Web Development Trends 2018
The world of web development is constantly changing and rapidly at that. In order to stay relevant on the web, developers need to stay updated beyond what is hot today and look into tomorrow. However, the rising technologies are the ones that have the potential to make you the best in the game. So, it’s important to be up to date on the current trends. Let’s go through some of the latest web development trends in 2018.
1.PROGRESSIVE WEB APPLICATION
Progressive Web Applications(PWAs) are web-based applications that have the feel and UX similar to mobile apps. They can work offline, delivering an extraordinary user experience. The users can save the shortcut to the website on their home screen if they use it frequently. As the most information is stored in the cache, the app loads instantly. Service workers run in the background and ensure that the latest information is cached every time the device is connected to the internet. The ability to work without any connection is one of the major advantages of progressive web apps.
2.CSS GRID
Bootstrap created such a revolution that W3C decided to come up with their own spin-off. Though CSS Grid has been around for a bit, it sure will pick up the pace and the most powerful layout system to date. Bootstrap, it has both columns and rows. And coupled with media queries it can give you a feature rich responsive development experience.
3.CHATBOTS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
In the age of constant connectivity, user expectations are high, virtual assistants are quickly becoming the norm. So today’s web developers need to be comfortable with the technology behind them. The big companies like Facebook, Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon, saw the prospects of investment in AI development and galvanized the effort that goes into it.
A chatbot is a computer program based on the advances in machine learning and natural language processing that assists people in completing some tasks. The typical tasks that bots can help with are shopping, finding some information or ordering a service. Bots provide help in Q&A form, providing for a more human-like experience.
4.GDPR — GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION
GDPR is a set of regulations proposed by the European Union in order to protect its people’s personal data. It’s not just confined to Europe. It also applies to any other entity that deals with them.
5.BLOCKCHAINS
Blockchain is a rapidly developing technology that transforms the gist of being the business owner. The technology originally developed the Bitcoin digital currency, but now finds multiple uses and proves to be truly revolutionary. Blockchain technology lies in the use of a shared database that is continuously reconciled. Millions of computers host the records of the database, which updates every ten minutes. As the data are scattered across so many PCs and there is no party commanding the data, it’s literally impossible to corrupt or violate the way the blockchain functions. To destroy the blockchain, you’ll have to destroy every possible PC that may store the data or cut off the Internet on the Earth.
6.VR AND AR
In 2018, the VR/AR market likely to influence the web design development space even more palpable, as the technologies behind VR and AR are becoming more accessible to average users.
VR Stands for Virtual Reality which is an artificial, computer-generated simulation or recreation of a real-life environment or situation. It immerses the user by making them feel like they are experiencing the simulated reality firsthand, primarily by stimulating their vision and hearing.
AR stands for Augmented Reality which is a technology that layers computer-generated enhancements atop an existing reality in order to make it more meaningful through the ability to interact with it. AR is developed into apps and used on mobile devices to blend digital components into the real world in such a way that they enhance one another, but can also be told apart easily.
7.USER BEHAVIOR TRACKING
Modern User Behavior Tracking tools let you get a number of invaluable insights. Firstly, you can track user clicks, mouse movement, and scrolls, as well as record their activity to get the idea of how a common user interacts with your website. Secondly, such web development trends as heatmaps let you grasp the amount of attention that each of your website blocks gets. Combined with A/B testing this is the most effective way to see what works and what doesn’t. Thirdly, funnels let you see the user’s journey on your website and determine where users leak out. Finally, you can monitor the way users interact with forms on your website. By this, you can identify the forms that hurt conversions.
8.WEBSITE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS
Push notifications are not just for mobile apps. Websites are also taking advantage of this user engagement tool. As with chatbots, brands are constantly seeking ways to communicate with the user and provide valuable information at just the right moment. As long as the user has notifications enabled, they can receive useful updates even if they don’t have the website open.
9.MACHINE LEARNING
Machine learning is an application of artificial intelligence (AI) that provides systems with the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning focuses on the development of computer programs that can access data and use it learn for themselves. The process of learning begins with observations or data, such as examples, direct experience, or instruction, in order to look for patterns in data and make better decisions in the future based on the examples that we provide.
10.GOOGLE AMP
AMP or Accelerated Mobile Pages have simplified coding and load up to 10 times quicker on smartphones. Thus, the employment of AMP makes cutting down page loading time on mobile to less than 1 second. AMP-optimized pages and ads look and feel more natural on small screens, creating a smoother and more engaging user experience.
