2016 Trends in Web Development

7 of the Hottest Web Development Trends to Look for in 2016

Web development is a constantly evolving field, as the Web continues to grow and evolve. To provide stand-out development services for clients, developers need to keep an eye on the trends and predict what will be the latest and greatest advances in web development in order to deliver websites and services that are competitive in the modern market.

If you're looking into where the trends are leading for 2016, here's a list to get you started on what to look out for:

The trend of the long scroll will continue

Influenced by the use of mobile devices and the viewer's reluctance to click deeper into a site, many sites have put as much of their important content as possible onto the home page, making this page into a long, scroll-able journey. This trend may continue as businesses want to get all of the important info and calls-to-action out there to customers as easy as possible. Users with touch-screen mobile devices will also be happy as they won't have to carefully tap any buttons to delve deeper, but simply need to flick through the page for info.

Increasing importance placed on load time

With users' patience for slow-loading sites waning, especially on mobile devices, it is essential to lighten pages and boost load times. If a page takes more than a few seconds to load, viewers will move on. With this in mind, you should familiarize yourself with optimizing websites for speed. Cleaning up old code, utilizing the features of CSS3 instead of heavier JavaScript or Flash options, compressing images and text with GZIP technology, using caching to bypass database calls, and making use of cloud delivery networks (CDNs) can all help to save page load speeds.

Switch to vector graphics

With retina screens on the rise, get comfortable working with vector graphic formats. Images are going to need to be as compact in file size as possible, but still come up sharp in order to keep up with technology, and vector graphics such as SVG files may be the best answer.

Enhancing user experience with animations

Whether it's multi-layered animations in a parallax banner, entertaining loading animations, or hover animations as a user interacts with a site, animation can be a fun way to engage users. Movement can draw the eye, prevent a viewer from wandering away, or simply make a page feel more inviting. 

Continued focus on responsive design

The ongoing shift to mobile demands that sites continue to be built with responsive design. Mobile users do not want to be frustrated with small buttons designed for the desktop web or bulky, uninviting designs. Navigation should be easy to access, buttons should be large enough to tap comfortably, and information will need to be presented in an easy-to-digest format.

Changes in database technology

While the SQL database has long held the title as top method of data organization, noSQL databases are starting to take hold, as we look for faster and more intuitive ways to store information. NoSQL databases are being developed in response to match the scale at which data is being produced and accessed. The SQL relational database may be ready to retire as social media and new storage and processing methods demand faster response and better performance and power. While 2016 will not see a full switch to noSQL databases, get ready to see the database revolution begin as the market prepares to handle big data.

The flat design trend will grow

The simplicity and minimalism of flat design has taken hold, and 2016 looks like it will only see this trend continue to take off. Flat design certainly looks fresh and clean, and displays well on mobile devices as well as full-size websites. Because of the simplicity, it will also encourage designers to embrace more vibrant color schemes, while still playing with fewer elements on each page to create a clean feel and embrace more white space. Longer shadows may be embraced to help counter the flat feel with more depth as well, and achieve a well-balanced look.

Get In With the Trends! Learn Web Development at ECPI University!

With the onslaught of new technology, it's important for developers to take the time to research and keep up with trends in their field. Even more important is to create a strong foundation to build from. A Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Science with concentration in Web Development could be the perfect way to get started in your journey in web development. Contact us today to find out more and start your journey on an exciting path! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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