“Animations are just bloat!”
We hear this all the time – less from clients, but more from other developers (especially the ones hiding behind a Reddit handle!).
And sure, no amount of motion will magically fix a crappy designed UI.
Over-the-top animations can slow down a site, introduce unnecessary complexity, and even frustrate users. But that doesn’t mean animation should be written off entirely. When used correctly, animations enhance usability, provide visual feedback, and make interactions feel more natural.
Plenty of developers and web purists argue that a website should be nothing more than pure HTML (see Motherf***ing Website for an extreme example). And don’t get me wrong, I’m sick of loading 18 JavaScript frameworks just to animate a button.
But most clients – and more importantly, most users – don’t see it that way. A website isn’t just about delivering content; it’s about creating an experience. And that’s where animation comes in.
GSAP: A Developer’s Secret Weapon
If you want smooth, high-performance animations without tanking your load speed, GSAP is one of the best tools out there. Unlike CSS animations, GSAP gives you fine-tuned control over timing, easing, and sequences, making it perfect for both subtle microinteractions and full-screen transitions. Not to mention, it’s only 69KB extra to load – about 70x smaller than your average photo! (We promise this isnt an ad, we just really like using it…)
A great example? Cortex Telehealth – a recent site we built that uses animations to enhance interactivity without overwhelming the user. From loading animations to subtle transitions, everything is designed to guide users through the experience effortlessly. These animations help direct user attention, improve navigation, and add a level of polish that makes the site feel more intuitive.
It also adds a point of difference compared to their competitors – something that a static design alone wouldn’t necessarily guarantee.
Microinteractions: The Small Details That Make a Big Difference
Microinteractions are the tiny animations you barely notice – but would miss if they weren’t there. Think of hover effects, button animations, and loading spinners. They make a site feel responsive, intuitive, and polished.
The best part? You don’t even need JavaScript-heavy solutions. Another site we built, Freedom Forever Movement, does just this. It uses a Lottie animation to bring its bear mascot (and the brand) to life on load. Lottie allows for lightweight vector-based animations, so you get all the personality without the performance hit. Since Lottie animations are rendered using JSON, they offer a fantastic balance between rich visual storytelling and minimal resource usage.
Microinteractions also provide valuable feedback to users. A subtle animation when a button is clicked reassures users that their action has been registered. A smooth transition when a form is submitted makes the process feel more fluid. These small touches may seem insignificant, but they contribute to an overall experience that feels effortless and enjoyable.
The Bottom Line: Thoughtful Animations Enhance UX
Animations, when used correctly, don’t just add fluff – they improve user engagement, reinforce branding, and make a site feel more interactive. The key is balance: subtle, meaningful animations that enhance the experience, not distract from it.
Studies have shown that users are more likely to stay on a website when they feel engaged, and well-placed animations can significantly contribute to that engagement. At the end of the day, a website isn’t just about function – it’s about how it makes users feel.
Interested in spicing up your boring site? Get in touch and we can give you a hand.
