20 Web Development Trends To Look For In 2023

We live in an era where the web is not a luxury anymore. People’s day-to-day lives revolve around 24/7 access to the web with a fully-functioning internet. From ordering food, booking a cab, and shopping online, to talking to our loved ones across the globe, web development is responsible for every little experience we have. It is fair to say our lives highly depend on web development. Let’s look at the evolution of web development trends.

Web Development Trends: Evolution

The Past
Web development began as a tool to ease complex processes — each code block was manually made to fit fragile structures. Websites could perform only primary functions like text, numbers, and other forms of representing data.

The Present
Web development has come a long way ever since. The rise of low-code or no-code development tools is bringing a revolution in web development. Due to the introduction of frameworks, the narrative that a programmer must write a lot of code to accomplish only minor functionality is changing quickly.

Nowadays, developers can use a set of pre-made codes to achieve multiple functions while putting in minimal effort. All these advancements make the development task highly efficient and considerably cost-effective.

The Future
We are quickly progressing toward a time when no-code tools will be much more accessible, versatile, and easier to develop. The development of Web 3.0, AI, Progressive web applications, Blockchain, etc., is transforming the web development landscape and bringing in newer web development trends.

To stay competitive in the ever-growing industry — it has become crucial to keep up with newer web development trends — albeit it’s easier said than done.

Thankfully, we’ve outlined the top 20 web development trends that will thrive in 2023 and beyond. Whether you’re an independent developer, a web development agency stakeholder, or just here for some trendy insights, this article will help you find the correct answers. This guide will also help you in building your workforce with the right expertise when you hire web developers for your projects.

20 Web Development Trends In 2023 And Beyond

1. Blockchain and Decentralization
2. Web 3.0: The Third Generation
3. Content Personalization with Machine Learning
4. Single Page Applications (SPA)
5. JavaScript Frameworks
6. Low-Code / No-Code Development Frameworks
7. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)
8. Voice Search Optimisation
9. Serverless Architecture
10. Dark Mode UI
11. Mobile-First Development
12. API-First Development
13. AI-powered Chatbots
14. Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
15. Cyber Security in Web Development
16. Motion UI
17. Micro Frontends
18. Augmented Reality
19. Metaverse
20. Cloud Computing

Let’s deep dive into each web development trends in more details.

1. Blockchain And Decentralization

   
   Many industries seek refuge in Blockchain to protect and decentralize the exchange of digital information. The blockchain contains three prime components — miners, nodes, and blocks — linked to one another using a unique identity (created for each block.)

   The blocks record, store and track all the data (such as source, destination, and timestamp of the files) exchanged between the business entities. It enables permitted access to share or store crucial data.

   How Is Blockchain Used In Web Development?

   Blockchain is influencing business communities faster than expected, and many tech giants offer blockchain services to cater to these increasing demands.

   It helps maintain hassle-free digital transactions in multiple industries. The higher reliability and security trait makes the inclusion of blockchain in web development extremely productive. Nowadays, it supports most apps and websites.

   Some frameworks used in building Ethereum-based apps are Remix IDE, Geth, Truffle, etc.

   Businesses that involve payments, wallets and exchanges of intellectual properties are secured with blockchain during the development process. It is nearly impossible to tamper with a system with too many approvals and access checks.

   Besides this, core players like Amazon and Azure provide blockchain as a service, making it accessible and affordable for businesses to implement. This confirms blockchain’s impact on the web development market.

2. Web 3.0: The Third Generation

   
   We know that HTML is the foundational layer of web 1.0 and web 2.0 technologies that define the layout and delivery of web pages. With the onset of the web 3.0 era, this foundational layer doesn’t change. But the way it connects and stores data sources will differ from earlier technologies.

   How Does Web 3.0 Work?

   Nearly all Web 2.0-based applications rely on a centralized database to deliver data and help enable various functionalities. Web 3.0 uses a decentralized blockchain instead.

   The idea of blockchain relies on distributed consensus rather than an arbitrary central authority.

   But What’s Wrong With Centralization?

   Many things! The main reason, however, is that companies that employ centralized architecture have to maintain their own data centers. It brings some serious security and privacy concerns. It takes one hacking incident to breach millions of users’ data.

