Hilo Studio / Services / 3D web design
3D web design with WebGL
A good 3D website isn't a gimmick: it's the clearest way to show a product, a place or a story. We design and build websites with real 3D in the browser, no plugins, that run on an everyday phone.
What a WebGL website is
WebGL is the technology that draws 3D graphics inside a web page using the device's graphics card. Three.js is the library we use to work with it. The result is a normal website, with its text, SEO and contact form, where part of the experience is a 3D model the visitor explores, rotates or drives with the scroll.
When 3D is worth it
- Products that read better in volume: packaging, furniture, machinery, fashion, technical parts.
- Places people want to see before they go: bars and restaurants, historic buildings, event spaces.
- Brands with a story to tell, where the scroll can become the timeline.
- Launches and campaigns that need people to stay and share.
When you don't need it
If you need an informational site that loads instantly and reads well, 3D is overkill, and we'll tell you before we quote. Many of our sites use animation and micro-interactions instead of 3D, and that's fine: 3D has to improve the experience, not decorate it.
Performance on mobile
3D on the web almost always fails because of weight. We prepare every model for the browser: simplified geometry, Draco or Meshopt compression, smaller textures, and each model loaded only when needed. On t’ Gouden Mandeken the menu model went from 2.4 MB to 267 KB (89% smaller), and the large building model loads lazily while the visitor is already browsing.
What we build with
- Three.js and React Three Fiber for 3D.
- GSAP and ScrollTrigger for scroll-driven animation.
- Blender to model and prepare assets.
- React and Vite, with content in HTML so Google can read it, and a CMS so you can edit text and projects.
What's included
The NAVIGATE pack covers the whole site: bespoke UX/UI, 3D engineering, micro-interactions, mobile, an editable site and technical SEO. If you also need a brand, the IMPACT pack combines identity, website and storytelling.
Related work
- Tabasco · 3D WebGL product websiteJourney through the history and the making of an icon: Tabasco.
- t' Gouden Mandeken · 3D website for a barAn immersive site with a real-time, explorable 3D model that stays light on any device.
- St. Peter's Abbey (Ghent) · Food market proposalA food destination proposal for the city of Ghent, Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 3D website cost?
Our NAVIGATE pack starts at €7,900 + VAT and includes design, development and the 3D work. A single 3D piece for an existing site is quoted separately.
Is a 3D website slow on mobile?
It doesn't have to be. It depends on how the models are prepared. We optimize geometry and textures, compress, load lazily, and test on mid-range phones before delivery.
Does 3D hurt SEO?
Only if the content lives inside the 3D. We keep the text in the HTML, with titles, descriptions and structured data, and layer the 3D on top as the experience.
How long does it take?
Between 6 and 10 weeks depending on the number of models and pages.
Do you create the 3D models?
We can model from scratch or start from your CAD files, photos or an existing model, and prepare it for the web.
Shall we talk about your project?
Let's talk →