Trends That Will Take Over The eCommerce Design World In 2019
Online shopping is getting more and more popular by the day. The money that?s spinning in that industry is becoming almost indecent to talk about, and all signs point to eCommerce threatening to overtake retailers in the near future.
So, if your business dealings are based on eCommerce, things are definitely looking up. Still, that doesn?t mean that you can relax. In the Internet world, things are changing fast, and it?s important to keep pace with all the changes – or you?ll soon become yesterday?s news. While product and pricing are important factors, the fact is that eCommerce relies heavily on the ability of design to attract consumers. That means that, in order to run a successful business, you need to keep up with the trends of the industry. Here are the ones that will be all the rage in 2019.
1. Flat design
The minimalist approach to web design has been popular for quite some time, and its popularity only increases. The smaller burden provides faster loading time, and the simple design makes it much easier for users to navigate the website. Fewer distractions allow the users to focus better, and since the design is not overwhelming, it is more enjoyable for most people. Flat design is one of the things that improve the shopping experience in an unobvious way, which is why it?s been consistently popular.
2. Gifs and short video material
One of the best things about gift and video is the fact that they can show many complicated ideas in a very short time. In a world of instant gratification, moving pictures are a better idea that several paragraphs of text. They are more engaging, take less time, and very often much easier to understand.
3. Negative space
Also called white space, this is simply the space on the page that doesn?t contain any text or pictures. These days, negative space is used as a means of helping the user focus on the information presented to them. It provides fewer distractions, and it?s particularly effective when combined with gifs and videos.
4. Long scrolling
Long scrolling is scrolling through infinite content that keeps loading every time you reach the end of a page. If the content is interesting to the user, it increases engagement significantly. It?s a great idea for online stores because it eliminates the need for constant clicking in order to see the products of interest. On the other hand, it can be annoying for news websites, so use this feature wisely.
5. Voice search
Voice search is gaining popularity and becoming an important part of eCommerce website development. People use different gadgets to browse, and for many of them, voice commands are more practical than typing. Therefore, it improves the user experience significantly. Make sure this feature is available for all devices, to maximize the appeal to consumers.
6. Chatbots
Many commercial websites use chatbox these days. There?s a good reason for that since they?re a very convenient tool for communication with consumers. A chatbot provides them with instant response (remember: the world of instant gratification), and it can direct them to the right contact information if needed. It saves time for you and your costumer.
7. Going brick-and-mortar
It may be a good idea to go brick-and-mortar after you have a well-established digital presence. Permanent stores are not the only option – you can also choose to set up pop-up shops and windows as a kind of marketing strategy. Usually, a good idea would be to have your store attend the events that are interesting to your target group. It also makes sense to open a permanent store in the area where you have the highest number of loyal customers. A brick-and-mortar store provides you with an opportunity to engage directly with the customers. Still, don?t forget – your store needs to be unique, and obviously connected to your brand – otherwise, it won?t last.
8. Splitting the screen
The screen is always rectangular, and after a while, it can get quite boring. Therefore, many online brands have tried to move in a different direction. Diversification of the screen sidesteps the issue of repetitiveness that is often connected to the traditional screen. Today, screens look more like magazine spreads instead of computer screens, and many other interactive features are provided. Asymmetrical scrolling, motion, and other news will keep your consumer interested and engaged – and thus boost your traffic and profit.
9. Reshaping the menu
The hamburger menu is nice and neat. It prevents cluster on the page, and it works as a means of organization. However, fullscreen menus with special effect can prove much more engaging than the hamburgers. Menus are getting less conventional by the day, and they make up for a better, more interesting online user experience.
10. Fun interactions
It seems that users enjoy fun little interactions on screen, even if they don?t really serve any particular purpose. Think about little surprises that you can leave on your page for the users to find. Hidden text or movable objects will make your website more fun, and therefore improve the overall experience. Better experience means more traffic, and that makes for greater popularity of your brand.
It doesn?t matter if you?re starting from scratch or if you have an already established online presence, the design of your page needs to follow the times. This doesn?t mean that you should blindly follow the fashion without any originality. Use fresh ideas, and combine them with the elements that you know for a fact are good for attracting customers – and pretty soon, your business will flourish.
