If you were asked to describe what a website looked like two decades ago, you’d likely recall a crude layout, minimal images, and text-heavy pages within clunky frames. Fast forward to today, and we’re navigating an immersive digital landscape where aesthetics meets functionality, and creativity blends seamlessly with cutting-edge technology.
At Priodev, we’ve had the privilege to not only witness but contribute to this evolution. From the rudimentary days of basic HTML to the dynamic era of responsive, app-like websites, the world of website design and development has been a thrilling rollercoaster. This post takes a wistful yet insightful look at the key milestones over the last 20 years, showing how far we’ve come and what we’ve learnt in this perpetual quest for digital excellence.
The Early Days of Web Design: Print Roots and Static Pages
Back in the 1990s, web design was an offshoot of print design. For many designers, the web was an unexplored territory, and their approach reflected this. Fonts, layouts, and graphics were all inspired by print, and display screens were simply treated as a static page. Coding was almost entirely HTML-based, which severely restricted creativity.
Designing for the web felt experimental, to say the least. With no understanding of UX (user experience) and the internet functioning largely as a directory of information, designers focused primarily on aesthetics over usability or functionality.
However, the eventual introduction of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) in the late 1990s began breaking these barriers. Websites using CSS could separate design and content, offering more flexibility and structure than HTML tables. It was a turning point. Designers could finally break free from some of the aesthetic constraints of coding, laying the groundwork for a new era.
The Introduction of CSS3 and HTML5
Fast forward to the early 2000s, and two technologies sparked a renaissance in web development—CSS3 and HTML5. These significantly upgraded the design capabilities of websites. Suddenly, websites could look and behave in ways that were impossible before.
CSS3 introduced features like animations, layered backgrounds, and gradients, enriching the visual experience. HTML5, meanwhile, enabled embedded video and audio, greater interactivity, and faster loading times. Together, they opened the door for more dynamic and user-friendly websites.
Design and development began converging at this time. The complexity of what could now be built meant that designers increasingly needed to understand development architecture. While aesthetics still mattered, the experience of using a website had firmly entered the conversation.
Mid-2000s and the Rise of JavaScript Frameworks
The web’s immersive potential grew exponentially in the mid-2000s with the rise of JavaScript frameworks such as jQuery, AngularJS, React, and later Vue.js. At Priodev, this period was nothing short of exhilarating. JavaScript frameworks allowed us to build interfaces that people could truly interact with. We were no longer simply creating websites; we were designing highly functional platforms that could perform tasks, enhance engagement, and even mimic native applications.
React, now one of the most popular JavaScript libraries, introduced component-based architecture, making development faster and more efficient. This marked a shift from static websites to dynamic, user-driven platforms—pioneering today’s web application era.
While this presented exciting opportunities, it also meant the development landscape was growing more complex by the day. More specialists were required than before—frontend devs, backend experts, and designers fluent in the possibilities of code.
The Growth of E-commerce Platforms
One of the most significant drivers of the web’s evolution has been the rise of e-commerce. Online retail blew open the internet’s commercial potential, and platforms like Shopify and Magento democratised access to selling online.
Before e-commerce platforms, selling online was a monumental task reserved primarily for large companies with extensive budgets. But with these solutions, small businesses could suddenly launch and maintain professional stores without spending a fortune.
This shift created a challenge for web designers as well. Websites now had to handle complex features like shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and personalised product recommendations. Designing e-commerce websites became its own specialism—one requiring not just aesthetic skill, but also a deep understanding of usability, conversion optimisation, and scalable architecture.
The 2010s and the Rise of Responsive Design
By the 2010s, a seismic change hit the industry that would forever alter the way websites were built—the rise of responsive design. With smartphones becoming ubiquitous, mobile usage skyrocketed, forcing designers and developers to rethink the concept of a website.
Responsive design introduced the idea that websites could (and should) dynamically adjust to look and function seamlessly on any screen size. No more pinching and zooming to read text or accidentally clicking the wrong link due to a crowded screen.
Suddenly, we were designing for mobile-first. Mobile usage overtook desktop browsing, and developers had to prioritise websites that worked beautifully on smartphones before thinking about larger screens.
Learning the Lesson
Responsive functionality required collaboration and expertise. Piecemeal approaches wouldn’t work anymore—a cohesive strategy was necessary. These challenges steered clients towards companies like Priodev, where we could combine design and development harmoniously to craft stellar websites.
Where Design Meets Functionality Today
Fast forward to today, and the industry has matured considerably. A website today isn’t just about looking pretty—it’s about achieving specific goals, whether that’s selling a product, building a brand, or sharing information in an engaging, memorable way.
Designers and developers now collaborate closely, with UX/UI and front-end development often overlapping. Add to this the importance of SEO, accessibility (ensuring sites are usable for disabled audiences), and even performance optimisation, and the world of web design has never been more specialised.
Toolsets have also evolved, with platforms like Webflow and Figma making collaboration between teams smoother than we could’ve imagined 20 years ago. Yet, even as tools improve, the core idea remains unchanged—we’re always striving to balance functionality with creativity.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, trends like AI and virtual reality are poised to redefine what’s possible in this space. Machine learning algorithms are already helping developers predict user behaviour, while VR could usher in fully interactive digital experiences.
But for all the excitement new tech brings, one truth remains timeless—websites are made for people. We design and develop because we want to create meaningful connections in a digital world.
Partnering with Experience in an Ever-Evolving Landscape
At Priodev, we don’t just have the benefit of experience; we’ve carried the lessons of the past into every new project we take on. The web may have transformed before our eyes, but what hasn’t changed is our dedication to crafting websites that work beautifully, intuitively, and effectively.
Whether you’re looking to build your first site, redesign an outdated one, or incorporate the latest features into your existing platform, we’re always learning and innovating—ready to help you take the next step in your digital story.