There is still a lot of work ahead of us all. While some aspects of the web have advanced dramatically, others remain stuck in cycles of technical debt and poor usability. The good news is that certain foundational improvements are now standard across browsers, shaping a more efficient and visually refined web.
The Progress
Vector art, in form of SVGs, are now natively supported across all major browsers, allowing for crisp, scalable visuals without the heavy load times of raster formats. This is particularly important for logos. The same can be said for the explosion of web-optimized fonts. Designers today can access massive libraries of variable fonts that render quickly and beautifully across devices. Together, these web advances create an environment where performance and aesthetics finally meet without compromise.
Accessibility and ADA compliance have also seen real progress. Awareness is higher, guidelines are better understood, and implementation is more consistent. However, there’s still a gap between awareness and execution. Many sites continue to publish images with non-descriptive ALT tags or use vague language that provides little value to assistive technologies.
Many organizations still rely on third-party accessibility widgets added at the end of a project. Those are quick fixes that rarely achieve true accessibility for a web. These overlays often introduce new issues: they call external servers, add unnecessary load time, and layer functionality on top of code rather than building accessibility directly into it. Because of that extra layer, assistive technologies can sometimes conflict with these scripts, leaving users with even less control. Real accessibility must be written into the fabric of the site, from clean semantic code to descriptive ALT text, not added later as a patch.
The Challenges
User experience across large sites remains one of the web’s greatest pain points. Many enterprise-level platforms carry years of legacy features that confuse users and slow down engagement. Layers of navigation, overlapping modules, and outdated plug-ins often create more friction than function. The result is a digital experience that feels complex and detached, even when backed by strong branding.
Another growing issue is the dominance of JavaScript-heavy front ends. While frameworks like React, Vue, and Angular have transformed interactivity, they’ve also made it easier to neglect accessibility. Sites that cannot be navigated by keyboard or voice controls ignore entire groups of users, particularly those who rely on emulated motor functions or assistive technology. The push for dynamic experiences must always be balanced with inclusivity.
The Shifts
A few years ago, decoupled or headless architectures were hailed as the future. Yet many organizations are now returning to more stable and fully integrated CMS environments such as WordPress VIP, Drupal on Acquia, and Adobe Experience Manager. The reason is simple: these systems have matured. They now offer robust scalability, integrated workflows, and enterprise-level security while still providing the flexibility needed for modern digital experiences for the front end. Stability and governance have regained their rightful importance.
Another major evolution is happening within Digital Asset Management systems. DAMs have become more powerful than ever, enabling direct access to shared assets across departments and creative teams. Centralized control now allows for consistent branding, easier distribution, and better collaboration. With AI-assisted cataloging, tagging, and organization, asset management has become faster, smarter, and more accurate.
The Ongoing Work
One area that still demands more attention is semantics. Proper semantic structure ensures that content is understood not only by users but also by machines. It supports screen readers, improves SEO/AEO/GEO and provides context for machine learning systems. Unfortunately, many large sites suffer from broken semantics as more editors contribute without formal guidance. This isn’t just a technical oversight but a missed opportunity to future-proof content.
As designers and developers, we stand at a pivotal moment. The web is maturing, but not evenly. While technology continues to evolve, human-centered design remains the constant force that determines whether progress is meaningful. The next chapter of web design will depend on how well we balance innovation with accessibility, aesthetics with structure, and automation with empathy.
AI automation will not be the answer to these challenges. It may help flag issues or speed up testing, but accessibility, usability, and experience design can’t be automated into existence. They require thought, empathy, and intention from the very beginning. The future of web design depends on human decisions—how we structure information, write code, and design for inclusion. Technology can assist, but only designers and developers can ensure the web remains a place built for people, not just systems.