Web designers are in for some wild changes in the digital design world. The trends appearing as we edge closer to 2019 will surprise some and excite many.

Your favorite design elements of 2018 will still be going strong, but with a twist.

Many of these trends are easy to add to your existing site. Or, start from scratch with these killer new ideas. They're easy for the average designer to grasp, yet still exciting for veteran designers.

Business websites and personal blogs will both benefit from these changes. If you're dying to know the web design trends to expect in 2019, keep reading.

1. Video Backgrounds

Did you know that Instagram's engagement per follower is over 50 times higher than Facebook's? This isn't surprising -- Instagram is the king of social engagement.

Instagram's high engagement is partly attributed to it's emphasis on video content.

Users in 2019 will expect all websites to have killer video content. From promo videos to demonstrations and B-role footage, video is entertaining and captivating to the user.

One cool trend coming down the shoot is video backgrounds.

Videos keep the viewer on the page longer. If the video is interesting, they want to watch what happens. This creates more conversions than a static image background.

The message you want to share can get conveyed 100 times faster with video than text. Simply showing an expression on a person's face registers faster than forcing the user to read.

2. Chatbots

Chatbots aren't a new creation; we've been using them for over 20 years. But, as the invention ages, the capabilities of this design element get better and better.

Businesses will benefit from the updated chatbot feature on their website. It allows customers to ask questions and get a quick response in real time. It also removes the need to a hire a full-time customer service employee to field online questions.

Not only does the autoresponder feature help your customers, but it gathers data. As the conversation progresses, the chatbot collects information for your sales team.

The advancements in machine learning, AI, and chatbots are monumental for web design.

3. Mobile Speed

We already know that users won't stay on a page if it takes longer than three seconds to load. The importance of page speed is huge. Luckily, 2019 seems like it'll be the year of record-breaking web speeds.

Google introduced its Google Speed Update in July of 2018. Since then, web designers have been going above and beyond to improve loading speeds. If they don't, the website won't rank high enough.

2019 isn't going to slow down on this trend. Expect to see more compressed images, minimized coding, and creative uses of redirects.

4. Flat Design

The aesthetic of 2018 was minimal, crisp, and clean. That isn't going anywhere; in fact, flat design is the way of the future.

The original purpose of these designs was to improve mobile performance. And, that's still a benefit of flat design. With less clutter to load, the page speed increases.

One key element of a flat design is the negative space used. Once upon a time, designers felt they needed to fill every empty space with content. In 2018 and 2019, empty space is a good thing.

Flat design doesn't have to be boring. In fact, successful flat design uses bright colors, bold lines, and hi-res images.

If you or your client want a bit more dimension, you can make the site semi-flat. This means you incorporate shadows and faint gradients to the design. Clients who want to avoid their site looking clinical will like semi-flat designs.

5. Integrated Animations

Also known as micro-animations, these moving features guide the user and captivate them. It's common for websites today to include drop menus and hover-buttons. Holding the mouse over different page sections can elicit a new menu or pop-up.

These small animations captivate the eye and boost the user's attention span. They stay on the page longer than a non-animated site.

Integrated animations help the user navigate the website. It shows them they're in the right place and the action they intended occurred. For example, after hitting "submit" on your opt-in form, the submit button changes color.

2019 is going to see further development of integrated animations.

6. Bold Typography

If you have something to say, say it boldly. The users of 2019 want to see conviction and authenticity in websites. This means being transparent and upfront about your message.

One way of showing this is by using bold typography.

Ditch the cursive and thin lined fonts you've used before. This new trend is all about letters being clear, thick, and obvious.

If you're worried bold fonts won't suit the brand of your site, don't worry. There are tons of bold fonts that still look feminine, natural, or artsy. The point is you want them to stand out and read clearly.

7. Custom Illustrations

It's easy to find an image on a stock photography website. Type in the tags for what you want, and voila! An image used by every other business in your niche.

In 2019, step it up with your images. Custom illustration is when an artist or photographer creates custom images for you.

We're living in an era obsessed with authenticity. Using other's images is not authentic to your brand or the experience of your customers. Custom pictures allow you to show how your business is unique.

Plus, it's fun! You can create exactly what you want; no more settling for stock images.

Interested in Learning More Web Design Trends?

The world of web design is growing in innovation and creativity. Clients want a more personalized website that stands out to their customers.

By incorporating the web design trends listed here, your site will stay ahead of the curve. Focus on improving the user's experience and you can't go wrong.

Creating a killer website isn't as hard as it seems. For more tips and trends in web design, check out the blog.