How Far We’ve Come: Looking Back at 3 Iconic Companies’ Websites

Back in 1996, when companies were first starting to bother with having websites built, the web was still in its infancy.  They put the bare minimum of effort and information into them since people weren’t yet using the internet as a main source of information, and the technology that makes websites so much more vibrant and interesting today simply wasn’t available.  Even companies whose services revolved around computers and the internet had ugly websites.  Apple, IBM and Yahoo are three iconic companies whose websites started out less than great.  Here’s a look back at their websites in 1996-1997, compared to today.  Want to check out more? Type any web address into Archive.org’s search box and see how it evolved over the years.

IBM

1996

2008

IBM’s 1996 website looks like it was put together by a bored teenager with minimal web publishing experience. It’s left-justified, its grainy icons have the old ugly blue borders, and it utilizes the simplest of html code.  Its white background, horizontal rule and limited content betray the year it was created, though sadly, a cursory look around the internet today will show you that some people still haven’t learned anything in the last decade.

What changed? Virtually everything.  IBM has clearly gone Web 2.0 in terms of its layout and content. It reflects the fact that today’s internet browsers use the internet as a major source of information, and provides organized sets of links to internal content along with a large, eye-catching central graphic.  While it’s still not fantastic, it’s certainly a step up.

Yahoo

1996

2008

When Yahoo debuted in 1994, it was a bare-bones website with a single purpose: to help people find stuff on the web.  Two years later, in 1996, it was certainly no-frills, with nothing but a header, search box, top menu and category list.  It’s pretty much as basic as can be, and at the time, that was all that was needed.

What changed? Surprisingly, not too much – on the surface.  Of course, it looks far more polished, and there are far more categories to choose from (oh, how the web has grown).  Aesthetically, Yahoo’s website has maintained a fairly crisp, straightforward look that stays true to its main purpose as a directory.  Of course, Yahoo now offers far more than just a web directory; it now has email, shopping, news, weather, horoscopes, jobs, music, personals and more.  They’ve managed to keep it all organized despite the site’s massive growth, however.

Apple

1997

2008

While Apple’s 1997 website was indeed ugly, it was still ahead of the curve – see IBM above.  They actually bothered with things like a left menu, tables, gradients and watermarks.  Though basic, it’s testament to the fact that Apple has always been a bit more advanced than its competition.

What changed? Plenty. Still crisp and to the point, the home page of Apple.com acts as a virtual billboard for its latest products, showing the iPhone 3G in brilliant detail and color. It still offers lots of content, accessible by a slick and simple top menu bar.  Apple’s 2008 website shows that less can be more on the web, if you do it right.