What are some emerging web development trends in 2024, and what skills should developers acquire to remain competitive? Here is what 7 thought leaders have to say.
- Master PWA Development and Accessibility
- Embrace AI and Blockchain Innovations
- Align Development with Topical Authority
- Adopt Headless Commerce and Automation
- Learn Progressive Web Apps and Low-Code Platforms
- Prioritize PWAs, VUIs, and API-First Design
- Enhance Communication Skills Amidst AI Tools
Master PWA Development and Accessibility
One of the emerging web development trends is the growing use of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). These websites function like mobile apps, offering a faster, more engaging experience without needing to be downloaded from an app store. Developers should learn how to build PWAs by mastering skills like JavaScript frameworks (like React or Angular) and understanding service workers, which allow sites to work offline.
Another trend is the increasing focus on accessibility, ensuring websites are usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. Developers should familiarize themselves with web accessibility standards and tools to create inclusive websites. Staying competitive also means keeping up with advancements in AI and machine learning, as these technologies are being integrated into web development more and more.
By learning these skills, developers can build modern, user-friendly websites that meet the needs of today’s digital landscape.
Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media
Embrace AI and Blockchain Innovations
In 2024, one of the emerging web development trends is the integration of AI and machine learning into websites. I’ve seen a significant shift toward personalized user experiences powered by AI. For example, recommendation engines that adapt in real time to user behavior are becoming increasingly common. Developers who want to stay competitive should focus on mastering AI frameworks and understanding how to implement machine learning algorithms into web applications. It’s not just about coding anymore; it’s about creating smart, intuitive systems that learn and evolve with user interactions.
Another trend gaining traction is the rise of Web 3.0 technologies, especially blockchain. With decentralization becoming a buzzword in tech, more businesses are exploring blockchain for everything from secure transactions to decentralized applications (dApps). Developers should start familiarizing themselves with blockchain development, particularly smart contract programming using languages like Solidity. Staying ahead in this area will be crucial as more industries adopt decentralized solutions.
By combining AI expertise with blockchain knowledge, developers can position themselves at the forefront of the web development landscape in 2024.
Brandon Leibowitz, Owner, SEO Optimizers
Align Development with Topical Authority
Topical authority is emerging as a crucial factor in web development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive, interconnected content structures. This trend is significantly tightening the collaboration between development and marketing teams.
Developers should work closely with marketing and content teams who create detailed topical maps. These maps influence site architecture, content organization, and overall digital strategy. Understanding and implementing these structures is becoming essential for developers to enhance SEO performance and user experience.
By aligning development efforts with topical maps, developers can create more intuitive navigation, improve internal linking, and ensure content is structured to demonstrate expertise in key subject areas. This approach not only boosts search engine rankings but also provides a more coherent and valuable experience for users.
Yoyao Hsueh, Founder, Blustrat Digital
Adopt Headless Commerce and Automation
As the founder of an AI-powered growth solution for Shopify stores, I’ve seen headless commerce and automation as major trends impacting web development.
Headless commerce decouples the front-end presentation layer from the back-end ecommerce functionality. This allows stores to have greater flexibility in creating customer experiences. Our team uses GraphQL, a query language for APIs, to build a headless storefront for a major outdoor retailer.
Automation and personalization are also vital. We’ve created workflows that automatically generate product descriptions and landing pages based on a product’s attributes. For a women’s clothing brand, we built a recommendation engine that provides personalized product suggestions for each customer.
Continuous learning is key. Modern JS frameworks, serverless computing, and web push notifications are reshaping web experiences. Developers should focus on technologies like React, Vue.js, AWS Lambda, and web push to create fast, engaging websites and web apps. The web is constantly evolving, so keeping your skills up-to-date is essential.
Chase Chappell, Founder, Sirge
Learn Progressive Web Apps and Low-Code Platforms
I’ve seen some major trends shaping web development in 2024. Progressive web apps are enabling users to experience native app-like functionality in browsers. We developed a PWA for a B2B e-commerce client, boosting mobile conversions by 35% with features like push notifications and offline access. Low-code/no-code platforms like Webflow provide powerful web design tools without heavy coding.
We leverage Webflow to quickly build custom sites for small businesses on tight deadlines. Web developers should invest in learning Webflow to gain a competitive advantage. AI and chatbots are changing user experiences. We integrated an AI-powered chatbot on a law firm’s site, handling 70% of initial questions and qualifying leads.
Developers should explore Dialogflow, Rasa, and other AI frameworks to keep up with the demand for intelligent interfaces. The web is changing fast. Continuous learning and staying on the cutting edge of new frameworks, languages, and platforms is key for web developers to thrive in 2024 and beyond. With an appetite for innovation, developers can achieve amazing things.
Alexander Palmiere, Founder & CEO, Refresh Digital Strategy
Prioritize PWAs, VUIs, and API-First Design
Emerging web development trends in 2024 focus on progressive web apps (PWAs), voice user interfaces (VUIs), and API-first design. Adapting to these trends is pivotal for staying ahead. Developers should master service workers for PWAs to enhance offline functionality, explore natural language processing for VUIs, and prioritize seamless API integrations. These skills not only align with technological advancements but also improve our platform’s adaptability and user engagement in the digital content protection sector.
Michael Sumner, Founder and CEO, ScoreDetect.com
Enhance Communication Skills Amidst AI Tools
I hesitate to call this a trend, but in 2024, AI-driven tools have transformed web development for good, automating everything from coding to design. I’ve seen firsthand how this shift can dramatically boost productivity—adding tools like GitHub Copilot to our development workflow has streamlined our processes, making it a game-changer for our team. However, this increased efficiency comes with a caveat: it’s easy to let AI do the busy work, but the real value comes from what humans add to the equation.
To stay competitive in this AI-changed market, developers everywhere should be focusing on sharpening their communication skills. In my experience, clients don’t really care about the tools we use; they just care about the end result. This means developers need to excel at translating client needs into clear, actionable product briefs. It’s not enough to simply generate code—developers need to be looking at the big picture. The human element is an essential part of working with AI, as well: it’s on us to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs in order to ensure they align with the client’s needs and deliver meaningful, impactful solutions.
Finally, developers need those communication skills to effectively convey the central value of our work. This is about more than just presenting a finished product; it’s about articulating how it meets the client’s goals and solves their specific challenges. In a world where AI’s handling more and more of the heavy lifting, I believe that it’s the ability to connect with clients and convey the strategic value of a project that will set the industry’s top developers apart.
Alex Linek, Senior Web Developer, Brevity
