In 2012, content strategy and responsive web design finally began to get the recognition they deserve and showed us better, more fluid ways to design online experiences. 2013 promises to be just as exciting, and after gazing into our crystal ball, we have some predictions for trends that will take off:
1. Websites will get simpler. With the increase of mobile usage and a trend towards complexity over the past few years, we will get back to basics in 2013. Instead of throwing everything but the kitchen sink into websites, people will put more thought and consideration into whether the content (and design) will be necessary and helpful to the user.
2. Website messaging will be more focused on emotional connections and purpose. With so many websites to choose from and a bombardment of advertising and marketing, companies will need to talk more about why they’re in business (instead of what they sell) and create emotional connections to stand out from the crowd. Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” movement has been gaining momentum, and people are seeing companies like Apple and Nike excel at this type of messaging. Other businesses will follow suit with their websites in the coming year.
3. Content strategy will move to the forefront. Up until now, the emphasis has been more about how website look rather than content, but that will change. Design is still important, but instead of just making a flashy website with all the bells and whistles, companies will pay more attention to the role of content and how it can help achieve their goals.
4. Websites will become more “touchable” and “swipeable.” With the increasing popularity of touch screen devices, people will need to consider how websites will work with touching and swiping instead of mouse clicking. This will change how interfaces look and work, especially with clickable areas and navigation.
What do you think? Will these ideas go mainstream, or will other hot topics bubble to the surface?
Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/ckelley/3158192219/
Your predictions make me think about how the gluttony of information, options, and fluff on the internet interacts with the shortage of time, attention, and patience of people using the internet.
What I’m wondering is if these trends (specifically 1 through 3) are a response to the combination of those factors.
Putting more thought and consideration into what will be necessary and helpful for the user helps cut through the gluttony of information. A greater focus on purpose and emotions connections helps a company stand out from the crowd. And even though design is and will always be important, if we remove content that helps people meet their goals (and our goals) then our sites are useless.
Basically, I think you’re onto something with that crystal ball of yours : )