The web design industry loves yellow words. We use them to describe everything from design fads (hello, Claymorphism) to build technologies (nice to know, no one). It makes sense, because there has to be a common way of referring to these entities.
But sometimes these terms are very abstract. And that can lead some unscrupulous people to leverage buzzword for profit – even if there is not much for sale yet. That way, it’s more about selling hype than substance.
I usually think of Web 3.0 in this light. Not because there is no technological sense behind the concept. But because of the relentless sales pitches and dubious claims. As is often the case, it is people who make technology look bad.
If you are trading cryptocurrency or NFTs (unmixed tokens), you have probably already bought into Web 3.0. Some people may see it as the future of, well, everything.
But, all the hype aside, what does all this mean for freelance web designers? Is it worth being careful about? Let’s explore what Web 3.0 might mean for the rest of us.
Web 3.0 Hype Super Skeptic is a joy
I love the role of a skeptic. You know, that person who rained on the parade. And the legions of Web 3.0 Dedicators offer a great opportunity to ease the march.
Not bad, but I do not see NFTs that look like children as the savior of the online world. Not to mention the environmental and supply chain consequences of crypto mining. These only add fuel to my fire.
And my understanding is that a large number of web professionals feel the same way. It could lead to the relentless online promotions and clickbait. After all, there are only so many times you can read these tropes before you declare that it is a waste of time.
My point here is not to raise the fear of true believers. It is intended to provide a background as to why some of us are not convinced that Web 3.0 is a game changer. A hype machine of this magnitude is also bound to create some obstacles.
Blockchain, Decentralization, and Websites
Let’s forget all the noise for a moment. Because the technological concepts behind Web 3.0 may be where the everyday volunteer fits.
The blockchain idea does not track transactions or a decentralized method of storing data for so long. There seem to be very practical uses for this type of functionality.
In one case, they seem to be a logical fit for e-commerce. Imagine the possibility of a more secure payment portal or customer information that is not the property of a large corporation. These features can have real benefits for both clients and users.
Implementing these items may be a routine for web designers. It could also be a topic that some developers decide to fully embrace. With that, the technology has an opportunity to cover new and interesting applications.
The impact could also be felt in web hosting, digital asset distribution (not just NFTs), secure communications, and as yet unthinkable uses.
How Should Web Designers Prepare?
When you go over the fever rhetoric, Web 3.0 has legitimate potential (if you want to call it that). However, it does not mean that you have to start trading coins or collecting digital art immediately.
If anything, it’s a good time to explore the basics behind how these technologies work. You do not need to build the next Bitcoin or understand every detail of the blockchain. Rather, it is about understanding what they do, as well as their pros and cons. This will help you prepare for the future.
While certain features are likely to find their way into the world of web design, they are unlikely to revolutionize the industry overnight. And as with any hot new tool, it will be more useful to some designers than others.
For that reason, it may be accepted at the enterprise level before falling down to the average website. So it’s hard to imagine that we are all re – tooling our businesses to accommodate this new stock.
Don’t Believe the Hype, But Don’t Complete Technology
Social media is overloaded with those who can’t wait to sell you on cryptocurrency or NFT. If you are not financially adventurous, the whole thing can be a big blow. Likewise, you will find many skeptics claiming that it is all a big scam.
As challenging, try to watch over all the noise. Under each of the get-rich-quick schemes and doubt lies some interesting ideas and technologies.
As to how relevant this will be for freelancers – time will tell. But the possibilities are worth considering.
