Top Website Design Trends for 2025

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As I write this, we are 60 days away from 2025. The world of web design continues to evolve beyond rapidly, influenced by new platforms, AI and shifting user expectations. For business owners and web designers alike (which we happen to be both!) understanding these top web design trends is essential but for reasons that may surprise you. We have also believed in creating user-friendly websites that engage and convert. Trends can often disturb that because staying on top of them often causes your website to be in a state of constant flux, which can make things a bit messy. We’re also mindful that trends don’t necessarily mean something works well. It takes absolutely no time for trends to pick up online, so it’s our job to identify them and then honestly decide whether they’re going to help your website do it’s job – bring in traffic and convert. So we’re passing everything we’re learning and seeing in website design trends into this blog post, so that you can stay ahead of the rest as you prepare your website for 2025. 

1. Mobile-First Design

This disconnect between designing on a computer but using on our phones continues to be the biggest factor to take into consideration. Adopting a mobile-first design approach has become essential. Your top priority should be that your website blows a viewer away when they’re on their phone. This strategy focuses on creating responsive designs that prioritize the mobile user experience, ensuring your website is accessible and enjoyable on all screen sizes. But more importantly, you want your website not just to work on mobile but be as engaging (if not more) than it is on desktop. You’ll see your conversion rates increase drastically if you centre everything around mobile. 

2. Dark Mode Options

As more users become aware of eye strain and battery life considerations, the popularity of dark mode options continues to rise. This feature allows users to choose a viewing experience that suits their preferences, enhancing the overall visual appeal of your site. By offering dark mode, web developers can create a more comfortable browsing experience, especially in low-light environments.

So how do you do this? There are a few ways… If you’re not used to adding code to your site, you can reach out and we can do this for you! 

1. Use CSS Variables: Start by defining a colour palette for your website using CSS variables. This allows you to easily switch between light and dark themes by changing the colours assigned to these variables.
2. Create a Toggle Button: Add a toggle button or checkbox that allows users to switch between light and dark modes. This button should be easily accessible on your website.
3. Implement JavaScript Functionality: Use JavaScript to create the functionality that switches the website’s theme. When a user clicks the toggle button, the script should add or remove a class that changes the theme. Additionally, save the user’s preference in local storage, so it’s remembered when they return to the site.
4. Style Your Elements: Ensure that all elements on your site respond to the light and dark mode settings. Use the color variables you defined earlier to adjust backgrounds, text, links, and other design elements accordingly.
5. Communicate the Feature: Let your visitors know about the dark mode option through a banner, tooltip, or pop-up. This encourages them to try out the feature.

3. Custom, Handmade or Drawn Illustrations

Anything that isn’t anywhere else on the internet stands out to the google algorithm. When your site is indexed, unique graphics or hand drawn personalised illustrations, signatures or backdrops will rank higher! And in the age of digital “perfection”, handcrafted illustrations offer a unique and human touch to website design. Not to mention helps you against all the others who are using AI to create content. These illustrations can add personality, emotion, and a sense of storytelling to any website. Ask our clients – our speciality is creating artistic, hand-drawn illustrations on all our websites.

 

3. Artificial Intelligence Integration

It’s everywhere. AI is emerging as a powerful tool for improving user experiences though. From AI-driven tools that analyze user behavior to chatbots offering instant support, integrating AI into your web design can provide innovative ways to boost user engagement. These interactive elements help tailor content to your target audience, making the online experience more personalized and relevant.

Use AI when it makes sense for your site though. Don’t overdo it or you will be “penalized”, according to Google. They are encouraging using AI to help with research, ideas and trends but to ALWAYS write and create content yourself, especially if you’re a small business owner and your objective is originality. Add-ons are great, but keep in mind that they can also take away from your content or navigation, so use them carefully.

4. Bold Typography and Custom Illustrations

That doesn’t necessarily mean you need huge text! If fact, I’d stay away from text that is distracting. Yes, I love that bold text is coming back! That’s a whole different thing though. Expect to see an increased use of bold typography and custom illustrations as key elements in establishing a memorable brand identity. In 2025, we’re expecting more brands will use oversized fonts and unique visuals to effectively communicate their message. So we’re being cautious and seeing how those sites do moving forward and if visitors find there is a limit to how oversized or bold text should be. Remember the goal in the design approach is that it adds a personal touch while enhancing the overall visual impact of the site, without hurting readability and accessibility. 

5. 3D Elements and Parallax Scrolling

We’re no strangers to parallax scrolling… We have some magical fairy dust in the form of a design template that we use on our client websites that does exactly that! Incorporating 3D elements and parallax scrolling creates a sense of depth on web pages, making them feel more engaging. These techniques invite users to interact with the content in new ways, significantly enriching their digital experiences. As demand for immersive content grows, expect to see more websites adopting these modern design trends.

6. Voice User Interfaces and Voice Search

With the rise of voice search and voice user interfaces, designing websites that accommodate voice commands is becoming increasingly important. This trend not only enhances accessibility but also aligns with how users prefer to interact with technology. Websites that integrate voice search functionalities will likely stand out in the competitive digital landscape.

7. Sustainable Practices In Web Design

As sustainability becomes a priority for many consumers, adopting sustainable web design practices is gaining traction. This includes using eco-friendly hosting services and optimizing for energy consumption to reduce carbon footprints. Websites that emphasize these sustainable practices will resonate with users who value environmental responsibility.

8. Dynamic Cursors and Subtle Animations

In 2025, subtle animations and dynamic cursors will play a significant role in enhancing user interaction. These features can guide users through the website, making navigation more intuitive and enjoyable. By incorporating these techniques, web designers can create a seamless user experience that encourages engagement.

“Dynamic cursors” refer to custom or animated cursors that change based on user interaction or specific conditions on a webpage. When you hover, something unique happens or as you scroll, subtle objects or colours change as you move through the site. Our favourite way to use them is with Call-To-Action buttons, so that when visitors hover over a button or link, they’re enticed to click because of a little change that happens!

9. Full-Page Headers and Strategic Use of White Space

Full-page headers and the strategic use of white space are effective ways to highlight important content without overwhelming users. This minimalist approach allows websites to maintain a professional look while effectively communicating their message.

This relates back to the bold factor, we figure. Wide and deep headers and footers create a statement, and the strategic use of white space (not necessarily white in shade) tell you to focus and pay attention, something important is happening!

10. Organic Shapes and Flat Design

Moving away from rigid structures, the use of organic shapes in flat design creates a more fluid and modern aesthetic. This trend adds a creative touch that enhances visual appeal, helping brands connect with their audiences on a deeper level.

As we look forward to 2025, these website design trends highlight the importance of creativity, user-centred design, and adaptability in the digital landscape. By embracing these trends, you can create a website that not only meets the latest standards but also resonates with your audience.

Whether you’re a small business owner or a web developer, adopting these trends will position your brand for success. Ready to elevate your online presence and explore these exciting design elements? Let’s discuss how I can help you bring your vision to life!

And if you want to learn a bit more about web design, download our free guide to website optimization! It’s packed with best practices for improving website speed, building a consistent online presence, and ensuring your site is responsive on different devices like mobile phones and tablets. Just enter your details, and your freebie will land in your inbox. If you don’t receive it, email us at info@donatadelanoart.com, and we’ll send you another copy!

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