October 05, 2023

Web Application Development Trends to Watch for in 2024

• Group 1: Web app structure and architecture trends
  • Progressive web apps (PWAs)
  • Single-page applications (SPAs)
  • WebAssembly (Wasm) as a performance amplifier
  • Core Web Vitals
  • Smart e-commerce web development
  • Serverless architecture as a way to leverage the cloud
  • Growing cybersecurity concerns
• Group 2: Technology innovations
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
  • Augmented reality (WebAR)
• Group 3: Extra features in web apps
  • Dark mode as an efficient color solution
  • Chatbots and virtual assistants
  • Voice search as a new level of web-browsing
  • Personalized content as a way to jazz up customer experience
• FAQ: Web Application Development Trends 2024
• Final thoughts

There are 5.19 billion internet users worldwide, which makes up over 64% of the global population. Therefore, developing web solutions and web applications in particular is a beneficial endeavor as they are bound to have an extensive audience of prospects.

At the same time, Customer needs and expectations continue changing with the ever-evolving environment; therefore, software development companies and technical specialists should keep up with the latest web application development trends to retain a competitive edge. Implementing the most recent tendencies will help businesses extend their consumer base, improve customer relationships, and attain steady growth.

Based on our experience, we collected 15 hottest trends in web application development to help you navigate through modern technologies and pick the most tempting innovations to make your business flourish. For your convenience, we have grouped these trends into three categories according to their types and characteristics.

Group 1: Web app structure and architecture trends

This group unites the trends associated with the overall web app composition novelties.

Progressive web apps (PWAs)

PWAs use modern web technologies to perform quickly and reliably regardless of the network. These solutions can be installed on mobile devices like native apps and operate even offline. The winning examples of PWAs include Starbucks, Pinterest, Tinder, and Google Maps. They comprehensively combine the functions of web apps and native apps, which makes them universal and convenient.

The primary benefits of PWAs include:

• PWAs can be scanned by search engines. PWAs are web applications; therefore, they have links like regular websites. This means search engines see them, and you can direct traffic to them. You just need to ensure that search engines index the link.
• Program-like interface. Browsing websites on mobile devices may be inconvenient to users, and they may opt for programs. PWAs feature a native-like interface and provide a clear and effortless user experience.
• Fast loading speeds. PWAs work smoothly and expeditiously regardless of the internet connection quality. Furthermore, they can function even when disconnected from the web, which makes them particularly convenient and universal in use.
• Resilience to high loads. Unlike regular websites, PWAs rely on both web browsers and user cash. Therefore, they are resistant to high loads. PWAs will successfully handle even the largest user audience.

You can also check the actual mobile app trends.

Single-page applications (SPAs)

SPAs are web apps that load a single HTML page and dynamically update its content as the user interacts with it. This makes the apps very fast and responsive.

The benefits of SPAs include the following:

• Improved performance. SPAs do not need to reload the entire page during user interaction, making these apps quicker and more responsive than traditional ones.
• Excellent user experience. SPAs look like native apps yet provide a more engaging user experience.
• Easy development and maintenance. SPAs use a single codebase for the entire application. Therefore, they are easier to create and support than traditional apps.

A specific example of SPA’s use case is Gmail. The service utilizes an SPA to enhance the email experience. Users can compose and send emails without waiting for the page to reload

WebAssembly (Wasm) as a performance amplifier

WebAssembly is a solution that allows transforming the code from one programming language to another. Wasm can be used to develop web applications that are written in a variety of languages, including C, C++, Rust, and Go. This allows developers to use their preferred language and development tools to build web applications without worrying about JavaScript limitations.

Wasm is still a relatively new technology, but it is gaining popularity among web developers because of its benefits.

• Improved performance. Wasm code runs at near-native speeds, which can significantly raise the performance of web applications.
• Portability. Wasm modules can operate in any modern web browser without plugins or additional software.
• Security. Wasm is a sandboxed environment, which means that Wasm modules cannot access the user’s system or other web apps.
• Flexibility. Wasm can be utilized to develop various web applications, including games, video editors, and scientific simulations.

