Top 5 Web Application Development Trends in 2022 & Beyond

Did you know when the Internet was born? It's 1983, and back in 1980 - 1990, a mind-boggling invention occurred at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) facility in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Wide Web (WWW) gave us another mind-blowing thing. After that, in 2002, Stuart Morris developed slashdotslash.com, the world's first one-page web app. Today, more than 1.58 bn websites/web applications and more than 5 bn daily active users are trying their best to get the most out of the Internet. 

These developments sparked the vision to create more web applications and propelled the development of new world-famous frameworks. Over the decades, web application development trends have evolved and continue to move to the next level occasionally. Innovative and out-of-the-world ideas in web development have yet to see a halt.

New trends and technologies are being introduced daily to make web applications more dynamic, responsive, interactive, and fast to load. It makes us think why developers around the globe should keep in touch with trending web application development solutions and why it is so important. Whether you are a tech geek, a software developer, or a tech enthusiast who loves to keep in touch with tech trends and developments, you will learn and enjoy this article. 

Let's educate ourselves about some of the top web development trends for 2022 and beyond.

1. Progressive web app development (PWAs)

PWAs are at the top of the list. They are advanced versions of web apps/websites to offer smooth working, less loading time, and a linear user experience. They enable users to view the application on mobile and desktops using any standard web browser.

PWAs are focused on adapting according to the platform and are developed by incorporating world-famous web technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Thus, it is a concept that has existed for some time. They are famous for their accessibility and reliability since they can be accessed using any device from anywhere. Meaning, no need to download a separate mobile app to access them. They take no time to install and can also work without the internet, and can access cameras, geolocations, push notifications, etc.

PWAs in the top trends because

• PWAs help in bringing the mobile web audience to your doorstep. 
• They help eliminate the need to download an app to view the content.
• PWAs allow you to tap into a more significant market segment.
• They are the best recipe for the success of an online business. 
• PWAs tremendously help scale up, lower bounce rates, and get more conversions.
• They give us the most cost-efficient and less expensive way to acquire more users.
• Scaling up with PWAs is the best thing anyone can go for when working with both iOS & Android OS from a single code base point of view. 

Big organizations like Pinterest, Uber, MakeMytrip, Youtube Music, Trivago Hotel Bookings, and Instagram use this tech to increase their reach and user base. PWAs grant users a linear and smooth experience like a native mobile application. Because a progressive website/web app with all the features like a mobile app is way faster, more reliable, and more engaging. With all such qualities, PWAs are in the most significant web application development trend for 2022 and the years ahead.

2. Blockchain Technology in Web App Development

In recent market trends, blockchain technology and blockchain development are booming and growing based on the rise in demand for cryptocurrency. The only hurdle the cryptocurrency market faces is the primary security concern. Blockchain development has solved it for almost every app user by storing data in a decentralized format, which ensures that every user's digital identity is stored securely. Hence, blockchain will continue to show vital signs of growth in 2022 and beyond.

The reasons blockchain development is on the list of top trends

• It improves supply chain visibility for reverse logistics (or recalls).
• It helps automate document sharing, i.e., replacing email, fax, etc.
• Gives us guidance to put trust in the selling process to increase revenue by locating the origin.

Advantages of Incorporating Blockchain Technology

• Transparency
• Security
• Cost Reduction
• Blockchain technology & Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) are easy to integrate.

Industries That Blockchain Is Going To Disrupt In 2022

• Real Estate, Banking, & Insurance
• Cloud Storage & Cybersecurity
• Transportation & Supply Chain Management
• Healthcare
• Government(s)

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Powered Chatbots

To imitate and recognize human conversations and provide required information quickly out of a search engine or a web app is the job of AI-powered chatbots. It is an efficient medium to raise the functionality or features of search engines/web apps. Based on the statistics study on artificial intelligence services by Boomtown in 2018, 58% of B2B organizations all over the globe use chatbots and other fake intelligence services.

From their inception and developments to the beginning of their evolution, today, incorporating intelligent chatbots in web applications is at an all-time high. It will continue to show its demand because:  

• They are excellent at presenting data analytics, and
• They are good at facilitating web users with simple tasks such as user queries or helping them apply for a job based on one's interests.

Based on research by Juniper Research, the adoption and integration of intelligent chatbots and related artificial intelligence services will help banking, healthcare, and retail save about USD 11 bn annually.

Thus, AI-powered chatbots will continue in web app development trends to enhance user experience.

4. Optimized Voice Search Assistance

In 2011, Google added the voice search option to its search engine. Since then, it has evolved to a whole new level with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). In this fast-paced and ever-evolving tech world, people need faster results and ways to have desired information.

RecentlyAlexa, Siri and Cortana have reflected unprecedented growth in the market. Following their footsteps, many other Intelligent Voice Assistants are creating their space in the digital world and growing steadily. For example, Samsung's Bixby, a significant reboot of earlier versions of S-Voice from the same brand, and Lyra, a cloud-based personal intelligent digital assistant, among others.

Many tech giants are also entering the market to launch new products such as "Hey Disney" from Disney for Disneyland Resort, Apple HomePod Mini from Apple, and others.

A recent statistical research study by Juniper Research shows that 55% of all households around the globe will have intelligent Voice Assistants by 2022. It is easy to guess because consumers of modern technologies are using more than just smart and intelligent speakers. Still, they use them on their mobile phones and other internet-accessible devices for voice search results.

