14 Web Development Trends you can’t ignore in 2024 

The times are changing, and customer preferences have evolved.  

Don’t you think you should update yourself with the latest trends and do what’s worth the time? 

In this modern ERA, the way websites look and feel to you is not what they were 5, 10, or 20 years ago. Modern websites are more interactive, colorful, dynamic, and user centric.  

Traditionally, web developers create bland and heavy websites but now the trend has shifted.  

Do you know that a huge proportion of internet traffic that lands on your website is through mobile devices? 

What does that mean and is it important to you? 

Yes, this is what your customers want.  

To meet customer expectations and stand out in crowd, you need to create mobile-first and responsive sites because it’s the HOTTEST trend that will dominate the web development landscape.  

Moving ahead, you notice that people want voice user interfaces, but you don’t have such functionality on your websites.  

What happens next?  

You’ll lose customers and experience a massive drop in business revenue.  

Key Web Development Trends

1. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)  

AI is no longer a gimmick in this modern world as it has become a part of your daily life. It changes the way you live and now it’s there in product development and shapes the healthcare sector as well.  

And web development is no such exception. 

Artificial intelligence in web development changes the way websites are designed, developed, and maintained.  

These AI-driven technologies not only bring a paradigm for web developers but also change the way users interact with digital experiences. 

So, to meet the tastebuds of modern consumers, web developers, and designers hop on this trend to create smarter and more responsive web user interfaces.  

Traditionally, it was overwhelming for web developers to deal manually with errors in coding, compatibility issues, and ensuring that the website is maintained regularly. 

So, AI is no longer a dream anymore as it is the NOW and the FUTURE.  

Research studies indicate that the global demand for AI market is expected to reach $60 billion in 2025.   

Various businesses leveraged the use of this technology to become more competitive, get higher financial rewards, and simplify their customers’ lives. 

Here’s how AI when combined with web development redefines your business landscape ranging from speeding up the development process to creating interactive experiences for users.  

• Integration of AI-powered chatbots on your website and web apps enhances user experience as it uses NLP algorithms to understand the customer intent and execute certain tasks such as guiding the customer to navigate the website, handle orders, and answer their questions.  

• AI algorithms and Machine learning analyze user’s data such as browsing history, and preferences to curate a personalized feed and tailored designs that spark user engagement.  

• Organizations that leverage this technology experienced an increase in business productivity as AI automates the web development process.  

For instance – AI automates testing processes to find potential anomalies or bugs that affect website performance.  

To sum up, you’ll find tons of AI tools in the market that ace the game of web development such as ChatGPT, GitHub copilot, Tabnine, etc. So, AI is like the bread and butter of your web development journey. 

2. Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) 

Another web development trend that’ll take the front seat in 2024 is PWAs. Progressive web apps feel and look like native apps, and they give mobile like experience on the web. 

Such web apps are gaining prominence in today’s world as developers need not worry about spending extra time developing separate mobile and web apps. 

More importantly, PWAs save app development costs because it uses a single codebase to create a web app once and deploy it on multiple platforms. 

From the consumer’s perspective, it saves the storage capacity of users as they can play with the application without any installation required from an app store or Play Store. 

PWAs are becoming a priority for those businesses who want to provide superior experiences to users at affordable costs. 

Investing in PWAs is a game changer for businesses because of the following reasons –  

• You can cater to prospects whose mobile phones are flooded with infinite native apps.  
• Consumers can do the least browsing even in areas with less or poor internet connectivity.  
• These are cross-platform apps that work on any device and platform. No matter which platform or device users use, they get a consistent experience.  

Successful companies such as Starbucks, Twitter, Tinder, Forbes, etc. launched their PWAs and got impressive results in their session time, engagement rates, and mobile traffic.  

Starbucks, a renowned coffee chain wanted to provide a unique experience each time a person orders a coffee on their app. 

They wanted to streamline the ordering process so users could place faster orders even if they were living in remote areas with poor internet connectivity.  

So, they launched PWA that offers a native-like experience, compatible with offline support so people living in low connectivity areas can access it. 

By switching to the PWA version, Starbucks experienced a 50% increase in web users and more sales.

3. Rising growth of no code/low code web app builders  

If you ever created a Wix website or launched a Shopify store, then you are already familiar with the low code/no code concept. 

It requires little to no coding knowledge and these platforms are meant for non-tech-savvy guys.  

If you are among those, then such a platform is made for you. 

You can create fully functional sites and web apps using drag-and-drop building blocks/components with little manual intervention. Since the pandemic, the demand for skilled developers increased and organizations struggle to find qualified talent.   

A low code no code platform bridges the gap by allowing users to create sophisticated web applications that require no expensive coding knowledge. 

Popular examples of Low code/No code development platforms include AppSheet, Oracle, Webflow, Shopify, Zapier, etc. 

Why should you invest in code/no-code web development tools?  

• Low code and no code platforms reduce your development time and cost as the stress of searching for a skilled web developer is gone. Unlike traditional web development, simple drag-and-drop features are enough for you to design a customized site without coding.  
• It offers great collaboration among members allowing them to work on the same project simultaneously in real time.  

4. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)  

Unbounce marketing page speed report for Marketers states that the loading speed of a site influences consumers purchasing decision. 

Their team surveyed a bunch of consumers and a few marketers, and the findings of the study stated that slow-loading pages/sites results in fewer sales.  

Furthermore, 70% of consumers said that the loading speed of a website has a direct relationship with the consumer’s purchasing behavior.

And, if your page takes forever to load, then customers will leave your site.  

Even, Google doesn’t entertain websites that take hours to load, and it will not display such websites on SERP.  

That’s where Accelerated mobile pages (AMP) come in and it’s an emerging web development trend in 2024. 

Google launched the AMP concept in 2015 to help publishers create a fast-loading website and made it mandatory for them to create websites using this technology.  

Otherwise, they won’t be able to rank on Google’s top stories for mobile devices. 

We’re living in a smart ERA where people expect businesses to have fast-loading websites. Developers prefer creating websites using AMP as it reduces the bounce rate and enhances website performance. 

It should be the go-to choice for you if you want to create lightweight mobile web pages that load faster across all platforms.  Nearly 3,219,864 websites use Accelerated mobile pages.

Google says – A site that takes too much time to load for every additional second reduces your conversion rates by 20%.  

That’s why you need to create mobile responsive and fast-loading web pages using AMP that gives you the following results-  

• Higher customer satisfaction  
• Boost your search engine rankings  
• Lowers your bounce rate  
• Improves conversions  

5. Motion UI (Animations)  

We’re living in an era where people mindlessly scroll through their social media, and such distractions draw their attention and prevent them from doing an important task they wish to do.   

It’s because they have short attention spans and research studies claim that an average human attention span is 8.25 seconds which is shorter than even a goldfish.  

So, how to hook their eyeballs and keep them engaged on your websites? 

A web developer should not be solely responsible for creating a functional website, but rather add motion and design elements to gauge customer’s attention. 

Applying animations and transitions on websites makes web interfaces more engaging and hook users to spend a longer time on the website. 

So, if want to leave a lasting impression on users, consider using motion tools and libraries such as Framer Motion. Framer motion is becoming more popular these days because it provides a fun and engaging experience to users. 

Motion UI design gives users time to understand what the website is about, explore its products, and digest information on the fly.  

Even the world’s leading tech giants such as Apple and Google use interactive elements on their websites so that their website looks pleasing and entices users to act. 

6. Voice Search Optimization  

Another popular web development trend is adding voice functionality to your websites.  

Thanks to Voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, and Siri which provide convenience to customers. That’s why they crave voice experiences.  

Voice devices and virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular, and studies show that the number of voice assistants has reached 8.4 billion worldwide.  

When interacting with any webpage, users expect websites to have voice recognition technology. Hence, it becomes important for web developers to create voice user interfaces that let users feel the experience hands-free and communicate it using their voice commands.  

Voice user interfaces in web development provide various benefits to users-  

• Everyone will access your website even if the person is visually impaired. They can consume information. Therefore, it’s important for web developers to make the website accessible to all. Customers can interact with websites hands-free, so it becomes more personalized for them.  
• They won’t have to do heavy lifting to perform the tasks, voice prompts can do all the MAGIC.  

7. Dark Mode UI 

Every platform you use today provides a dark mode theme because you get a comforting experience while reading the text or glancing at something on the website.  

Although there are trends that may go and shade away, dark mode UI isn’t going to disappear anywhere.  

The dark mode theme focuses on increasing the readability of websites as lighter text on dark backgrounds soothes the eyes of users and puts less pressure on them when working in a low light environment. 

It’s not what we’re saying but the numbers back this statement up.  

Out of 6,55,000 visitors that land on any website, 47.06% of them prefer to use a dark mode theme.  

Implementing dark mode (night mode) UI provides various benefits to users such as-  

• Reduces eye strain. A dark mode theme is good for people who spend long hours on their screens. 
• It makes the content more accessible, especially for people with visual impairments.  
• It’s not about making your websites stylish, rather it’s about having a sleek and minimalistic design that goes everywhere. 

8. Mobile First Websites 

The mobile-first approach is the hottest web development trend in 2024. 60% of traffic that lands on your website comes through mobile phones because people spend an ample amount of time on their smartphones for browsing and socializing. 

That means if your website is not mobile optimized, then it results in a sudden drop in website traffic.  

When creating websites, developers should follow the mobile-first approach which means starting from the smaller screens in the beginning and then moving to bigger screens.  

The focus here is to optimize the site for mobile users. 

Why not?  

Google also supports mobile-friendly and mobile-first design websites. And it is an audience-based strategy especially when you know that most of your audience are mobile visitors.  

Mobile-first websites work well on desktops. More importantly, stick with this web design if you want to improve your organic rankings on SERP. This way, you can cater to a wider audience.  

9. Single First Applications (SPAs) 

SPAs free the user from refreshing the page each time the content is updated on the website.  

