What Makes a Good App in 2025? 7 UI/UX Must-Haves for a Seamless User Experience

With mobile and web apps deeply integrated into our daily lives, the expectations for user experience in 2025 are higher than ever. Today’s users don’t just want apps that work, they want experiences that feel effortless, intuitive, and even delightful.

At Activate, we’ve worked with dozens of NZ brands over the past decade and seen the shift firsthand: businesses that invest in user-first design consistently outperform those who don’t. In this blog, we’re revealing 7 UI/UX must-haves that define what makes a good app in 2025.

1. Onboarding That Delivers Value in Seconds

Modern users don’t read manuals. If they can’t figure out what your app does within the first 60 seconds, they’ll likely uninstall it.

Key UX Strategies:

• Contextual Onboarding: Instead of static walkthroughs, guide users only when they reach a new feature or section. Apps like Duolingo do this well.
• Progressive Profiling: Rather than asking users for all their information up front, collect data gradually as needed.
• Value-First Messaging: Show the core benefit of the app upfront with one strong call-to-action.

Case in Point: In NZ’s fintech space, apps like Sharesies and Kernel onboard with playful language and minimal screens, easing users into complex concepts.

2. Navigation That Mirrors Natural User Flow

The best apps align with mental models—users should instinctively know where to tap next. A good navigation system anticipates what users want to do before they think of it.

What Works in 2025:

• Tab-Based Architecture: Prioritise 3–5 key actions across a bottom nav or side drawer. Avoid overstuffed menus.
• Gesture-Friendly Zones: Design for thumb-friendly tap areas, especially important for mobile-first audiences.
• Universal Icons + Text Labels: Even familiar icons like a magnifying glass (search) need supporting text to reduce cognitive load.

Pro Tip: Use heat mapping and session replays to identify where NZ users hesitate or get stuck in your app flow.

3. Accessibility Is Now Mandatory

Accessibility is not just for compliance, it's a business opportunity. Nearly 25% of Kiwis identify as having a disability. Excluding them means losing potential customers and reputation points.

Accessible App Design Essentials:

• VoiceOver & TalkBack Support: Ensure screen readers interpret all UI elements correctly.
• Colour Contrast Testing: Use tools like Stark or WebAIM to guarantee readability.
• Motion Sensitivity Controls: Provide options to disable animations or reduce motion for users with vestibular disorders.

NZ Tip: Ensure your app complies with the New Zealand Government Web Accessibility Standards—this opens doors to working with public and civic clients.

4. Personalisation with Ethical Transparency

Personalisation increases engagement, users are more likely to interact with content tailored to them. But with rising privacy concerns, transparency around how you personalise is critical.

Best Practices for 2025:

• Explain the Why: Tell users why they’re seeing certain content (“Recommended because you booked X”).
• Consent-Driven: Let users opt in to data-based customisation, not opt out.
• Adaptive Layouts: Let users choose compact vs. detailed views, dark vs. light themes, or content filters.

Avoid: Over-targeting. If the app feels creepy or invasive, users will lose trust—especially important in privacy-conscious markets like New Zealand.

5. Lightning Speed & Feedback Loops

Speed isn’t a feature, it’s a core expectation. According to Google, bounce rates increase by 32% when load times go from 1 to 3 seconds. But speed alone isn’t enough. Feedback (through micro-interactions) tells users the app is working as expected.

Must-Haves for 2025:

• Optimised Code & Assets: Use lazy loading, compress images, and cache local data to reduce load times.
• Skeleton Screens & Load Indicators: Prevent blank screens while content loads.
• Tactile Feedback: Subtle animations, vibrations, or button state changes reassure users the app has registered their actions.

Tool Tip: Consider libraries like Lottie for lightweight, responsive animations that enhance UX without bloating your build.

6. Design That Responds to Environment & Context

User environments are more varied than ever—day/night shifts, foldable phones, AR glasses. Your UI must adapt fluidly.

Future-Proof Design Strategies:

• Dark Mode Support: Detect system preferences and provide readable, aesthetically pleasing alternatives.
• Responsive UI Elements: Ensure content scales beautifully across phone sizes, tablets, and future formats.
• Ambient Context Awareness: Apps can now adjust brightness, font size, or even interface based on ambient light or user posture.

Example: NZ transport apps like MetroInfo or AT Mobile adapt interfaces for night bus commuters with minimal glare and simple UI.

7. Smart Empty States and Error Recovery

Every app hits a moment where there’s no data to show or something goes wrong. These are often overlooked, but they’re prime UX real estate.

What to Build In:

• Helpful Empty States: Instead of showing “No data,” provide actions (“Start your first project”, “Invite your team”).
• Descriptive Error Messages: Avoid generic “Something went wrong.” Show context and recovery steps.
• Offline Functionality: Provide read-only modes or local caching so the app still has value without a connection.

UX Hack: Use personality or humour here—it can turn frustration into delight.

Key Bonus Insights for Developers & Businesses

2025 UI/UX Testing Toolkit

To achieve top-tier UX, you need data. Here's what NZ developers are using to validate their designs:

• Maze / Hotjar: Run real-time user tests and analyse behaviour heatmaps.
• UserTesting.com: Test your app with actual users from NZ or your target market.
• Google Firebase / GA4: Measure engagement, screen flows, and conversion paths inside the app.

Collaborating with Designers in Agile Environments

Great UI/UX doesn’t happen in a silo. Developers, product managers, and designers need to co-create. Use design systems (like Material Design or Tailwind UI) to ensure consistency and rapid iteration.

Final Thoughts: Human-Centric, Data-Informed, Always Evolving

A “good app” in 2025 doesn’t rely on guesswork. It’s grounded in real user behaviour, built for inclusivity, and polished with thoughtful details. It doesn’t just meet expectations, it feels right to use.

Whether you’re launching your first MVP or optimising a mature app, investing in UX is no longer optional, it’s a differentiator.

Work With Activate

At Activate, we help Kiwi businesses design and build apps that people genuinely love to use. With over a decade of experience in web and mobile design, we know how to blend technical excellence with human-focused creativity.

Ready to build an app users rave about? Talk to us today.