Developing an effective web presence is imperative for sustainable business growth. While you may be concerned about your social media pages, if your website does not appeal to your audience, your digital marketing efforts will go down the drain. Taking this fact into account, future-minded companies are now increasingly investing in web development so they can comfortably meet the needs of their tech-savvy consumers.
It is no longer a question to ask whether or not website development is important, we know it is more than ever. The question is how to understand the behavior of modern consumers and develop web solutions that can produce optimum results.
Technology is something that keeps evolving and creating innovative ways to market businesses on the internet. The secret to success is in being useful, relevant, and unique. The best way to stay ahead of the curve is by creating valuable and user-centric experiences.
There are millions of sites out there struggling to win attention. How are you going to make your business site more relevant and enticing in order to stand out and beat the competition? The ideal approach is to look for emerging web development trends and implement them in a timely manner.
1. The Internet of Things (IoT) is on the rise
The increasing number of smart devices and the implementation of IoT has already transformed the way we build websites and mobile apps. Experts are of the opinion that IoT will be everywhere from industrial production plants and offices to residential homes. The future is likely to refine the concept of IoT and make it more feasible for the web development industry.
We’re coming close to a point in time when people will soon control every device from cars to kitchen appliances through their smartphones. With an accelerating trend of connecting all sorts of devices to the internet, controlling them through mobiles is gaining momentum. Industries such as automotive, smart health, education, and smart homes are all set to integrate the IoT into their web development strategy. While some industries are still reluctant to embrace change and continue to wait for others to take the first step.
The internet of things is still in its primitive phase and will take some time to materialize its full potential. The ongoing improvements in IoT applications will further refine the connection between people and internet-enabled devices.
2. Machine learning (ML) is helpful
Machine learning is ushering in a new era of web development where smartphones, desktops and other digital devices don’t require additional programming to complete various tasks anymore. It enables web applications to collect and analyze information to suggest appropriate conclusions. Smart machines can accumulate previous experiences and use them to make intelligent decisions.
Data is what makes ML possible. The more quality data provided to the algorithm, the more accurate and reliable the predictions. Likewise, the simpler the model, the easier the learning process. The most important thing is to select the appropriate ML method to produce the desired results.
Data is readily available to marketers and developers thanks to the rise of mobile devices and apps. The biggest challenge in this respect is to mine through large amounts of data and produce understandable insights to facilitate the design and execution process.
Developers have a lot to do with machine learning as it can allow them to apply critical business analytics to any application. Websites with machine learning capabilities have plenty to offer from improved customer experience to provision of quality recommendations. The use of machine learning will definitely have a huge impact on web development in 2018 and beyond.
Related: 10 Companies Using Machine Learning in Cool Ways
3. Accelerated mobile pages (AMP) is mandatory
AMP is a relatively new way of developing really fast mobile web pages. AMP allows developers to build mobile pages with fast loading speeds. Fast and flawless mobile experience simply leads to a lower bounce rate, easy content replacement, and better ad visibility. Progressive web apps is another project by Google, which seeks to offer a quick and valuable user experience where engagement flourishes and pain points are reduced to a minimum.
In the Digital Age, people do not appreciate web pages that take plenty of time to load. Websites with slow loading speed are destined to fail. Therefore, if you are planning to make a difference through web development, make sure your digital assets run smooth and fast across all devices.
4. Augmented reality will continue to flourish
In the last couple of years we have witnessed the development of a number of augmented reality web applications; for instance, Pokemon Go. Both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have made a significant impact on the entertainment industry. It is highly likely that augmented reality technology will continue to revolutionize the web and app development industry. Technology experts are of the opinion that AR and VR will generate $150 billion in revenue by 2020.
AR presents a potential market for developers and businesses to explore, as well as an exciting opportunity to reshape content marketing. Amazon is one of the few businesses that is already leveraging these innovative technologies to disrupt the retail sector. Industries such as engineering, real estate, healthcare, gaming, and live events will keep trying AR in order to produce exciting digital experiences.
5. Updated sites perform better
If you are looking to build mobile apps with wings, make sure you have integrated the latest and relevant technology into your development strategy. Seamless navigation, reduction in hosting and equipment costs, speed, and relevancy are some of the benefits of updating your site regularly.
Web development companies are on a constant hunt for innovative and lucrative technologies. In a fast-paced environment where change is the only constant, strictly observing and wisely experimenting new trends is the only way to progress and provide sustainable business growth. Embrace the future and give your web development strategy a boost by implementing new technologies.
About Reach First
We are a full-service digital marketing agency which specializes in web development, search engine optimization, paid advertising, social media management and branding. From creating custom websites to developing highly effective digital marketing strategies, Reach First has what it takes to grow your business online.