   Web 3.0 ushers a new architecture that centers on decentralization. It hopes to remedy some flaws associated with previous architecture, such as privacy and identity.

   Primary Attributes Of Web 3.0

   I. Decentralization

   Web 3.0 applications will likely build on decentralized networks operating through multiple peer-to-peer servers. Developers no longer need to rely on a single server or database to host and store data.

   II. Open Source Development

   Web 3.0 promotes open-source development among the developer communities.

   III. Trusted Network

   With Web 3.0, users can rely on network performance and output without having strict requirements to trust anybody else not involved in the ongoing transaction. You can enable public and private network interactions without any trust concerns or involvement from a trusted third-party source.

   IV. Permission-free

   Web 3.0 enables companies to participate in public or private custom software development projects without involving governing bodies. Hence it facilitates the secure and flexible transfer of information.

3. Content Personalization With AI And Machine Learning

   Machine learning and AI are the buzzwords taking the entire world by storm! They are changing the way companies operate and create personalized experiences for customers.

   Here’s What The Stats Say:

   • 88% of marketers state that AI personalization enables them to achieve their targets effectively.
   • 66% of customers expect brands to understand their unique demands and personalize their digital experience.
   • Accenture research states that 91% of customers prefer companies who remember them and provide relevant recommendations. Over half of the customers switch to a competitor if they do not get this personalized treatment.

   How Does AI/Ml Enable Personalization?

   Artificial intelligence and machine learning enable companies to acquire and take insights from large quantities of data. Hence they can predict:

   • What customers want
   • When they want it
   • What is their preferred method of communication
   • What would be the fastest way to push them down the sales funnel

   Insights into these data help businesses to:

   • Deliver the right product to the right person
   • Handle and simplify large data sets
   • Target customers through advanced segmentation
   • Automate decision-making up to a large extent without any scope for error
   • Employ an algorithm that tracks user behavior on a granular level
   • Create a personalized homepage and recommendation list

   Take a look at Amazon, for instance — it uses AI algorithms to study users’ purchase history, cart items, browsing habits, etc., and recommend products they are most likely to purchase. The same algorithm generates personalized offers for every customer and emails them when there are higher chances of conversion.

4. Single Page Applications (SPA)

   
   Since its inception, the look and feel of using the web have changed dramatically. Initially, people only used the web to present information — there was no concept of user experience. Fast forward to 2023, user experience has evolved and is a factor that drives sales.

   As a result, single-page applications are everywhere. I’m sure you already visited at least one today.

   What Are Single Page Applications?

   Single-page applications create the illusion of a page change, while the reality is that you are on one page all the time.

   Single page apps give you the impression that the page changes as the content disappears and gets replaced by a new one. Even though no new page is loaded from the server, the URL keeps changing. A single-page application is created such that there is NO PAGE REFRESH.

   Why Are Single-Page Applications Popular?

   Single-page applications are one of the most recent and popular web development trends. It provides a better visitor experience, faster speed, no page refresh, etc. It offers a better user experience where users can navigate between different pages without waiting for them to load.

   Some well-known single-page applications include Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Netflix, Trello, Google Maps, Google Drive, etc.

   Example:

   The most prominent example of a single-page application is Gmail. When you visit Gmail and browse through inbox, outbox, sent, etc., the content and the URL change. But you do not feel that the page is reloading.

   Single Pages Applications Development

   Any web development agency would use JavaScript, to create single-page applications. Single-page applications don’t have a separation between the front-end and back-end. It only has a single HTML page that loads once you open the website and never refreshes.

5. JavaScript Frameworks

   
   JavaScript is the most popular programming language — around 64.96% of developers use it. In 2023, developers use JS frameworks instead of building the entire JS code from scratch. JS frameworks enable developers to access robust tools that streamline JavaScript app development for multiple projects.

   Although, it is crucial to understand the top JavaScript frameworks so that you can select the right one and hire JavaScript developers at scale with confidence.

   JavaScript Frameworks: Frontend and Backend

   To help your decision-making, here are the two popular front-end JS and a popular backend framework for building exceptional apps.

