What 32 In style 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 needed. 

With the assistance of the Wayback Machine, we will see what our favourite web sites appeared 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 basically maintains its branding with its colourful brand and whitespace on the homepage, there are different points of the location that look completely totally different in the present day. Within the Nineties, Google had distinctive choices beneath the search bar. At this time, the corporate leans into making a personalised homepage for customers by bookmarking their continuously visited web sites.

Apple all the time takes a product-centric method 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 an entire image of why you need to 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 consumer expertise. At this time, Microsoft’s website 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 now not takes heart stage and focuses on featured tales.

In 2006, the tech and advertising world was centered closely on surviving and succeeding in an internet 2.0 world. Small companies have been popping up worldwide, and HubSpot’s web site was centered on exhibiting how the product may add worth for these corporations. At this time, 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 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 method. At this time, the web site balances photos and textual content extra seamlessly, however the website’s total really feel continues 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 appear and feel. 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 in the present day, you’ll discover a big picture and replica that focuses on present initiatives. We additionally love how the refreshed website focuses on accessibility with choices to alter the textual content distinction and dimension. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless seems to be outdated by in the present day’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 photos but in addition balances copy — and there is just one primary picture above the fold. The location’s total really feel in the present day 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 pink brand?) At this time, Microsoft owns Skype, and the latter takes a cue from the bigger group’s appear and feel. The location options whitespace, wonderful visible hierarchy, and affords a compelling picture of the product in motion.

In 2000, AOL’s website had a wide range of colours that weren’t cohesive, in the end making the location seem messy. At this time, 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 straightforward 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 title, there’s now not a personality on the location’s homepage. At this time, the location seems to be way more like a information or publication website than a platform to ask questions and get fast solutions.

Bear in mind the great previous days of going to Blockbuster to select your film and seize just a few snacks? We certain do. What Blockbuster’s 1996 website lacked in hierarchy, it made up for in persona. At this time, Blockbuster’s website is out of fee — and incorporates a cheeky observe 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 listing.  The model understood the significance of visible content material and ease in 2000, and so they nonetheless do in the present day. In 2022, their website focuses extra on imagery and options much less pink than previously, however 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 occurring. At this time, we’re large followers of Pepsi’s nostalgic homepage. It incorporates a font that’s straightforward 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 consumer expertise standpoint. 

Whereas Macy’s 2000 web site doesn’t conform to in the present day’s requirements, we respect how cohesive the colours are. Apparently, merchandise aren’t on the forefront of Macy’s nostalgic website. At this time, nevertheless, 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 take a look at. The vertical menu was additionally cluttered and troublesome to digest. At this time, Amazon’s menu seems on the highest of the web page, and the location appears considerably much less overwhelming even supposing it nonetheless advertises varied merchandise. 

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site centered primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. At this time, a really totally different story is advised if you go to the platform’s website. As a result of Yahoo is a information website, there are photos to accompany each story, plus a abstract of what you’ll be able to count on if you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the correct aspect of the location, because it makes it straightforward for customers to know 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 this time, in the event you go to Tumblr whereas not logged in, you’ll see a mock dashboard that exhibits guests what theirs may appear to be in the event that they create an account. At this time’s Tumblr website can also be considerably extra image-focused.

Bear in mind when Pinterest was invite-only? As you’ll be able to see from the screengrab of the 2010 Pinterest website, the platform had a totally totally different brand and a much less glossy look. If you happen to go to Pinterest in the present day, you’ll be able to create an account immediately — no request needed. As well as, the platform incorporates a reside picture that adjustments but masses rapidly. The copy is easy but compelling.

In 2005, Reddit was all about textual content. Reddit continues to be extra text-focused than most trendy websites. Nonetheless, it does function a steadiness of photos. We like how the font Reddit makes use of in the present day continues to be semi-nostalgic however is simpler to learn than it has been previously. The location can also be extra visually compelling because it seems extra like a information website.

You’re in all probability beginning to discover a theme at this level: The web sites of years previous have 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 determine the place to look. At this time, 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 colour scheme for many years. This screengrab from their website within the 2000s is one in all our favorites on this listing. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t normal for the time. At this time, 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 received just a few issues proper: Their menu is simple, and so they featured photos on their website, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins might help guarantee your content material masses rapidly if in case you have a “heavy” web page so your web site avoids an analogous destiny.) You’ll additionally discover their constant brand. In 2022, Starbucks effortlessly affords a pop of colour on its website 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 wish to name out Starbucks’ sparse but efficient navigation on the high of the web page.

For its time, Walmart’s website in 2002 was fairly profitable. It featured photos and textual content which nonetheless dominate the web site in the present day. 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 properly is translating its well-known colour 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 received proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known colour scheme. The location options photos, too, and its branding continues 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 incorporates 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 comparable. Even in 2000, determining the place to direct consideration was straightforward. The New York Instances scores main factors as a result of its 2022 web site resembles a newspaper. It options visible hierarchy, balances photos with copy properly, and we like how the font is distinctive but straightforward to learn. 

In 2008, Lay’s web site was inexperienced and featured very poor textual content colour distinction. This makes it troublesome for folks to learn the copy. Fortunately, Lay’s has since reworked its website. At this time, 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 previously. 

In 2001, McDonald’s web site featured a pink 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 a wide range 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 simple. The model additionally faucets its signature font for the 2022 web site. 

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

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is kind of totally different from in the present day. 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 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 exhibits and flicks you’ll be able to 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 know the place to start. That is additionally detrimental from a consumer expertise standpoint. That has since modified, nevertheless. In 2022, eBay has a carousel above the fold on its website. It options just a few merchandise and promotions the corporate is at present providing. The location additionally options extra whitespace than previously, 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 high of the location, however the font was troublesome to learn. In 2022, At this time, Burger King incorporates a impartial background and retains the give attention to its imagery. Copy is sparse but efficient. As well as, the corporate makes use of a font that provides a pop of persona but is readable.

Take Web site Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

If you happen to’re in search of inspiration to your website redesign, have a look at these nostalgic web sites to get an concept of how one can rework your touchdown web page. These nostalgic web sites show that by utilizing your distinctive branding, balancing photos and textual content, and together with a transparent visible hierarchy, your website will look nice for years to return.

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