About 4.95 billion people worldwide – or 62.5% of the global population – actively use the World Wide Web (WWW), simply known as the web. However, most of them aren't aware of the version of the web they are using, let alone the definition of Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. 

While some current internet users have experience with Web 1.0, many are only familiar with Web 2.0. Additionally, most don't know about the web of the future: Web 3.0. 

Businesses have benefited tremendously from the web, but many don't know how it works. Understanding how the World Wide Web works can give your online business an edge over the competition. Here is a comprehensive overview of the three versions of the web and what each has to offer. 

Overview of Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 

You may think of Web 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 as the past, present, and future of the World Wide Web. Web 1.0 was the first phase and foundation of the web's revolution and has been dubbed a “read-only” web for reasons discussed later. Web 2.0 is the current version of the web, which users also call a “read-write” web, while Web 3.0 has been dubbed a “read-write-execute” web. 

History of the World Wide Web

As explained, Web 1.0 is the first version of the World Wide Web. Tim Berners-Lee, a computer scientist at CERN, created it in 1990. It has three fundamental technologies: 

• HyperText Markup Language (HTML) – The web's formatting language. 
• Uniform Resource Locator (URL) – A unique address to identify each platform (website) on the web. 
• HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) – A protocol that supports the retrieval of linked resources from different platforms on the web. 

The transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 came in the early 2000s. It entailed the improvement of server technology and the advancement of coding skills and techniques. It is based on the concept of Folksonomy, whereby everyone using the web can read and write content on websites and other platforms. Interestingly, the world is currently witnessing the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0. 

What Is Web 1.0? 

Web 1.0 is the first phase of the World Wide Web. Essentially, it is a Content Delivery Network (CDN) that facilitates displaying information on websites. 

As explained earlier, people dub Web 1.0 as a read-only web. The reason is that websites hosted on this version of the web were static, ISP-managed web applications. Essentially, there was no way of interacting with the content on the website except viewing it. 

Web 1.0 has a small population of content creators as well as a large population of content customers. Other defining characteristics also include: 

• Static pages. 
• Tables and frames position and align the pages' elements. 
• Pages created via Common Gateway Interface (CGI) or Server Slide Include (SSI). 
• Content is served using The server's file system. 

What Is Web 2.0? 

People mostly call Web 2.0 the “read-write” web because users can generate content and make it accessible to billions of other users in an instant. It has been around for the past two decades, and it has completely replaced Web 1.0's bland platforms. It has the following features and factors: 

• Dynamic content and material that is responsive to users' input. 
• APIs such as software programs that enable self-use. 
• The joint recovery and classification of information when it is sorted freely. 
• The flow of information between site owners and users through online commenting and evaluation. 

The development of Web 2.0 platforms utilized browser technologies such as JavaScript and AJAX frameworks. Its development has also been driven by mass production as well as the use of internet-enabled mobile devices such as laptops and smartphones. Most notably, two developments that both occurred in 2004 accelerated its development: 

• The creation of Facebook, the world's first and largest social media platform. 
• The launch of Google, the world's biggest search engine and mobile OS developer. 

It is also worth noting that the transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 was not technical. Instead, the design, intention, and use of the website characterized it. It all comes down to web design, which is why it is important to learn how to choose a web host that you can rely on. 

Some of the most popular uses of Web 2.0 include: 

• Blogging 
• Networking 
• Tagging 
• Podcasting 
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Bookmarking on social media 
• RSS-based curation 
• Voting on web content 

Interestingly, some of the world's largest companies by market capitalization are Web 2.0-centric. They include Alphabet (Google), Apple, as well as Microsoft. 

What Is Web 3.0? 

Web 3.0 is the future of the World Wide Web. It will essentially transform the web into a database – it will also shift from data ownership (a contentious topic today) to data sharing. More notably, it shifts the focus of web development from its front-end to its back-end, resulting in drastic changes in how the web looks and works. 

Web 3.0 promises to define information in a more sensible way than Google and other platforms on the current web do. Its features and characteristics will include: 

• Ubiquity – Ubiquity essentially refers to making something universally available. In this case, users can use Web 3.0 everywhere through any internet-enabled device. 
• Connectivity – User experience will advance into a higher level of communication that involves utilizing all available data. 
• Semantic Web – This will process information and data based on the meaning of words rather than search terms. 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI will enable computers to process information as humans do. 
• Graphics in 3D – Graphics will be designed in 3D for better visual appeal and to support content interaction. 

Most notably, Web 3.0 will become decentralized, trustless, and permissionless. It is currently in development. However, there is no timeline as to when it will launch – expectedly, it will launch slowly and pick up pace over time, just like Web 2.0. 

Conclusion 

As mentioned, some of the world's most successful companies leverage Web 2.0. Your business can take advantage of the numerous opportunities available on the web using a robust website. But first, you need to learn how to choose a web host and create a perfect website.

Viral Solutions offers the best web design services as well as other related solutions to give your online business platforms an edge over the competition. Get in touch today to learn more about our services and to request a free marketing audit.