The internet was in its infancy when ARTEMIA was founded in 1995. In the decades since, we’ve seen constant, rapid evolution. The term “Web 3.0” has become increasingly popular in the last year, but what does it mean for your business?

In this article, we’ll explore how the internet became what it is now, as well as what is coming next and how it will affect your company — from advertising to supply chain management.

A Brief History of World Wide Web 1.0

The very first iteration of the internet was created in the 60s, strictly for military use. Things began to shift in the late 80s. In 1989 while working at CERN, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web to allow scientists around the world to share data. He went on to create the first browser and in 1991, the first web page went live and in 1993, the organization placed the Web into the public domain.

For decades, 1995 has been considered a pivotal year in Internet History. When 1994 came to a close, there were about 2,500 web servers — in 1995, over 700 new servers went online each day and by the end of the year, there were nearly 75,000. The web was mentioned in The New York Times, Microsoft launched Internet Explorer, the White House got a website and the OJ Simpson trial was widely reported on, and speculated about, online.

This iteration of the internet is now referred to as Web 1.0 and was incredibly limited. Pages were static and designs were driven by frames and tables.

Web 2.0: The internet gets an upgrade

The concept for Web 2.0 was created in the late 90s, however, it was in 2004 that it took hold after being introduced at the Web 2.0 summit in San Francisco. Unlike the previous version, Web 2.0 put an emphasis on user-created content, and brought features like social media, image and video sharing, apps and keywords.

This is the internet that has become deeply ingrained in our lives, but now many are looking toward what is next for the World Wide Web.

What is Web 3.0 and how is it different?

At the moment, there is not an agreed-upon definition for Web 3.0 but decentralization is at the core of the concept. Since the beginning, users have been reliant on centralized systems to utilize search engines, social media and e-commerce, among other things.

Proponents of Web 3.0 say it will put users in control of their data and interactions by eliminating the need for intermediaries and third-party approval. This decentralization allows for more secure data storage as well as increased transparency and accessibility.

How Web 3.0 will impact your company

Supply Chain Management

Web 3.0 will impact supply chain management in a few key ways. First, it makes it easier for businesses to collaborate with each other, as well as with their customers. This will allow for more efficient supply chains, as well as more transparency and accountability.

Second, it will enable new applications that can help businesses track and manage their supply chains more effectively. These applications will make it easier to identify bottlenecks, optimize routes, and manage inventory.

Finally, it will provide a wealth of data that can be used to improve supply chain operations. This data can be used to better understand customer needs, forecast demand, and improve planning and execution.

Customer Relations

As mentioned above, a shift from centralized to decentralized data storage will create significantly more transparency. However, this means that businesses will no longer be able to control the flow of information – instead, customers will have direct access to the data they need. This could radically change the way businesses interact with customers, as customer support will no longer be controlled by a single company.

Web 3.0 advocates say it will allow businesses to build decentralized customer support systems, which could lead to better customer service and more satisfied customers overall.

Employee Engagement

Decentralized data storage helps increase data security, as well as searchability and accessibility, simplifying the jobs of employees without creating vulnerabilities. In addition, Web 3.0 will also make it easier for companies to develop new applications and services. As a result, Web 3.0 will ultimately benefit both businesses and their employees by making work more flexible and efficient.

Advertising

Decentralization also means businesses will no longer be able to rely on cookies and tracking data to target advertisements. Additionally, if the existing NFT space is any indication, Web 3.0 will push virtual assets further into the mainstream. This means brands and content creators will need to be prepared to adapt quickly to new trends and technology, something many businesses have struggled with for decades.

In Conclusion

Web 3.0 will disrupt business around the globe, and companies need to find new ways to reach their audiences soon, rather than later. Our experts can help you develop and execute robust campaigns strategic communications, PR and marketing campaigns to ensure your company isn’t left behind as we enter a new era of the world wide web.

Our team has supported the needs of our clients through the web’s most pivotal (and challenging) moments as it evolved into what we use today. We’re prepared to do the same for you, as we move closer to the internet of tomorrow. 

To learn more, give us a call at 415-351-2227 or send an email to kamie@artemia.com.