What’s trending today is easily forgotten by the time tomorrow rolls around. Next year’s newest tech is influenced by last year’s, as are the current needs of users and their changing preferences. Based on our professional experience and client requests, these three web development trends are worth your attention.

1. PROGRESSIVE WEB APPS 

The concept of Progressive Web Applications (PWA) has been around for a long time. Since the spring of 2018, applications of this class are supported by every major browser. However, the popularity of PWA technologies (despite their obvious advantages) is still very low.

PWA is a technology that allows customers to install your site on a smartphone as an application. With PWAs, it isn’t necessary to develop a separate iOS or Android application; it’s enough to just have and maintain a website.

We use PWA-based applications more often than we might suspect. AliExpress, Aviasales, Forbes, Starbucks, Tinder, Twitter, and Uber all use PWA-based applications as a part of their mobile applications.

Key PWA app benefits for your business: 

• Cost savings on development and re-engaging clients, as there are no costs for customer return tools (retargeting, remarketing)
• Fast performance and short loading time 
• Small size 
• App-like features (push notifications, geolocation, camera, microphone, etc.) 
• Higher user engagement rates 
• Seamless user onboarding 
• Increased cross-platform conversion

Along with PWA benefits, there are a couple of drawbacks to consider, including:

• No access to app stores 
• Limited use of device functionality 
• Internet dependence 

2. AUGMENTED AND VIRTUAL REALITY

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are transforming the way websites address the needs of users. In fact, the AR/VR market is projected to grow by up to $95 billion by 2025. 

By creating more interactive and immersive content, engagement rates grow and boost conversions. Businesses are using AR and VR technologies to power their reach. Doing so creates a unique experience that immerses audiences and outperforms competitors.

Here are three use cases of how AR and VR can change your business:

Virtual Try-Ons

Even though the e-commerce market is reaching unbelievable heights, there is still something that lures consumers to stores, like picking up items the same day a purchase is made or with no shipping fees. But one of the key reasons why people still go to physical stores is to see, touch, experience, and test products before buying.

Making sales for cosmetics, accessories, or clothing without a brick-and-mortar experience is the norm. By coupling these digital experiences with augmented reality, businesses can boost their sales and the loyalty of their clients. For example, Sephora’s Virtual Artist allows visitors to try on beauty products and choose from any color and shade. This form of AR technology has already proven to drive sales by giving customers a better idea of how certain cosmetic products will appear in person.

360-Degree Product Views 

With AR-powered 360-degree views, shoppers get a better sense of the look and feel of a product. For example, Lowe’s offers 360-degree views of its inventory, allowing customers to see it from any angle, just as they would in a brick-and-mortar store. 

advertisement

Virtual Sales Tours 

Virtual tours aren’t just for entertainment—they can boost sales for real estate businesses, too. By allowing guests to do a personal walkthrough beforehand, virtual tours make it easier for prospective buyers to purchase a property. Personal online walkthroughs also reclaim hours for recruiters and salespeople as commuting to different locales is no longer a requirement. In the end, virtual tours are a win-win. 

This kind of virtual experience allows businesses to provide near-life services if in-person transactions aren’t possible.

3. AI CHATBOTS 

COVID-19 “forced” organizations to digitize their customer service to become more independent from human-based assistance. The result has been a decrease in operational costs and services accessible to customers 24/7. 

Around 40% of all internet users prefer to interact with chatbots. Chatbots are expected to be even more beneficial for businesses as time goes on, and their adoption could save up to $80BN on contact center agent labor costs.

Starbucks, eBay, LinkedIn, and other major labels are already utilizing AI chatbots. Meanwhile, other big market players such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft continue to invest in AI-based chatbot technologies in order to make their solutions more functional and human-like. 

The use of AI chatbots allows business owners to: 

• create virtual assistants to communicate with visitors
• automate the collection of analytical data necessary to improve and promote the portal
• use chatbots to solve basic issues

Chatbots can communicate with customers, answer their questions, and help navigate pages. This level of interaction ensures a higher ranking for websites and simplifies the working process for users.

We often experience this technology on web portals for banks, medical institutions, online stores, and government agencies. In particular, these are the industries that focus on delivering the highest quality of customer care due to the sensitive nature of their services. A chat operator has limited working hours, but a chatbot works around the clock, seven days a week.

THE USER EXPERIENCE IS PARAMOUNT 

The time of rarely having to track trends or barely staying one step ahead of industry changes is at an end. Most current trends do not just appear. They are often lying in wait for the relevant market changes to occur before coming into the limelight. 

Despite changing approaches, technology stacks, and new ideas, the main focus of web development is to provide a quality user experience. And that is one trend that will not change.