As we bid adieu to 2023, it’s time to take a rollercoaster ride through the exciting twists and turns that defined the year in the ever evolving website industry. From Google’s game changing updates to the unveiling of OpenAI, this year has been nothing short of revolutionary. Buckle up as we recap the wild ride of 2023!
In 2023, we witnessed several updates that sent shockwaves through the SEO landscape. The search giant continued its mission to enhance user experience, rolling out Core Web Vitals updates that kept web developers on their toes. Loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability became the new buzzwords, forcing websites to level up their performance game.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. Google’s BERT algorithm got even smarter, understanding context and nuance in search queries like never before. This meant that content creators had to up their ante, focusing on creating not just informative but contextually rich content to stay on Google’s good side. And let’s not forget the introduction of Google’s Bard, a new algorithm designed to harmonise search results with even more precision.
Additionally, the introduction of SGE (Substantial Global Economic) considerations in website design underscored the need for a global perspective in addressing economic and social issues through online platforms.
In 2023, OpenAI emerged from the shadows and into the spotlight with groundbreaking advancements in natural language processing. GPT-4, the latest iteration of OpenAI’s language model, became the talk of the town. From content creation to chatbots, GPT-4 opened up new frontiers in the way we interact with technology.
For Marketers, this meant a leap forward in crafting engaging and dynamic content. Automated content creation tools powered by OpenAI transformed the content creation landscape, allowing web developers to focus more on strategy and less on the nitty-gritty of writing. And with the update of EEAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) updates, websites had to not only be engaging but also demonstrate expertise and trustworthiness to rank higher in search results.
2023 wasn’t just about algorithms and AI; it was also a year marked by a renewed focus on user privacy. With data breaches and privacy scandals making headlines, users became more conscious of how their data was being handled. As a response, website agencies shifted towards privacy-centric design.
From implementing stricter data protection measures to transparent cookie policies, websites underwent a makeover to ensure users felt safe and secure. The importance of building trust through responsible data handling became a key theme, shaping the way websites are designed and operated.
2023 saw the rise of augmented reality in the website industry, adding a dash of innovation to the digital experience. From virtual try-ons for e-commerce sites to interactive AR elements enhancing user engagement, the possibilities seemed limitless. Website agencies began exploring ways to incorporate AR, transforming the online experience from passive scrolling to immersive exploration.
Sam, Head of web:
“This year has been exciting, with global economy challenges and the release of Open AI it has pushed us and our clients to be innovative, creative and open minded. For me personally, I have enjoyed watching the development on the SEO front with the introduction of BARD and the development of EEAT from Google, where UX is being more prioritised. The Sixtwo team are really a dream team and I look forward to seeing what next year has to bring.”
Mike, Senior Designer:
“The team has kicked on this year and we’ve got some nice projects under our collective belts, developing and tweaking our processes as we went. We’re in a great place to start 2024 with a bang!”
Lucian, Senior Developer:
“This year has been an exciting year for me, as a team, we decided to investigate new ways of building websites, using headless CMS in particular. I have worked on some great projects and the team has been amazing, all things and changes considered! Hope next year is even better!”
Lisa, Project Manager:
“This year I have had some lovely projects to work on from start to finish, it’s a great feeling to launch a website that I am personally proud of, and our client is happy. I’ve enjoyed learning how to get the best out of Chat GBT and am interested to see what next year will bring in this area.”
Dan, Developer:
“I have really enjoyed this year because of the variety of jobs that I have got to work on. I have had the opportunity to work on a couple of really interesting projects and build some really elegant elements that I hadn’t done before. I have used the available time to educate myself further on the technologies we use at Sixtwo and looked for possible improvements for future projects. The whole team has worked so well together this past year and I look forward to seeing what we produce next year.”
Other clients include Local London, Dorset Biz News, Becket Chambers, Social Gaming Group, Houston PR, Contigo and many more.
This year we wanted to really focus on providing clients and readers with content that would help them optimise and grow their websites and online presence into success.
Here’s to another year of pushing boundaries, sparking creativity, and transforming the digital landscape! Cheers to 2023 – a year that kept us on our toes and left us eagerly anticipating what comes next!
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