Every new year brings new challenges and opportunities for creativity and experimentation with web design. What will be the leading web design trends in 2023? Let's explore this together and discover what new predictions and trends for 2023 will help websites stay relevant and appealing to users. They will give you a clear idea of what will happen in website design and how to prepare for change. Are you ready to embark on a journey into web design? Are you ready to discover the latest trends shaping the Internet's future? Let's explore together!

Top 15 Web Design Trends for 2023

Web design trends can change due to emerging design technologies and practices. This article looks at the most popular web design trends in 2023. In our opinion, these trends will continue to be relevant until 2025.

Augmented reality (AR)

In 2023, augmented reality (AR) will become the mainstream web development trend. According to Statista, by 2027, the number of users in the expanded virtual reality market will be 2593.00 million.
While adding AR elements to a site can be difficult for eCommerce business owners, such technologies improve the experience. You can visit Amazon or IKEA to feel this unique experience.

With AR techniques, customers can visually test products in online stores, reducing maintenance costs. Companies that have added the ability to view commodities at home have made online shopping as tactile as possible, decreasing returns.
Recently, large-scale virtual showrooms based on augmented reality technologies have appeared that can give customers the illusion that they are in an actual store. One such example is the AR Jaguar showroom. Shoppers can see and evaluate things as realistically as possible with 3D presentations and fittings to ensure they only buy what suits them. Experts unanimously believe that augmented reality technology will radically change the eCommerce area and create additional opportunities for web designers to improve interaction with the client base.

 Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) is a web development technique that functionally and visually transforms a website into a mobile app. It runs regardless of the browser on all gadgets from the same codebase and deals with buyers like native applications. Let's discuss the profits of making a PWA and their impact on the profitability of an online business:

• cut development and maintenance costs
• a quick introduction to the market
• simple distribution
• flexible installation
• economical use of device resources
• significant download speed
• ability to use digital products offline
• growth of engagement and platform conversion
• fast service and updating the online page

The growing popularity of PWAs is because, according to Statista, by 2026, the global mobile sales market will achieve $ 8.1 billion, which means that people will actively utilize their devices to satisfy all needs. The development of progressive web apps allows the firm to remain competitive. Such digital solutions are already successfully used by Starbucks, Uber, BMW, etc.

Vibrant Nostalgia

The images that emerge from our youth are nostalgic. Previously, web designers preferred the style of the 80s, but in recent years, the 90s have become a big trend. The retro style may seem a novelty for younger users but attracts admiring glances. An example of a site inspired by 90s trends is The Museum of Mario.

The next retro trend gaining popularity in web design is the bright nostalgia of the 2000s. This era saw the emergence of many unique technological solutions and know-how. The main attributes of the 2000s are neon shades, textures that resemble CDs, and other details of club culture.
For a long time, the owners of many sites on the Internet have wanted to add reflective elements to their online pages; they must change the logo style and interface design.

Artificial intelligence technologies and chatbots

Another trend of recent years that will continue into 2023 is the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) to web design. Today, AI-backed technologies are used to create various platforms, e.g., to test digital products and improve content.
As artificial intelligence develops, more firms will use it to create optimal customer interactions and optimize their online pages following search engine algorithms. AI-backed chatbots are ready to provide buyers with personalized helpers and assist them in finding the products or services they are interested in. Here is an example of a site using AI systems, the Looka site.

Voice search

Have you ever questioned the speed and accuracy of Siri or Alexa when it comes to finding answers? These voice assistants are a prime example of the advancements in voice search technology. 
Voice technologies have become increasingly popular and are revolutionizing how users interact with websites, especially for those with disabilities. Rather than typing requests, users can voice them and receive a verbal response. As a result, developers must utilize speech techniques when designing web pages.
The impact of voice interfaces goes beyond just making websites voice search-friendly. They will also change how websites use on-page SEO to boost traffic. Long-tail search phrases will become more effective if they have ready-made answers that can be spoken using voice techniques.

Experimental Navigation

In the past, it was believed that placing the navigation menu at the top of a website was the best approach. However, this idea is now outdated. While experimental templates can be eye-catching, ensuring they remain user-friendly is crucial. When considering navigation options for 2023, it's essential to prioritize the most in-demand choices.
Side navigation can be either static or dynamic, and its width can vary. The optimal choice is to keep the structure simple, with short words and fixed whitespace. Scrolling for too long can be frustrating and difficult to comprehend.
Hidden and pop-up navigation uses a pop-up menu that expands and covers the entire screen when the user clicks or touches a button. To see how stylish this design can be, we recommend visiting the Caava website.

Horizontal navigation may seem unusual to users at first. It's important to consider all design elements to ensure users can navigate with ease. Physical and visual movements are different, so it's essential to keep this in mind to avoid confusion.
Some websites choose to forgo navigation altogether, but this can be risky. It's essential to have a clear and concise way for users to navigate your site.

Goblin mode – maximalism

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Goblin mode is the word of the year 2022. The term means a style of behavior that is as indulgent as possible, lazy, or greedy. It also provides for the rejection of social norms and rules.
Such new social standards are already reflected in UI and UX design. Goblin websites, e.g., Bornfight's online page, put the brand first. By forgetting best practices and sometimes even accessibility, these sites are changing our understanding of beauty. They aim to increase the brand's presence and make the online page bright and unusual, using a rough design, bright colors, many images, and sharp animated details. Some users are delighted with such solutions, other buyers, on the contrary, bypass them, but they are likely to leave everyone indifferent.

