It may seem like a big call to be making predictions about website design in 20 years’ time, particularly considering how fast technology and trends seem to be evolving, but let us explain.
While a new technology or trend may be heralded as the ‘next big thing’ – the truth is a little less exciting. All of today’s ‘big things’ have taken 20-30 years to get here and become the norm. Our predictions for the next 20 years are based on a well-established pattern of technological adoption and innovation. Basically they are current breakthroughs that are yet to become mainstream on a large scale.
Inventors, research labs, IT specialists and even theorists have already been working on the new norm. It’s exactly like the ‘invention’ of the Internet, wearable computers and email.
So what’s the future of web design – context!
The future of computing lies in the convergence of 5 main aspects – social media, data, mobile, sensors and location based services. This point of this convergence is context. For example, an oven that recognises the food you put in it, understands your cooking preferences and cooks the meal accordingly. Or a refrigerator that determines your preferred brand, type and size of milk is running low and orders more for you.
In terms of web design this context will ensure that when a reader hits a website, that the site automatically offers up the visuals that are most pleasing to the reader, the welcome will personalised and the content in line with that particular readers desires.
So consider this – how will your brand and your business provide context on your website and to your target audience? And you don’t need to wait – getting to know your readers, your clients and your target audience will allow you to begin now to offer better context – be present on the social media platforms they use, ensure your website and your shopping cart is mobile friendly, read the data, understand their purchasing, engagement triggers, and know exactly where they are.
Contact the team at Website Design Centre to learn more about how to provide context to your market, today.
