WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems. In fact, it dominates its field, as evident below:

(Source)

The numbers above are not a matter of chance. WordPress is a platform that constantly comes up with new ideas and trends and listens to the users’ needs. The various plugins that come with this specific CMS are proof enough that we’re talking about a system worth investing in.

The result is that WordPress allows users to create fantastically highly converting digital marketing campaigns through websites that make sense to the user.

In 2022, the digital market has changed vastly, especially since COVID-19 made online shopping an undoubted staple. This, in turn, brings about WordPress trends the CMS will implement in the near future.

But what are those?

More Integrations

This is a general statement, but a true one nonetheless. When users visit your website, you need integrations to utilize that data and make them work for you.

An integration connects different types of software through the use of APIs. They allow users to make great use of current WordPress trends while maximizing the abilities of their WordPress site. 

For example, if you want to create a popup form and make it work in your favor, you’ll need a WordPress subscription form integration. Many platforms that offer lead-gen tools, like Moosend, sport a native integration for subscription forms with WordPress-powered websites. That way, you can use a lead generation option to create your subscription form and extract your data. After that, the stage is yours.

Voice Search for WordPress

One of the WordPress trends your website should be ready to welcome is voice search. With the ever-growing number of voice assistants used daily, voice searches are a real powerhouse regarding data.

The first step would be to produce content that leverages voice search, with long-form keywords being the first thing to note. Voice search allows queries that are just like the way users speak. So, opt for “What are the main WordPress trends this year?” instead of “WordPress trends 2022”.

Another thing to consider would be the device users prefer when they conduct voice searches. Most are done through mobile devices, and the phrases “Hey Siri” and “Hey Google” have become an integral part of our day-to-day lives. This is why you’ll need to create a WordPress website that loads quickly and shows appropriately on a mobile screen.

Also, producing content that helps your WordPress site take advantage of voice search means that, ultimately, you’ll need small, digestible pieces of content that will be spot-on and easy to read.

Chatbots as a WordPress Trend

Chatbots are not new, but they’ve certainly changed through the years. This is why using a WordPress chat plugin will go a long way beyond 2022.

From the canned responses and FAQ presentations of the past to the ultra-personalized use of chatbots in 2022, this function has become an integral part of website design for two main reasons.

First, they allow brands to quickly and efficiently resolve customer queries, even upsell and cross-sell according to the user’s question. Secondly, they allow customer service agents to resolve more pressing matters and save their time and energy for genuinely complex queries.

Chatbots for WordPress can also help brands save on their marketing budget, seeing as there will be no need for an extensive customer service team. And since they’re essentially a tool meant to answer queries, chatbots can minimize the possibility of a customer being given wrong information – provided their query is not too complex and doesn’t involve multiple departments, to begin with.

WordPress and Accessibility

No user is the same as the previous one, and not creating accessible WordPress websites could be your downfall for 2022.

Users who visit your website should be able to access all its features through mobile devices, screen readers, or desktop devices. WordPress platform allows users to create a website with features to accommodate all different segments. This includes prospects with visual impairments, for example, who need a good color contrast and font size.

After all, voice search is on the rise for that exact reason. Accessibility is an important chapter for every brand and CMS.

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are two components that will surely add more to the WordPress website experience. AR and VR allow prospects to experience your product or service without committing to it, per se. 

If you’re an eCommerce brand, like Ikea, AR and VR could completely change how users experience your brand and boost your eCommerce KPIs simply because of that.

Using AR in your WordPress website will give visitors a unique insight into how your products can interact with real-world applications. How, for example, a couch from Ikea could fit in your space.

After experiencing that, the brand makes sure to take you to a dedicated purchase page, and the rest is history. It’s like hooking a customer in your brick-and-mortar store.

Allowing prospects to alter their space with AR and VR by taking advantage of digital tools could give you a competitive edge, especially in the coming years. 

Design and Video

The primary design trend that will dominate the coming years is going minimal. A minimalistic approach is more than a WordPress trend, though. It’s a strategic move for websites that offer seamless experiences.

A lot of white space helps visitors focus on the brand’s message with simple visuals and less distracting colors. But there’s an added benefit: a minimalistic design is not too heavy. It doesn’t take too long to load and navigate.

Make sure to create your WordPress website with a straightforward menu and copy that won’t be complicated. And, of course, use videos where you have to.

Of course, videos are not a novelty, but they appeal to users more and more with each passing year. Remember that your two main buyer categories – Millennials and Gen-Z – are digital-first in many aspects. Creating product demo videos to demonstrate product use will benefit you in the long run.

The Takeaway

WordPress trends will become a hot topic as years go by, and the above will become staples beyond 2022. The great thing is that WordPress is a simple CMS to use, and it’s quite easy to create websites with the above elements.

And always keep in mind that, when designing a website, always put the user and their experience first.

Author Bio:

Téa Liarokapi is a Senior Content Writer for Moosend, an email marketing and marketing automation platform, and an obsessive writer in general. In her free time, she tries to find new ways to stuff more books in her bookcase and content ideas – and cats – to play with.