Which Are the Top-Rated WordPress Web Design Trends for 2020?

Those who plan new website projects for the year ahead need to stay up to date with the latest WordPress web design trends. This way, they drive web design to new expressions and better align with 2020 users’ expectations.

In the following lines, we’ll note the most important web design trends that will dominate the websites’ landscape this year. Keep reading and stay informed:

1. Minimalist web design

In 2020, WordPress web design trends integrate the principles of minimalism. That is, the fewer elements in web pages, the better they’ll stand out and capture users’ attention.

But what does minimalism mean, after all?

• Extensive use of white space (aka negative space). Elements in the web page are at distance from one another, which facilitates readers’ concentration and makes the message better get through to website visitors.
• Limited color palette that leaves room for the content to express itself onto the page. Color is a means to emphasize content, and has the major role to bring that content to the front.
• Use no more than 2 or 3 colors – as stated above, the color palette is reduced to the minimum: main color, accent color and some other nuances.
• Colourful minimalism – the simplistic pattern of modern web design is also characterized by colourful minimalism. As elements in a website page are spread at distance from one another, it’s recommended you pay special attention to the few colors you use in the website. This can fall under the category of colourful minimalism.
• Glowing and vivid colors in the color scheme – if you choose a few colors in the color scheme, it’s best to consider glowing and vivid colors. These will make a site remarkable and easy to remember, through its originality.

 

Examples of minimalism in web design:

Besides the title and the menu items, the homepage of this site has a video background that doesn’t have many elements displayed over it.

This website manages to bring creativity into minimalism, by showing off the topic of the site through an object/a symbol/a unique graphic representation.

 

More than keep design to minimal elements, it’s important to take into account the use of contextual technology to make customized experiences for every user. This ensures one-2-one communication with every visitor of the website, which makes it more efficient, as it addresses each user independently.

 

2. More interaction with the website

 

Interactivity plays a major role in creating user engagement. This year, WordPress web design trends focus on increasing interaction of users with the website. As a result, users will be more attentive to the website message, they’ll understand it clearly, and they’ll remember it more easily.

Interactions can fall under one of these categories:

• Macro-interactions – such interactions refer to i.e. AI, virtual experiences, 3D views, Call-to-Action buttons, etc.
• Micro-interactions – hover effects, on-click effects, etc.

 

Besides CTA buttons, interaction supposes the presence of elements that users can change the aspect and access the functionality of, for an immersive experience with the website.

 

Also, 2020 means accessibility of websites, even to persons with disabilities. That supposes a typography that can be adjusted so people with disabilities can read and get the message.

 

Example of interactive websites:

 

 

 

Interaction with the website also allows for collecting data from users. Such data can be used to adapt web design to what actually works. Based on information collected from past visitors of the website, you can adjust a website design, so it meets visitors’ expectations and needs.

 

3. A focus on micro-interactions

Micro-interactions have the purpose of creating a moment that is engaging, welcoming and human.

Without being spectacular, micro-interactions form a path users will follow in visiting a website. Micro-interactions accompany visitors in exploring the website pages, and significantly mark their route in discovering the website elements.

 

4. Asymmetrical layouts

This year, asymmetrical layouts will be in vogue, part and parcel of the WordPress web design trends. Asymmetry has its own balance, and it creates visual strain. It is created by a graphic design that is off-centred and has mismatched disparate elements. Its role is to compel users to better see the elements in the website pages, and focus their attention onto what’s important in the website message.

Asymmetry is synonym with modern: it breaks users’ expectations, which claims more attention from them. That’s why an asymmetrical layout is modern. And that’s why modern is useful. That’s why useful is an efficient site which communicates with readers in the best possible way.

 

Example of website with asymmetrical layout:

 

The asymmetrical layouts can fall under one of the following categories:

• Slightly asymmetric
• Strongly asymmetric
• Some symmetry that needs to have a visual balance

 

Slightly asymmetric web design means there’s a small deviation of items from the center and the visual balance. It puts into question the perfect visual balance and proposes a new way to see things, from a slightly different perspective.

Strongly asymmetric design means highly visible deviations from the visual center and a bold proposition to users to look differently, and see new perspectives. This asymmetry type is good to use for companies that have a major unique selling proposition and need to state it clearly, plainly, with all the website design.

As already mentioned, regardless of the asymmetry type, there has to be some symmetry for visual balance, so user experience be not entirely dislocated from common habits. The asymmetry shouldn’t shock users to the point they get reluctant as to exploring the website further on.

 

5. Non-traditional scrolling

This is the year of using non-traditional scrolling.

New versions are:

• Long scrolling
• Fixed long scrolling
• Infinite scrolling
• Parallax scrolling

 

Long-scrolling – this technique implies that users scroll down the page, which means that users can explore as much content as possible. Journal websites are especially appropriate for applying long scrolling.

Fixed long scrolling – it creates the impression of a scroll within a scroll. The top navigation bar is set to sticky, while for the rest of the page, users can scroll down and explore the content within the page. Fixed scrolling allows for clear signals in the menu as to where users are in the website, and how they can navigate further on.

