When Sagentic Web Design built it's first website in 2003, the world of web design was in a very different place compared to today. At that time, the majority of websites were built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The use of flash was also quite popular, with many websites incorporating flash animations and interactive elements.
The design of websites was heavily influenced by the limitations of the technology available at the time, with most websites doing whatever got the most attention when a user landed on the page. There wasn't a standard for best practices and the web was pretty wild.
In terms of design trends, websites in 2003 tended to have a lot of text, small images, and were often cluttered with information. The use of tables and frames was common, as it was one of the ways to create a layout for the website. The color schemes were often bright and contrasting, with the use of gradients and shadows being popular.
In those early days, clients often asked us for Adobe Flash elements and animated gifs like a dancing Jesus or a waving American flag. While we discouraged them from doing that then, now we don't have to worry about it. Best Practices for Web Design have now clearly emerged, and we at Sagentic Web Design follow them.
The Wayback Machine
Have you ever wondered what a website used to look like in the early days (or even last year)? Try The Wayback Machine from Internet Archive. With The Wayback Machine website, users can easily access historical snapshots of websites. To do so, simply enter the website name in the site's search engine and choose from the hyperlinked dates and times to view the archived version of the site.
It was first introduced in 2001 as a way to capture and archive website content that has changed or been removed. With its popularity, the Wayback Machine has become a well-known site on the web and was named after the time-traveling device in the 1960s animated series, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
Although the Wayback Machine was made available to the public in October 2001, it began archiving web pages as early as May 1996. Prior to 2001, the information stored on digital tapes was only accessible to a limited number of scientists and researchers. When it finally became available to the public five years later, it had already accumulated over 10 billion archived pages.
Web Design in 2003
The need for content management systems (CMS) grew as it allowed for dynamic design and easy content updates. In 2003, WordPress was launched as an open-source blogging platform and many other Content Management Systems (CMS) have been developed since, including our own custom CMS that powers the content for our websites..
The rise of social media and online connection marked a new era in web design. MySpace and Facebook, launched in 2003 and 2004 respectively, set the stage for self-expression and online connection, leading to a growing market for website graphics, images, and ads. Social media's evolution also tied business success to successful social media campaigns.
The beginning of the 2000s saw a surge in technology advancements, including increased broadband speeds and improved software and hardware. By 2003, over 50% of Internet users were accessing the web on 32-bit hardware, capable of displaying over 16,000 colors.
During this time, most users also upgraded their screen resolutions from 800 x 600 to 1024 x 768, leading to larger screens and more dynamic designs.
At this time, Flash was gaining popularity and animated landing pages were becoming common, which could test the patience of users. The emphasis on website structure led to more attention being given to menus, navigation, and page hierarchy.
One trend from this era was the excessive use of shadows and 3D bevels on menu items and buttons, influenced by the newly available effects in graphics programs such as Macromedia Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop.
Web Design as of 2023
Fast forward to today, the world of web design has evolved significantly. With the development of new technologies and the rise of mobile devices, the way in which we interact with the web has changed. Responsive design, which adapts the layout of a website to the device it is being viewed on, has become the norm.
In terms of design trends, minimalism is now the norm. Websites are designed with a focus on simplicity, fast-loading, with clean and uncluttered layouts that prioritize content and user experience. The use of large background images and videos, parallax scrolling, and animations has become popular.
The use of typography, flat design and micro-interactions, and the use of whitespace, all play a role in user interface and user experience. Accessibility is also considered an important aspect of web design, with many websites being built to be accessible to users with disabilities. Having a properly designed accessible website is a major benefit of working with a professional web design firm like Sagentic Web Design
Over the years, advancements in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript have paved the way for more sophisticated and complex websites, especially with the integration of mobile devices and apps. At the same time, there's a growing emphasis on user experience, content strategy, and search engine optimization, leading to websites with simple graphics, flat design, seamlessly blended typography, large images, and single-page structures.
The evolution of websites and web design can be seen as a back and forth between content and presentation. Initially, content was king, but this was followed by a period where designers indulged in Flash and tables, only to turn back towards prioritizing content again. Today, web design has found a balance between content and design, and is poised for future advancements.
Gone are the days of overloading websites with animations, colors, shapes, textures, and excessive text. Instead, minimalism has emerged as the preferred approach in web design, with clean, straightforward designs that are well-organized, calming, and clearly communicate the website's purpose.
As the digital world continues to expand, the future of web design is driven by the rise of mobile, progressive web apps, and headless CMS, promising rich and functional digital experiences across multiple devices and channels.
20 Years of Web Development with Sagentic Web Design
Sagentic Web Design is proud to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2023! In 2003, husband and wife team Erica and Kenny Haferkamp started Sagentic Web Design after both finishing their service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Over the past two decades, they have built their business clientele into fully managing the online presence of more than 100 businesses and organizations. As we reflect on the past two decades, it is clear that a lot has changed in the world of web design.
From the early days of HTML and CSS, to the development of responsive design and webfonts, Sagentic Web Design has been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge websites for its clients. Through the years, Sagentic Web Design has been dedicated to providing the best service and digital solutions to its clients, helping them to grow their online presence and achieve their business goals.
We are excited to continue to provide high-quality web design services to our clients in the years to come.
The world of web design has changed significantly since 2003. With the constant evolution of technology, it's exciting to see how web design will continue to evolve in the future. Sagentic Web Design is highly adaptive and keeps up with the latest trends and requirements for successful websites.