What 32 Fashionable Websites Used to Look Like

It’s no secret that web site design traits (and greatest practices) have modified dramatically for the reason that web’s debut. Reflecting on nostalgic web sites and evaluating them to their present-day counterparts is a superb solution to perceive why updating your website is so essential. 

With the assistance of the Wayback Machine, we will see what our favourite web sites seemed like in years previous.  Whether or not you’re planning a web site redesign and will use some inspiration, otherwise you’d take pleasure in reflecting on nostalgic web sites, we’ve rounded up 32 websites to peruse.

1) Google

Whereas Google primarily maintains its branding with its colourful emblem and whitespace on the homepage, there are different features of the location that look solely totally different at the moment. Within the Nineties, Google had distinctive choices beneath the search bar. At present, the corporate leans into making a customized homepage for customers by bookmarking their ceaselessly visited web sites.

Apple all the time takes a product-centric strategy to its homepage. Even in 2001, you’ll discover that the corporate’s objects have been the web site’s major focus. In 2022, Apple chooses to maintain branding minimal but distinctive. It options only one product to make the middle focus of the homepage. The present homepage can also be a testomony to compelling copy; in simply three adjectives, Apple paints a whole image of why you must get an iPad.

In 2000, Microsoft’s web site was clunky and over-complicated. The abundance of phrases on the web site and lack of whitespace made for an amazing person expertise. At present, Microsoft’s website takes a cue from Apple and facilities on its merchandise. The positioning, consequently, is much less dizzying and extra digestible for guests.

As soon as upon a time, Mashable had a gradient background — to not point out a critical lack of imagery. Now, the location balances visuals with textual content. The corporate branding additionally not takes heart stage and focuses on featured tales.

In 2006, the tech and advertising and marketing world was targeted closely on surviving and succeeding in an internet 2.0 world. Small companies have been popping up worldwide, and HubSpot’s web site was targeted on displaying how the product might add worth for these corporations. At present, HubSpot nonetheless caters to small companies but in addition medium and enterprise companies. Now, our web site focuses extra on the product and options much more coloration than it initially did.

BuzzFeed was created to assist customers discover their favourite issues, together with motion pictures, music, style, concepts, and expertise. The positioning nonetheless achieves this with a extra visible and interactive strategy. At present, the web site balances pictures and textual content extra seamlessly, however the website’s total really feel remains to be intact.

In 2000, Invoice Clinton was the President of the US, Al Gore was Vice President, and the White Home’s web site had a really totally different feel and look. Then, the web site featured a Declaration of Independence-esque script font and didn’t emphasize imagery — or storytelling, contemplating the textual content simply welcomed guests to the web page. Whenever you go to the location at the moment, you’ll discover a big picture and duplicate that focuses on present initiatives. We additionally love how the refreshed website focuses on accessibility with choices to vary the textual content distinction and measurement. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless seems to be outdated by at the moment’s requirements, it was forward of its time, with many of the homepage that includes visible content material. In 2022, their website nonetheless options varied pictures but in addition balances copy — and there is just one most important picture above the fold. The positioning’s total really feel at the moment is much less cramped and overwhelming than it was in years previous.

Within the early 2000s, Skype’s homepage featured a number of colours and lacked hierarchy. (And who knew the video name platform as soon as had a crimson emblem?) At present, Microsoft owns Skype, and the latter takes a cue from the bigger group’s feel and look. The positioning options whitespace, wonderful visible hierarchy, and affords a compelling picture of the product in motion.

In 2000, AOL’s website had quite a lot of colours that weren’t cohesive, in the end making the location seem messy. At present, the location options sufficient whitespace to steadiness the quantity of copy and imagery it has. We’re additionally keen on the location’s new font, because it’s visually interesting and simple to learn.

Ask Jeeves rebranded as Ask. In 2000, the location lacked whitespace and featured a personality — a part of the location’s distinctive branding. Since dropping the second half of the identify, there’s not a personality on the location’s homepage. At present, the location seems to be rather more like a information or publication website than a platform to ask questions and get fast solutions.