Consequently, results from them are going to be like gazillions. They will also rank higher on search engine result pages either on Google or any other search engine per se. Thus, tech companies and business enterprises will continue to work on optimizing their products as well as their content strategy for intelligent and effective voice search.

Top Emerging Trends In Voice Search Optimization

• It is the first choice for users when searching for local businesses.
• The Keyword "near me" for local businesses has shown dramatic results in recent years.
• Who does the most voice searches? People on the go and the use of voice technology will further expand.
• What drives voice search? Speech recognition technology. AI/ML and Big data are pushing it to new heights. And AI/ML is disrupting online search protocols.
• With voice-enabled applications, it's easy to integrate the digital and physical world integration.
• Who is the primary beneficiary? Local businesses.
• It makes life easier by offering a new relationship between humans and technology.
• It is a new playfield for enterprises.

5. Saas Web application development

Be it a small or big business enterprise, e-commerce-based platform, or any other tech company. SaaS application-based services & products are being used worldwide in business activities. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is becoming a key source of inspiration and feasible options for every business architecture when there comes a need for accessibility, flexibility, and versatility in today's global, highly interconnected, and competitive market.

Historically, SaaS applications & related services have propelled businesses worldwide to a new level. Small enterprises and full-fledged business organizations worldwide are happily introducing upgraded SaaS solutions, and the adoption allows them to have a significant competitive edge in the business world. Introducing SaaS web app development services help:

• To accelerate cloud computing services.
• To revolutionize marketing and business activities.
• In providing excellent features to users.

Gartner Inc. recently forecasted that users in India will be spending around USD 7.3 bn in 2022, a rise of 29.6% in the year 2021. The numbers are enormous, and a phenomenal rise in users' spending. It clearly reflects that SaaS-based services dominate the software development and IT industry, and it is a sign that SaaS application services will continue to be a primary winner in the market in 2022 and ahead. As a result, companies are setting up their trajectory to use new ways of SaaS web app development services such as Micro-SaaS, White labeling, API & AI/ML integration, among others.

Top SaaS Development Trends in 2022

Vertical or Micro-SaaS

It caters to a single industry. Companies need to develop new and innovative methods to reconnect with their customers and provide value to compete in the SaaS business. A few examples in which Micro-SaaS can be implemented are journalism, workforce management, billing and invoicing, email management, training, and mentoring. Companies such as FindMyShift, Elorus, and TimeToReply exclusively use this product and its services.

White Labeling

White-label SaaS products are disruptive in integrating software and their support services which are further rebranded and provided to different enterprises. The key benefit of getting into white labeling-based products and services is that businesses do not have to invest heavily at the start of the project. White labeling is famous for cutting downtime, energy, and money-related issues regarding marketing and production costs as much as possible. White-label SaaS products are crucial for eCommerce businesses as their entire process is managed through various SaaS solutions. A few top white-label products are:

• Mautic & Active Campaign: To Automate Marketing.
• SendinBlue, InboxArmy, and Moosend: For email marketing.
• Constant Content: For content marketing.
• Mention & Social Pilot: For social media monitoring.

API - Integration In SaaS Services

Before the unprecedented growth of SaaS services, software acquisition, hardware maintenance, and business expansions were very difficult. But with the introduction of advanced and industry-specific SaaS products and services, acquiring software, maintaining hardware, and expanding your enterprise is much more feasible and manageable. SaaS products and services are famous for cutting IT costs, and that's where APIs come in, which are one the most efficient ways to blend ready-made modules into software and amplify its capabilities. API integration is the central pillar of SaaS organizations' strategic scaling. APIs will transform SaaS products in 2022 by delivering simple codes for complex functionalities across many sectors.

Top SaaS APIs are in use:

• Twilio API
• MailChimp
• Slack API
• Zendesk API

AI/ML integration

AI/ML is making its presence in all sectors, and SaaS is no longer an exception. Applying AI solutions to complex neural networks and integrating ML solutions for pattern recognition to other critical technologies and research studies, SaaS delivers top-notch results that can keep any business ahead of the curve. Tech giants in the SaaS industry have implemented AI/ML methodologies successfully.

SaaS-enabled services are consistently implemented:

• For cost-effectiveness.
• For scalability and integration.
• For ease of use.
• To have a guarantee of the level of services provided.
• For high compatibility and easy updates.

Last words and some motivation

With the boom in Internet access and evolution in tech solutions, Web app development is evolving like never before to meet users' needs and expectations. Companies are picking up user behavior and insights to fulfill existing and future requirements by optimizing the UI/UX, making web apps more progressive and responsive, and using AI/ML regressively to make intelligent chatbots, voice-operated digital assistants, and others. All such web development trends in this article will not only help you keep in touch with new products and development but will also help you enhance and optimize the UI/UX of your web pages/web apps/websites. But the primary objective here is to execute these trends. Thus to remain competitive in the market, start implementing them now.

By going through this article, you have broadened your understanding of current web development trends and their significance. If you want to make an impact and beat your competitors with the most recent web development solutions, a young team of tech experts at Quokka Labs is here to help. It can offer top-notch, cost-effective, and the latest answers for all your niche. We are just a call or an email away to assist you in transforming your dream into reality.