Top 25 Web Development Trends For 2022

1. Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is an encrypted database storing system. Unlike conventional systems, it stores information in blocks, which are then joined as a chain. It offers innumerable benefits, one of which is it makes transactions more secure and error-free. The technology underpins the digital currency, Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency usage has increased significantly in the last decade because major payment systems decided to accept Bitcoin. In 2019, more than 34 million blockchain wallets were used across the globe.

Blockchain technology enables the participants to make transactions across the internet without the interference of a third party. This technology has the potential to revolutionize different business sectors by reducing the risks of cybercrimes. Blockchain Technology lets web developers use open source systems for their projects, which makes the development process much easier.

Benefits of Blockchain in Web Development

Let’s look into the major benefits of Blockchain in web development:

Blockchain works on consensus algorithms, which makes it almost impossible to break into.
Data is stored on a network, making it easily available to users.
The blockchain system is decentralised, and thus, is less prone to mistakes.
Data can be transferred across the network without the need for intermediaries.

Early Adopters:

Barclays

Visa

Walmart

Service providers:

Amazon Web Services

Microsoft Azure Blockchain Service

2. Progressive Web Apps (PWA)

A progressive web application (PWA) is a type of application software built using common web technologies like HTML and JavaScript. PWA works on any device with a normal browser. The technology has gained popularity for its potential to offer a high-quality user experience.

PWA is widely preferred for many other reasons, including its potential to replace native mobile apps. PWAs deliver offer a swift experience even when the user is offline or on an unreliable network. Many Web Design companies across the globe have started offering PWA solutions for their clientele. Along with an amazing user experience, PWA also has other features like push notifications and offline access to cached content.

Benefits of PWA in Web Development

The technology lets web developers combine the capabilities of websites and mobile apps to:

Create an immersive user experience.
Increase user engagement and conversion rates.

Moreover, Progressive Web Applications:

Have comparatively low development costs.
Can be used without depending on app distribution services like Appstore or Play Store.
Offers fast installation and automatic updating features.

User examples

Starbucks

Spotify

Platform examples

Flutter

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT can be defined as a network of internet-enabled devices, where data transfer requires no human involvement. It is one of the most promising among current trends in web development. A future where objects are connected to the web isn’t just imagination in 2022. It is forecasted that there will be around 30 billion Internet devices operating in 2025.

IoT has proved to be one of the most powerful web development trends as it fosters constant data transferring. It helps companies engage with customers in a swift manner, creating personalized experiences. Moreover, IoT can be used to create advanced communication between different operational models and website layouts. The technology also comes with broad applications like cameras, sensors, signaling equipment, etc. that helps to solve client requirements more efficiently.

Benefits of IoT in Web Development

The wide-ranging benefits of this smart ecosystem can be utilized by businesses in websites and mobile apps. The technology can be used in web development also:

IoT provides accurate results without delays or errors with regards to the data transfer.
Supports powerful security technologies protecting both business and user data.
Helps developers gain more insights, analyze customer behavior and improve overall user experience.

Examples:

Wearable devices

Connected cars

Biometric cybersecurity

4. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP)

Accelerated Mobile Pages is a hot website development trend in 2022. It is a project born out of the collaboration between Google and Twitter to create faster mobile pages. AMP optimized pages load easily and thus rank better than other mobile web pages. AMP pages load in about 2 seconds compared to non-AMP pages, which may take up to 22 seconds.

As the internet is becoming more user-oriented, AMP is a technology that developers are embracing. Moreover, implementing AMP lets companies save costs on UX and attract users with low internet speeds. The technology was created to encourage small businesses by enabling them to build websites that work smoothly across mobile devices.

Benefits of AMP in Web Development

AMPs offer many benefits for web developers like:

Easy optimization for search engines.
Low bounce rates.
Adjusts to any browser.
No need to create sitemaps to be identified by search engines.

User Examples (Early Adopters):

CNBC

The Washington Post

5. Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization can be simply defined as the process of optimizing web pages to appear in voice search. Devices that use voice recognition are gaining fast popularity, thanks to voice assistants and IoT. The technology has grown so much that by the coming year, these devices will be able to recognize the voices of different people and provide a personalized AI-based experience. In the field of web development, the latest innovations are voice-activated self-standing devices, and voice optimization for apps and websites.

With more AI-enabled devices, voice recognition saves our time and helps us multitask. According to estimates, there will be 8 billion digital voice assistants in use by 2023. The massive growth will impact how voice search optimization will become unavoidable in the list of latest web development technologies.

Benefits of Voice Search Optimization in Web Development

Voice search optimization helps web developers in the following ways:

Makes local SEO campaigns more effective.
Can answer customer queries quickly.
Develop more trust and customer loyalty.

Examples (early adopters):

Alexa (Amazon)

Google Assistant

6. API-first Development

As the name suggests, APIs are treated with high priority in API-first development. As new technologies emerge, it is necessary to establish a connection between them, and the APIs facilitate these connections. APIs have been around for nearly 20 years. But, earlier, developers used to focus on product development first, and the need to establish a connection with software and devices came as an afterthought.

However, API-first development has major benefits – the most important being it is user-focused. The method allows developers to work in parallel, reducing development time and costs. Moreover, it reduces the risk of failure of a project ensuring that all the APIs are reliable and consistent. Thus, API-first development is becoming a major trend in web development nowadays.

Benefits of API-first model in Web Development

Besides being developer-friendly, API-first development comes with tremendous benefits like:

Reduces the learning curve of developers as well-documented and consistent APIs are provided.
APIs are reliable and consistent, thus reducing the risk of system failure.
Stakeholders can provide feedback on the design of an API before any code is written.

Early adopters:

Netflix

Etsy

7. AI-Powered Chatbots

An AI-powered chatbot is a smarter version of regular chatbots. The technology uses natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) to better understand user intent and provide a human-like experience. AI-based bots have advanced features like 24×7 problem-solving skills and behavior analytics capabilities. According to experts, self-learning bots are the future, and companies can cut costs by replacing their support managers. An AI-powered chatbot can easily be integrated into regular/professional websites and PWAs.

AI chatbots are a trend that is considered to be a worthy investment in the long term. They can answer FAQs, connect users with the right human assistant, and even take an order. Chatbots generally provide quick answers in an emergency and are quick to resolve complaints.

Benefits of AI-powered Chatbots in Web Development

As clients demand more feature-packed deliverables, technologies like AI-powered chatbots can benefit developers in the following ways:

Make development easier by replacing navigational website elements.
Provides exceptional user-experience.
Develop fewer applications as chatbots are integrated with messengers.

Examples:

Nestle’s NINA

HDFC Bank’s EVA

8. Push Notifications

Push-notifications are clickable pop-ups that come up before a user while browsing. The technology is used as a quick channel through which companies can convey information like offers and messages. It can be implemented on any device – laptops, smartphones or tablets.

As we saw, Push Notifications is one of the most favored features of Progressive Web Apps. It is a powerful tool that helps gain users’ attention and increase retention rates. Internet giants like Facebook and Google have already implemented the technology to their web applications.

In 2021, we saw that this technology was adopted by many businesses. Also, these instant notifications are likely to replace common communication channels like emails. Push Notifications can easily be integrated into online shopping websites, existing blogs, and other websites. So, push notifications will become more pronounced in 2022