SplitMango turned 16! That’s 16 years of building websites, learning new tools, riding waves of industry change, and sometimes hanging on for dear life when the internet shifted overnight.
The web we started on back in 2009 is almost unrecognizable compared to today’s. Here are 16 of the biggest changes we’ve seen and how we adapted, grew, and kept doing what we love: building a better web experience.
1. From Desktop-First to Mobile-First
Remember when websites were only designed for big desktop screens? That feels like another era. Once smartphones became everyone’s go-to device, the rules flipped overnight, and we shifted our design approach, making sure every site we build feels just as smooth on a phone as it does across all the devices people use today.
2. CSS Got Smarter. Hello, Tailwind!
Writing CSS used to mean endless overrides and “why isn’t this working?” moments. Then came Flexbox, Grid, and frameworks like Tailwind, giving us structure and speed. We embraced these tools to make our development faster and cleaner, and create websites that are easy to maintain.
3. CMS Beyond WordPress
WordPress was once the answer to everything, but its size and security vulnerabilities made it tricky to manage over time. Meanwhile, new CMSs like Statamic came along with leaner, more modern approaches. We became Certified Statamic Partners, helping clients choose systems that are easier to use, faster to maintain, and far more secure.
4. Accessibility Became Essential
For too long, accessibility was an afterthought online. Today, it’s non-negotiable that everyone deserves to access information and services. We built accessibility into our process, from colour contrast and alt text to comprehensive audits, making sure our sites work for everyone.
5. The Social Media Boom
Websites are no longer the only digital front door. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and now Threads have become part of every brand’s presence. We help clients integrate their websites with social platforms and unify their digital ecosystem.
6. The Shift to Cloud Hosting
Gone are the days of shared servers and downtime nightmares. Cloud platforms made scaling easier and performance stronger. We manage hosting environments for clients with stability, backups, and scalability built in.
7. SEO Got Smarter
Once upon a time, “keyword stuffing” was a strategy. Today, search is powered by AI and focused on real value. We adjusted by creating fast, accessible, content-driven sites that search engines (and people) actually love.
8. Security Became a Priority
As websites got more complex, so did the threats. Server vulnerabilities, outdated plugins, and brute-force attacks all became more common. We built stronger foundations, managing hosting, staying on top of updates, and hardening servers, so our clients’ websites stay safe and secure.
9. The Pandemic Changed Everything
When COVID hit, the web became a lifeline. Businesses, schools, and non-profits all had to move online, fast. We helped clients launch new digital tools, while also evolving our own fully remote, collaborative workflows.
10. Speed Became Non-Negotiable
No one waits around for a slow site anymore. Performance became just as important as design. We streamlined our builds with optimized media, clean code, and caching strategies so every site we launch feels lightning fast.
11. The API Economy
Websites became hubs, connected to dozens of tools: CRMs, donation platforms, e-commerce engines. We’ve experimented, tested, and built with these tools, always balancing what’s exciting and new with what’s practical and sustainable for clients.
12. E-Commerce Took Off
Shopify and other platforms made it simple to sell online, and suddenly, almost everyone was in the e-commerce game. As Shopify Partners since 2010, we support clients in setting up online stores and integrating them into their bigger digital strategy, not just as stand-alone shops.
13. Analytics Transformed
Universal Analytics made way for GA4, and privacy rules reshaped how data could be collected. We helped clients transition, using tools like GA4, Plausible and Hotjar to give them actionable insights while respecting user privacy.
14. AI and the New Frontier
AI isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s reshaping design, development, and how users expect to interact online. We approach AI thoughtfully, experimenting with tools that help us work smarter and integrating features where they genuinely add value, while keeping the human touch at the center.
15. Collaboration Tools Changed How We Work
Slack, Zoom, Figma, and Notion turned “working together” into something you can do from anywhere. We leaned into these tools to stay connected with our team and clients, making projects more collaborative, even when we couldn’t be in the same room!
16. Community Stayed at the Core
Trends, tools, and platforms come and go, but the web has always been about connection. We’ve built long-term relationships with clients, some lasting over a decade, and we’ve never lost sight of the people at the heart of the web.
Happy 16th, SplitMango! 💛 Sixteen big shifts and more ahead! The web never stops evolving, and neither do we.
Thank you to our team, clients, and community for being part of this journey. Here’s to more years of adapting, learning, and building a better web together!