Insights
21 years in digital
We recently celebrated our 21st birthday, and it’s fair to say that the transformation within the digital sector in that time has been colossal. We take some time to reflect on how the landscape and our business has changed since 1999.
We still remember the launch of WordPress as a simple blogging platform, which has now evolved into one of the most popular CMS systems on the market. The rise of the top social media platforms which are now an integrated part of current digital marketing strategies. And who can forget the infamous Google updates Panda, Penguin, and Mobilegeddon, that helped shape the Google experience we know today. Take a look at an interesting article from Search Engine Journal ‘History of Google Algorithm Updates’ which covers these in more detail.
The advances of the digital industry have significantly shaped the websites we have created over the years. This is true for many of the most well-known brands such as Amazon, who have gone through an incredible digital transformation over the years. Version Museum shares some great insights into the Amazon digital journey, as well as some other top brands. Definitely worth a look!
So, travel with us from 1999 back to the present, as we nostalgically explore how digital has changed over the last 21 years. Where were you when these milestones happened? Do you remember them? Did you have to implement them? Or maybe you were part of creating the technology!
1999
We originally launched as ‘Round your way’ and specialised in creating community websites.
First website launched for Sharman Knowles Architects.
The potential threat of the millennium bug caused havoc globally.
2000
Ellie Davison – Accessibility Expert joined the team and is still the longest-serving team member (apart from Founder Jill!).
Smartphones connected to the internet for the first time changing internet browsing behavior forever.
Google AdWords launches to provide a new online advertising platform.
2003
WordPress launches as a simplistic blogging platform which now powers 35% of the internet.
LinkedIn professional social network launches. Created in the living room of co-founder Reid Hoffman.
Skype launched introducing video and wifi calling for the first time.
2004
Web 2.0 launched to encourage user-generated content and virtual communities.
Facebook social media platform launches with the original aim to connect Harvard students through an online community.
MapReduce programming model introduced & big data market was born.
2005
YouTube video sharing platform launches now with 2 billion monthly users spending an average of 11m 24s per day on YouTube.
Internet surpassed 1 billion users for the first time. Now at 4.13 billion (as of 2020).
2006
First apprentice Luke McDonald joined the team.
Accessible website launched for blind charity Screen Reader.
Moved to UKFast hosting.
2007
Moved offices to Valley Court.
Developed an ‘accessible’ CMS for visually impaired website administrators.
Installed our first VOIP phones.
Yoast SEO plug-in, formerly WordPress SEO launches which has grown to 5 million active installations.
Twitter social media platform launches with differing views on how it was founded.
2008
HTML5 released in public-facing form.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines published (WCAG) 2.0 to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities.
Google launches voice search app.
2009
Became a Business Link Supplier.
Moved to Rackspace hosting.
2010
Social media platforms Pinterest and Instagram launch.
Bringing the rise of the image-sharing social media platforms.
Responsive web design introduced.
The Apple iPad is released for the first time.
2011
Ricky Clarke, front-end developer joined the team as the second apprentice.
First member organisation site for the Chamber of Commerce launched.
Client Old Bridge won The Hunts Post Business award for best website.
Google Panda update released to penalise duplicate, plagiarised, or thin content.
Microsoft Office 365 launches to give a full business email solution.
Snapchat instant sharing social media platform launches.
2012
Gifted the Sailing Trust website for Ellie’s 10th anniversary present & enjoyed a weekend at sea.
UK commercial partner in a joint EU project ALICE to create a vision app for blind and visually impaired.
Google Penguin update released to reduce spammy or irrelevant links.
2013
Completed first Salesforce integration project for Trademark Eagle.
Three more membership organisation websites delivered.
Delivered new East Anglian Air Ambulance website.
2015
Won the Cambs District Pride Award for Businesses Developing Talent for apprenticeship.
Third apprentice Carl Taylor joined the team to grow Digital Marketing Team.
Google introduce machine learning RankBrain to determine the most relevant results to search engine queries.
Google launches mobilegeddon update to favour mobile optimised sites.
2017
Google introduces mobile-first indexing.
To rank sites based on their mobile experience.
Artificial intelligence goes mobile with the introduction of ‘in-built’ AI.
TikTok video sharing social media platform launches.
5G was first introduced.
2018
GDPR data regulations became enforceable causing a data frenzy.
AI (artificial intelligence) made big leaps in 2018 & claimed by Google to be “one of the most important things humanity is working on”.
2019
Joined Amazon Web Service Partner Network to leverage services for clients.
Team punting trip in Cambridge.
First, there was Microsoft adCenter. Then there was Bing Ads. Now there is Microsoft Advertising.
Google introduces mobile-first indexing as default for all new websites and rebrands Google Adwords to Google Ads.
2020
Moved to HubSpot CRM and marketing platform & became certified partner.
3 new digital experts join the team.
Working from home is the new normal with Covid-19.
Phase out plan of Internet Explorer (IE) and legacy Edge revealed.
