Whether a company is newly-formed or simply needs to update their website, there are several layout styles and platforms to use.
Improving your web design bolsters business sales by not only providing innovative, interactive ways to capture an audience, but by acknowledging the development of modern technology and access across platforms.
These essential web layouts trends of 2015, when added to an already interactive website, have proven to expand a business’s online reach.
Split Screen Layouts
When a company offers multiple services, it can be difficult to decide a hierarchy as to what should be the primary focus of a page. Split screen layouts divide the page vertically, allowing two focuses or products to be displayed simultaneously. When deciding to use the split screen layout, most businesses opt for contrasting or complementary colours that denote the separation of product or service, while keeping the two related.
- Desktime App
Modular & Grid Based Layouts
The grid format of a website has become popularised by websites like Tumblr and Pinterest, where ideas are combined to show innovation and creativity in an organised manner. This layout has become associated with organised, practical products and information, and is pleasing to the eyes with hard lines for structure.
Longer Scrolling Layouts
The diverse layouts of the Internet have given society a greater desire for information, yet less motivation to discover it. Longer-scrolling home pages providing as much information as possible are the most beneficial to companies as they can spread out information in a way that is not overwhelming, yet all questions can be answered. The more clicks a company places between their clients and their products, the less likely said client is to remain on the page.
Storytelling & Interactive Platforms
Another of the essential web layouts trends of 2015 incorporates multimedia with impressive CSS and HTML capabilities. Being able to combine across platforms to tell a story, create a game or otherwise embrace a viewer’s attention makes them more likely to stay on the page. Studies show that with a video or other interactive piece on a company’s website, a customer is 50-100% more likely to use said product or service.
For example, Absolut Vodka sponsored the creation of a short film, “I’m Here,” in 2010, earning the company hundreds of thousands of views to their website.
Another example is Hello Monday, a digital agency focused on unique visual experiences. The more you scroll, the more opportunities you have for videos and information about various businesses.
Hidden & Blended Navigations
To emphasise an image of a product or service, hiding the navigation bar can be beneficial and clean. In some cases, if a user hovers over the top of the page or even clicks a menu button for the navigation to appear, the experience can be much less distracting. Hidden navigations allow customers to explore all a page has to offer without being overwhelmed by the selections provided on other pages.
Site Speed & Performance
Now a portion of Google’s quality guidelines, site speed and performance bolster visitor engagement and retention. Studies have shown a user will leave a page if it takes longer than six seconds to load. For the best impression on users, sites utilising this essential web layouts trends of 2015 will see a boost in average time spent on their site and an increase in views.
By applying one or more of these techniques to website designs, companies are likely to see a large increase in user involvement and engagement. For questions about company branding, digital resources or advertising, contact Creative Spark. We have bright ideas and look forward to continuing to share them.
