What 32 Common Websites Used to Look Like

It’s no secret that web site design developments (and finest practices) have modified dramatically because the 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 web site 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 get pleasure from reflecting on nostalgic web sites, we’ve rounded up 32 websites to peruse.

1) Google

Whereas Google basically maintains its branding with its colourful brand and whitespace on the homepage, there are different elements of the location that look fully totally different right now. Within the Nineties, Google had distinctive choices beneath the search bar. At the moment, the corporate leans into making a customized homepage for customers by bookmarking their steadily 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 gadgets had 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 be a testomony to compelling copy; in simply three adjectives, Apple paints an entire 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 the moment, Microsoft’s web site takes a cue from Apple and facilities on its merchandise. The location, in consequence, 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 middle stage and focuses on featured tales.

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

BuzzFeed was created to assist customers discover their favourite issues, together with motion pictures, music, vogue, concepts, and expertise. The location nonetheless achieves this with a extra visible and interactive strategy. At the moment, the web site balances photographs and textual content extra seamlessly, however the web site’s general really feel continues to be intact.

In 2000, Invoice Clinton was the President of the USA, Al Gore was Vice President, and the White Home’s web site had a really totally different feel and appear. 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. While you go to the location right now, you’ll discover a big picture and replica that focuses on present initiatives. We additionally love how the refreshed web site focuses on accessibility with choices to vary the textual content distinction and dimension. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless appears to be like outdated by right now’s requirements, it was forward of its time, with many of the homepage that includes visible content material. In 2022, their web site nonetheless options varied photographs but in addition balances copy — and there is just one major picture above the fold. The location’s general really feel right now 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 brand?) At the moment, Microsoft owns Skype, and the latter takes a cue from the bigger group’s feel and appear. The location options whitespace, glorious visible hierarchy, and gives a compelling picture of the product in motion.

In 2000, AOL’s web site had quite a lot of colours that weren’t cohesive, in the end making the location seem messy. At the moment, the location options sufficient whitespace to stability 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 the moment, the location appears to be like far more like a information or publication web site than a platform to ask questions and get fast solutions.

Bear in mind the great outdated days of going to Blockbuster to pick your film and seize just a few snacks? We certain do. What Blockbuster’s 1996 web site lacked in hierarchy, it made up for in character. At the moment, Blockbuster’s web site is out of fee — and includes a cheeky be aware 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 would not look too shabby in comparison with most of the outdated web sites on this checklist.  The model understood the significance of visible content material and ease in 2000, they usually nonetheless do right now. In 2022, their web site focuses extra on imagery and options much less crimson than up to now, but it surely nonetheless feels cohesive with the remainder of their branding.

Pepsi’s web site in 2000 was cluttered, lacked visible hierarchy, and had an excessive amount of happening. At the moment, we’re big 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 significantly better from a person expertise standpoint. 

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

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

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site centered primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. At the moment, a really totally different story is instructed if you go to the platform’s web site. As a result of Yahoo is a information web site, there are photographs to accompany each story, plus a abstract of what you may anticipate if you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the best 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 the moment, in case you go to Tumblr whereas not logged in, you’ll see a mock dashboard that reveals guests what theirs may seem like in the event that they create an account. At the moment’s Tumblr web site can be considerably extra image-focused.

Bear in mind when Pinterest was invite-only? As you may see from the screengrab of the 2010 Pinterest web site, the platform had a totally totally different brand and a much less glossy look. For those who go to Pinterest right now, you may create an account immediately — no request essential. As well as, the platform includes a reside picture that adjustments but masses rapidly. The copy is straightforward but compelling.

In 2005, Reddit was all about textual content. Reddit continues to be extra text-focused than most trendy websites. Nevertheless, it does function a stability of photographs. We like how the font Reddit makes use of right now continues to be semi-nostalgic however is less complicated to learn than it has been up to now. The location can be extra visually compelling because it seems extra like a information web site.

You’re in all probability beginning to discover a theme at this level: The web sites of years previous had been text-focused. Barnes & Noble is not 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 resolve the place to look. At the moment, the corporate’s web site 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 colour scheme for many years. This screengrab from their web site within the 2000s is certainly one of our favorites on this checklist. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t normal for the time. At the moment, 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 placing pink and orange colours. 

In 2000, Starbucks bought just a few issues proper: Their menu is easy, they usually featured photographs on their web site, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins will help guarantee your content material masses rapidly if in case you have a “heavy” web page so your web site avoids the same destiny.) You’ll additionally discover their constant brand. In 2022, Starbucks effortlessly gives a pop of colour on its web site with out overwhelming guests. The location 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 need to name out Starbucks’ sparse but efficient navigation on the prime of the web page.

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

There are additionally loads of issues Goal bought proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known colour scheme. The location options photographs, too, and its branding continues to be largely the identical. In 2022, Goal’s web site 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 photographs with copy effectively, 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 colour distinction. This makes it troublesome for individuals to learn the copy. Fortunately, Lay’s has since reworked its web site. At the moment, it is nonetheless colourful however options higher distinction. You will additionally discover the location has loads of Lay’s illustrious yellow. The 2022 web site appears way more on-brand than it has up 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 web site is minimalist. It options few colours except for the model’s distinct yellow and gives quite a lot of choices for guests to pick from on the menu part. Nevertheless, the menu is not overwhelming as a result of the remainder of the web site is so simple. The model additionally faucets its signature font for the 2022 web site. 

Sephora’s web site within the early 2000s featured a stability of photographs and textual content. For its time, it was an instance of a compelling web site design. At the moment, the location adheres to trendy internet design developments. It has giant photographs which might be visually interesting and contains  simple copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is sort of totally different from right now. In 2022, copy is the star of the present on Netflix’s homepage. The corporate additionally cleverly locations a name to motion on the middle, so that you’ll present your electronic mail tackle 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 reveals and flicks you may get pleasure from with a Netflix subscription.

Within the early 2000s, there was a scarcity of hierarchy on eBay’s web site, which made it difficult 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 web site. It options just a few merchandise and promotions the corporate is at the moment providing. The location additionally options extra whitespace than up to now, and the menu is paired again by comparability.

In 2006, Burger King did function a major picture on their web site. The menu was additionally on the prime of the location, however the font was troublesome to learn. In 2022, At the moment, 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 Website Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

For those who’re looking for inspiration to your web site 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 photographs and textual content, and together with a transparent visible hierarchy, your web site will look nice for years to come back.

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