Why Web Design Will Still Matter in 2023?

As we move into 2023, companies will have an increasing number of ways to engage with their customers. With the growing number of apps, browser extensions, social media feeds, newsletters, vlogs and podcasts, you could be forgiven for thinking that websites will be essential in 2021.

However, the truth is that websites are an irreplaceable part of the digital landscape and will continue to be so in 2023 and beyond.

Websites cannot be the core of a centralized, privately run digital experience. Unlike competing technologies, websites allow full control of their source code, and this gives talented designers and developers an opportunity to compete against the biggest names in their clients’ industries in ways that simply aren’t possible in tightly controlled systems like social media.

In 2023, ecommerce web design services will still be a critical aspect of any online business. A well-designed website not only attracts potential customers but also sets the tone for their entire online experience. In the age of digital commerce, having an appealing, easy-to-use, and user-friendly website has become more important than ever. A website is often a customer’s first impression of a business, and a poorly designed website can drive potential customers away. Ecommerce web design services will continue to play a vital role in the success of online businesses in 2023.

Quality web design can not only help businesses increase their traffic, but also increase the quality of that traffic; An attractive and user-friendly website encourages web users to stay longer and explore more of the linked content.

Websites vs. Social Media

Image by Kevin King(Chandana Perera) from Pixabay

For many brands, social media is the go-to option for connecting with customers. Especially sites like Facebook and Instagram. While billions of us enjoy spending our free time on social media, it’s not a great platform for making informed decisions or getting work done. For any productivity, websites are great for:

Flexibility: Websites can be customized according to a company’s vision and values, whereas social media tends to amplify accounts that reflect its own values.
Ownership: When you publish on your website, you own your content, and when you post on social media, the site owns your content.
Investment: As we recently saw with a certain bird-themed social network, you can spend years on your social media channel only to have it canceled by an individual with their own agenda.
Discoverability: Websites are discoverable on search engines, and although these search engines are controlled by algorithms, competition among different search engines keeps search engines honest. Each of the social media networks uses a single algorithm that blocks browsing in any way.
Scalability: While websites can leverage the latest technologies to improve user experience, user experience on social media is driven by network decisions.

Websites vs Apps

Image by Jan from Pixabay

When it owns a piece of the web, a connected app feels like an owner. However, websites have many benefits from the app, from better user experience to lower development costs. Ultimately, apps are controlled by third parties.

Accessibility: Websites are globally accessible, while apps are usually limited to certain operating systems or platforms. If you want to distribute the devices, you must be authorized by the store owner who can (and will) change the terms and conditions of the store distribution without consulting you.
Flexibility: Websites offer a greater degree of flexibility and scalability than apps.
Cost-effective: A simple website can be built and launched in a weekend, which is more cost-effective to develop and maintain than apps.
Findability: Search engines have evolved around website technologies and it is much easier to create a website that is discoverable than an app that ranks high in the app store.
Universal: Websites have low entry costs for users and require no downloads or purchases.
Third-party features: Websites can integrate third-party content such as chatbots, payment gateways and forms, which typically require a license to be included in the application.

Websites vs. Podcasts and Vlogs

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There is no doubt that podcasts and vlogs are attracting content types. However, they are very limited when it comes to different types of experiences. These tend to be passive, linear experiences. Even if your podcast listeners open themselves up to interaction, your customers are still passive consumers.

Cost effective: Websites can be set up very cheaply, while podcasts and vlogs on the other hand require high production values to compete.
Lifespan: While well-written website content can stay relevant for years, a vlog or podcast often has a lifespan of just a few months.
Flexibility: Websites can embed podcasts and vlogs, as well as any other content.
Simple: There are now a range of no-code options for creating a reliable website, meaning it can be done without the skills or experience required to produce podcasts and vlogs that require a lot of technical knowledge.
Discovery: Like other technologies, podcasts and vlogs can’t compete with websites when it comes to search engine optimization.
Faster: A well-designed website can be much smaller than a podcast or vlog, cheaper, and easier to access, especially on a cellular network.

Websites in 2023 and beyond

In 2023, websites will be a critical part of a successful business strategy, and web designers will continue to be essential members of any team.

Websites continue to offer many advantages over other technologies, including increased flexibility, cost-effectiveness and better search engine prospects.

Unlike social media platforms that allow you to customize certain assets like avatars and colors, websites can be completely customized to fit a brand’s tone and style. Plus, websites have a much lower barrier to entry than podcasts, vlogs, or apps. Although apps offer better features than websites, they are offset by the limitations of platform and device capabilities that apps impose.

Websites will continue to evolve as the technology landscape changes. New ideas for consuming digital media appear over time, offering unique new experiences – for example, the mass adoption of AR (Augmented Reality). However, the website is perfectly designed for the types of simple customer interactions that businesses rely on and will continue to be important in 2023 and beyond.

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