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Decentralization: The Future of Websites is Right Around the Block

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The internet has created an amazing network of information and communication that allows us to share ideas, collaborate, and build communities. But it’s not perfect. Besides the fact that recent studies say it’s ruining our brains and turning us into mindless zombies with a crack-like addiction and an attention span of a hungry toddler, it also has a bad rap for being centralized, and thus a host of privacy-related issues. Proponents of decentralization of the web want an internet where its data is safe in the hands of its users and not under the control of Big Brother.

Huh … so what if we could build websites on the blockchain? Would that help with privacy issues and maybe solve our iPhone’s gravitational-like pull?

You’re so smart!

We’re crushing on the blockchain right now for a lot of reasons. Sorry, the blockchain is a lot of cool things but it won’t help you to withstand the productivity kryptonite that you’re probably holding right now. However, the future of blockchain technology is where we’re headed in this article, so keep scrolling down.

Isn’t blockchain just for crypto whales and others who know what the heck HODL means?

HODL that thought. Blockchain is more than just crypto.

It’s funny you asked about crypto. Thanks to the soaring value of Bitcoin (BTC) in recent years, the term “blockchain” has become extremely prominent but associated largely in most people’s minds with cryptocurrency. However, the underlying technology that underpins this movement has ramifications that extend beyond bitcoin investments and the crypto space.

The blockchain is essentially a distributed database where all transactions are recorded chronologically and digitally embedded in code within blocks. Each block contains transactions that reference previous blocks creating—you guessed it—a chain. Thanks to the chain, data stored within the blocks are extremely difficult to tamper with as hackers would need to manipulate the original block along with every block linked to it. Although attacks can and do happen, it is impossible to alter any part of the ledger without being detected by the network.

Everyone who accesses the system will see the same version of the truth, which makes it impossible to fake or manipulate. And the best thing about a blockchain? Once blocks are created, they last forever in an immutable fashion.

Thanks for clarifying. Now, what’s so bad about a centralized internet?

404: The Day The Server Died

Does the Great Firewall of China mean anything to you? If you’re a freedom toutin’ American, it should. When the gateway to information rests in the hands of a few powerful organizations … well, let’s look at the COVID-19 outbreak in China for example. The country’s leadership scrambled to tighten its already iron grip on digital information that was available to its citizens regarding COVID-19. Chinese searching for news of their government’s handling of the crisis were met with the dreaded 404 page—information on the deadly virus was blocked at every click. The Chinese government was adamant that no negative news about the virus be disseminated. It became so prevalent, disgruntled citizens began posting dark memes of the 404-server-not-found phenomenon on social media and personal chat groups, only to be chastised later by the government.

So yeah, we’re not China. What does that mean for us in the U.S. of A.?

Here’s What’s Wrong with Centralization

Imagine your current website—think about all of the steps and investments you made in domain rights, design, and hosting. With the current centralized system of information, data is largely held in the hands of the few. We tend to think that what goes on the Internet stays forever, but it doesn’t. Data can easily be deleted, censored or changed. We may enjoy a country with largely more freedoms than the case above, but what if eventually the big tech monopoly that controls your hosting took away some of that freedom—and your data with it? Sounds unreal but the world as we know it has proven to be largely unpredictable. Storing and sharing your data shouldn’t be.

In summary, centralization of all things digital is failing for a couple of reasons:

  1. Gatekeeping of Info
    Too much oversight by tech giants like Meta and Google has come to dominate the services that support the internet. With billions of users connecting or querying, people largely trust the info they get through their platforms. While we love their services and community, imagine the harm that would come through intentional misinformation or manipulated search results.
  2. Security Issues
    Going back to Meta (Facebook), remember how over 500 million FB users’ info was leaked last year? Centralized stores of data are historically insecure. The confidence levels in confidential information staying confidential are at an all-time low due to almost daily new reports surfacing of a data breach in one industry or another. We have to do better.

Blockchain: Disruptin’ Data Everywhere For Good

Web3, or the blockchain-based internet, promises to challenge these issues. In the last decade, blockchain technologies have established themselves as an alternative to centralized platforms with greater privacy, ease of use, and a host of other advantages like the permanence of data. In other words, you get to keep your data accessible—forever.

Some companies, like Arweave, are already making headway into this territory and promise their blockchain-weaved platform “enables you to store documents and applications forever” on something referred to as the the permaweb, which its creators say “form a permanent, decentralized web accessible through regular internet browsers.”

Files and storage of digital resources like NFTs can be easily accessed once launched on Arweave. Users won’t have to worry about the possibility of downtime, censorship, or worse, loss of data.

Unlike centralized cloud storage, with a decentralized system, data is spread out among other network nodes. Instead of the risk of one point of failure that brings the whole system down, the process of data distribution ensures security and accessibility. So there’s no fear of third-party interference because the system can’t be defrauded and no worries that data will one day be irretrievable. Once it’s in the block, it’s there to stay. 

Blockchain Web-Hosting: Cheaper, Too

What good is your data once it gets too expensive to access it? According to recent news, nearly 60% of organizations overspend their budget on cloud resources and the prices keep rising.

Websites that are stored with decentralized hosting won’t need to worry about maintaining servers or hosting costs. Using Arweave as an example, users pay one upfront fee for uploading data, and no other costs are required for ongoing hosting after the initial fee is paid. Once uploaded, the file exists forever, accessible from any of the platform’s gateways—at a fraction of the cost of traditional hosting.

Cool, I’m convinced. Can I hop on a blockchain and put up my site?

Only Trust the Experts to Your Site

Well, yes and no.

While building a website on blockchain technology is a smart thing to do, it is at the present time, a little complicated. While blockchain-enabled domain purchasing, web browsing and hosting do exist, it takes a little know-how and elbow grease to make it all work together correctly. Sure, with a little coding and a few days of research, you could probably pull it off.

But don’t quit your day job, eh?

Thanks to the power of the strong encryption that blockchain provides and the decentralized nature, this technology promises to be a way for anyone to ensure full ownership and control of their data. Due to the newness of the technology, it’s still a bit tricky to navigate the process. But one day, it will be just as easy as the internet we know today. 

Conclusion

Now that you know a thing or two about the future of websites, you can choose to do two things: go your website alone or trust a professional. Our talented creators know the ins and outs of a website—from the back end to the front—we do it all.

Ready for a completely custom site that’s ready for whatever’s around the block?

Let’s get that ball rolling.

CONTACT ARDENT TODAY >

Have a Question?

An ardent representative will gladly help answer your questions. 

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Table of Contents

Brand Activation

Informational Brochure
Wholesale Line Sheet
Press Media Kit
Marketing Postcard
Door Hanger
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PowerPoint Template (6 pages)
Social Media Skins (3 platforms)
Instagram Cover Stories (6)
Animated Logo Intro
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Informational Brochure
Wholesale Line Sheet
Press Media Kit
Marketing Postcard
Door Hanger
Apparel items (2)
PowerPoint Template (6 pages)
Social Media Skins (3 platforms)
Instagram Cover Stories (6)
Animated Logo Intro
Basic MailChimp Template