What 32 Popular Sites Used to Look Like

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

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 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 primarily maintains its branding with its colourful brand and whitespace on the homepage, there are different elements of the location that look totally totally different right this moment. Within the 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 often 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 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 user experience. Right this moment, Microsoft’s web site takes a cue from Apple and facilities on its merchandise. The positioning, 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 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 exhibiting how the product may add worth for these firms. Right this 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 coloration than it initially did.

BuzzFeed was created to assist customers discover their favourite issues, together with films, music, trend, concepts, and expertise. The positioning nonetheless achieves this with a extra visible and interactive method. Right this moment, the web site balances photographs and textual content extra seamlessly, however the web site’s general really feel remains 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 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. While you go to the location right this moment, 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 vary the textual content distinction and dimension. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless appears outdated by right this moment’s requirements, it was forward of its time, with a lot of the homepage that includes visible content material. In 2022, their web site nonetheless options numerous photographs but in addition balances copy — and there is just one essential picture above the fold. The positioning’s general really feel right this moment 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?) Right this moment, Microsoft owns Skype, and the latter takes a cue from the bigger group’s appear and feel. The positioning options whitespace, wonderful 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, finally 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 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 identify, there’s not a personality on the location’s homepage. Right this moment, the location appears 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 pick your film and seize a number of 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 includes a cheeky notice 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 listing.  The model understood the significance of visible content material and ease in 2000, they usually nonetheless do right this moment. In 2022, their web site focuses extra on imagery and options much less crimson than prior 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. Right this 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 consumer expertise standpoint. 

Whereas Macy’s 2000 web site doesn’t conform to right this moment’s requirements, we respect 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 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 have 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 totally different story is instructed once 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’ll be able to count on once you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the fitting facet of the location, 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. Right this moment, in case you go to Tumblr whereas not logged in, you’ll see a mock dashboard that reveals guests what theirs may appear like in the event that they create an account. Right this moment’s Tumblr web site can also be considerably extra image-focused.

Keep 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 totally different logo and a much less modern look. In the event you go to Pinterest right this moment, you’ll be able to create an account immediately — no request needed. As well as, the platform includes a stay picture that modifications 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. Nevertheless, it does function a steadiness of photographs. We like how the font Reddit makes use of right this moment remains to be semi-nostalgic however is less complicated to learn than it has been prior to now. The positioning 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 isn’t 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 an absence 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 coloration scheme for many years. This screengrab from their web site within the 2000s is one among our favorites on this listing. It’s shockingly minimalistic and options a picture that wasn’t customary 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 contains the corporate’s hanging pink and orange colours. 

In 2000, Starbucks acquired a number of issues proper: Their menu is easy, they usually featured photographs on their web site, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins may help guarantee your content material masses shortly if in case you have a “heavy” web page so your web site avoids an identical destiny.) You’ll additionally discover their constant brand. In 2022, Starbucks effortlessly gives a pop of coloration on its web site with out overwhelming guests. The positioning options Starbucks’ signature font and contains a picture selling a latest 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 high 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 this moment. 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 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 acquired proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known color scheme. The positioning options photographs, 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 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 coloration distinction. This makes it troublesome for individuals 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 will additionally discover the location 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 crimson background and yellow textual content, which wasn’t precisely optimum for readers. Now, McDonald’s 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 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 photographs and textual content. For its time, it was an instance of a compelling web site design. Right this moment, the location adheres to trendy internet design tendencies. It has giant photographs which might be visually interesting and contains  easy copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is sort of totally different from right this moment. 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 e-mail tackle and get began. In each 2004 and 2022, the primary 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 films you’ll be able to get pleasure from with a Netflix subscription.

Within the early 2000s, there was an absence 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 a number of merchandise and promotions the corporate is at present providing. The positioning additionally options extra whitespace than prior 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 high of the location, however the font was troublesome to learn. In 2022, Right this moment, Burger King includes a impartial background and retains the concentrate on its imagery. Copy is sparse but efficient. As well as, the corporate makes use of a font that gives a pop of persona but is readable.

Take Website Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

In the event you’re looking for 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 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 return.

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