Evolution of the charity web

It’s fantastic to see a charity perspective on the development of the web (Happy Birthday to it btw!)

madlinsudn blog

Happy birthday World Wide Web! 25 today!

Using the brilliant Wayback Machine we can look at how charity websites have evolved. Using British Red Cross as an example, let’s see how charity websites have changed and what this means for the future.

Starting out – 1998

British Red Cross homepage in 1998 shows that the web standard of logo in top-left was there from the start. The site was probably hand-coded and uploaded via FTP.

• Very basic brochure-ware content.
• To make a donation, please email.
• Text-only homepage and children pages (only one level).
• ‘Click here’ links.
• No images.
• No search.
• Approx 10 pages?
• Sponsored by Vauxhall.

Increased functionality – 2006

Fast-forward eight years and the 2006 homepage leads with an appeal. Fundraising and raising awareness is now most important. There is greater awareness of design. More thought about actions and audience.

• Published using CMS.
• Images but no coherent design.
• Site-wide (top) and…

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