Building a Website Gen Z Will Love: Design, UX & Content

The world is changing at an exponential rate and businesses need to adapt to the newer market needs to survive. With over 20% of the world population under their hands, Gen Z is the first ever digital-native generation who are reshaping modern web development. With a shifting user expectation for online experiences, Gen Z users tend to align more with a mobile-friendly, high-performing, interactive website, rather than a traditional one with age-old design principles.

A website development company that cannot build and maintain a site that is fast and reliable across screens cannot win against the Gen Z perceptions. Authenticity is something they prize and your website needs to imbibe values to gain their trust. Below, we have explored what Gen Z will love in a website, with actionable web development best practices on content, design, user experience and social relatability.

Let’s go!

Why Gen Z Web Development Matters for Website Developers and Brands?

The people born between 1997 to 2012, or the Gen Z, were approximately 2 billion in number. It is clear they hold a fair share of market dynamics when it comes to web and digital experiences. Be it shopping, creating content, following trends or researching, Gen Z play a pivotal role in influencing the mass. They deeply engage with mobile-first devices most of the time and redefine what is deserving.

Characteristics that Makes a Gen Z:

• Mobile-first approach: They wake up with smartphones and end their dayon one. Full on charge.
• Visually driven: Their go-to engagement models are videos, memes, emojis, and stories over blocks of text are their.
• Socially conscious: They feel aligned with ethical, inclusive, and purpose-driven brands
• Short attention spans: They decide in seconds whether to stay or bounce

Best Web Development Practices for Gen Z Users

1. Design for Mobile-First, Always

Speed, Simplicity & Scrollability

If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, Gen Z is gone in 3 seconds. This generation grew up swiping, tapping, and scrolling, so your site must feel natural and intuitive on smartphones.

Best Practices:

• Use responsive, touch-friendly layouts
• Avoid clutter and prioritize vertical content flow
• Optimize page load speed—use lazy loading, compress images, and leverage CDNs
• Design with microinteractions to make elements feel alive (e.g., hover effects, swipe gestures)

2. Keep the Visuals Bold, Modern & Authentic

Ditch the Stock Photos

Gen Z can spot fake or overly polished imagery from a mile away. They prefer raw, real, and relatable visuals, inspired by the look and feel of TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Design Tips:

• Use user-generated content, brand story videos, and short-form media
• Embrace bold typography, dark mode, neon gradients, and asymmetrical layouts
• Integrate motion design—GIFs, animations, scroll effects

3. Create Interactive Experiences

Let Them Swipe, Tap, React & Personalize

Gen Z doesn’t want to consume content passively. They want to engage with it. Use interactive elements that mimic social and app-like experiences.

Ideas to Try:

• Quizzes or polls embedded in landing pages
• Product personalization tools (e.g., build your bundle)
• “Choose your path” style navigation
• Comment boxes, emoji reactions, or upvote systems

4. Speak Their Language - Short, Casual, and Inclusive

Content That Connects, Not Preaches

Gen Z prefers brands that sound human and honest. Your tone should be conversational, funny (when appropriate), and emotionally aware.

Content Tips:

• Use short-form copy, emojis, and culturally relevant references
• Avoid jargon and overly salesy language
• Show diversity and representation in visuals and messaging
• Align with social causes—sustainability, mental health, inclusivity

5. Integrate Social Media Seamlessly

Go Beyond Static Icons

Gen Z lives on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, so your website should be an extension of your social media presence.

What to include:

• Embedded TikTok or Reels feeds
• Social login/signup options
• Shareable content with OG tags and preview images
• Creator/influencer sections or social proof via testimonials

6. Showcase Values & Purpose Clearly

Gen Z Buys into Brands, Not Just Products

More than any other generation, Gen Z wants to know what your brand stands for. They value transparency, ethics, and impact.

What to feature:

• A values or mission statement on the homepage
• Ethical sourcing, sustainability, or give-back programs
• Behind-the-scenes content or founder stories
• Authentic customer reviews and community initiatives

Tools & Platforms to Build Gen Z-Approved Websites

Here are some tools that make it easier to build sites that match Gen Z’s expectations:

Final Thoughts

To win over Gen Z, your website needs to feel more like an experience than a brochure. It should be fast, mobile-first, bold in design, interactive by nature, and speak in a language they trust. More importantly, it should reflect the values they care about.

By blending design innovation with authenticity and purpose, you can build a digital presence that not only attracts Gen Z, but turns them into loyal fans and advocates.