Can't you do both? Stick with an aesthetic your visitors expect, but also add web rings and other feature that are throwback-y but styled to look new? It's har

Can't you do both? Stick with an aesthetic your visitors expect, but also add web rings and other feature that are throwback-y but styled to look new? It's hard to say without being able to understand your visitors, their expectations, and how much wiggle room that leaves you to be you.