What 32 In style Websites Used to Look Like

It’s no secret that website design trends (and finest 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 solution to perceive why updating your site is so necessary. 

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 website 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 solely completely different in the present day. Within the Nineteen Nineties, Google had distinctive choices beneath the search bar. Right this moment, the corporate leans into making a personalized homepage for customers by bookmarking their ceaselessly visited web sites.

Apple at all times takes a product-centric strategy to its homepage. Even in 2001, you’ll discover that the corporate’s objects 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 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 user experience. Right this moment, Microsoft’s web site takes a cue from Apple and facilities on its merchandise. The positioning, because of this, 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 online 2.0 world. Small businesses had been popping up worldwide, and HubSpot’s web site was targeted on displaying how the product might add worth for these firms. Right this moment, 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 colour than it initially did.

BuzzFeed was created to assist customers discover their favourite issues, together with films, music, vogue, concepts, and expertise. The positioning nonetheless achieves this with a extra visible and interactive strategy. Right this moment, the web site balances photos and textual content extra seamlessly, however the web site’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. Once 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 web site focuses on accessibility with choices to alter the textual content distinction and dimension. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless appears 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 web site nonetheless options numerous photos but additionally balances copy — and there is just one principal picture above the fold. The positioning’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 purple brand?) Right this moment, 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 gives a compelling picture of the product in motion.

In 2000, AOL’s web site had a wide range of colours that weren’t cohesive, in the end making the location seem messy. Right this moment, 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. Right this moment, the location appears way more like a information or publication web site than a platform to ask questions and get fast solutions.

Bear in mind the nice previous days of going to Blockbuster to select 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 persona. Right this moment, Blockbuster’s web site is out of fee — and contains 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 listing.  The model understood the significance of visible content material and ease in 2000, they usually nonetheless do in the present day. In 2022, their web site focuses extra on imagery and options much less purple than previously, however it 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 occurring. Right this moment, we’re big followers of Pepsi’s nostalgic homepage. It contains 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 reduce on what number of tabs there are which is significantly 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. Curiously, merchandise aren’t on the forefront of Macy’s nostalgic web site. Right this moment, nevertheless, the Macy’s web site tells a particularly completely 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. Right this moment, Amazon’s menu seems on the highest of the web page, and the location appears considerably much less overwhelming even supposing it nonetheless advertises numerous merchandise. 

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site targeted primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. Right this moment, a really completely different story is instructed whenever you go to the platform’s web site. As a result of Yahoo is a information web site, there are photos to accompany each story, plus a abstract of what you’ll be able to count on whenever you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the proper facet 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. Right this moment, should you go to Tumblr whereas not logged in, you’ll see a mock dashboard that reveals guests what theirs might appear like in the event that they create an account. Right this moment’s Tumblr web site can 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 web site, the platform had a totally completely different logo and a much less modern look. If you happen to go to Pinterest in the present day, you’ll be able to create an account immediately — no request obligatory. As well as, the platform contains a reside picture that modifications but masses rapidly. 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 positioning can be extra visually compelling because it seems extra like a information web site.

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 visual hierarchy, so it’s troublesome for guests to determine the place to look. Right this 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 listing. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t normal for the time. Right this moment, Dunkin’ has loads of whitespace, features cohesive branding, and balances graphics with the copy. The web site additionally has an easy-to-follow menu and consists of the corporate’s placing pink and orange colours. 

In 2000, Starbucks received just a few issues proper: Their menu is easy, they usually featured photos on their web site, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins may also help guarantee your content material masses rapidly when you’ve got 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 positioning options Starbucks’ signature font and consists of a picture selling a latest 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 web site 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 among the different examples we’ve investigated. Much like Dunkin’, one factor that Walmart does extremely nicely is translating its well-known color 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 received proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known color scheme. The positioning options photos, too, and its branding remains 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 contains 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 related. 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 colour distinction. This makes it troublesome for folks to learn the copy. Fortunately, Lay’s has since reworked its web site. Right this moment, it is nonetheless colourful however options higher distinction. You may additionally discover the location has loads of Lay’s illustrious yellow. The 2022 web site appears way more on-brand than it has previously. 

In 2001, McDonald’s web site featured a purple background and yellow textual content, which wasn’t precisely optimum for readers. Now, McDonald’s site is minimalist. It options few colours apart from the model’s distinct yellow and gives 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. Right this moment, the location adheres to trendy net design traits. It has giant photos which can be visually interesting and consists of  simple copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is sort 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 call to action on the heart, so that you’ll present your electronic mail deal with 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’ll be able to 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 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 web site. It options just a few merchandise and promotions the corporate is presently providing. The positioning 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 web site. The menu was additionally on the high of the location, however the font was troublesome to learn. In 2022, Right this moment, Burger King contains 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 Website Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

If you happen to’re in search of inspiration on 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 by utilizing your distinctive branding, balancing photos and textual content, and together with a transparent visible hierarchy, your web site will look nice for years to return.

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