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Many smart developers today are on the lookout for different approaches to adapt to the ever-changing needs of web technologies. With the launch of the website trends, various opportunities emerge.
No one ever thought what the web trends would be like after two decades. Who knows what will be the upcoming advancements in the future?
Learning the latest web development trends, including the backend, front-end and offsite developments, can put on top of the game. Being an expert in this field will help you achieve better job opportunities in the coming years.
Below are some of the 2020 front-end web development trends that you should be aware of.
#1 Progressive website apps
To be responsive is no longer a top priority. Current websites should be progressive. When we speak of progressive web apps, these involve websites that use native mobile apps. The website designs are created depending on the browser's needs and compatible with the screen size and the user’s device specs. As they seek to conform to the native device capacities to work, progressive web apps are expected to function offline. Enterprises that shifted from conventional websites to progressive web apps have attained better customer conversions and engagement.
#2 Frontend frameworks
In case you are not yet familiar with frontend framework such as React, Angular or Vue.js, to develop your existing projects, 2020 is the best year to start anew. These frameworks provide the necessary tools to enhance your website development processes and focus more on the optimization of the overall user experience.
#3 Static and single-page websites
Several frameworks such as Gatsby, Jekyll or Hugo can instantly create simple static web pages. These pages work faster and are more secure compared to their dynamic counterparts. You can integrate great content to the static pages by using APIs and Markdown. For the tech-savvy, you can switch your online site to a single page.
#4 GraphQL can Substitute REST APIs#
Created by Facebook, GraphQL is considered a query language that can easily replace REST APIs. This can be employed to decouple your frontend from your backend and enhance the efficiency of your server.
#5 Cross-platform apps
When surfing the web, most users take more than one device. In the U.S. alone, about 30% of American online users have a smartphone, desktop computer, and tablet. Developing apps that run across different devices is vital. Frameworks such as Electron and Ionic can very helpful in this area.
#6 Web components
Stencil, an example of a web component compiler makes it easy in creating your customized elements. These components can be reused, where they come very handy for future tasks.
#7 Serverless apps
In 2018, managing your own server is common. For 2020, serverless frameworks, such as Nuclio, allow you to use cloud technology to help your unload your tasks, enhance scaling, and save costs for unused resources. Several cloud providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure employ serverless services.
#8 Machine learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not confined by the inputs of its programmer. The benefit of machine learning enables the programs to gather and integrate new details to provide a better user experience. TensorFlow is the best tool to use for developing your own machine learning devices through JavaScript. However, you can add other services like AWS Rekognition to incorporate image recognition abilities to your tasks without any difficulty.
#9 Customer service chatbots
AI has evolved where bots can respond to the customers’ queries and provide solutions to the problems more efficiently compared to humans. In Gartner’s forecast, a 70% increase is seen in the total revenues for the AI industry by the end of 2020. This requires you to be part of the bandwagon to stay competitive.
#10 Blockchain technology
Blockchains are necessary for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to perfectly work well. Most web developers are simply realizing recently the full advantage of this technology. Distributed ledgers offer more security while increasing their capacity to authorize hundreds of transactions simultaneously. Giant firms such as IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon are on the verge of exploring innovative approaches in employing blockchains this year.
#11 Advantage of push notifications vs. newsletters
Push notifications are no longer restricted to mobile apps. Currently, they are being used to replace the daily email newsletters. Most online users and developers have a preference for discreet notifications on their toolbar than having to sort out cluttered inboxes.
Many smart developers today are on the lookout for different approaches to adapt to the ever-changing needs of web technologies. With the launch of the website trends, various opportunities emerge.
No one ever thought what the web trends would be like after two decades. Who knows what will be the upcoming advancements in the future?
Learning the latest web development trends, including the backend, front-end and offsite developments, can put on top of the game. Being an expert in this field will help you achieve better job opportunities in the coming years.
#12 Low code, fewer issues
Low-code development tools, such as Google App Maker and Microsoft PowerApps, have reduced the entry bar for newbie web designers. This was done through the development process enhancement. Today, you can have more complex projects without the necessity to write a code line.
#13 CSS variables
CSS variables, popularly known as custom properties, enable you to modify your layouts with minimal coding accordingly. They are best to use in grid-based designs. With a new set of APIs called Houdini, this can stretch the CSS further to develop interactive, high-performing animations without polyfills.
#14 Ambient design
Online users are fond of staring their screens longer today compared in the past. This makes the developers look for creative means in providing fresh designs. For instance, masOS Mojave has desktop backgrounds that keep on changing within the day. Even some weather apps are changing their UI depending on the current weather. Ever since ambient design elements become popular among web browsers.
#15 Educational content
Currently, Skillshare and other related online learning communities enable any individual to learn or teach lessons on any subject. This brings more opportunities for novice web developers who are not part of academia to offer fresh ideas to the table. At the other end, users are willing to learn. When you integrate educational information to your website or app, this can attract your target audience.
#16 Freeform design
Frameworks develop websites that are easy to navigate. However, everything seems to appear homogeneous. Considering most people with internet access are web literate, developers need to creatively find a new approach to attract online users. In the previous years, it was all about sharp edges, straight lines, and convex shapes. For 2020, there is a paradigm shift to adapt abstract designs. Simply, you can take CSS properties such as clip-path and shape-outside.
#17 Increasing cybersecurity awareness
Cybercrimes are an all-time high concern. These are brought by an increasing number of reported hacking incidents globally. Letting users log into your website through their social media accounts or personal credentials is not highly advised. Users are extra careful of what information they share with online. Never ask any details that you don’t need. If you manage a huge database of user information on your servers, it is suggested to use a multi-factor identification.
#18 Wider dialogue about bias
Algorithms create decisions using mathematical formulas. However, in some cases, these formulas involve implicit biases from their developers. For instance, in Google’s face recognition technology, it has struggled initially when identifying individuals of different races. This brought broader talks on the necessity of accepting diversity in the technology industry. The users’ diversity should be considered and be open to various perspectives to reach a wider audience worldwide.
#19 DesignOps
As many smaller enterprises shift to outsourcing when hiring in-house teams for their marketing arm, they are most likely to embrace the DesignOps approach. This mechanism is based on the concept of incorporating web design in all areas of the business. You don’t need to have a dedicated DesignOps team but adopting a DesignOps culture is very helpful.
#20 Websites that are good in storytelling
Popular brands are known to use the power of storytelling. Sharing an impactful narrative experience for the users is vital to establish brand loyalty. Awwwards.com highlights hundreds of websites that make use of successful storytelling to increase awareness in the user experience.
#21 Voice search
Voice search queries have been widely used in the past decade. Nearly half of teenagers and young adults employ a voice assistant like Siri or Alexa daily. This compels developers to install voice search functionality in their websites. The good thing is that there are current APIs in place for adding voice search recognition.
#22 API-First design
In the past, development teams need to focus initially on the design and APIs at a later stage. However, the increasing number of web-enabled tools makes APIs difficult to manage. A good solution is to begin to work with the APIs before doing the design.
#23 Augmented reality and VR
The Pokemon Go craze may have gone down. However, augmented reality has become more popular. JCPenny, a famous retailer, for instance, is exploring well the users’ smartphone cameras to integrate new functionality to their mobile apps like virtual dressing rooms. At present, the virtual reality is affordable to develop and access so you can have more things such as road-testing apps from vehicle manufactures. In 2020, both Google and Microsoft seek to make a huge investment in VR and AR.
