When it comes to staying ahead of the competition and creating a unique brand, design is more critical than ever. Companies are always looking for ways to stand out from their competition and create an emotional connection with customers. However, following the pandemic, how customers want businesses to interact with them and how they receive and interpret information has changed.
In this article, we’ll cover exactly how you can stand out from other companies in 2022 and stay ahead of the competition.
Why Is It Important To Stay On Top Of Design Trends?
As we mentioned earlier, design is more important than ever when it comes to branding and creating a unique company. Often, companies will assume that their logo or website is enough to capture attention and interest prospective customers in what they have to offer. However, this isn’t always the case.
To stay ahead of the competition and create an emotional connection, business owners need to start thinking outside of the box and branch out in new, creative ways.
Even the smallest of design changes can make a huge difference, and staying ahead of new trends and styles will keep customers interested in your business, identifying with your business, and coming back for more.
How Often Should You Update Your Website?
Your business should update its website as often as it needs. According to Digital Authority, the easiest ways to identify if you need an update to your website include:
- Functionality Is Poor: If you find that some of the functionalities on your website aren’t working correctly or as intended, this is a clear sign that you need to redesign and restructure your site.
- Website Visitors Are Leaving: Most websites include tools and ways for visitors to connect with your business and stay updated through social media and email marketing. These are means of converting visitors to paying customers. But if these platforms aren’t bringing in customers or impacting your sales, you may need to rethink your design.
- Website and Marketing Materials not Uniform: To inspire brand loyalty and brand identification, your marketing materials should have a similar look and feel across platforms. If you introduce new products, services, or other updates, it’s essential to ensure they are uniform in appearance and design to your other marketing materials. And remember: sometimes small or simple changes can make a huge difference and translate into more sales.
Top Design Trends For Branding In 2022
One of the best ways to stand out from other companies is by taking on industry trends not only in your design but also through how you interact with customers. The following are just a few of the top trends that are trending for brands in 2022:
One-Page Websites
One-page websites are perfect for businesses looking to create an emotional connection with customers. These types of sites allow business owners to fully display their company’s background, what they have to offer, who they are, and how you can reach them all on one page.
This design is great for companies since it provides the most critical aspects of your brand all on one page, without any distractions or clutter.
Micro-Interactions
Another shifting design trend is a focus on micro-interactions. Website micro-interactions consist of small but significant interactions between users and websites, like hovering over a button with your mouse and clicking it to open a page or pop up. Website micro-interactions may also include quizzes to match customers with their ideal products or services or banners to be clicked on for more information.
Micro-interactions are an excellent way for companies to stand out from the competition. They are an easy way to engage with customers in a meaningful manner, which can leave them feeling satisfied and ready to make a purchase. This type of design is perfect for businesses because it allows customers to have a unique experience with a company’s website and helps them explore more on their own without being overwhelmed.
Larger and Bolder Typography
Larger typefaces is another trend that is rising for brands. Using them means customers can expect to see fonts that are clearer and larger. This design aims to make it easier for customers to understand what a company has to offer with just a quick glance.
This type of design change can make a significant impact and grab attention with just a tiny amount of extra style. In addition, if your prospective clients are over a certain age, larger typefaces appeal to them. Make sure to carefully choose the words and content you decide to focus on to make the right messages stand out.
Gender-Neutral Designs
Finally, another trend that is becoming more and more popular for brands in 2022 is gender-neutral designs. Brands such as Google and Microsoft have started to take this on in design because they believe it’s crucial to create a website that has wide appeal and reaches a larger audience. For many companies, an obviously gendered website design and content may no longer appeal to consumers.
To perfect this style, companies can use more muted colors with slight pops of color to grab attention. Being careful about gender-neutral language is a given.
Focus on Safety And Wellness
Now more than ever, people are becoming more and more concerned with the content and substance of what they put on and in their bodies. So it’s so crucial for businesses to focus on products or services that integrate safety and wellness. For example, if you sell a physical product, show how it’s environmentally responsible, such as not including harmful chemicals, not testing on animals, eco-friendly packaging, and so on.
Even if you don’t sell a product, showing how you protect your customers when they purchase your service, such as not sharing their personal information or keeping their data secure, can go a long way in making a business stand out.
Conclusion
Making small changes to your digital presence can sometimes have a significant impact on how your business is perceived by current and potential customers, so it’s essential to stay ahead of the game. If your business is looking to develop something unique, consider following one of the tips we’ve mentioned above. This way, you can grab your customers’ attention with minimal effort and provide them with an unforgettable experience.
