Changes in web design since the 90s.
Web design is a very young industry, but having developed so fast you can be excused for not keeping up.
In the beginning there was the word, and the word was Yahoo. The word was also Lycos to an extent. Back at the dawn these two websites were the major players and now one is on the brink of bankruptcy. Why? Google. I love Google me.
Google speaks volumes about how the internet has developed. The way I’ve seen it happen is this:
- Websites begin – companies pick up on this “internet” thing and the first websites are made. If your company has a website you’re roaming with the big dogs.
- Websites grow – companies like Yahoo create portal websites with all the information you could possibly need. Company websites become complex labyrinths of information and technical applications – people think Google is “basic” and opt out of using it.
- Websites are designed – websites aren’t just for the big boys and most companies start to have websites made. I was 15 and probably getting more fresh enquiries than I do now. Flash becomes popular and people over-design websites resulting in animated websites that look like your average chav’s saxo. People start using Google because you can search without having to read the news.
- People are getting sick of complexity and over-decoration. Websites are becoming simple, to the point places where information is easily accessed and the number of pages on you average site is reduced. Google pretty much own the search market. People love its simplicity and minimalism.
So now you can see where the 'net has been and where it’s going. Next time you’re looking at your own site, stop and think about how easy your info is to get to – is your navigation simply laid out? Or are you scatter bombing your users in the hope the link they end up picking is the one they want?
Submitted 22th September 2009