Keep in mind the nice previous days of going to Blockbuster to pick your film and seize a couple of snacks? We certain do. What Blockbuster’s 1996 website lacked in hierarchy, it made up for in character. At present, Blockbuster’s website is out of fee — and includes a cheeky notice that the corporate is engaged on rewinding your film.

We’ll give it to Coca-Cola: Their branding is timeless. Coca-Cola’s web site from 2000 does not look too shabby in comparison with lots of the outdated web sites on this record.  The model understood the significance of visible content material and ease in 2000, they usually nonetheless do at the moment. In 2022, their website focuses extra on imagery and options much less crimson than prior to now, nevertheless it nonetheless feels cohesive with the remainder of their branding.

Pepsi’s website in 2000 was cluttered, lacked visible hierarchy, and had an excessive amount of happening. At present, we’re enormous followers of Pepsi’s nostalgic homepage. It includes a font that’s simple to learn, plus the location doesn’t really feel too cluttered. The corporate has additionally since moved its menu to the highest of the web page and in the reduction of on what number of tabs there are which is a lot better from a person expertise standpoint. 

Whereas Macy’s 2000 web site doesn’t conform to at the moment’s requirements, we respect how cohesive the colours are. Curiously, merchandise aren’t on the forefront of Macy’s nostalgic website. At present, nonetheless, the Macy’s web site tells a particularly totally different story. The web site has a neatly organized menu and wonderful visible hierarchy.

In 1999, Amazon’s web site was extremely text-heavy, making it dizzying to have a look at. The vertical menu was additionally cluttered and troublesome to digest. At present, Amazon’s menu seems on the highest of the web page, and the location appears considerably much less overwhelming even if it nonetheless advertises varied merchandise. 

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site targeted primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. At present, a really totally different story is informed while you go to the platform’s website. As a result of Yahoo is a information website, there are pictures to accompany each story, plus a abstract of what you may anticipate while you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the suitable facet of the location, because it makes it simple for customers to grasp what’s within the information at a look.

In its infancy, Tumblr referred to blogs as Tumblelogs and had a text-centric web site. At present, in case you go to Tumblr whereas not logged in, you’ll see a mock dashboard that exhibits guests what theirs might appear to be in the event that they create an account. At present’s Tumblr website can also be considerably extra image-focused.

Keep in mind when Pinterest was invite-only? As you may see from the screengrab of the 2010 Pinterest website, the platform had a totally totally different emblem and a much less glossy look. When you go to Pinterest at the moment, you may create an account immediately — no request essential. As well as, the platform includes a reside picture that adjustments but masses shortly. The copy is easy but compelling.

In 2005, Reddit was all about textual content. Reddit remains to be extra text-focused than most fashionable websites. Nonetheless, it does function a steadiness of pictures. We like how the font Reddit makes use of at the moment remains to be semi-nostalgic however is less complicated to learn than it has been prior to now. The positioning can also be extra visually compelling because it seems extra like a information website.

You’re most likely beginning to discover a theme at this level: The web sites of years previous have been text-focused. Barnes & Noble isn’t any exception. In 2000, the bookseller had a dense, visually unappealing vertical menu. The photographs took a very long time to load — in the event that they did. There’s additionally a scarcity of visible hierarchy, so it’s troublesome for guests to determine the place to look. At present, the corporate’s website is considerably extra digestible. It balances whitespace with imagery and textual content, and the designers cleaned the menu up.

We’ll hand it to Dunkin’: They’ve stayed true to their signature coloration scheme for many years. This screengrab from their website within the 2000s is one in all our favorites on this record. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t normal for the time. At present, Dunkin’ has loads of whitespace, options cohesive branding, and balances graphics with the copy. The web site additionally has an easy-to-follow menu and contains the corporate’s putting pink and orange colours. 

