2025 Website Trends: That Will Elevate User Experience Across Industries

The most successful websites don’t try to check every box on the “Website Trends of 2025” checklist. Instead, they focus on creating thoughtful, engaging experiences for their users. While every industry and audience has its own needs, some trends can flow across industries, fields, and verticals to improve the user experience and add a layer of sparkle that elevates your brand. In this blog, we’ll break down the trends that do just that.

Page Transitions: Smoother Page Loads, More Polished Experiences

Page transitions make clicking between pages feel fluid. Without them, each click can result in an abrupt screen flash, which you’re probably all too familiar with. Transitions replace that jolt with subtle effects—like fades or animations—that keep users engaged, create a sense of continuity, and subtly enhance your brand’s credibility through a polished experience.

Page transitions were once the domain of enterprise-level, “headless” websites—complex builds with deep development resources. But with advancements in platforms like WordPress, these sleek effects are now within reach for a wider range of sites. That said, you’ll still need a skilled developer to execute them properly. Even so, with less heavy lifting required, transitions are quickly becoming a go-to feature for adding polish and professionalism to modern websites.

Here is how we implemented page transitions on our website:

Rumor has it that some pre-built WordPress themes now offer page transitions straight out of the box. We haven’t tested them yet, but if they deliver, they could be a viable option for brands looking to add a touch of elegance without custom development.

Autoplay Videos: Adding Movement and Depth Without Distraction

Internally, we call these “moving images”—elementary, we know—but it’s to distinguish them from traditional, user-controlled videos. When most people think of videos on a website, they picture something they can play, pause, or interact with. What we’re talking about here is different: auto-playing video content that starts as soon as the user lands on the page. Typically, there are no controls, unless the site adheres to strict ADA guidelines that allow users to pause or stop the motion.

You’ve probably seen autoplay videos in homepage hero sections—it’s a common tactic to grab attention right away. But what we’re talking about here is different: placing these dynamic elements further down the page, where users might not expect them. Done strategically, they can re-engage users just as their focus starts to drift. Bonus points: You can combine a hover effect with an autoplay video, take a look at this autoplay video of autoplay videos:

A Balanced Design Focus: Wide Screens Take the Lead

For years, mobile-first design has dominated the conversation, and for good reason—mobile traffic still accounts for a significant portion of web use. But here’s the shift: widescreen experiences are taking on greater importance, especially for brands that rely on immersive storytelling, high-impact visuals, and side-by-side content layouts.

That mobile-first mentality? It’s been largely driven by B2C companies—those selling lower-cost products and running aggressive advertising campaigns (think PPC-heavy brands). For these businesses, a mobile focus makes sense, catering to fast-moving consumer behavior. But for B2B sites, where users are more likely to browse on desktops, the focus needs to shift. These users often access websites on widescreens with resolutions like 1920 x 1080—common on high-end laptops and desktop monitors – think 25 inches+. For most of our B2B clients, we are seeing 70% or more traffic coming from desktop+. So “mobile-first” doesn’t really make sense now, does it?

By designing for these larger displays, B2B brands can leverage richer layouts that enhance clarity, storytelling, and user engagement. Mobile still matters, but widescreens are becoming central to delivering an elevated and impactful user experience.

Micro-Animations: Small Touches, Big Impact

Micro-animations are those small but impactful interactive elements that add personality and polish to a site. Think of a button that subtly expands when hovered over, a form submission icon that animates—like a mailbox sealing shut—or a menu item that glides into place as you scroll. These tiny moments might seem insignificant, but they deliver a subtle dopamine hit—a satisfying response that makes a website feel more engaging and thoughtfully designed.

Micro-animations come in two forms. First, there are the visible interactions—hover effects, button animations, and transitions that guide users in real-time. A button might shift in size when hovered over, reinforcing that it’s clickable. A progress indicator could subtly fill as a form is completed, giving users instant feedback. These interactions create a sense of responsiveness, making a website feel more intuitive. Here is a compilation of innovative hover effects that we love: 

Then, there are the hidden micro-animations—those tucked-away details that not every user will notice but still enhance the overall experience. A brand logo might subtly animate when hovered over, adding a layer of refinement. Navigation menus could shift and adapt as a user scrolls, making movement through the site feel smoother. Some brands even add playful Easter eggs, like a login button that wobbles if the wrong password is entered, or a video game in the footer. These animations aren’t just for show—they make a site feel intentional, modern, and well-crafted.

Outdated Design Elements: What Needs to Go

Not all design trends age gracefully. Some elements that were once considered cutting-edge have now become stale, ineffective, or outright annoying. Here are a few that have had their moment—and why it’s time to move on.

Homepage Hero Videos – Overused and uninspired.

There was a time when an auto playing homepage hero video felt fresh and engaging. Now? It’s everywhere, and users are tuning it out. Beyond being resource-heavy and slowing down load times, they often fail to add real value. There are far more creative ways to establish mood, tell a story, and capture attention without relying on the same tired full-width video loop.

Sliders – The stats don’t lie: people don’t slide.

Carousels and sliders have been around forever, but data shows that most users don’t interact with them. If something is important, don’t bury it in the second (or third… or fourth) slide—make it known upfront. That said, sliders aren’t completely obsolete. They can still work deeper in the site, where users are actively looking for additional content, but for key messaging? Just put it on the page.

CTAs Everywhere – Trust your users.

Look, we get it—you want conversions. But plastering “Get in Touch” buttons all over your site doesn’t build urgency; it creates clutter. Users know how websites work. If they’re interested, they’ll reach out. The goal should be to make it easy, not overwhelming. Thoughtful, well-placed CTAs are far more effective than throwing buttons at people every time they scroll.

Final Thoughts: Trends That Matter, Trends to Leave Behind

The best websites aren’t trend-chasers—they’re built with intention. Page transitions, autoplay videos, micro-animations, and widescreen-optimized layouts are all examples of trends that, when used thoughtfully, create a smoother, more engaging experience. But just as important as knowing what to embrace is knowing what to leave behind.

Hero videos? Played out. Sliders? We have the data—people don’t slide. CTAs everywhere? Give your users some credit; they know how to reach you when they’re ready.

At the end of the day, web design isn’t about checking off the latest trends. It’s about using the right ones to create a site that’s functional, compelling, and built to last. The trends in this blog aren’t just passing fads—they’re practical, adaptable, and ready to elevate your brand’s digital experience.