For many people, it’s hard to believe that websites haven’t been around forever. There are millions of them out there and we rely on them for all sorts of activities, from banking and ordering groceries to keeping in touch with friends. However, in actual fact, none of them existed 30 years ago. The very first website went live in 1991, with 10 more following the year after. If you’re wondering what was the first website, keep reading.
The World Wide Web project
The first website went live in August 1991 and was dedicated to the information on the World Wide Web project. A man called Tim Berners-Lee made the site, hosting it on his NeXT computer located in the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN. The site’s address was http://info.cern.ch/hypertext/WWW/TheProject.html and it detailed how to create webpages as well as explaining more about hypertext. The website might appear rather basic in contrast to those around these days. However, it was ground-breaking at the time and represented the birth of the World Wide Web as we know it today.
The birth of the World Wide Web
Berners-Lee’s first web page represented the beginning of the World Wide Web. As we know, it’s advanced quite significantly since then. By 1992 there were 10 websites and two years later there were as many as 3000. By the time Google began in 1996, there were 2 million. As of June 2021, there are a staggering 1.86 billion websites.
Many people are fascinated to know what was the first website and they are often shocked to learn that the first website was actually lost. This is because the computer scientists responsible for the site at the time didn’t archive it. Berners-Lee claimed this was because they were so concerned with trying to convince everyone about the benefits of the internet, that they didn’t keep track of it. Fortunately, the site was restored in 2013 and can now be viewed at its original URL. Of course, we all now know how important it is to back up our work!
How web design has changed over the years 
If you’ve checked out the first website, you’ll no doubt be struck by its basic design. Naturally, the web has changed dramatically since then, with rapid changes in tools and technologies transforming the way websites look. For a start, websites were once primarily made up of text and links. There was very little integration of images or other design elements. However, fast forward a couple of decades and websites use a wide range of elements in their design, making them look and function optimally.
Since web design is still advancing and will continue to do so long into the future, it’s vital that website owners update their sites regularly to ensure they keep up with changing trends. Whilst websites are still largely content-centred, they have drastically improved stylistically.
The importance of updating your website regularly
When you consider how far web design has come since the very first website in 1991, it’s clear that you need to be updating your website continually to keep up with style changes. In doing so, you can improve user experience and increase conversions, helping your business to grow. With so many websites out there for people to choose from, it’s vital to ensure that yours ticks all the boxes for your visitors.
If you have an e-commerce website that was built several years ago, you might think it’s enough to update your product listings every so often. However, this isn’t sufficient. In a highly competitive online market where consumers have almost infinite choice, it’s crucial that it’s keeping up with the times in regards to both looks and functionality. Neglecting to update your website could mean that your customers go to your competitors instead, leading to lost business.
Follow the latest design trends
Whilst you might think that ‘old school’ is cool, it’s likely to do you more harm than good online. You need to keep abreast of the latest design trends if you want to keep hold of your customers. Whilst some web design trends don’t last, others can become essential assets for a website. Some of the latest design trends in 2021 include parallax animation, metamorphism, and scrolling transformations. To find out how to utilise web design trends to your advantage, talk to an experienced website designer in Doncaster. When executed correctly, web design techniques can get you new customers, helping to drive your business forward.
Professional website design in Doncaster
Whilst you may be able to make some changes to your website yourself, most will require the skills of an experienced web designer who has expert knowledge of the latest trends. For website design in Doncaster or the surrounding areas, contact jask Media. We’ve been designing beautiful websites for many years, helping businesses in all industries to succeed online.
Knowing what changes to make to your website to improve its conversion rate can be tough. However, when you work with us, we’ll provide specialist advice to meet your needs. Jask Media is one of the leading web design companies in Doncaster, serving businesses of all sizes for several decades. This ensures that we have a fantastic reputation throughout the region for our professional and affordable services.
Contact us
Changing the design of your website every few years can help to improve its conversion rate, helping your business to grow. For professional website design in Doncaster, look no further than jask Media. Call us on 01302 969019 to discuss your requirements or arrange a free consultation with an experienced web designer in your area. Alternatively, you can send us a message via our website and we’ll get back to you right away.