8 Web Design Trends That May Be Hurting Your Website in 2025
At Orbital Marketing Agency, we specialize in designing high-performing, user-friendly websites for businesses across Carmel, Mahopac, Cold Spring, and Westchester County. And we’ve seen it all—what works and what absolutely doesn’t.
Some web design trends might seem cutting-edge at first glance but actually frustrate users, slow down your site, or tank your SEO rankings. Below, we’re breaking down the most common offenders—and how to avoid them.
We'll even show you how to fix them with a free, fully built website demo customized for your business.
Some web design trends might seem cutting-edge at first glance but actually frustrate users, slow down your site, or tank your SEO rankings. Below, we’re breaking down the most common offenders—and how to avoid them.
We'll even show you how to fix them with a free, fully built website demo customized for your business.
1. Overuse of Animation
Animation can make your website feel dynamic and modern—but too much of it creates distractions and slows down loading times.
Our fix: We use lightweight, purposeful animations that guide users (not overwhelm them). We’ll show you examples live during your custom demo.
Our fix: We use lightweight, purposeful animations that guide users (not overwhelm them). We’ll show you examples live during your custom demo.
2. Hamburger Menus on Desktop
Hamburger menus work well on mobile—but using them on desktop hides your navigation and makes users work harder to explore your site.
Our approach: We use clear, visible navigation on desktop and reserve hamburger menus for mobile only.
Our approach: We use clear, visible navigation on desktop and reserve hamburger menus for mobile only.
3. Auto-Playing Videos or Music
Few things turn users away faster than a website that unexpectedly blasts audio. It also eats up bandwidth and slows loading.
Best practice: Let users choose when to engage with media. In your free demo, we’ll show smart ways to integrate video without annoying your visitors.
Best practice: Let users choose when to engage with media. In your free demo, we’ll show smart ways to integrate video without annoying your visitors.
4. Too Many Fonts
Using five different fonts may seem fun, but it makes your site look unprofessional and chaotic.
Our design philosophy: We stick to 2–3 complementary fonts to create a polished, branded look—see how it looks on your business’s demo site.
Our design philosophy: We stick to 2–3 complementary fonts to create a polished, branded look—see how it looks on your business’s demo site.
5. Trendy Fonts That Sacrifice Readability
Just because a font looks cool doesn’t mean it’s right for your website. If users can’t read your content, they’ll bounce.
What we use: Clean, web-safe fonts that are readable on any screen, any time.
What we use: Clean, web-safe fonts that are readable on any screen, any time.
6. Intrusive Pop-Ups
Pop-ups can work—but too many, or poorly timed ones, can ruin the experience and drive people away.
How we improve it: We implement subtle, well-timed pop-ups that add value—not clutter.
How we improve it: We implement subtle, well-timed pop-ups that add value—not clutter.
7. Infinite Scrolling
This technique works on some platforms (like social media), but for business websites, it makes it hard to navigate or find specific info.
Our take: We use paginated layouts or smart load-more buttons so users stay in control of their experience.
Our take: We use paginated layouts or smart load-more buttons so users stay in control of their experience.
8. Complicated Mega Menus
Too many navigation options can overwhelm users and make your site feel confusing.
Our solution: Clean, focused navigation that guides users clearly—especially important for service-based businesses in Putnam and Westchester Counties.
Our solution: Clean, focused navigation that guides users clearly—especially important for service-based businesses in Putnam and Westchester Counties.
The Bottom Line: Keep It Simple, User-Focused, and Fast
If your current website suffers from any of these issues, or you’re not sure what’s helping or hurting your user experience, let us build and show you a better version—for free.
Our custom website demo will walk you through:
Our custom website demo will walk you through:
- Clean, mobile-first design
- Streamlined navigation
- Smart use of animation and media
- Fast load times and SEO-ready structure