Website Design Trends for Australian Small Business in 2021
A new year brings fresh design trends, and 2021 is shaping up to be particularly interesting for small business websites. After a year where businesses across Australia accelerated their move online, the bar for what customers expect from a website has gone up considerably.
If you are thinking about building a new website or refreshing your current one this year, here are the design trends worth paying attention to — and how they apply to Australian small businesses.
1. Bold, Oversized Typography
Large, expressive typography is taking centre stage in 2021. Instead of relying on stock photos to make an impression, many modern websites are using bold headlines and creative font pairings to grab attention.
Why it works for small business:
- It loads faster than heavy imagery
- It communicates your message instantly
- It looks professional without requiring expensive photography
If you run a trades business in Western Sydney or a professional services firm, a clean design with strong typography can make your site look polished and trustworthy without a huge design budget.
How to apply it:
- Choose one bold display font for headlines and a clean, readable font for body text
- Make your homepage headline clear and benefit-focused
- Avoid using more than two or three fonts across your entire site
2. Minimalist, Clean Layouts
The days of cramming every possible piece of information onto your homepage are behind us. In 2021, the trend is toward clean, spacious layouts with plenty of white space.
Why it works for small business:
- Visitors can find what they need quickly
- It works beautifully on mobile devices
- It reduces visual clutter and helps your calls to action stand out
How to apply it:
- Prioritise the most important information on each page
- Use generous spacing between sections
- Limit your colour palette to two or three primary colours
- Remove anything that does not serve a clear purpose
3. Dark Mode and Dark Colour Schemes
Dark backgrounds with light text have moved from being a niche design choice to a mainstream trend. Many websites are now offering dark mode options or using dark colour schemes as their default.
Why it works for small business:
- It creates a modern, sophisticated feel
- It makes colours and images pop against the dark background
- It can reduce eye strain for visitors browsing at night
How to apply it:
- If dark mode suits your brand, consider it for your main design
- Make sure text remains highly readable against dark backgrounds
- Test thoroughly on different screens, as dark designs can look different on various monitors
4. Soft Shadows and Layered Elements
Flat design has evolved. In 2021, designers are adding depth through soft shadows, layered cards, and subtle three-dimensional effects. This creates a sense of hierarchy and makes content feel more tangible.
Why it works for small business:
- It guides the eye to important elements like buttons and offers
- It adds visual interest without complexity
- It works well across desktop and mobile
How to apply it:
- Add soft box shadows to cards, buttons, and image containers
- Layer elements slightly to create depth
- Keep shadows subtle — the goal is elegance, not drama
5. Illustrations and Custom Graphics
Custom illustrations are increasingly popular, particularly for service-based businesses that do not have strong product photography. Hand-drawn or vector illustrations add personality and help explain complex ideas simply.
Why it works for small business:
- It differentiates your site from competitors using the same stock photos
- It adds character and warmth
- It can be more affordable than professional photography sessions
How to apply it:
- Consider custom illustrations for your services page or homepage hero section
- Use a consistent illustration style across your site
- Many freelance illustrators in Australia offer affordable packages for small businesses
6. Mobile-First Design
This is not exactly new, but in 2021 it is no longer optional. With mobile traffic continuing to grow across Australia, designing for mobile first is essential. Google has also moved to mobile-first indexing, meaning Google primarily uses the mobile version of your site for ranking.
Why it matters for small business:
- Most local searches happen on mobile devices
- A poor mobile experience drives customers straight to your competitors
- Google will rank your mobile experience, not just your desktop site
How to apply it:
- Start your design process with the mobile layout
- Ensure buttons and links are easy to tap with a thumb
- Test your site on multiple devices and screen sizes
- Keep forms short and simple for mobile users
7. Micro-Animations and Subtle Interactions
Small animations — like a button changing colour on hover, a smooth scroll effect, or an icon that gently moves — add polish and professionalism to a website. These micro-interactions make a site feel alive without overwhelming visitors.
Why it works for small business:
- It signals quality and attention to detail
- It makes navigation more intuitive
- It keeps visitors engaged
How to apply it:
- Add hover effects to buttons and links
- Use smooth scrolling between sections
- Consider subtle loading animations
- Do not overdo it — every animation should serve a purpose
8. Video Backgrounds and Hero Sections
Video continues to grow as a web design element. A short, looping background video in your hero section can immediately communicate what your business is about.
Why it works for small business:
- Video captures attention faster than static images
- It can showcase your work, team, or location quickly
- It creates an emotional connection
How to apply it:
- Keep videos short (under 30 seconds for loops) and file sizes manageable
- Always include a fallback static image for slow connections
- Make sure the video does not slow down your page load time
- Avoid auto-playing video with sound
9. Accessible Design
Web accessibility is becoming a priority in 2021, and rightly so. Designing for accessibility means ensuring your website can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities.
Why it matters for small business:
- It opens your business to a wider audience
- It improves usability for all visitors
- It is increasingly becoming a legal consideration in Australia
How to apply it:
- Use sufficient colour contrast between text and backgrounds
- Add alt text to all images
- Ensure your site can be navigated with a keyboard
- Use proper heading structures (H1, H2, H3) for screen readers
10. Speed as a Design Feature
In 2021, site speed is not just a technical consideration — it is a design decision. Fast-loading websites feel more professional and keep visitors engaged.
Why it matters for small business:
- Google considers page speed in its ranking algorithm
- Visitors expect pages to load in under three seconds
- Every second of delay increases the chance a visitor leaves
How to apply it:
- Optimise and compress all images
- Minimise the use of heavy scripts and plugins
- Choose quality hosting (preferably Australian-based for local speed)
- Test your site speed regularly using Google PageSpeed Insights
What This Means for Your Business
You do not need to adopt every trend on this list. The key is to choose the ones that align with your brand, your customers, and your budget.
If your website is several years old and has not been updated, 2021 is a great year to invest in a refresh. The expectations of Australian customers have shifted significantly over the past year, and your website needs to keep pace.
For Western Sydney businesses in particular, a modern, fast, mobile-friendly website is one of the best investments you can make. It is your shopfront on the internet, and first impressions matter.
Whether you tackle these updates yourself or work with a local web designer, the important thing is to start. Your customers are already online and forming opinions about your business based on what they see.
Make sure what they see impresses them.
A website is a cornerstone of your digital strategy. Ash Ganda writes about building cohesive technology strategies that drive real business growth.
This article is brought to you by Ganda Tech Services — Sydney’s complete digital solutions provider covering cloud, web, and mobile.