   1. ReactJS

   Popularity: 193k stars / 39.9k forks / 11.1 million users / 1,555 contributors

   Initially developed by Facebook, React is one of the most popular JS frameworks. It is an open-source framework known for responsive UI, painless debugging, and flexibility to scale projects. The 2020 State of JavaScript report states that developers are satisfied with the React framework.

   70% of React users say they would use the framework again. This framework is ideal for businesses that want to speed up their development time. If you take a look at the job market, there are more openings for expert React developers than anyone else. So, if you’re looking to hire expert react developers, now might be the time.

   React JS: Pros Vs Cons
   

   2. VueJS

   Popularity: 199k stars / 32.6k forks / 2.8 million users/ 339 contributors

   Vue is a lightweight JS framework prominent for building highly dynamic apps, like single-page applications. Vue is considered a small-sized but straightforward framework. 43% of developers report using Vue regularly.

   Vue does not have a strong market presence, but it is interesting to note what kind of businesses are selecting it. Vue is a preferred JS framework for many top businesses. Therefore, if you are a company that seeks industry-best JS frameworks, now is the time to hire VueJs developers.

   Vue Js: Pros Vs Cons
   

   3. NodeJS

   Node.js is an independent runtime environment based on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. Node.js is considered a standalone application that can execute an application code regardless of the type of browser or OS.

   Therefore, if you’re planning to build a similar project, investing in a workforce with expert node developers is the first step to go about it. Ensure that you hire node developers who know the technology, benefits, and functionalities inside out.

   NodeJs: Pros Vs Cons
   

6. Low-Code / No-Code Development Frameworks

   
   Low-code or no-code development frameworks support rapid application development and one-step development and are quick to set up and deploy. It enables so by using high-level programming abstractions with model-driven programming.

   “Low code/no code platforms have evolved from facilitating function-specific tools to developing a broader range of business employees to own their automation and build applications easily.”

   • Harvard Business Review

   Low-code application technologies are used to develop UI, data services, and cloud-based services. Research suggests that spending on low-code development technologies will grow to $30 billion by 2025. The need for low-code interfaces is on the rise —  especially for SaaS offerings. It accelerates the development process and brings down the delivery time of products (to months or weeks) that typically would have taken two or three years.

7. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

   There are now 5.34 billion unique mobile phone users in the world. Mobile phones are preferred compared to their counterparts. This trend motivated Google to create AMPs in 2016. AMPs are an open-source effort to optimize websites for mobile and make mobile browsing easier.

   AMPs use a specific framework based on existing HTML to streamline information exchange with the browsers. It creates a seamless, faster, and more efficient UX and makes page loading speed almost instantaneous. AMP is a viable way to improve traffic and retention on your website.

   In the beginning, Google used to reward the websites that use AMPs in terms of ranking. But after the Page Experience algorithm update in 2021, Core Web Vitals (speed and stability) became the primary ranking factor.

   However, you can still use AMPs to meet the requirements for Core Web Vitals.  AMPs provide you with:

   • Faster load time
   • Lower bounce rate
   • Higher performance and flexibility
   • Mobile Search Engine Optimization (AMP SEO)

   Hence, you can use AMPs to make your website mobile-friendly, serve better landing page experiences, and gain higher search engine rankings.

8. Voice Search Optimization

   
   Talking to robot assistants is not science fiction anymore. Today, if we need to find the nearest burger joint or medical store, we have Siri or Alexa to help us find the answers. Conducting web searches through smart devices is a common thing in 2023. It is also faster and more convenient.

   Voice search is slowly becoming the norm  — 40% of internet users use voice assistants at least once a month. Voice searches also present an opportunity to capture organic traffic irrespective of your industry niche.

   Besides, targeting voice search can help your website’s overall SEO and ranking.

   How?

   Search engines give brownie points to websites that optimize for voice searches. Optimizing for voice search can gain you more domain authority and higher spots on search results. Therefore, ensure that you incorporate this website development trend in your plan and strategize accordingly.

   Example:

   Companies like Nespresso and Ford marked their website content with structured data to make it eligible for rich results. They increased their presence on Google Search through voice search optimization. It improved the overall user interactions with content like recipes, how-to guides, and FAQs.

9. Serverless Architecture

   
   Serverless architecture simply means cloud-computing models. Through serverless architecture, developers can focus on coding their websites without worrying about the underlying server infrastructure.

