How did we ever manage without it? Can it really be 15 years old?

On 30 April, the world marked the 15th anniversary of the birth of the web, 15 years to the day since the web’s code was put into the public domain.

The web has changed our lives in so many ways, from internet banking and booking holidays to the availability of 24 hour news and the phenomenon of social media networking.

Once the business community grasped how powerful the medium could be in enabling companies to establish a global presence, it began to discover other benefits. With its ability to facilitate communication, make information widely available, reach markets and service customers, the web soon became an essential marketing tool.

Internet and email marketing have changed forever the way people interact, transforming the way businesses can communicate with their customers and potential customers. Internet and web marketing complement traditional marketing, enabling businesses to integrate online and offline activities into a cohesive and effective marketing strategy.

Fifteen years ago, terms such as email marketing, search engine optimisation, viral and blog marketing were unknown. Today these and other web-based techniques are in everyday use by companies wanting to improve levels of customer service, increase interactivity, find new prospects, open up new markets, improve customer retention rates and reduce costs.

Has the web reached its full potential? Not according to the man credited with its invention. Commenting on the anniversary, Sir Tim Berners-Lee said it is “still in its infancy.”

For more about the birth of the web, see similar articles at the Guardian, BBC or Get Updated

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