Identifying the most‑searched web features of 2025.
In 2025, Americans care more about how websites work than how they look.
Why? Because expectations have shifted.
Instead of being impressed by flashy visuals, users expect intuitive functionality and seamless features, such as animated transitions and lightning-fast load times.
When that level of design is achieved, users stop noticing the interface altogether, making the experience feel effortless and more trustworthy.
To uncover what makes a website truly effective, eDesign Interactive analyzed more than 46,329 monthly Google search queries (per capita-adjusted) across all 50 U.S. states.
What did the data reveal? The most in-demand web design features of the past year.
The study focused on seven core features: dark mode, website animations, page speed tests, responsive design, site performance tests, sticky menus, and ultra-minimalist layouts.
Together, these trends reveal what today’s users value most, and where web design is headed next.
Top U.S. Design Features: Key Findings
Americans make 46,329 total searches for web design features every month.
Dark Mode leads nationwide with 24,308 searches, showing it has become a default preference.
Website animations are the top-searched creative feature in 30 states.
Page speed tests ranked first in nine states, including Vermont, Wyoming, and West Virginia.
Responsive web design is most popular in smaller, mobile-first states such as Wyoming, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Sticky menus are the favorite in New York and New Jersey, where navigation is a top concern.
On a per-capita basis, Wyoming, Vermont, and West Virginia are now the most design-conscious states, outpacing large markets like California and Texas.
The Top 10 States Searching for Web Design Features
These are the ten states showing the highest per-capita interest in website design features.
Wyoming comes out on top, showing the highest per-capita search volume nationwide. Vermont ranks second, followed by West Virginia, which also shows strong interest in mobile and performance-related features.
Next on the list are North Dakota, Maine, California, Oregon, Texas, New York, and Colorado. These states reflect both small-state agility and large-market innovation, showing that design awareness is spreading far beyond traditional tech hubs.
Together, these ten states account for more than half of all web design–related searches in the country, showing that good website design has become a national focus.
Search Volume by Feature: What Users Searched for Most
Across most of the country, website animations remain the most desired web design feature.
1. Dark Mode Still Rules the Web
Dark Mode makes up about 55 percent of all web design–related searches nationwide.
It remains America’s favorite website feature with almost 25,000 searches every month. What started as a visual preference among developers has become the default viewing experience for many users.
Dark interfaces are now associated with readability, energy efficiency, and a modern feel. Users prefer them for comfort and focus, especially in long browsing sessions.
“Dark Mode is part of a bigger shift toward simplicity and calm online experiences,” says Jeff Nordstedt, Director of User Experience at eDesign Interactive. “People want digital spaces that are easy on the eyes and distraction-free.”
Even though it is no longer new, its enduring dominance shows how deeply user comfort has influenced design choices across the country.
2. Website Animations Dominate 30 States
After Dark Mode, website animations are the most popular feature nationwide, ranking number one in 30 states and attracting nearly 6,500 monthly searches.
Scrolling effects, animated icons, and interactive transitions have become common tools for brands to stand out online. These touches help websites feel more alive and memorable.
“Animations help brands "feel alive and dynamic"” says Nordstedt. “When they’re used with intention, they create emotion and guide attention in a way static design can’t.”
Wyoming, West Virginia, and Vermont show the highest overall interest in animation features, reflecting their strong creative and e-commerce industries.
3. Page Speed Tests Are a Web Priority
Nearly 5,000 people search for “page speed test” every month, making it one of the most popular web design features of 2025, behind only Dark Mode and animations.
In nine states, including Colorado, Nevada, and California, it ranked as the number one priority based on actual search results. However, when adjusted for population, Vermont, Wyoming, and West Virginia topped the list, showing the highest per-capita interest.
Users in these performance-conscious markets aren’t just hoping their sites load fast, they make sure of it.
These numbers show that load time is no longer seen as a backend issue; it’s a front-end expectation that users are actively testing for.
4. Performance as an Essential Trust Signal
Add up all the page speed and performance test searches, and you get over 4,000 queries, but the number isn’t the story.
The real takeaway? Speed has become a proxy for trust.
“A site that takes too long to load might as well not exist,” said Vincent Mazza, Managing Partner at eDesign Interactive. “Speed is part of the design experience now.”
Users aren’t waiting for a loading bar to finish. They’re leaving. And that’s not a bounce, it’s a judgment.
Fast sites with robust functionality feel trustworthy because it feels like someone’s behind them who knows what they’re doing.
And in 2025, that’s the new design standard.
5. Small States Go Big on Mobile
Responsive web design represents almost 4,000 searches nationwide.
It is most popular in smaller states where mobile browsing dominates daily life, such as Wyoming, West Virginia, and Vermont.
“A site has to work perfectly on every screen,” says Jeff Nordstedt. “That expectation is universal now. Small businesses understand that mobile experience is often the first impression.”
These findings show how deeply mobile-first design has become embedded in everyday digital strategy.
6. Sticky Menus Rule the Northeast
In New York and New Jersey, sticky menus are the most searched feature.
These fixed navigation bars remain visible as users scroll, helping visitors navigate content-heavy pages more easily.
New York records the highest overall search activity, while New Jersey leads per capita in navigation-related searches.
“In fast-paced markets like New York, people value convenience,” says Vincent Mazza. “Sticky menus give users quick access to what they need, which builds trust and keeps them exploring.”
How Web Design Priorities Shift by Region
A final regional view brings the state-level data into sharper focus.
In the South, people love creative websites. States like Texas, Georgia, and Florida show the most interest in website animations, suggesting that movement and visuals are key to grabbing attention online.
The West focuses on speed and performance. California, Nevada, and Colorado lead in page speed and performance test searches, showing that users care about fast-loading, high-performing sites.
The Northeast stands out for its focus on structure and ease of use. New York and New Jersey show the highest interest in sticky menus, meaning clear navigation and smooth browsing are top priorities.
In the Midwest, there’s a balance between creativity and function. States such as Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan show strong interest in both animations and performance testing.
Smaller states, including Wyoming, Vermont, and West Virginia, show higher search volumes for responsive web design, indicating that even local and regional businesses see mobile-friendly, user-focused websites as essential.
What This Means for Businesses
The data shows that design in 2025 is about balance. A modern website must combine creativity with performance and ease of use.
“Businesses want sites that are beautiful, fast, and frictionless,” says Vincent Mazza. “Design and performance are now inseparable.”
“Good design disappears when it’s done right,” adds Jeff Nordstedt. “Users should never have to think about how a site works; they should simply enjoy using it.”
The trends show that a good user experience has become the new measure of trust online.
Full Dataset
Methodology
The analysis was conducted by eDesign Interactive using Google Keyword Planner data collected over the past 12 months.
The study reviewed seven major web design features to determine which were most in demand across the United States:
- Website animations
- Dark mode
- Page speed test
- Responsive web design
- Website performance test
- Sticky menu
- Ultra-minimalist website
Search volumes were analyzed across all 50 U.S. states, then normalized per capita to account for population differences.
In total, the dataset represents 46,329 average monthly search queries, revealing both the total and per-capita demand for each feature nationwide.