   Serverless architectures:

   • reduce operational cost
   • improve scalability
   • decrease latency
   • ensure quick deployments and updates.

   The serverless architecture market will register over a 20% compound annual growth rate from 2021 to 2027 as cloud computing service providers like AWS Lambda, Microsoft Azure, etc., gain popularity.

   Why is Serverless Architecture Preferred?

   Developers who opt for this technology won’t have to worry about managing and maintaining servers for the project. They can leave it up to the FaaS (Function as a Service) companies dedicated to serverless computing.

   As a result, development teams can dedicatedly put all their efforts only into the functionality of their applications. Thus serverless architecture proposes a new paradigm for developers and businesses that favors cost reduction and promotes the development of monolithic systems.

10. Dark Mode UI

    Why do programmers prefer dark mode?

    Because light will attract bugs.

    Jokes apart, the dark aesthetic trend has taken over the world and is a popular feature sought out by users and developers worldwide.

    What is Dark Mode UI?

    Also referred to as “night mode,” “shadow mode,” or “Dark view,” the dark mode is a design term used to describe a low-light UI with a dark color as a primary background color. Visual designing makes it easy for users to browse the web app in dark-themed mode, regardless of the device.

    In response to increased user screen time across devices, the dark mode trend has become increasingly popular among everyone.

    Big-name brands like Facebook, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Apple were all early movers in adopting dark mode interfaces and have influenced many others to follow in their footsteps. Operating systems, browsers, and apps are not the only places where the popularity of dark mode is continuing to grow — more and more website developers and designers are opting for UX/UI designs that are dark.

    The Psychology Behind Dark Mode

    Dark mode presents a site for sore eyes in more than one way.

    Dark aesthetics elicit powerful emotions from the visitors. The color black creates maximum color contrast when paired with vibrant tones. It often conveys style, power, sophistication, modern elegance, etc.

    All these factors contribute to making a website/app visually appealing and depth when used strategically as a website’s background. The more visually appealing users find your site, the more likely they will spend time on your webpage and engage with your content.

    Handpicked Related Content: Top UI/UX designs and trends to look for in 2023

11. Mobile-First Development

    

    Mobile-first development becomes more prominent as the number of mobile users and time spent on mobile devices increases.

    Difference Between Responsive and Mobile-First Web Design

    Mobile commerce (m-commerce) is gaining momentum — it accounted for almost 72.9% of global retail eCommerce sales in 2021. Mobile-first approach to web development includes creating a mobile-responsive website that provides smooth navigation for mobile users. Google also prioritizes the mobile version of website content as a ranking factor through its mobile-first indexing approach.

    Why Go For Mobile-First Development?

    The rationale is that website stakeholders can choose only the most crucial elements of a website presented to the users before actually developing.

    They can do this by sketching the website layout for mobile screens and then implementing this on larger screens. It makes it easier to progress from a straightforward outline to a complex desktop solution. Besides, mobile-optimized web pages boost conversion rates and generate more leads.

    Mobile-first sites can also:

    • Serve better UX on portable devices
    • Use mobile phone’s built-in features
    • Save the cost of building expensive applications
    • Help users focus on core content
    • Increase reach and visibility
    • Provide easy navigation

12. API-First Development

    The recent trends in PWAs (progressive web applications) point toward seamlessly inter-connected web solutions. While developing a mobile or web app, stakeholders usually ignore API development.

    An API-first approach means putting designs and developing a programming interface before implementing it. Customized apps should be built with an API-first model to maximize the developer’s potential and make it easier for users to interact with the website.

    Benefits of API-First Approach

    • Parallel software development
    • Improved developer experience
    • Accelerated development process
    • Reduced errors and risk of failures
    • Cost-optimized development

    How Can You Use An API-First Approach?

    In an API-driven development — you first work on design, development, tests, and mock-runs. After that, you get started with coding.

13. AI-powered Chatbots

    

    Not sure about the world, but chatbots have taken over a huge part of the tech landscape. According to a study by Statista, chatbots will reach $1.25 billion by 2025.

