Half of this year is already over – it’s time to talk about what is now popular in web development.
1. Progressive Web Applications (PWA)
In 2019, websites no longer should have a responsive design, they should be progressive web applications, that is, websites that resemble regular mobile applications. In other words, they must be designed to adapt to the browser, screen size and other technical specifications of the user’s device. Moreover, advanced web applications can even work offline. Companies that have transitioned from traditional websites to PWA have increased conversions and user engagement.
2. Static sites
Using frameworks like Jekyll, Gatsby or Hugo, you can quickly create simple static web pages. They load faster and are more protected from a security point of view (when compared with dynamic ones); in addition, using the API and Markdown, you can add dynamic content to static pages.
3. GraphQL replaces the REST API
GraphQL is a query language developed by Facebook. It was created as a more efficient alternative to REST. GraphQL has several advantages, for example, it allows you to develop more powerful APIs due to the fact that before execution it allows you to evaluate the correctness of the query within the framework of the type system of this syntax. GraphQL can be used to separate the frontend and backend, as well as improve server performance.
4. Cross-platform applications
Now users usually use not one, but several different devices to access the Internet. For example, according to statistics, every third American has three devices at once: a smartphone, a computer, and a tablet. Therefore, it is extremely important to make applications that will work and synchronize on different devices. And here frameworks like Electron and Ionic will be very useful.
5. Chatbots for customers
Technologies related to artificial intelligence (AI) are developing by leaps and bounds – now some bots can answer questions and solve customer problems even more effectively than people. The research company Gartner suggests that by the end of this year, the income of areas related to artificial intelligence will grow by 70%. So if you are still not using AI in your project, it’s time to start.
6. Push notifications replace newsletters
Now push notifications are used not only in applications on smartphones; they are often found on sites and, in fact, quickly replace traditional mailing lists. Users also prefer short notifications rather than letters in a crowded inbox.
7. Low-code concept
This concept provides for the possibility of changing, adapting and developing the system during operation with a minimum of coding and a maximum of visual development. Low-code platforms such as Google App Maker and Microsoft PowerApps have simplified the development process and thus lowered the entry threshold for aspiring web designers.
8. Using variables in CSS
CSS variables (also called custom CSS properties) allow you to change the layout, making minimal changes to the site code. They are especially useful for website designs that use the grid. And a set of APIs called Houdini allows you to further expand the capabilities of CSS and implement very fast animations without the need for polyfills.
9. Voice Search
Voice search has grown in popularity over the last decade. About half of adults and teens use a voice assistant like Siri or Alexa. Therefore, developers need to implement the ability to voice search on their websites, since now there are already APIs that allow this.
10. Storytelling
Successful brands know the power of storytelling. Creating a consistent story for users is crucial in order to make them their loyal customers.