Infinite scrolling – this means users will continuously scroll down the website pages, without reaching an end of the page. Content is constantly uploaded, and visitors will keep seeing new sections with new elements.

Parallax Scrolling – this is a newer technique that will persist in 2020, as well. Parallax effects mean that the background of the page moves at a slower rate than the foreground, and the visitor who scrolls down the page is in full control of the effect.

 

These 4 types of scrolling will be prevalent in web design, especially for one-page websites that need scrolling for visitors’ exploration of the page content.

Here’s an example of website with parallax scrolling:

 

 

6. Video background

A trend that has already started in 2019, but will be continued in 2020, is the use of video backgrounds for websites. In fact, video backgrounds give amplitude to the web design, and create a more immersive experience that’ll become memorable for visitors. Videos placed in the background require space and inscribe dynamism into the page. Most often, video backgrounds are used for the homepage header, which guarantees maximal effect of videos.

Example of website with video background:

 

 

The role of a video background is to take visitors beneath text and current web design elements, and into the reality that best defines a company. That’s why it has a special effect upon readers, and interests them much into the website content further on.

 

7. Big typography

Big typography is one of the major aspects of 2020 web design. Typography helps improve readability of the text, and the mere legibility of the text content.

This year, bold typography will be preferred for titles and subtitles, in homepages and in other pages you want to bring to the forefront.

It might be hand-written letters or some other fancy typography, modern styles and easy to read or fun letters.

 

Here are some examples of big and bold typography:

 

Harabara

Heavy and Sans Serif

 

 

Playful typography

 

 

High contrast

 

Bold typography plays a key role in making the main message stand out. By having remarkable dimensions, contrasting colors and unusual design, bold typography catches users’ attention and draws their eyes towards the main part of the website content. Also, typography may support some variations, so letters of a certain typeface alternate with letters of a different typeface and are integrated in a harmonious presentation as a whole.

Another example of unusual typography:

 

 

8. Mobile first design

This technique implies designing first for mobile devices, and only after that adapting to desktop. Design has to be responsive out of the box, as the most of searches and website visits are made from mobile devices.

Hence, this implies a hamburger menu, adaptable images sizes and font sizes, long scrolling, etc.

It supposes delivering the right user experience to the right device, by starting to design from the smallest device and then adapting to larger screens.

 

9. Vertical split design

Examples of websites with a vertical split design:

 

 

Vertical split continues to be part of the new WordPress web design trends. It refers to dividing the screen in two, on a vertical axis. This might have variations, such as that in the latest example, where the split is made on a diagonal axis. The vertical split is deemed to provide contrast, and present the screen in different ways and colors. This technique by itself is ultra-modern and questions the web design status quo. It invites readers to view pages in a different way, and follow vertical directions in browsing the page content. Usually, the vertical split technique also implies the use of highly contrasting colors, that capture users’ attention and invites them to explore the page further on.

 

10. Use color mindfully to express certain emotions

This year will be full of challenges as to the right, shocking or harmonious choice of colors.

For ample details about the use of colors, you can check this resource on Website Color Schemes.

Through the wise use of colors, you appeal to people’s emotions, which makes them more inclined to buy your products or services. For instance, blue indicates professionalism, and is mainly used for business websites. Red is used as an imperative to buy, while orange is the color of youth and creativity. And the list can continue…

 

 

11. Hand-drawn titles (headings, subheadings) + hand-drawn icons

Hand-drawn letters and icons bring a human note to the website. Practically, they humanise the website pages and create a tighter connection with readers. They are in trend this year, putting a focus on authentic communication with the website visitors.

Examples of hand-written text:

 

 

Another example of handwritten text:

 

 

You can find a complete guide on creating hand-written typography by checking this resource. And you can create your own hand-written style and address your readers in the tonality you find most appropriate.

Also, you can test two or more such styles, and see which drives the most conversions.

 

12. Dark mode for some sites

Example 1

 

 

Example 2

 

 

In 2020, dark mode will inspire many web designers. White text placed onto a dark background might reduce eye strain and be easier to read. Also, it captures users’ attention more easily and intrigues readers to better explore the website pages.

Also, dark modes don’t allow for common web designs and placement of items in the pages. They invite to experimentation, and new approaches to website design. This is due to the fact that dark modes are new into the web design landscape, hence the need for new site designs as well.

 

13. Mixing photography with graphics

This year, the WordPress web design trends include interesting combinations of photography with graphics. Such a mix of photography and graphics can go a long way portraying the identity of the company, in an unusual way.

Here’s an example of photography and graphics mix:

Photography is useful as it shows clients will interact with real humans, while graphics add creativity, playfulness into the images. This mix transmits confidence, but in an informal way. Photography and graphics combined communicate at an informal level with people that want to find out real interest in their needs.

 

We hope this article has inspired you in creating beautiful designs in accordance with the 2020 trends. As you experiment with the above-mentioned techniques, you’ll assess their effectiveness and you’ll surely watch your website grow in traffic and conversions.