5 Ways Web Design has Changed in 10 Years

Many things have happened over the last 10 years of web design, which means if you’re using the same design you had a decade ago, it’s time for an overhaul. But congratulations on being ahead of the curve and having a website 10 years ago! Nonetheless, having an up-to-date website is essential for keeping your business afloat.

(Pixabay / onlineCup)

Few things show their age as much as the tech world. Ten years ago, websites were clunky and cluttery. Today, integrations and new programs have altered the web design landscape completely.

Here’s a closer look at key changes from the past decade that affect web design today.

1. Better HTML – Website structure was very simple and limited 10 years ago. HTML often resulted in problems with aesthetics. Today, HTML5 is the predominant version of the HTML standard and is much more user-friendly and engaging.
2. Proliferation of web fonts – A decade ago, Arial and Times New Roman were the popular fonts, and with them came very few variations. From the simpler times to today, thousands of fonts have become available, and more are in the production pipeline each day.
3. Replacements for GIF images – For many years, GIF had been the dominant format for images on websites. While it still is the dominant image for social media sharing due to it’s animation abilities, today, there are better alternatives for higher-quality image display on websites.
4. Social media bonanza – There were few players in the social media world 10 years ago, but today you will find a vast assortment of social media platforms. Social media is booming, and the business world has realized that social media engagement is critical to survival. Successful web design today incorporates social media elements.
5. Search engine-influenced website designs – Search engine optimization has continued to be of the utmost importance, though search engine algorithms have changed. The most effective website designs today take into account up-to-date algorithms in order to rank high.

Looking back over websites and other online technology of 10 years ago, it’s hard to believe how far the tech world has come in such a short time. Using the past decade’s growth as the standard, it’s safe to say that many more changes will occur in website design over the next 10 years. The future is bright with new features on the horizon, including voice activation, real-time updates, and less-text websites.