In 2000, Starbucks obtained a couple of issues proper: Their menu is easy, they usually featured pictures on their website, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins may help guarantee your content material masses shortly in case you have a “heavy” web page so your web site avoids an identical destiny.) You’ll additionally discover their constant emblem. In 2022, Starbucks effortlessly affords a pop of coloration on its website with out overwhelming guests. The positioning options Starbucks’ signature font and contains a picture selling a current collaboration with one other firm. The picture itself additionally feels on-brand. We additionally wish to name out Starbucks’ sparse but efficient navigation on the prime of the web page.

For its time, Walmart’s website in 2002 was fairly profitable. It featured pictures and textual content which nonetheless dominate the web site at the moment. As well as, it had a greater visible hierarchy than a number of the different examples we’ve investigated. Just like Dunkin’, one factor that Walmart does extremely properly is translating its well-known coloration scheme to its website. In 2022, Walmart’s web site has loads of imagery and concise copy that enhances the graphics.

There are additionally loads of issues Goal obtained proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known coloration scheme. The positioning options pictures, too, and its branding remains to be largely the identical. In 2022, Goal’s website places a a lot bigger emphasis on visuals than it does on textual content. The branding is minimal but efficient, and the location includes a easy menu that expands when guests click on on it. 

We’re impressed: Whereas New York Instances has reworked its web site since 2000, the web site is remarkably related. Even in 2000, determining the place to direct consideration was simple. The New York Instances scores main factors as a result of its 2022 web site resembles a newspaper. It options visible hierarchy, balances pictures with copy properly, and we like how the font is distinctive but simple to learn. 

In 2008, Lay’s web site was inexperienced and featured very poor textual content coloration distinction. This makes it troublesome for folks to learn the copy. Fortunately, Lay’s has since reworked its website. At present, it is nonetheless colourful however options higher distinction. You may additionally discover the location has loads of Lay’s illustrious yellow. The 2022 website appears much more on-brand than it has prior to now. 

In 2001, McDonald’s web site featured a crimson background and yellow textual content, which wasn’t precisely optimum for readers. Now, McDonald’s website is minimalist. It options few colours except for the model’s distinct yellow and affords quite a lot of choices for guests to pick from on the menu part. Nonetheless, the menu is not overwhelming as a result of the remainder of the web site is so easy. The model additionally faucets its signature font for the 2022 web site. 

Sephora’s web site within the early 2000s featured a steadiness of pictures and textual content. For its time, it was an instance of a compelling web site design. At present, the location adheres to fashionable net design traits. It has massive pictures which can be visually interesting and contains  easy copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is kind of totally different from at the moment. In 2022, copy is the star of the present on Netflix’s homepage. The corporate additionally cleverly locations a name to motion on the heart, so that you’ll present your e-mail handle and get began. In each 2004 and 2022, the principle focus of the homepage was a name to motion, which is noteworthy. We just like the picture within the background, which the textual content overlays because it options exhibits and flicks you may take pleasure in with a Netflix subscription.

Within the early 2000s, there was a scarcity of hierarchy on eBay’s website, which made it tough for guests to grasp the place to start. That is additionally detrimental from a person expertise standpoint. That has since modified, nonetheless. In 2022, eBay has a carousel above the fold on its website. It options a couple of merchandise and promotions the corporate is presently providing. The positioning additionally options extra whitespace than prior to now, and the menu is paired again by comparability.

In 2006, Burger King did function a major picture on their website. The menu was additionally on the prime of the location, however the font was troublesome to learn. In 2022, At present, Burger King includes a impartial background and retains the deal with its imagery. Copy is sparse but efficient. As well as, the corporate makes use of a font that provides a pop of character but is readable.

Take Web site Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

When you’re looking for inspiration on your website redesign, take a look at these nostalgic web sites to get an thought of how one can rework your touchdown web page. These nostalgic web sites show that through the use of your distinctive branding, balancing pictures and textual content, and together with a transparent visible hierarchy, your website will look nice for years to return.

Editor’s notice: This publish was initially revealed in April 2014 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.