    Brands leverage chatbots to answer basic queries throughout the day. AI-powered chatbots can engage in real-time conversations with users and address their pain points as quickly as possible. Chatbots also hold the fort when support agents are not available during offline hours. Here are some other benefits of AI-powered chatbots:

    • It substitutes human resources and the errors they would make
    • It helps you cut down the operational cost of your support
    • They help visitors round the clock via text or voice.
    • Chatbots reduce waiting time for customers
    • They accumulate information around the clock and help you optimize your sales funnel.

    Example: Dominos Facebook Messenger

    Dominos offers a Facebook chatbot — Dom, to make the ordering process faster. The chatbot enables customers to order a pizza from anywhere — through Facebook Messenger, texting, Amazon Alexa, Slack, Twitter, a smartwatch, or simply by sending an emoji text.

14. Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

    Progressive web application development is done using customary website developing software and technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They are responsive and adapt to any screen across all devices. PWAs face fewer problems during the development process.

    PWAs are installable and can function on any device. They provide push notifications and can work offline. Building PWAs have recently gained popularity because of their convenience, impeccable UX, and boundless opportunities to scale.

    Many eCommerce websites like eBay, Alibaba, AliExpress, etc., have implemented a PWA for their respective enterprises and achieved better results in terms of conversion and ROI. It happened because of the easy maintenance, eye-catching UX, and SEO-friendliness of the PWAs.

    Handpicked Related Content: Responsive Web Design: Key Elements And Examples]

15. Cyber Security in Web Development

    Cybersecurity is more of a need rather than a trend. Cyber attacks and data breaches are a threat to modern web development. The number of beaches increased by 17% in 2021 compared to the previous year.

    “The more personal data your website hosts or processes (especially in the health, eCommerce, finance, and retail industries), the more likely it is to be targeted by hackers.”

    • Identity Theft Center

    Here’s a list of things that you can do to maintain cybersecurity for your websites and apps:

    • Plan, support, and test security at the development stage.
    • Implement security run-through after updates.
    • Incorporate multi-factor authentication.
    • Use VPNs and encrypt your data.
    • Use a firewall or other third-party antivirus protection software.
    • Enforce strong password practices among your end-users.
    • Enable secure password recovery mechanisms for everyone.

16. Motion UI

    Motion is one of life’s brightest features in literature, art, and the latest technology. Motion UI makes storytelling subtle and easy — it simplifies complex stories and makes them more attractive to app users.

    What is Motion UI?

    It is a modern, in-demand design style that brings your website and app interfaces to life. Motion UI is a Sass library for designing CSS animations rapidly and contains over two dozen built-in transitions. It creates impressive effects by combining  Sass maxims, CSS animations, etc.

    The primary benefit of motion UI is that it makes capturing a person’s attention effective.

    Do you concur?

    Viewing a short animated film is much more convenient than static instructions.

    Here’s how this powerful catalyst impacts web development trends:

    • It diverts the user’s attention strategically toward the needed parts.
    • It guides users in finding the exact information by highlighting required areas.
    • It contributes toward keeping the 3D space intact.
    • You can create simple animations with motion modifiers.
    • It enables the prototyping of animated elements at a quicker rate.

    How Motion UI Can Enhance User Engagement

    Here’s how motion UI can enhance user engagement in various parts of your websites and apps.

    • Welcome screen
    • Fun elements in various parts of websites and apps
    • Feedback loop while the user tries to login
    • Refreshing content on social media sites

    Motion UI Use-cases

    Transition: Motion UI enables users to understand a connection between two items. It flows like movie scenes and helps users to connect data from one location to another.

    Animations: Animations provide illustrations of a user-selected subject. For example, you can create visual cues without losing sight of the subject while creating tutorials.

    Responsive Gestures: Users appreciate websites that respond quickly. Responsive animations to a website create an interactive environment between internet users and the website/app.

17. Micro Frontends

    

    Web development trends evolve from monolith to micro frontend. It is because applications are becoming more complex and need more modular code while developing. And monolithic structures are no longer able to meet these demands.

    In a monolithic structure, the codes are bundled in one large file. It makes it hard to manage and update.

    What are Micro Frontends?

    Micro frontend structures are small, self-contained web applications with a common front-end codebase. It separates the code into individual files, making the code easier to manage.

    It can be built with web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that communicate with each other using a shared API. Each micro frontend is responsible for a specific part of the application. It divides the tasks and reduces complexity. It also makes it easier to update the application.