Globally renowned companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Netflix, are implementing Wasm to build powerful and sophisticated web apps.

Core Web Vitals

Core Web Vitals (CWVs) are a set of three metrics that measure the real-world user experience for loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability of the page. They include:

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP). It measures the time it takes for the largest content element on the page to load.
• First Input Delay (FID). This parameter measures the browser response time to the first user interaction, such as a click or tap.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). It measures the amount of unexpected layout shifts on the page while loading.

CWVs are a relatively new concept, but they are quickly becoming important for web application development. The benefits of having good CWVs are significant:

• High rankings in Google search results. CWVs are a factor in Google’s search ranking algorithm. This means a website with good CWVs will likely rank higher in Google search results.
• Enhanced user experience. A website with good CWVs loads faster and has less visual instability.

Smart e-commerce web development

Smart e-commerce web applications can personalize the shopping experience for each customer, recommend products that users are likely to be interested in and ease the product search.

The very concept of smart web app development entails continual investigation and testing of new features and designs to create more intelligent sites that go far beyond fundamental layouts and adapt to user needs.

An illustrative example of such a tool is push notifications targeted at people passing a specific location. Thus, when individuals approach a physical shop, they get push notifications on their mobile containing a selective offer or leading them to the brand’s website. This tool combines virtual and physical experiences and is referred to as beacon technology.

Explore also retail app trends in 2023.

Serverless architecture as a way to leverage the cloud

One of the most interesting trends in web app development is serverless architecture. In a serverless structure, the application comprises small, independent functions triggered by events, such as an HTTP request or a message from a queue. The cloud provider then allocates resources to run the function and deallocates the resources when the function is finished. To stay on the surge in the continually altering digital market, companies need to embrace cloud computing strategies, part of which is serverless architecture.

The benefits of serverless architecture spread far:

• Reduced costs. Serverless architecture minimizes costs by eliminating the need to manage servers.
• Increased scalability. Cloud-based architecture can scale automatically to meet the rising demand.
• Simplified maintenance. There is no need to administer servers and infrastructure.

Growing cybersecurity concerns

Cybercrime is a significant threat to every member of the digital environment, including web app users. Indeed, the cost of cyber security breaches is forecasted to jump from $6 trillion in 2022 to $10.5 trillion in 2025. Companies having extensive databases should apply security measures to protect the data they store.

The effective methods to remedy cybersecurity challenges in web apps include the following:

• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) and intrusion detection systems (IDS). Both are designed to monitor and protect computer networks from unauthorized access, malicious activities, and security threats. While IDS focuses on identifying the threats, IPS can also take action to stop suspicious activity, like blocking traffic from a known malicious IP address.
• Web application firewalls (WAFs). WAFs are specifically designed to protect web applications from common attacks, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA requires users to pass two or more authentication stages, for instance, by providing a password and a one-time code generated by an app on their phone to log in to a web app.
• Data encryption. Data encryption scrambles data so that unauthorized individuals cannot read it.

Group 2: Technology innovations

The next category encompasses trends that stem from breakthrough technology.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)

One of the most impactful web app development trends, AI and ML allow developers to create innovative web applications, such as intelligent chatbots, virtual assistants, and tailored recommendations. Their capacity to continually learn, collect data, and analyze enables them to solve complex issues without human interference.

The implementation of this powerful trend can provide the following advantages:

• Enhanced user experience. AI and ML enable personalization, tailored recommendations, and greater responsiveness and intelligence of web apps.
• Elevated efficiency. These techs can automate tasks, such as data analysis and code generation, saving developers time and resources.
• New features and functionality. AI and ML allow extending the functionality for web applications, including smart chatbots, virtual assistants, and image recognition.

Netflix, for instance, employs AI and ML to recommend movies and TV shows to users based on their viewing history.

Augmented reality (WebAR)

Another exciting web development trend for 2024 is Augmented Reality. The AR technology penetrated multiple sectors and, together with virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), is projected to reach $100 billion in 2026 compared to $29 billion in 2022.

