The Early Days: Flashy Websites and Cool New Stuff
In the mid-2000s, websites were just starting to get really interactive, thanks to something called Ajax, the Web 2.0 age had begun. At the time, we also built many sites using Flash, which made things look super slick—until Apple came along and didn’t support Flash on the iPhone. That pretty much ended it.
Not long after, social media sites like Facebook let people build apps on their platforms. We jumped in and made a bunch of fun apps to help businesses connect with people. But that didn’t last either—another marketing gold rush over.
Then came the iPhone and its App Store. Suddenly, everyone wanted a mobile app (the legendary Fart app generated $40,000 in two days once), and we were all in. But after the hype faded, most of those apps weren’t used much, and agencies that only focused on mobile had a tough time surviving. The mobile space is also riddled with changing technology and is very expensive to keep up to date. Many small and mid-sized companies can’t afford the cost of building and maintaining custom applications.
Our Smart TV Adventure
In 2009, we tried something new: building apps for Samsung Smart TVs. We worked with a company called Rovi and made about 10 apps with them! Everyone from Best Buy and Target to Toys R Us. We thought people would love using their TVs in more innovative ways. But it didn’t take off the way we hoped. People liked smart TVs, but not the apps so much. Another big idea that didn’t quite stick. In the end, the apps people really use are from the big players in the space, like Hulu, Disney+, and Netflix.
Cool Gadgets and the Internet of Things
By 2011, we were working with a lot of startups on smart gadgets—things like wearable tech and connected devices. We helped build software for products like Simple TV and Intermatic 7-Day Timer. These projects were tricky, but they taught us a lot about syncing data and building solid tech.
Trends We Skipped (And We’re Glad We Did!)
We didn’t jump into everything, though. Here are two trends we watched from the sidelines:
- NFTs and Web3: Super hyped, but not really our thing. It didn’t match what our clients needed.
- Voice Assistants like Alexa: These were fun, but unless you had a really big use case or were a big brand, they didn’t do much.
The Tech That Stuck Around
Not everything faded away. Some things turned out to be game-changers that are still important today:
- Responsive Web Design: Now it’s just how websites are made—gotta look good on all screens!
- DevOps & Cloud Computing: These tools help us build faster and smarter.
- Low-Code/No-Code Platforms: Things like Elementor and Airtable help people build stuff without being tech wizards.
- AI: It’s not just a buzzword anymore. We’re using AI to solve real problems every day.
How AI Is Shaking Things Up
AI is changing the game in a big way. It’s not just making things easier—it’s changing how entire industries work:
- Content & SEO: You can’t just write a million blog posts anymore and hope for the best. AI search tools are changing how people find info, so content needs to be smarter.
- PPC (Pay-Per-Click Ads): A lot of ad campaigns are being run by AI now—and sometimes better than humans! If you don’t understand ad strategy, it’s going to be tough to keep up.
- Basic Design & Development: People using cheap, low-quality services may not be happy anymore. Pros who use AI well can do way more, and that’s raising expectations.
Things That Are Getting Better Because of AI
Not everything is being replaced—some things are getting a major upgrade thanks to AI:
- Chatbots: These used to be frustrating. Now with AI, they’re smarter and actually helpful. We’ve been adding AI chat to websites so visitors can get real answers fast.
- No-Code Tools: AI helps non-tech folks build stuff even faster. More people can solve their own problems.
- Smart Apps and Devices: AI is helping apps and gadgets feel more personal and useful than ever.
Who’s Winning (and Who Might Not Be)
AI is bringing big changes, and some people will thrive while others might struggle:
Winners:
- Creatives and strategists who use AI to work smarter
- Agencies helping clients with automation and AI tools
- Businesses that aren’t afraid of new tech
- Designers who build amazing user experiences
Losers:
- Cheap freelancers and basic dev shops
- SEO mills pumping out low-quality content
- Ad agencies not keeping up with AI tools
- Companies that are slow to change
Final Thoughts
At Solid Digital, we’ve always believed that being flexible is the key to staying successful. We don’t chase every shiny new thing, but when we see something that makes a real difference, we go for it. Some tech waves pass us by—and that’s okay. Others, we ride all the way to the shore.
AI isn’t just another wave. It’s changing the whole beach. And we’re interested in seeing what comes next.
