- New research by Fasthosts reveals how some of the most famous websites will look in the future.
- From immersive VR and AR interfaces, to crypto payment options, the World Wide Web will look and feel remarkably different in the not-too-distant future.
IN the 1990s and 2000s, websites were very utilitarian, with little regard for aesthetics or eye-catching design. Today, web designers and developers have to work increasingly hard to stay on the cutting edge to remain competitive in an ever-changing landscape. Looking forward to the future, one thing is certain: change is inevitable, and as technology advances, the way websites look, feel, and run, could be completely different.
To reveal how the biggest websites in 2022 will look in the future, Fasthosts worked closely with two web design experts; Andrew Dalhouse, and Danny Owens, to unveil how the digital landscape may evolve in the coming decades and centuries. The use of Virtual or Augmented Reality, voice control, and payment with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are just some of the advancements we can expect in the future of the internet. Find out what’s in store for the digital world below:
Ecommerce Websites
- Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will offer a more streamlined experience online, especially for ecommerce websites.
- The rise of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will continue, and they are predicted to become the most common way to pay for products and services online.
- Innovative ecommerce companies may even adopt and begin to sell digital products such as NFTs, as their purpose and value become more stable and widely accepted.
- AI is likely to have a staggering impact on the way companies market themselves, and customers interact with websites. On ecommerce websites of the future, AI chatbots may become automated personal shoppers for users, offering a combination of human input and intelligent assistance for a seamless experience.
Travel Websites
- Holidays are complex products that involve many variables such as dates, no. of guests, location(s) etc. This makes them more difficult to market online than “off-the-shelf” products.
- A combination of AR and VR is expected to dramatically shake up the world of travel, as users will come to expect dynamic, interactive experiences to help them choose and book their holidays.
- Currently, travel websites often overwhelm users with a plethora of menus and details. VR and AR will allow travel websites of the future to have a much cleaner interface, as the experience will be tailored to each visitor’s needs. What’s more, users will be able to visit their chosen location virtually beforehand, wherever they’re going in the galaxy!
Search Engines
- Search engines such as Google will continue to be at the forefront of innovation, with interactive experiences tailored to the user’s exact needs on offer. We expect AR to become an ever-greater part of the search experience, as AI becomes increasingly adept at analysing the real world.
- We also expect a seamless transition in search experience between devices in the future. These could include AR glasses, VR devices, and more. People could even search through a virtual supermarket or shop and choose products to be delivered from the comfort of their homes.
Streaming Platforms
- Streaming services such as Netflix or Prime Video are designed to be minimalistic to provide a smooth viewing experience, and showcase the content centre-stage. In the future, we expect Virtual Reality to play an enormous role in how audiences watch film and television.
- The user interface when choosing content could be navigated through hand gestures such as swipes and pointing, and when it’s time to watch, their full field of vision will be occupied in VR.
Social Media Platforms
- It’s fair to say that most social media platforms have shifted their focus to apps rather than websites. However, the future of social media is still an exciting thing to think about. We expect that social platforms will become much more content-rich, with more videos and animated content to become commonplace.
- Another major element in the future of social media is user privacy. Whilst data security has become an ever-greater topic in recent years, we expect that user interactions will become increasingly private rather than public, and these conversations will be encrypted to prevent social media companies from harvesting user data.
To immerse yourself in the future and see how these websites will look click here: https://www.fasthosts.co.uk/future-websites
