How to Add Custom Interactions and Scroll Animations in Wix Studio

Websites aren’t just about text and images anymore. Movement has quietly taken over as part of the user experience. Tiny animations, scroll-triggered reveals, or interactive hover effects can guide a visitor’s eye, highlight the important stuff, and give your site that “premium” feel.

But here’s the catch—too much motion can look gimmicky. When done well, animations support the design without overwhelming it. Fortunately, Wix Studio makes all of this ridiculously easy! No extra plugins. No messy code. It’s all built right into the editor. Below, we’ll walk you through the steps to make your site feel alive—without going overboard—and share tips on where to hold back, too.

Why Animations Matter in Modern Web Design

Think about the last time you visited a website. You probably made a snap judgment about the brand in seconds. Flat, static pages can feel unfinished. Motion, on the other hand, adds energy. It guides your eyes to what matters first and helps the page feel “alive.”

And the numbers back this up. Websites with micro-animations see a significant bump in user engagement compared to fully static sites. Animations matter because they do more than “look nice.” They:

• Highlight hierarchy – A headline that fades in first draws attention before supporting text.

• Guide flow – As users scroll, staggered animations can pace how information is revealed.

• Improve engagement – Interactive elements (like hover states) invite exploration.

• Reinforce brand style – Motion can feel playful, elegant, bold, or minimal, depending on how it’s applied.

  
  

Look at Instagram or Apple’s website. Motion isn’t everywhere. But in the right spots? It adds energy and keeps your eye moving. That’s the sweet spot.

Now let’s look at the step-by-step process for adding these animation effects in Wix Studio, along with practical tips and examples that make them feel intentional rather than overwhelming.

Step 1: Open Your Project in Wix Studio

Everything starts in the Wix Studio Editor. Here’s how to get set up:

1. Log in to Wix and open your site.

2. Pick the page you want to animate.

3. Make sure the Inspector panel is visible—most of your animation controls live here.

   
   

Step 2: Add a Scroll Animation

Scroll animations are what make elements appear or move as visitors scroll down. This creates depth and guides attention without shouting “look at me!”

1. Select any element—text, image, container, or button.

2. On the right-hand Inspector panel, click Scroll Animations.

3. Choose a preset effect (Fade In, Slide In, Zoom, Rotate, etc.).

4. Adjust details:

   • Direction (from left, right, top, or bottom)

   • Distance (how far the element travels)

   • Duration (speed of the animation)

   • Delay (whether the effect starts right away or after a pause)

     
     

Pro tip: Stick to one or two animation types across your Wix website. For instance, headlines fade upward and images slide from the side. Consistency feels intentional.

Step 3: Trigger Animations with Scroll

You can tie animations directly to scroll progress for more interactive experiences:

1. Select your element.

2. Go to Interactions → Scroll.

3. Choose from:

   • When in View – plays once when the element enters the viewport.

   • While Scrolling – connects movement to scroll progress (e.g., an image scales up gradually as you move down the page).

4. Set properties like opacity, position, rotation, or scale.

   
   

Example: A background image zooms in slowly as you scroll through the hero section, creating depth without distracting from the headline.

Step 4: Add Hover and Click Interactions

Not every interaction needs to wait for scrolling. Hover and click states give users instant feedback, which makes your site feel responsive.

1. Select a button, image, or card.

2. In the Inspector → Interactions, choose Hover or Click.

3. Define what happens:

   • Hover: scale slightly, change background colour, or reveal hidden text.

   • Click: expand an accordion, show additional info, or navigate to another page.

     
     

Examples:

• A portfolio grid where hovering over a thumbnail reveals the project title.

• FAQ page: Click a question, and the answer expands—no new page needed.

  
  

Step 5: Combine Animations on Wix for Impact

The strongest results often come from layering effects:

• Hero Section – Headline fades in first, subheading follows, then button appears. Background image slowly scales while scrolling.

• Product Features – Icons slide in from alternating sides as users scroll down.

• Testimonials – Each testimonial card gently fades in with a small delay, creating rhythm.

• Call to Action – Button has a hover effect that slightly enlarges it and adds a shadow.

  
  

As you combine different animation effects in your Wix website, remember that motion should accentuate, not dominate. 

Step 6: Preview Across Devices

Animations can behave differently on mobile. Slick desktop effects can feel awkward on a phone.

1. Use Device Preview in Wix Studio.

2. Test scrolling on phones and tablets.

3. Adjust or disable heavy animations for mobile—fades and slides tend to perform best.

4. Check loading performance. If animations stutter, simplify effects.

   
   

Step 7: Keep Accessibility in Mind

A premium site has to be usable. Animations should support—not block—content.

• Make sure text remains legible if it animates over images.

• Avoid flashing or rapid effects.

• Provide clear cues, like arrows or highlighted buttons, alongside animations.

  
  

Accessibility isn’t just a rule—it’s good Wix web design. And your users will notice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even subtle motion can feel overwhelming if applied without intention. Watch out for:

• Overdoing it – Too many Wix website animations competing for attention can confuse visitors and slow down the site.

• Unclear purpose – Every movement should guide, inform, or provide feedback. Random effects risk looking like decoration rather than design.

• Poor timing – Long delays or mismatched speeds may frustrate users, especially if they scroll quickly.

• Ignoring mobile performance – Heavy animations that run smoothly on desktops can lag on phones, hurting the overall experience.

  
  

Wrapping It Up

Scroll animations and interactions might seem like small details, but they shape the whole user experience. In Wix Studio, adding them doesn’t require advanced coding—you simply select an element, choose an animation or interaction, adjust settings, and test across devices.

Used wisely, these effects highlight content, guide visitors, and polish your site. The result? A website that feels designed, not just slapped together.

If you’d like tailored help—whether it’s choosing the right effects, designing interaction flows, or auditing your current setup—our team can guide you through the process and make sure every motion adds value to your brand. Reach out and schedule a consultation. We can review your setup, suggest animations and interactions to use, and make sure everything matches your brand’s style.