Animations make websites more fun and exciting to use. They can grab attention, guide users, and make your site stand out. However, if animations are done poorly, they can slow down your website, which leaves visitors frustrated and unsatisfied. 

You should use animations wisely so they look good without ruining your site’s performance. In this article, you’ll learn how to use animations in smart ways that keep your website fast, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone.

Pick the Right Tools for the Job

When adding animations to your website, choosing tools that work well and don’t slow things down is important. Here are various ways you should consider. 

#1 Use Libraries like GSAP or Anime.js 

GSAP and Anime.js are both lightweight and efficient libraries. They help create smooth animations without making your website heavy or sluggish. Aside from these, there are also Popmotion, Typed.js, and more. Let’s discuss them one by one.

• • GSAP 

GSAP or GreenSock Animation Platform is a JavaScript library for producing high-quality animations. Web developers widely use it because of its performance and smoothness in terms of animation sequences and complex motion paths. 

• • Anime.js 

Anime.js is simpler compared to GSAP with its easy-to-understand API. Consider this option if you’re a beginner and would like to finish a small project. Although it doesn’t offer many features, it delivers enough functionality for your needs. 

• • Popmotion 

This option offers you high-level functionalities like GSAP. Popmotion allows you to simulate physical forces like velocity and force, with a high degree of control.

• • Typed.js

Typed.js is more suited for typewriter-style animations, creating an interactive atmosphere for users to enjoy. You can decide on the typing speed and add any special effects you may desire. Use this if you’re more focused on making your interactive websites, landing pages, and portfolios more appealing to the eyes. 

#2 Avoid using older or bulky libraries that can drag down your site’s performance

Like how image sizes affect page speed, using older or bulky libraries can make or break a page. Older libraries can lead to larger file sizes, poor user experience, compatibility issues, unpatched security vulnerabilities, and maintenance challenges. 

#3 Don’t mix and match too many tools

Sticking with one or two can keep things simple and your website running smoothly. By picking the right tools, you’re setting yourself up for success. Use more up-to-date tools to benefit your site’s performance and security. You can subscribe to popular web development blogs and newsletters to stay in the loop. 

Don’t Overdo It

Animations are cool, but too many can be overwhelming and can take attention away from the main content. Instead of covering your site with flashy effects, use them in a way that helps your visitors. Overall, moderation is key. Give users control over their experience. 

Here are some examples you can try: 

#4 Make buttons glow when someone hovers over them

With this approach, your visitors are more likely to stay because you’ve hooked their attention. Furthermore, they are most likely to click over and over again because of the stimulating effect. People have always loved interactivity. 

#5 Use hero section animations 

Using animations directly on the hero section makes a solid first impression. As a result, the website can gain more traffic than usual because your audience is pleased.

#6 Use scrolling animations for a dynamic/interactive experience 

Your visitors are more likely to scroll and browse the whole page because of the excitement.  By using this approach, you can also guide them through a certain flow or emphasize important areas. Use them sparingly. Less is often more when it comes to great design.

Keep Things Running Smoothly

The best animations are the ones that don’t slow your website down. Stick with CSS for basic effects like fades and movements because it’s faster and uses less power than JavaScript. Compress large files like images or video-based animations so they load quickly. 

Always be cautious about using third-party tools or plugins for animations. For example, if you’re using a plugin someone else made, it could have security issues that put your site at risk. This is why incorporating Application Security (AppSec) practices is so important. AppSec ensures that tools and components are checked for vulnerabilities before being used on your site. By addressing security during development, you’re not only keeping your site fast but also protecting your users from potential threats, all while ensuring your animations run smoothly.

Test on All Devices

Before you show off your website to the world, make sure it works well everywhere. Animations that look amazing on a laptop might lag on a phone or tablet. Use free tools like Google’s Lighthouse to test your site’s speed and performance. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Google Lighthouse:

Step 1: Access Google Lighthouse. 

Step 2: Open Google Chrome to navigate to the webpage you want to audit.

Step 3: Right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect.

Step 4:  Open the Lighthouse Panel. 

Step 5: Configure the Audit Settings.

Step 6: Proceed with the audit. 

Step 7: Review the result and make plans to improve it. Each category is given a score between 0 and 100.  If your score is 90-100, it means you’re on the right track.  If something feels slow or clunky, tweak it until it works perfectly. 

Even after your site is live, keep an eye on how visitors are using it. If you notice certain pages are loading too slowly, it might be time to adjust your animations.

Focus on What Matters

Animations should make your website better, not harder to use. Think about why you’re adding them. Are they helping visitors find what they need? Are they making your site easier to navigate? Simple touches like a loading spinner or a smooth scroll effect can add polish without getting in the way. 

At the end of the day, a good animation isn’t about showing off. It’s more about making your site more enjoyable for everyone who visits.