The period when website designs had originated does not lie far behind in terms of age, but when we speak of advancement, today’s web designs have left its predecessors far back in terms of complexity, user friendly features and appearance. Today websites have become a major means of communication and marketing of almost all official and non-official organizations and general public.
The past
In 1989, Sir Tim Berners-Lee wrote a proposal about some software and database for a more elaborate, convenient system of managing information which later became the World Wide Web. In 1991, he developed the first web page which contained information about W3. This web page had some hyperlinks which directed to another page with more elaborate information. The web pages were written using HTML markup language in plain text. That was the beginning after which the development procedure has never looked back.
World Wide Web Consortium was formed in 1994 which controls standards for programming and markup languages for websites. Earlier versions of HTML enabled only text formatting and later versions started adding up pictures and then introduced tables. From 1996, till 2000, the web layout devices, Scripting languages and Flash animations were introduced: these applications gradually changed the whole appearance of the websites.
The present
In past, the main purpose for website designs was simply a part of increasing business or mere sharing information. Older appearance and function of websites reflect more emphasis on providing company details which left hardly any scope for viewers to express opinion. Now the designers have realized that the only way of popularizing websites is to make them more interactive. Presently this is a basic aspect for designing websites.
The emergence of latest versions of Adobe Flash player and other advanced multimedia tools have changed the appearance of websites drastically. The Adobe Shockwave, CSS designs and now 3D designing tools are incorporating audio visual effects and advanced graphics to orient the contents in order to increase traffic in websites.
The future
The modern website designs are at the top of those technologies which are under rapid change leading to a future age of internet revolution. The recent trend of making websites more user friendly and interactive has become the driving force for developing tools and techniques to innovate improved features for similar purpose. Latest success stories of YouTube, LinkedIn, FaceBook, Twitter etc. are sharing the same experience. These websites are expanding everyday by accumulating and updating user delivered contents. The concept of social networking websites which feature options to participate and share views, live interaction among users are showing the path for future development of websites.
Hence viewer generated content will be the key of future software designs. They are expected to appear more user friendly, interactive which will ultimately increase traffic flow and improve trading of the company.