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.

Web-Design-History-Timeline-Infographic

Infographic presented by Web Design Degree Center, (design by NowSourcing)