Unlike multi-page applications, single-page applications don’t load every time even when there is a minute change in the website interface. 

The good news is that the user won’t have to refresh the whole page to access the content.  

Traditional websites often frustrate users because the webpage keeps on loading every time the user performs an action. 

For instance – You want to purchase products online on an e-commerce app and you add your favorites to the Wishlist. 

But then you decide to search for more products, so you end up clicking on the back button. When you come back again, your data is lost. This is a major downside of multi-page applications.  

If you’ve been using Facebook or Slack for a while, you might notice that you can switch between various tabs, talk to people, post comments, and react to photos. Not only that, the world’s leading brands such as PayPal, Pinterest, Google Maps, Netflix, Airbnb, etc. have SPAs.  

10. Serverless Architecture  

In serverless architecture, you don’t have to run and manage the cost of infrastructure such as purchasing and handling the backend servers. This prevents your data loss and saves the development cost. 

Developers host their web applications or websites on servers that are managed by third parties. Cloud service providers such as AWS and Microsoft are in high demand because they reduce your burden of running and managing or upgrading the backend side of things. 

By investing in serverless computing, organizations can handle increasing loads of traffic and pay for the resources they need. 

11. Blockchain Technology  

Blockchain technology plays a significant role in redefining the web development domain. This technology makes it possible for developers to create secure decentralized apps without the intervention of third parties. 

For instance – Applications developed using blockchain technology in the healthcare industry offer increased security and transparency.   

Another use case of blockchain technology in web development is that whenever users make payments in e-commerce platforms.  

There’s always a risk of relying on an intermediary or traditional banking system so decentralized apps ensure businesses that such online transactions are secure. 

While relying on centralized servers might expose web apps to security breaches and data loss issues.  

This is where blockchain technology stores the data in blocks and saves it across thousands of computers preventing unauthorized access.  

Thus, there will be fewer blunders and it reduces the risk of cybercrimes.  

12. Augmented Reality or Web AR  

Imagine a world where web experiences become more interactive, shoppers can virtually interact with website elements in their physical surroundings. That’s only possible through the integration of AR technology in websites or web apps.  

Web-based AR experiences are more immersive and generally fashion, beauty, and e-learning brands leverage it to connect with their customers.  

A report states that usage of interactive elements on websites is likely to increase your engagement rate and a 40% decline in bounce rate. 

More importantly, the whole experience becomes more enjoyable when users get the freedom to navigate web pages and play with 3D objects by using natural movements such as tapping, swiping, or pointing. 

Now, convincing shoppers becomes easier as Web AR-based experiences turn those static elements into movable objects. Companies can do interactive product demos, so users who feel highly satisfied buy from you which in turn increases the conversion rates. 

Samsung for instance launched a virtual campaign named “Life Unstoppable” to allow users virtually try on its newly launched products during the livestream. 

They can view the product from all angles and see whether it fits with the interior of their room or not.  

The company saw impressive results with this Web AR experience such as a dwell time increase, and an engagement rate was 293% more than the previous events. 

13. Cybersecurity has become the MAJOR focus  

New technologies are coming up every day and rapid advancements have been going on in the web development domain. 

This also gives rise to cyberattacks and this happens when web developers do not emphasize more on the security aspect, or they lack knowledge about what security measures (strong password, encryption, regular security updates) they should keep in place to secure users information. 

So, it becomes important for them to create secure websites that instill confidence in users. As a result, users are more likely to engage with secure sites. 

Moreover, Cybersecurity and web development teams should join hands to provide a safe browsing experience to users. 

Though creating a website requires significant time and effort, maintaining and keeping it secure can’t be ignored, especially when you’re dealing with the financial, health, and retail segments.  

A business with a huge customer base should employ stringent security measures to safeguard customer information and prevent financial loss to the business. 

14. API First Development  

Application programming interface (API) first design isn’t a new concept, it was already there for the last 20 years.  

API first design starts with creating APIs first before developing other components of a website or a web app (also called Frontend). 

Any developers that follow API first approach saves their development time and expenses because APIs are uniform and well-documented. 

The implementation of API first development technique ensures that various applications and systems can communicate with each other by calling APIs. Thus, developers become more productive when the digital ecosystem is in sync with each other.  

Wrapping up  

The future of Web development looks promising way ahead. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of the 14 hottest web development trends in 2024 that are paving the way.  

So, if you want to create stylish and modern websites that – 

• Provides a seamless experience to users, 
• Soars your engagement rate, 
• Boost your rankings on search engine result pages and, 
• Increases your conversions 

Then, it’s the right time for you to hop on these web development trends.  

Don’t you know where to start?  

Hire our skilled web developers from BigOhTech to turn your bland sites into profitable web applications. 

Having extensive experience in the web development domain, we know how to create interactive and user-centric web designs that hook your users and increase your dwell time on the website.   

Wondering whether we handled website development projects or not? We’re not novice players in this field as we helped various clients including Grill House and HCL by developing responsive sites that helped them grow their business and increased their business revenue.  

Visit our portfolio section to see what results we brought for them and what we can do for you.