Leveraging AR in web applications provides

• Superior user experience. AR delivers an immersive and engaging user experience by allowing users to interact with digital objects in the real world.
• Improved conversion rates. By granting consumers a more realistic and informative interaction, AR can drive conversions.
• Reduced costs. By leveraging AR, companies can eliminate the need to create physical prototypes, thereby cutting development expenses.

IKEA is one of the pioneers in AR implementation. Its app allows customers to use AR to visualize how furniture would look in their homes.

Group 3: Extra features in web apps

In this section, we collected the trendy additional features that enrich web apps.

Dark mode as an efficient color solution

Dark mode is a user interface design theme that applies dark colors for the background and light colors for the text. It is becoming increasingly popular because it is easier on the eyes in low-light environments.

The benefits of dark mode standardization in web development are the following:

• User convenience. Dark mode reduces eye strain during continued use of screens.
• Greater accessibility. Dark mode can ease reading and navigating the interface for users with visual impairments.
• Energy efficiency. Dark mode is more energy efficient than light mode, especially on OLED displays.

Countless brands are using dark mode in their web apps, including YouTube, Discord, Slack, Reddit, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and more.

Chatbots and virtual assistants

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are a remarkable trend in the business world, including web apps. Thanks to their intelligent capabilities, these programs can interact with users in a human-like manner. Without human intervention, they can serve customers, answer questions, and complete specific tasks.

The benefits of chatbots and virtual assistants are vast:

• Streamlined customer service. Smart assistants guarantee 24/7 customer support and address queries quickly and efficiently.
• Reduced costs. Chatbots and virtual assistants automate tasks, which saves businesses money and resources.
• Sales growth. Chatbots deliver personal recommendations of products and services, thereby assisting in increasing sales.
• Enhanced user experience. AI-powered tools make the user experience more personalized and engaging.

Sephora is a great example of the smart assistants use. The brand leverages chatbots to help users find products, make appointments, and learn beauty tips.

Voice search as a new level of web-browsing

The advent of a voice search has added extra pleasure to the web-scanning process for users. This search method is confidently gaining traction and is expected to reach over $11 billion by 2026. Therefore, this trend has all the premises to shape the future of the web.

Benefits of voice search for web applications:

• Greater UX and engagement. Voice search provides a hands-free search experience and makes it effortless for users to surf the net.
• Improved conversions. With voice search, consumers can purchase more easily and are likely to order more products, which raises conversion rates.

Some of the most renowned intelligent voice assistants include Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana.

Personalized content as a way to jazz up customer experience

Content personalization is a trend you shouldn’t miss. It implies targeting specific users or audience groups with the most relevant, actual, and engaging content. For example, a travel website might send different email marketing campaigns to users interested in family vacations versus those interested in solo travel.

The benefits of a personalized approach include:

• Higher customer satisfaction. Tailored content is more relevant and engaging, which elevates user experience.
• Higher conversions. Targeted content increases the likelihood of the desired action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.
• Improved brand loyalty. A tailored approach makes users feel appreciated, raising their trust and loyalty.

One of the most prominent examples of the use of personalized content in a web app is Amazon. The marketplace’s targeted recommendations effectively engage users and increase sales. In fact, 35% of Amazon’s sales are attributed to its recommendation engine.

FAQ: Web Application Development Trends 2024

Learn how to convert a website into an app.

Final thoughts

Web application development trends in 2024 embrace various aspects of web app building. To demonstrate their all-encompassing nature, we divided the trends into three groups that cover apps’ structure and architecture, tech novelties, and fascinating additional features.

Understanding these trends will help businesses shape a vision of the modern web app domain and the advantages that the new technologies can bring.

How to harness them for your specific business? First, you shouldn’t try implementing all the exciting techs simultaneously. Prioritize your goals and determine the most promising directions.

A partnership with an experienced software development company can aid you in planning and building your optimal application. Coreteka has successful experience in crafting web apps across sectors. Our team can get involved in your project from the business analysis stage to help formulate your goals and manage the entire process for optimal outcomes.

Contact us to discuss your prospected web application, and let us leverage the brightest innovations for your business.