Does anyone else feel like they’re being infiltrated with bright colors, emojis, star icons, and more?

Maybe it is just because I have two toddlers, but I feel like my neutral color palette is falling to the wayside (or rather getting smeared into the dirt) and the brighter, bolder brands are standing out.

Here’s what I’m seeing take center stage (and later I’ll go in to if you need to refresh your brand).

1. Parallax scrolling

The Ever Co (an online shop designed on Squarespace) just updated their website (August 2024) and they took full advantage of this trend (maybe to a fault as some of their words are getting hidden) and I love how it makes their website stand out and reflects their ideal client.

Parallax scrolling is a neat technique where the background doesn’t move (or moves slower) than the foreground. It makes the website more DYNAMIC and creates depth. Honestly, this design trend has been around for 10+ years, but I feel like it is making a comeback in 2024.

2. Bold Colors (and typography)

If you’re in the online entrepreneurial world, you know Jenna Kutcher did a ginormous rebrand and got an elevated (BEAUTIFUL) website. Bye bye clean, minimalistic design, and hello color and rich graphics. Her show-stopping header (above the fold) changes colors but the design stays the same and I’m 😍 in 💫 awe.

Beyond that, you’ll notice she added in some bold colors (also can we have a moment for her Menu button?) and her branding photos perfectly align. But honestly would we expect anything less from Jenna?

3. Moving Script

Another more fancier name for this is kinetic typography. Simply this just means there is moving text on the website which captures the viewers’ attention (and tells them what to focus on), allows you to stand out, and makes it easier to call out certain text (ahem, hierarchy). Check out Kat Schmoyer’s website (where it says content plan) for a great example of this (launched in 2024) and my website also does this (where it says Squarespace Educator)!

Do you want to add this to your website? You can get a scrolling/ marquee font in Squarespace or Showit by following THIS TUTORIAL.

4. Waves separating sections

I think part of the reason this has become so popular is because Squarespace (when they updated their 7.1 to be Fluid Engine a few years ago) added this as an easy feature! No coding necessary… PRAISE!

P.S. Like that template on the right? Watch this FREE 21-Minute Microcast for creative entrepreneurs who want to design a website in a weekend that actually makes them sales. At the end of the training I talk about the Squarespace template you get FOR FREE with the course.

5. AI

In 2024, website design is getting a futuristic makeover with a sprinkle of AI magic! Imagine your site having a personal stylist who’s also a tech wizard—AI is swooping in to tailor designs, suggest colors, and even predict what your users are craving before they know it themselves. It’s like having a design genie that grants your every web wish, minus the three-limit curse! From interactive chatbots that feel like old friends to layouts that adapt faster than a chameleon on a rainbow, AI is turning website design into a dazzling dance of innovation and creativity. Buckle up, because the future of web design is not just bright—it’s sparkling with AI flair!

(ok could you tell AI wrote that paragraph?) You know I couldn’t end this without mentioning AI for web design, right? I mean Squarespace has IT INTEGRATED as a button now that you can easily click, and it generates text for your website (although I will confess, I haven’t used it). It’s a thing – feel free to try it. Don’t be like me.

Should You Follow the Design Trends?

I always say no, don’t follow a trend… unless it is time. Let me explain.

Design trends come and go. So if you have a light and airy, minimalistic brand, don’t go adding bold, rich colors just because 2024 is telling you to. That being said, if your ideal client has changed and you used to serve high-end weddings and now you photograph toddlers and young moms, then maybe it is time for a brand update.

If you want to know more about brand strategy and choosing the RIGHT colors for your business, check out this FREE TRAINING.

We will go over how to make a website that reflects you and draws in your ideal clients (which, spoiler, is done through your branding, copy, and photos).

I will explain my “Moodboard Challenge” (minute 3:00) and will give you Canva Moodboard Templates and strategy to create your branding for conversion.

How Non-Techie Biz Owners Can Quickly Design a High-Converting Website That Makes Sales