The digital space is an ever-changing landscape, and the view in 2025 is endless in its user immersion and business integration opportunities. With the rapid advancement of single-page web apps, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), businesses can provide smoother, more seamless user experiences with shorter time-to-user interaction. In the next few years, the internet will become so interactive, personalized and integrated that we will no longer be offline or online because the "line" will have disappeared.
Our team of strategists and tech specialists gathered the top emerging advancements marketers should embrace by 2025 under five broad trends that we'll publish throughout the summer in our thought leadership series "Future of Websites for 2025 & Beyond". But first, let us provide a brief introduction of each trend and touch on how the increasing use of automated development tools, emerging technology and user behavior is reshaping how we use the web.
Our arsenal of web development tools has exponentially grown since the invention of the internet. With the operational efficiencies achieved using progressive web apps and APIs, speed to market has drastically increased when it comes to launching a digital product. Lightning-fast development efforts and near-instant page loads will uncover all new possibilities for everyone in the online ecosystem, from developers to companies to consumers.
The year 2025 will be a significant milestone in the transition to Web3. Adopting a decentralized, open-source, and community-driven digital ecosystem will provide users with more security, privacy, transparency and digital regulation. Increased use of blockchain, artificial intelligence and machine learning will build more innovative and powerful web applications.
With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), websites are already connected with smart devices to create a more connected experience. However, in 2025, gaps in digital experiences will be removed for customers to live and breathe in a holistic and frictionless environment.
Expect synergistic relationships between websites and online platforms as businesses seek to create seamless omnichannel experiences for customers. Integrating different technologies, such as social media, messaging apps and chatbots will create a cohesive and personalized user experience.
Users will meet their needs, interact with brands and problem-solve outside of traditional devices and retrieval methods like email or text. Allowing users to navigate websites hands-free using voice commands, voice-optimized websites will rank higher on Google. Biometrics, such as facial recognition and fingerprint, will increase privacy, help solve cybersecurity issues and allow for customer-first, personalized experiences everywhere, from airport check-in to in-store checkout.
Interacting via touch, smell and taste with the world around us is a hard-coded human need that is evolution-proof. 2025 is set to meet that basic human need in a ground-breaking new way. One of the key trends we can expect to see is the materialization of the internet of the senses, which will enable websites to manipulate taste, aroma and touch. This will involve integrating virtual reality, augmented reality and haptic feedback into website design.
Additionally, we can expect to see further globalization of websites as businesses continue to expand into new markets and reach out to customers worldwide. This will involve designing sites tailored to the cultural and linguistic nuances of different regions and creating content that resonates with local audiences.
We'll see the globalization websites in which global-friendly features and infrastructures seamlessly blend across the continents as users have an increased awareness of world injustices, including online and digital practices that include sustainability, DE&I, accessibility and health and wellness with non-negotiable future website standards.
Evolving the mobile-first approach, website design in 2025 will sharpen the turn toward more dynamic and engaging experiences with the emergence of kinesthetic layouts and Motion UI. These design concepts will allow websites to be more interactive and intuitive, replacing clicks with gestures and giving users a more immersive experience.
In addition, with the rise of wearable technology like smart glasses, users will access websites through devices that host 3D and holographic digital experiences and offer anytime, anywhere projection. Adding to the realm of portability, foldable tablets and phones will show content on multiple, more modular screens simultaneously and interactively.
Aesthetics have always been a driving force in website creation; however, in 2025, they will fulfill a more profound, more emotional role by providing two human needs: the comfort of nostalgia and the thrill of an escape.
Design motifs inspired by nature and plants will be prevalent, with websites featuring organic shapes, textures and colors found in nature. Vintage serifed fonts and retro aesthetics will make a comeback. Of course, what is retro is determined by Gen Z. Websites will cater to this emerging generation's unique tastes and individualism.
Lastly, in-house stylization will become more common as businesses invest in creating unique design styles using fantastical and impossible photo-realism using artificial intelligence to set them apart from their competitors. Overall, the future of website design will be about creating visually stunning, personalized and calming user experiences.
We expect to see the arrival of Web3 and the increasing use of emerging technologies in 2025. Rapid speed and seamless experiences will be crucial for businesses to succeed in the online ecosystem as users demand more personalized and frictionless interactions with brands. Human connection will take center stage with the materialization of the internet. At the same time, kinesthetic layouts and aesthetic escapism will also be essential design concepts allowing websites to be more engaging and visually stunning.
As a digitally-led Customer Experience agency, we remain ahead of the curve by embracing these trends and leveraging emerging technology to create a more personalized and engaging experiences for your customers, so your business is in a position of success in 2025 and beyond. Although this concludes our introduction to the emerging trends currently reshaping web design, look for our Future of Websites for 2025 & Beyond.