2014 Web Design & Marketing Predictions

The start of a new year can be a fun time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. In 2013, we had the pleasure of welcoming some interesting new clients to our firm, and we continued our efforts to cultivate the best creative design and marketing talent in Northern VA. Now, as we prepare to welcome a new year, we look forward to the excitement and challenges it will bring!

To get ready, we’ve made some predictions about the future of marketing and web design in 2014.

The Mobile Web is the Place to Be for 2014

One of the biggest trends in 2013 was the move from desktop to mobile when it comes to web surfing. In the new year, we expect this trend to continue. As more people abandon their bulky, stationary computers in favor of smartphones and tablets, businesses need to be prepared to put their best face forward on those devices.

What does this mean for your company?

1. A responsive website is a necessity. Responsive web design will leave you with a fully customized site that displays beautifully on screens of every size, giving smartphone and tablet users as well as those on desktop or notebook computers the same great user experience. Mobile web use isn’t going anywhere, so make 2014 the year your site becomes responsive!
2. Local search optimization is crucial. Because customers are using their mobile devices to search for businesses, you can’t afford not to optimize your site for relevant local search terms. Building citations, creating local pages or offers, and targeting local keywords is the best way to make sure that your company comes up on top!

Engage Your Overwhelmed Audience

As the web becomes increasingly popular for shopping, researching, and interacting with friends, family, colleagues, and clients, businesses are striving to be heard. Quality content has always been a key component of any website and online marketing campaign, but getting noticed is getting harder. This year, businesses will face bigger hurdles than ever when it comes to reaching their audiences.

What does this mean for your company?

1. Don’t neglect the user experience. We’ve always talked about how important it is to maintain a fresh, up-to-date website, but in 2014, User Experience Design (UX Design) is a key component of every site. One of the best ways to ensure your site is designed to provide a top notch experience for your users is to bring in an experienced web design team to review your goals and make recommendations. If your site isn’t intuitive and easy to use, business will be lost.
2. Volume matters, but quality matters more. With so many competing voices, you can’t expect every article you publish to go viral, receiving myriad tweets, likes, and shares on various social media platforms. In fact, most of your publications will likely get lost in the din. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep publishing – frequently updating your website content or blog is still important. However, you need to produce better content than ever before if you want to engage your customers and fans in 2014.

Stop Slacking and Get Social

Survey says: your customers spend most of their online time browsing social networks and interacting with their friends, family, and favorite celebrities and companies there. Remaining competitive means engaging clients and potential clients in their favorite online hangouts (namely Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn). If you’ve been neglecting your business’ social media presence in favor of other marketing tactics, 2014 is the year to resolve to be involved.

What does this mean for your company?

1. Developing a social profile that reflects your brand is step #1. Don’t just have a profile; have a profile that shows off your brand assets. Use custom images, well-written descriptions, and customizable apps to give your fans and followers a taste of who you are every time they visit you on their social networks.
2. Give users a reason to follow your company. Social media isn’t something you can create and ignore. Be active – post news or special offers, link to relevant articles or videos, and develop unique, helpful, or humorous content that your fans will want to share. You have but a moment to catch the attention of your audience, so make each post count.

Web design and marketing is an ever-changing industry (that’s why we love it so much). Consider the start of the new year your opportunity to change with the times, and make 2014 your best sales year yet!