Structured Typography

The typography you choose is vital in how customers rate your platform. Choosing a readable technique for structuring letters is essential so users can easily read the text. Bright typography will be the overall web design trend in 2023. your letter structure should stand out from the competition yet be easy to read. The type of font you use affects the user experience. You can see how the system of the letters complements the overall responsive design on the website of The Next Rembrandt project.
Choosing the right writing style builds user confidence and ensures they understand the information on the online page. Your typography can enhance the look and feel of a site, adding character and zest to it. When critically evaluating the online page, consider whether you can improve the typeface to appeal to the target audience.

 Cinemagraphs

Cinemagraphs are turning into a revolutionary web design tool. This technology, which will be popular in 2023 and after, contains elements of a picture and animation, creating a hybrid art form. Cinemagraphs are still photographs that show subtle and repetitive movements. Have you seen the cinematograph on the Studio Marani website? It resembles a video clip, despite the picture mainly being still. Take a look and see for yourself.
The stylish appearance of cinematography gradually turns them into a powerful tool for attracting users. With their help, you can focus visitors' attention on a specific site tab, highlight important data, or present a particular product. Using cinematography effectively in web design creates an exciting and interactive user experience.

 Smart content loading

Many companies create resource-intensive online pages with different graphic elements and third-party integrations, significantly slowing down their work. In 2023, experts will offer new tools for building intelligent sites that show only the content that the user needs.
Popular social networks have long used lazy loading and infinite scrolling techniques. It is expected that in 2023 and beyond, this technique will be more prevalent, especially among lengthy (single-page) platforms. For example, let's consider the website Proprofs, which implements lazy loading.
Lazy load ensures that browsers only load the content you see on screen and don't waste limited server resources and time displaying behind-the-scenes content that is of little interest to anyone. 

 Text-Only

Suppose you prefer not to invest money in hiring an illustrator or spending time creating graphics on your own. In that case, you can take full advantage of minimalist web development trends that don't require images. Instead, a small text is placed on the start page, which indicates the company's mission and other important data about its activities.
An alternative solution is to place the text in the central part of the page, that is, at the top, and the pictures will be displayed below the fold, reminiscent of your favorite newspaper issue. The original font and minimalist screen will appeal to many users tired of colorful platforms overloaded with multimedia elements. The design approach of the Fullstop Newparagraph website is a great example to appreciate.

 3D design

We expect a meteoric rise in the popularity of 3D images in web design. The industry has been dominated by flat pictures in recent years, so adding 3D design to your website can help you stand out from the competition.
You can create a full-fledged 3D visual effect on your platform by adding animation not only as a header or a separate image but also by placing it in front of the site content, as the developers of the platform Redis agency did. The online page is made even more attractive by scrolling with the background moving at a different speed than the foreground elements, creating an effect of depth.

Technology does not stand still; today, it is easier to create 3D images than a few years ago. There is an expected increase in the number of designers who create ready-made 3D libraries that users can use to make their sites more attractive.

Gamified Design

One of the exciting trends for 2023 is gamification, which involves incorporating game elements, mechanics, and dynamics into non-gaming websites. It means the company takes tasks from our daily lives and rewards loyal customers who receive points and valuable environments for interacting with the site and achieving specific goals.
For example, on the Nike website, customers can get more information about the brand's products and participate in competitions that involve using the company's products.
One effective way for an organization to boost customer engagement in web design is by providing various choices for users to explore on their blogs, such as informative articles for them to read. When it comes to online stores that want to increase their sales, they can offer customers to earn points or get discounts on products if they share links to an eCommerce store with friends or perform other promotional activities.

Sci-Fi Inspired Design

The idea of using the sci-fi style is a win-win. Futuristic details, patterns, and themes look modern, stylish, and discreet. A brilliant example of sci-fi design is the site of the project company Dot To Dot.

In most cases, scientific interfaces are very distinctive, filled with different technological features, and give the impression that they go beyond reality.
Various futuristic website designs are an excellent solution for companies that are innovators in their area or operate in a niche focused on know-how and future development. Whether you're creating new technologies for use in cars or for energy production, sci-fi design can help convey the company's atmosphere and inform customers about your products and services.

Dark Mode

The dark mode is an increasingly popular method of finding insights on the web, and its popularity will likely continue to grow. For those who have yet to experience this concept, dark mode is a color scheme that uses light text on a dark background.
There are several reasons why users are increasingly choosing this site format. Firstly, it is more comfortable for the eyes, especially when viewing pictures with minimal or no lighting in the room. In addition, it saves battery power on gadgets with OLED or AMOLED screens.
Dark mode will make your site more original and less resource intensive. You can evaluate all the pros and cons of such a solution at the I Motion Factory website.

Become part of the future: add web design trends to your website

As you can see, there are a lot of web design predictions to keep in mind in 2023, from AI-backed chatbots to interactive elements. Companies must keep track of all the hottest trends to remain competitive in a changing digital landscape.
As website builders actively push the boundaries of what is possible, we can expect more connected, personalized, and user-friendly web design to meet all user desires in 2023 and beyond.