What 32 Well-liked Websites Used to Look Like

It’s no secret that web site design tendencies (and greatest 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 vital. 

With the assistance of the Wayback Machine, we will see what our favourite web sites regarded 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 emblem and whitespace on the homepage, there are different points of the positioning that look fully completely different as we speak. Within the Nineties, Google had distinctive choices beneath the search bar. At present, the corporate leans into making a personalised homepage for customers by bookmarking their ceaselessly 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 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 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 awesome person expertise. At present, 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 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 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 might add worth for these corporations. At present, 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 motion pictures, music, style, concepts, and know-how. The location nonetheless achieves this with a extra visible and interactive method. At present, the web site balances pictures and textual content extra seamlessly, however the web site’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 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 positioning as we speak, you’ll discover a big picture and duplicate 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 seems outdated by as we speak’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 pictures but additionally balances copy — and there is just one most important picture above the fold. The location’s total really feel as we speak 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 emblem?) At present, 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 provides 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 positioning seem messy. At present, the positioning options sufficient whitespace to stability the quantity of copy and imagery it has. We’re additionally keen on the positioning’s new font, because it’s visually interesting and simple 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 identify, there’s not a personality on the positioning’s homepage. At present, the positioning seems far more like a information or publication web site than a platform to ask questions and get fast solutions.

Keep in mind the nice previous days of going to Blockbuster to select your film and seize a number of snacks? We positive do. What Blockbuster’s 1996 web site lacked in hierarchy, it made up for in character. At present, Blockbuster’s web site is out of fee — and incorporates 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 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, and so they nonetheless do as we speak. In 2022, their web site focuses extra on imagery and options much less purple than prior to now, 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 happening. At present, we’re large followers of Pepsi’s nostalgic homepage. It incorporates a font that’s simple 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 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 as we speak’s requirements, we respect how cohesive the colours are. Curiously, merchandise aren’t on the forefront of Macy’s nostalgic web site. At present, nevertheless, 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 take a look at. The vertical menu was additionally cluttered and tough to digest. At present, Amazon’s menu seems on the highest of the web page, and the positioning appears considerably much less overwhelming even if it nonetheless advertises numerous merchandise. 

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site centered primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. At present, a really completely different story is advised while you go to the platform’s web site. As a result of Yahoo is a information web site, 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 proper facet of the positioning, because it makes it simple 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 present, when you go to Tumblr whereas not logged in, you’ll see a mock dashboard that exhibits guests what theirs might seem like in the event that they create an account. At present’s Tumblr web site 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 web site, the platform had a very completely different emblem and a much less smooth look. Should you go to Pinterest as we speak, you may create an account immediately — no request vital. As well as, the platform incorporates a dwell picture that adjustments but hundreds 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 characteristic a stability of pictures. We like how the font Reddit makes use of as we speak continues to be semi-nostalgic however is less complicated to learn than it has been prior to now. The location can also 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 tough for guests to determine the place to look. At present, 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 considered one of our favorites on this record. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t commonplace 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 acquired a number of issues proper: Their menu is simple, and so they featured pictures on their web site, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins can assist guarantee your content material hundreds rapidly if in case you have a “heavy” web page so your web site avoids the same destiny.) You’ll additionally discover their constant emblem. In 2022, Starbucks effortlessly provides 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 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 pictures and textual content which nonetheless dominate the web site as we speak. As well as, it had a greater visible hierarchy than a few of the different examples we’ve investigated. Much like Dunkin’, one factor that Walmart does extremely nicely 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 acquired proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known colour scheme. The location options pictures, 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 positioning 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 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 nicely, 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 tough for folks to learn the copy. Fortunately, Lay’s has since reworked its web site. At present, it is nonetheless colourful however options higher distinction. You will additionally discover the positioning has loads of Lay’s illustrious yellow. The 2022 web site appears way more on-brand than it has prior to now. 

In 2001, McDonald’s web site featured a purple background and yellow textual content, which wasn’t precisely optimum for readers. Now, McDonald’s web site is minimalist. It options few colours apart from the model’s distinct yellow and provides 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 stability of pictures and textual content. For its time, it was an instance of a compelling web site design. At present, the positioning adheres to trendy internet design tendencies. It has massive pictures which might be visually interesting and contains  easy copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is sort of completely different from as we speak. 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 exhibits 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 know the place to start. That is additionally detrimental from a person expertise standpoint. That has since modified, nevertheless. In 2022, eBay has a carousel above the fold on its web site. It options a number of merchandise and promotions the corporate is at the moment providing. The location additionally options extra whitespace than prior to now, and the menu is paired again by comparability.

In 2006, Burger King did characteristic a major picture on their web site. The menu was additionally on the high of the positioning, however the font was tough to learn. In 2022, At present, 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 gives a pop of character but is readable.

Take Web site Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

Should you’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 pictures 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 submit was initially revealed in April 2014 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.