    Micro frontends are based on SPA architecture that loads a single HTML page. It uses JavaScript to update the page dynamically as the user interacts with it. It makes it easier to develop, test, and deploy applications along with elevating their performance and scalability.

    Benefits of Micro Frontends

    Why are micro frontends a growing web development trend among developers?

    • It provides a scalable architecture.
    • It breaks an application into small front-end components.
    • It allows easy replacing/updating of individual components.
    • It reduces the risk of bugs or issues.
    • It simplifies development and troubleshooting.
    • It grants more autonomy to the developers

18. Augmented Reality

    

    Augmented reality or AR is an effective business (and marketing) tool across different industries like retail, eCommerce, gaming, healthcare, and even the military. Web-based AR (WebAR) allows users to access immersive experiences directly from their smart devices. WebAR effectively delivers marketing messages for brands through non-existent interactive elements.

    How Augmented Reality Works?

    The essence is clear — instead of watching flat images, the user tries on a product virtually and feels like they’re trying it in real-time. Users can experience 3D models of clothes, shoes, furniture, etc., in real-time to see how exactly they fit.

    The result is very close to the result you will avail after placing an order. Besides, the prevalence of smartphones makes AR extremely available to large audiences.

    AR Existing on the Web

    Shopify, a popular eCommerce platform, is the first platform to incorporate AR. The AR approach enables web store owners to increase their conversion and ROI. It also makes customers more confident about their buying decisions, decreasing the number of product returns and refunds.

    WordPress also does not lag in terms of AR applications. WordPress offers multiple themes and plugins created by third-party developers.

19. Metaverse

    

    Metaverse refers to an extension of the internet into a three-dimensional virtual world. It is a VR-based parallel internet world where users can interact with digital objects in a 3D space.

    It is an immersive and interactive platform where people can create avatars to represent themselves and interact with other users in real time. The Metaverse is not limited by the physical world, time, or space — it is an entirely virtual world where anything is possible.

    Metaverse And The Future Of  Web Development

    The global Metaverse market is worth $47.48B in 2022 and will soar to $678.7 billion by 2030. Every successful web development company is at the forefront of driving innovation using the latest technologies.

    Elements of Metaverse

    AR and AI-based tech are experiencing the most investments and advancements in 2023. These technologies will soon become a part of the metaverse and will combine all existing platforms to provide a seamless online experience that mimics the real world.

    Business Implications Of  Metaverse Web Development

    As soon as the entire internet switches to Web 3.0 based on Metaverse — web development will change forever. This transformation will impact every app and website on the internet. Metaverse will improve the capabilities of existing products rather than erasing them.

    Therefore if you’re planning to hire a web development partner, ensure they have an updated skill set and innovative mindset toward product designing. Make sure they help you redesign existing tech stacks and create more interactive interfaces and UX.

20. Cloud Computing

    Cloud computing refers to cloud-based resources like storage, analytics, software, intelligence, etc. This trend emerged during the pandemic when multiple organizations shifted towards working remotely. As a result, the cloud infrastructure market will grow a whopping 35% this year.

    Cloud computing helps avoid data loss and data overload. It offers benefits like reduced development costs, flexibility, and robust architecture. Some other advantages include:

    • Developers won’t have to worry about storage space.
    • You can access cloud information from any location.
    • It has a lesser chance of data breaches.
    • It is cost-effective as compared to on-premise solutions.

Hire Web Developers With The Right Expertise

The web development trends will only advance as we move forward. We went through the twenty most prominent technologies and web development trends crucial for the future. These trends will shape web experiences for users in the coming generations. Embracing these trends will help you stand out from the competition. It will also help you hire web developers with the right expertise.

Partner With Top Web Development Agency

SolGuruz, a top web development company, has been at the forefront of the digital revolution for a decade. We specialize in developing white label solutions and offer world-class mobile app and web development services to our clients worldwide. Be it an advanced, highly-functioning website or white label app development — we can help you bring your ideas to reality.

Our expert web developers constantly stay on top of the latest web development trends to offer best-in-class services.

Are you looking to adopt these trends in your website development endeavor? Talk to our specialists today.

FAQs on Web Development Trends