Web design has been in a state of constant evolution since 1996. New technologies have encouraged changes in web standards, and the way developers design and code websites. Here’s a graphical representation of the major trends over the past 17 years.
Beginning of 1996
- People used dial-up Internet access with speeds of 28.8Kbps to 33.6Kbps. Later, the 56Kbps modems came onto the scene.
- Screen resolution was a whopping 640px by 480px.
- There were only 100,000 websites on the Internet.
- HTML 2.0 was published and web standards were born.
- Table layouts were widely used and CSS browser support was sketchy.
Beginning of 2013
- Average screen resolution width is 1366px.
- HTML4 and CSS3 are driving web standards, layout design, and functionality.
- Tablet and handheld devices are becoming more widely supported.
There are several factors that continue to drive web design and development in new directions. Innovation in technology, improved browser/web standards, and a continuous stream of content play their part.
Infographic presented by Web Design Degree Center, (design by NowSourcing)