What 32 In style Websites Used to Look Like

It’s no secret that web site design developments (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 wonderful strategy to perceive why updating your website is so essential. 

With the assistance of the Wayback Machine, we are able to 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 points of the positioning that look fully completely 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 incessantly visited web sites.

Apple at all times takes a product-centric method to its homepage. Even in 2001, you’ll discover that the corporate’s objects had been the web site’s main 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 it is best 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, 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 severe lack of imagery. Now, the positioning 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 online 2.0 world. Small companies had been popping up worldwide, and HubSpot’s web site was centered on displaying how the product might add worth for these firms. At this time, HubSpot nonetheless caters to small companies but additionally medium and enterprise firms. Now, our web site focuses extra on the product and options much more shade than it initially did.

BuzzFeed was created to assist customers discover their favourite issues, together with films, music, style, 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 remains to be intact.

In 2000, Invoice Clinton was the President of america, Al Gore was Vice President, and the White Home’s web site had a really completely 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. If you go to the positioning 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 measurement. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless appears to be like 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 numerous photos but additionally balances copy — and there is just one important 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 feel and look. The location options whitespace, glorious 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 positioning seem messy. At this time, the positioning options sufficient whitespace to steadiness the quantity of copy and imagery it has. We’re additionally keen on the positioning’s new font, because it’s visually interesting and straightforward to learn.

Ask Jeeves rebranded as Ask. In 2000, the positioning lacked whitespace and featured a personality — a part of the positioning’s distinctive branding. Since dropping the second half of the title, there’s not a personality on the positioning’s homepage. At this time, the positioning appears to be like far 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 this time, Blockbuster’s website is out of fee — and includes 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 lots of the outdated web sites on this record.  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 happening. At this time, we’re big followers of Pepsi’s nostalgic homepage. It includes a font that’s straightforward to learn, plus the positioning doesn’t really feel too cluttered. The corporate has additionally since moved its menu to the highest of the web page and reduce 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 admire how cohesive the colours are. Apparently, merchandise aren’t on the forefront of Macy’s nostalgic website. At this time, nonetheless, the Macy’s web site tells an especially completely 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 have a look at. The vertical menu was additionally cluttered and tough to digest. At this time, Amazon’s menu seems on the highest of the web page, and the positioning appears considerably much less overwhelming even supposing it nonetheless advertises numerous merchandise. 

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site centered primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. At this time, a really completely 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 may anticipate if you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the precise aspect of the positioning, 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, for those who 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 this time’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 very completely different brand and a much less glossy look. If you happen to go to Pinterest in the present day, you may create an account immediately — no request essential. As well as, the platform includes a dwell 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 trendy websites. Nonetheless, it does function a steadiness of photos. We like how the font Reddit makes use of in the present day remains to be semi-nostalgic however is less complicated 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 most likely 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 tough 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 shade scheme for many years. This screengrab from their website within the 2000s is considered one of our favorites on this record. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t customary 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 placing pink and orange colours. 

In 2000, Starbucks obtained a couple of issues proper: Their menu is easy, and so they featured photos on their website, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins may help guarantee your content material masses shortly you probably 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 shade 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 prime 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. Just like Dunkin’, one factor that Walmart does extremely nicely is translating its well-known shade 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 shade scheme. The location options photos, 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 positioning includes a easy menu that expands when guests click on on it. 

We’re impressed: Whereas New York Occasions 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 Occasions scores main factors as a result of its 2022 web site resembles a newspaper. It options visible hierarchy, balances photos with copy nicely, 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 shade distinction. This makes it tough 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 positioning 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 apart from the model’s distinct yellow and affords quite a lot of choices for guests to pick out 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 photos and textual content. For its time, it was an instance of a compelling web site design. At this time, the positioning adheres to trendy internet design developments. It has giant photos which can be visually interesting and contains  easy copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is kind of completely 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 middle, 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 films you may get pleasure from with a Netflix subscription.

Within the early 2000s, there was a scarcity of hierarchy on eBay’s website, which made it difficult for guests to know the place to start. That is additionally detrimental from a consumer 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 at the moment providing. The location additionally options extra whitespace than previously, and the menu is paired again by comparability.

In 2006, Burger King did function a main picture on their website. The menu was additionally on the prime of the positioning, however the font was tough to learn. In 2022, At this time, Burger King includes 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 character but is readable.

Take Website Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

If you happen to’re looking for inspiration to your website redesign, take 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 come back.

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