If you read tech news, it's a phrase tossed around just as much as cryptocurrency and NFTs. Proponents, including ThoughtLab, tout Web 3 as the next stage in the internet's evolution.
Step aside, Web 2, your successor, is here: Web 3.
Or is it?
If you read tech news, it's a phrase tossed around just as much as cryptocurrency and NFTs. Proponents, including ThoughtLab, tout Web 3 as the next stage in the internet's evolution. Although the ultimate outcome of Web 3 won't be known for many years, getting started now on web3 technology has advantages in both the short and long term.
The question is, how do you make web 3.0 a part of your tech stack and website? This nascent technology is closer to a concept than a proven set of technologies. However, there are ways to implement decentralized blockchain technology in your business.
Join us as we discuss what Web 3 is and how you might make use of it.
Web 3: A Brief History
To understand Web 3, we need to go back to the early days of the internet. Before Web 3, there were Web 1 and Web 2. Each of these iterations saw considerable leaps in the internet's capability, just as Web 3 will be a giant leap.
Web 1
Think of Web 1 as the Wild West of the internet days in the early 90s. This was back when dial-up was still a thing, and websites were static pages. At best, you could read the news and post on message boards.
Web 1 lacked interactivity, and some described it as a walled garden--a look, but don't touch internet. This was partly because it was a new phenomenon and, in part, because the tech at the time was limited. Thankfully, Moore's law and the preponderance of the internet led to Web 2.
Web 2
Web 2 is the internet as we see it today. These dynamic, interactive websites allow you to do everything from playing games to editing images. Internet users can now watch hi-def videos and use dynamic online services for their own benefit.
The experts define Web 2 as the "platform" era of the internet. Unlike Web 1, Web 2 has a heavier focus on user-generated content. Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter are all hallmarks of Web 2.
Look at Web 2, and you might think we've reached the peak of internet usage. We have everything from Netflix to Reddit, so how could things possibly get any better?
What Is Web 3?
Web 3 is more than Web 2 with some cool new features. It's better to explain Web 3 as a paradigm shift. It's an entirely different way of looking at online services, providers, and the way people interact with them.
First and foremost, Web 3 is decentralized. Like cryptocurrency, there is no central authority that dictates how things work. Rather than trust big institutions like tech giants and the government, Web 3 is about freedom.
And that brings us to the second difference between Web 3 and Web 2: a lack of regulation. Users no longer have to sell their personal information to platforms like Facebook. Instead, users give as much or as little information and can retain strong privacy.
Web 3 uses blockchain technology, the same as cryptocurrency and NFTs. This means that a vast network of users maintains it, and information is stored in a public ledger. Encryption and artificial intelligence keep it secure and resilient.
Benefits of Web 3
There are plenty of criticisms of Web 3, but we're here to focus on the benefits of this impressive technology. Creativity often means taking a risk to bring this new web to fruition. Web 3 is in the early days, but the potential is enormous.
- A free and open internet
- Intrinsic security
- Inability to change information--reducing censorship
- Better mitigation against bots and bad actors
- Resilience against downtime
How Can You Use Web3 Technology for Your Website?
To be clear, Web 3 is still not a full-fledged technology. It's more of a concept at the current date, meaning implementations are works in progress. But you can and should try to use Web 3 in your 3D web design or video production.
It's up to you what you want to create with Web 3. You will have to leave your comfort zone and think outside the box. The possibilities are endless, so let's give some concrete examples to get your creative juices flowing.
Better Advertising via BAT (Basic Attention Token)
In order to make advertising more meaningful, effective, and lucrative, Brave Browser invented the BAT token. Here's how it works:
- Users receive BAT tokens when they watch BAT-supported advertisements
- Users accumulate BAT tokens over time the more they interact with ads
- Users award BAT tokens to sites and creators that they like
- Sites and creators get income from dedicated fans
BAT means that everyone wins. People watch ads they are interested in, and sites/creators get more money. All of this is built on blockchain technology and is decentralized.
NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
You've likely heard plenty about NFTs. But unfortunately, the news has only covered the craze for buying stolen art tokenized in an NFT. These non-fungible tokens can be used in a number of ways:
- Establish original ownership of digital assets or websites
- Create decentralized marketplaces
- Sell limited edition art or music pieces
- Create NFT-enabled games that allow users to earn real money
- Sell tickets for events
The possibilities go beyond NFT and BAT. It's up to you what you can and cannot do with Web 3.
Build a Website With Professionals
Web 3 is an exciting new technology, and as such, you'll need the help of professionals. ThoughtLab is here to assist you as you experiment with this concept in action.
Whether you want to implement a blockchain payment system or use NFT tokens, ThoughtLab can help you iterate. Get ahead of the curve and be one of the early adopters of the Web 3.0 craze.
Hire a Web Designer in Utah
Love it or hate it, Web 3 is on the horizon and promises a new era of internet usage. It moves away from service providers and centralized platforms, creating a decentralized and free internet. The possibilities for how you can implement it in your website will require creativity--but it will pay off in the end.
ThoughLab is an industry leader in 3D web design and video production. Get in contact today and be one of the first to take a step into the future.