It’s no secret that web site design tendencies (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 web site is so vital. 

With the assistance of the Wayback Machine, we will see what our favourite web sites appeared like in years previous.  Whether or not you’re planning a web site redesign and will use some inspiration, otherwise you’d take pleasure in 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 solely totally different at present. Within the Nineteen Nineties, Google had distinctive choices beneath the search bar. At present, the corporate leans into making a personalised homepage for customers by bookmarking their often 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 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 present, 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 positioning balances visuals with textual content. The corporate branding additionally now 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 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 corporations. At present, 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 know-how. The positioning nonetheless achieves this with a extra visible and interactive method. At present, 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 america, Al Gore was Vice President, and the White Home’s web site had a really totally 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 at present, 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 measurement. 

Although TED’s 2003 web site nonetheless seems to be outdated by at present’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 varied photographs but in addition balances copy — and there is just one primary picture above the fold. The positioning’s general really feel at present 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 present, Microsoft owns Skype, and the latter takes a cue from the bigger group’s feel and look. The positioning options whitespace, glorious visible hierarchy, and affords 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 now not a personality on the positioning’s homepage. At present, the positioning seems to be rather more like a information or publication web site than a platform to ask questions and get fast solutions.

Bear in mind the great outdated days of going to Blockbuster to pick 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. At present, Blockbuster’s web site is out of fee — and encompasses a cheeky word 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 checklist.  The model understood the significance of visible content material and ease in 2000, they usually nonetheless do at present. In 2022, their web site focuses extra on imagery and options much less pink than previously, nevertheless 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 encompasses 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 consumer expertise standpoint. 

Whereas Macy’s 2000 web site doesn’t conform to at present’s requirements, we recognize how cohesive the colours are. Curiously, merchandise aren’t on the forefront of Macy’s nostalgic web site. At present, nonetheless, the Macy’s web site tells a particularly totally 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 present, Amazon’s menu seems on the highest of the web page, and the positioning appears considerably much less overwhelming even supposing it nonetheless advertises varied merchandise. 

In 1999, Yahoo’s web site centered primarily on textual content and featured no imagery. At present, a really totally different story is informed if 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 possibly can anticipate if you learn the piece. We’re additionally a fan of the trending column on the best facet of the positioning, because it makes it simple for customers to grasp 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 appear like in the event that they create an account. At present’s Tumblr web site can also be considerably extra image-focused.

Bear in mind when Pinterest was invite-only? As you possibly can see from the screengrab of the 2010 Pinterest web site, the platform had a very totally different brand and a much less modern look. In case you go to Pinterest at present, you possibly can create an account immediately — no request vital. As well as, the platform encompasses a reside picture that adjustments but hundreds rapidly. The copy is straightforward but compelling.

In 2005, Reddit was all about textual content. Reddit remains to be extra text-focused than most trendy websites. Nonetheless, it does characteristic a stability of photographs. We like how the font Reddit makes use of at present remains to be semi-nostalgic however is simpler to learn than it has been previously. The positioning can also 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 pictures took a very long time to load — in the event that they did. There’s additionally an absence of visible hierarchy, so it’s tough for guests to resolve 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 coloration scheme for many years. This screengrab from their web site within the 2000s is one in every of our favorites on this checklist. 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 bought just a few issues proper: Their menu is simple, they usually featured photographs on their web site, although they didn’t load. (Psst: These plugins may also help guarantee your content material hundreds rapidly in case you 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 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 wish to name out Starbucks’ sparse but efficient navigation on the prime 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 at present. As well as, it had a greater visible hierarchy than a few of the different examples we’ve investigated. Just like Dunkin’, one factor that Walmart does extremely properly is translating its well-known coloration 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 bought proper in 2004. For one, the model used its well-known coloration 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 positioning encompasses 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 simple. The New York Occasions scores main factors as a result of its 2022 web site resembles a newspaper. It options visible hierarchy, balances photographs with copy properly, 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 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 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 web site is minimalist. It options few colours except for 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 stability of photographs and textual content. For its time, it was an instance of a compelling web site design. At present, the positioning adheres to trendy net design tendencies. It has giant photographs which can be visually interesting and contains  easy copy. 

In 2005, Netflix featured an image-focused homepage, which is kind of totally different from at present. 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 films you possibly can take pleasure in with a Netflix subscription.

Within the early 2000s, there was an absence of hierarchy on eBay’s web site, which made it tough for guests to grasp 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 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 characteristic a main picture on their web site. The menu was additionally on the prime of the positioning, however the font was tough to learn. In 2022, At present, Burger King encompasses 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 persona but is readable.

Take Website Redesign Inspiration from These Nostalgic Web sites

In case you’re in search of inspiration in 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 word: This put up was initially revealed in April 2014 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.