is currently separate. Additionally, WordPress is introducing new design tools that add vibrancy to your website.
Accelerated Mobile Pages
According to Unbounce, nearly 70% of consumers consider page speed as a factor influencing their decision to purchase. In other words, overlooking your website’s speed is not advisable. This is where AMP comes into play.
Initially launched by Google in 2015, accelerated mobile pages (AMP) deliver lightning-fast digital experiences for mobile users. By reducing bounce rates and providing a seamless user experience, Google’s AMP can potentially enhance core business metrics.
Although the usage of AMP has seen a slight decline since 2020, it still remains the most widely used mobile technology globally. It is implemented by 35% of websites utilizing mobile technologies and over half of the top 10,000 most popular websites.
Optimized Voice Search
Voice search, initially launched by Google in 2011, has gained significant popularity and continues to rise. The market growth of virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa in 2019 was exceptional and is projected to continue growing rapidly, as analyzed by Grand View Research.
According to Google, a notable 27% of individuals utilize voice search on their mobile devices. Additionally, findings from a Microsoft study revealed that within the last few months, 72% of users have engaged with a digital assistant.
In response to consumer demand, more prominent tech giants are entering the market or developing new products such as Google Home and Apple HomePod. Moreover, a majority of adults in the United States now own a smart home device, further indicating the increasing relevance of voice search.
It is worth noting that voice searches are not limited to smart speakers; they are also conducted through smartphones and various IoT devices. As a result, search engine results pages will likely display voice search results more prominently and frequently. Consequently, companies are expected to focus on optimizing their content strategies and products for voice search in 2023.
Standardization of Dark Mode
In recent times, the popularity of low-light and dark websites has soared. This trend is set to continue in 2023, with more apps and websites offering user interfaces (UIs) in dark mode. Studies have shown that out of 10 at least 8 users prefer using dark mode.
Leading platforms like Twitter and Facebook have already embraced this feature, allowing users to effortlessly switch between dark and light modes based on their system settings or preference. Delivering a fully personalized experience is crucial as website visitors now anticipate tailored interactions.
AI Chatbots
In 2023, AI chatbots are expected to cater to users’ needs. To achieve this, Ai chatbots will leverage natural language processing, machine learning, and information retrieval techniques to match user behavior more efficiently.
Apart from enabling companies to perform faster operations using text or voice chats, these chatbots also help to enhance the customer experience. You can leverage an AI chatbot to gather data, provide answers to FAQs, and resolve other issues, resulting in a better digital experience.
Many companies already employ AI chatbots to serve their customers. Forbes reports that marketers’ use of AI has increased by 190%, with many operating within WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Skype, instead of normal chatbots.
Importance of Responsive Website Design
The significance of responsive design cannot be overstated. With mobile devices accounting for over 58% of web traffic worldwide, and nearly three-quarters of global e-commerce sales being completed on mobile, it is evident that adopting a mobile-first approach in web development is essential.
While many developers have been following this approach for years, the definition of “mobile-friendly” is ever-evolving. In 2023, it entails leveraging geolocation data to deliver highly personalized user experiences, providing one-click ordering on e-commerce apps, and integrating biometric authentication methods like voice recognition or fingerprint scanning, among other emerging trends. By implementing responsive design, you not only offer a seamless user experience to your visitors but also enhance your brand reputation in a multifaceted manner.
Single-Page Applications
Single-Page Applications (SPAs) have emerged as a prominent trend in web development, driven by their JavaScript-based architecture. These applications enable the loading of a single HTML page in the browser, allowing for dynamic content updates without the need to refresh the page.
Major players in the industry, including Facebook, Google, and Twitter, have wholeheartedly embraced SPAs due to their exceptional performance and ability to enhance user experience.
SPAs offer a cost-effective and relatively straightforward development process, leveraging the widely acclaimed AngularJS framework. Moreover, they significantly optimize server space usage while providing users with a comprehensive set of information on a single page, eliminating the need for excessive navigation. The advantages of SPAs are undeniable, making them a win-win solution for both developers and website visitors.
Considering the ever-increasing demand for faster and more streamlined web experiences, it is highly probable that the popularity of SPAs will continue to rise in the foreseeable future.
Motion UI
Modern consumers expect digital experiences that are not only mobile-friendly and faster but also more engaging and interactive.
That’s why Motion UI has gained immense popularity. It’s a front-end framework that empowers developers to create fully responsive mobile applications and websites and uses pre-defined motions within a native app environment. With Motion UI, developers can incorporate elements that bounce, transition, slide, spin, and much more.
Moreover, Motion UI is compatible with almost all web technologies and can even be integrated into any website, from the header and footer to menus. While Motion UI gained popularity in 2018, it has become even more accessible due to the SASS libraries’ technology, which makes it one of the leading web development trends in 2023.
Serverless Architecture
Serverless technology has been gaining attention as it offers a solution to data loss, system overloading, and development costs. It operates on cloud technology that allows users to run code for various applications or backend services without the need for administration. Companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have been providing and using serverless architecture.
Enhanced Native Cybersecurity
In the year 2023, cybersecurity is a paramount concern, encompassing the protection of networks, data, and computers against misuse. Every company, regardless of its size, is prone to cyber threats. For instance, in June 2021, hackers obtained personal information, including emails, full names, and phone numbers, by scraping the accounts of around 700 million LinkedIn users.
The number of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, as reported by CDN provider Cloudflare, experienced an alarming increase, nearly doubling each quarter in 2020. These attacks lead to hours of downtime, significant revenue loss, and reputational damage.
In response to this escalating threat landscape, website development has adapted to facilitate better safeguarding of customer and company data. There has been a notable shift towards application-based multi-factor authentication methods like Google Authenticator, the implementation of patch management practices, and the establishment of Security Operation Centers (SOCs). These measures aim to enhance native cybersecurity and mitigate potential risks.
