What a Good Website Needs in 2025 (and What No Longer Works)
Cisco Larios
In 2025, a website is a digital business card, and also a reflection of how current, relevant, and user-friendly your brand really is.
If your website looks like it hasn’t evolved in years, loads slowly, or leaves visitors wondering what you actually do, you’re likely losing opportunities without even realizing it.
What no longer works in 2025
Aggressive pop-ups
Since 2017, Google has penalized websites that display intrusive pop-ups (Search Engine Land, 2017).
If your site still uses these, search engines will deprioritize it in favor of more user-friendly options.
Sliders on the homepage
Sliders were once a novelty because they broke the mold of static web layouts. But now they often hurt user experience and slow down page speed.
A 2025 eye-tracking study from RecGaze found that users mostly focus on the first visible element and ignore the rest.
This doesn’t mean sliders are useless, but they need to be used strategically and optimized for performance.
Unclear value propositions
Have you noticed how short people’s attention spans have become? We’re used to getting information instantly, and we’re constantly bombarded with content.
To stand out, you need to communicate clearly and directly, right from your hero section.
If your target audience has to guess what you offer, they probably won’t stick around.
Beyond checking the technical boxes, your website should tell a story that makes people want to scroll.
A vague or delayed message weakens engagement and increases drop-off.
Slow sites or ones that aren't mobile-friendly
This isn’t news. Most of us spend our day with a mobile device in hand, and for many, it’s their only connection to the internet.
That means your site needs to work on all screen sizes and load fast.
According to Mobile SEO (2024), over 56% of online sales happen on mobile, and 47% of users expect a page to load in under 2 seconds.
If your site is slow or doesn’t display properly on a phone, you’re losing visibility and potential customers.
What your website should include in 2025
Your website doesn’t need to follow every trend, but it should absolutely do these four things well:
Load in less than 2 seconds
Work seamlessly on all screen sizes
Communicate your value in a single clear sentence
Offer a smooth, frustration-free experience
It’s not about having flashy effects or trendy visuals. It’s about usability, clarity, and helping your visitors take action.
Make your website work for you
Redesigning or improving your site can feel like a big task. But with the right help, it becomes a clear, step-by-step process, one that makes a real difference in how people perceive and interact with your brand.
Wondering if your site still does its job?
I offer quick audits and full redesigns focused on clarity, speed, and strategy. Let's make your site work for you.