Just like in gardening, there’s wisdom in knowing what to let go of in web design. Your website should be treated as a living thing, rooted, growing, and aligned with your vision. That means every so often we need to snip away what’s no longer helping it thrive. Let’s take a look at some of the web design trends that no longer serve modern businesses and explore other ways for your site to bloom.
Overcrowded Navigation Menus
You’ve seen them. Menus that stretch across the entire top of the screen, spilling over with every possible page. Or worse, spilling off the screen! When everything is visible, nothing feels essential.
But here’s the truth:
People crave simplicity. According to research, confusing navigation leads to higher bounce rates and fewer conversions. And with over 60% of all web traffic coming from mobile, menus need to feel light, touchable, and focused.
Let’s release: trying to show everything at once.
Let’s nurture: 5-6 thoughtful links, clear pathways, and a menu that feels like an invitation, not a task list.
Desktop First Design
We’re long past the days of designing for giant monitors first and squeezing it down later. Phones are now the primary way people connect with your site.
Here’s the data to root into:
- 62–64% of traffic is mobile.
- 74% of people return to a site after a good mobile experience.
- 90% are more likely to buy when mobile UX is dialed in.
Mobile design isn’t just a box to check — it’s the soil your whole online presence grows in.
Let’s release: designs that break on mobile or feel like an afterthought.
Let’s nurture: thumb-friendly layouts, clean tap zones, and graceful responsiveness.
Ignoring Accessibility
If your website isn’t usable by everyone, it’s not usable enough. Accessibility isn’t just compliance — it’s compassion.
Designing for all bodies, eyes, minds, and ways of navigating the world creates a ripple of trust that expands your reach and deepens your impact.
Let’s release: ignoring contrast ratios, missing alt text, or assuming everyone uses a mouse.
Let’s nurture: inclusive design that says, “You belong here.”
“Everything Needs to be Above the Fold”
This one’s a classic. And it’s ready to be composted. The idea that users won’t scroll is simply outdated.
Here’s what research actually shows:
- Users spend about 57% of their time above the fold, but if that first view is engaging, they will scroll.
- What matters more is how the page makes them feel — not how quickly they find a button.
So instead of stuffing everything into the top inch of your site, focus on telling a story. Create a rhythm. Invite curiosity.
Let’s release: cramming key content into one screen.
Let’s nurture: thoughtful pacing, visual breathing room, and smooth signposts that guide users naturally downward.
In Summary:
Outdated Idea
❌ Bloated nav menus
❌ Desktop-first design
❌ Ignoring accessibility
❌ “Everything above the fold”
What to Embrace Instead
✅ Clear, intentional navigation
✅ Mobile-first flow & responsive elegance
✅ Inclusive, compassionate UX
✅ Story-driven layouts with scroll friendly cues
Ready to grow your online presence?
Let’s create a web experience that feels like it was made with love. Click here to start your project.