Skip to main content
We aim to restore your website as faithfully as the archived data allows. For most sites, the result closely matches the original appearance. However, the archive has inherent gaps, and it’s worth understanding what to expect before delivery.

​
What typically restores accurately

Page layout and structure

Column grids, section arrangements, headers, and footers rebuild reliably from archived HTML and CSS.

Text content

Body copy, headings, and navigation labels are captured directly in the HTML snapshot.

Images and styling

Photos, icons, background colours, and typography restore accurately when the assets were archived.

Navigation menus

Primary and secondary menus, dropdowns, and internal links are reconstructed from the archived structure.

​
What may look different

Some elements can’t be restored exactly, due to limitations in what the archive captured:
  • Unavailable fonts — web fonts loaded from third-party services (such as Google Fonts or Adobe Fonts) may no longer be accessible at their original URLs. We substitute the closest available alternative.
  • Minor spacing changes — small layout differences can occur when CSS files were partially archived or when browser rendering has changed since the original snapshot.
  • Missing images — images hosted on external CDNs or blocked from the crawler may not appear in the archive. We note these gaps and, where possible, source assets from other snapshot dates.
The quality of visual restoration depends directly on what Archive.org captured. Sites with infrequent crawls or heavy use of externally hosted assets may have more visible gaps.

​
How we handle gaps

When exact restoration isn’t possible, we take a best-effort approach:
  • We reference multiple snapshot dates to find the best available version of each asset.
  • We apply consistent styling across pages so the overall design feels coherent.
  • We maintain the original design’s intent — proportions, colour palette, and typographic hierarchy — even when individual assets are substituted.
If visual accuracy is critical, let us know before we begin. We can review the available snapshots with you and set specific expectations for your site.