The Internet is 22 years old and already into its fifth generation. Because of that swift growth, the rollover in generations of web design is accelerating at a dizzying pace. 65% of small business owners have a web site but only 80% of those update their site at least than once a year.
Though plastic surgeons tend to be trend setters they surprisingly reflect the same percentages as other businesses. Web visitors allow very little grace when it comes to liking your site or heading elsewhere. They have grown accustomed to the latest trends in clean design and expect to find it.
Before planning the next facelift for your MD web design, here are some things today’s web surfer has come to expect in up-to-date sites.
Large images
Variations include extra-large headers that extend to the full height of the screen and image sliders. The trend is away from Flash, since many mobile devices don’t accommodate it. Large background images that don’t compete with the content are also prevalent in newer sites.
Minimalism
This used to mean huge black fonts with plenty of white space. The better word may be subtle. Make everything as simple as possible, but not simplistic. Simple is Good. Modern web design highlights a clear message, gets right to the point, and avoids clutter.
One-page Websites
One-page layouts are on the rise with several variations that include: Vertical scrolling with link-embedded content, in absence of traditional navigation; Parallax scrolling; Design under the fold, where vital content does not end above the first-visible area of the screen. This design is perfect for landing pages highlighting specials and other offers.
Mobile design
Mobile websites are not just text-only alternatives made available via plug-ins. With the rapidly growing number of mobile smartphones and tablets, mobile website design has become a significant component of most website projects. Every plastic surgeon should consider having a mobile web expert add these features to his or her site.
Fat Footers
Main navigation needs to be as uncluttered as possible. If you give people too many choices they often chose to leave your site. Fat footers are designed for richer content, personalized experiences and desirable extras; not as overflows for the main content. This kind of new footer allows you to highlight things that just don’t fit above the fold.
Interactivity
Interaction is moving beyond links in content. Social media interconnectivity is a must! Add plenty of Facebook “like” and Google+ buttons.
Typography
This is one point where new designers may be taking it too far. It is important to remember that non-standard fonts are generally not compatible with many Internet devices. QR codes are gaining ground because of the amount of information that little graphic can contain. People with smart phones can simply scan your home page where a QR code is located and instantly download all of your contact information to carry with them.
Most new sites are going to a utilitarian look with neutrals, grays accentuated with red or orange, and other muted colors schemes. Bold colors should come from your graphics, photos, and other information you want to emphasize.
The most important thing to remember in web design is to know the trends without becoming trendy. One mistake many people make is trying to incorporate every new thing that comes along. The rule is simple – keep it simple.
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