Hi,

Thought I would post up this template again. Previously I received some interest for both templates that I posted up, one was sold, but this one wasn't. This template is not only suitable for a hosting company, but it would also suit a multitude of other site ideas. I have an idea for a good (hosting related) company name to go along with this, so if you are interested in that get in touch.

A JPG Screenshot is available here (http://www.aliasonline.net/design/template2/index.html)
A higher quality PNG Screenshot is available here (http://www.aliasonline.net/design/template2/index2.html)

What you'll get:

Full customisation of the template with your company name and logo
A ZIP file with all optimised graphics and HTML Document(s)
A CD (including international delivery) containing all un-optimised, optimised and unedited graphics, as well as the HTML Document(s)
Full support at implementing the design at your website


I would be interested in bids from $75 (negotiable). If you have any questions or comments, or wish to place a bid then feel free to get in touch. E-mail me - ajwallace@aliasonline.net. Also feel free to get in touch if you wish a custom design. You can view the Alias Entertainment Ltd. website here (http://www.aliasonline.net)

Regards

Hi,

Just to update.... unfortunately it appears there isn't much interest in this design, so I'm willing to sell for the best price (send any bids to this e-mail address (ajwallace@aliasonline.net)).

If anyone wishes to comment on this design (I'm particularly interested in why there wasn't much interest!) then also feel free to get in touch.

Thanks for your time :)

there probably wasnt much interest because everyone and their brother has been trying to sell templates here, or so it seems

Originally posted by greengunboat
there probably wasnt much interest because everyone and their brother has been trying to sell templates here, or so it seems

Very true...for awhile, it was getting to the point where people where just making webpages and trying to sell them here. I think the market has pretty much gone dry for templates.

Jim

I don't think the market is dry for templates, though some posted seemed unfinished, or maybe basic (in other words, something I felt I could do myself). I am *NOT* a designer, but I can fiddle a tiny bit and if I'm paying for anything, I'd prefer it to be for something I can't do.

While people might not buy the template from you, they *may* see your design skills and see the work as a sample of what you can do and this might generate some custom jobs. There have been a few people here who have been pretty impressive, thogh I will say one thing...

I can't tell who they are anymore.

What I mean is, I haven't seen much branding going on between you guys and I can't even think of the ones I liked. Maybe this would help, maybe not... just a thought...

Also some of the webdesigners here don't have sites up. This doesn't help either. Ya know...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chicken
I don't think the market is dry for templates, though some posted seemed unfinished, or maybe basic (in other words, something I felt I could do myself). I am *NOT* a designer, but I can fiddle a tiny bit and if I'm paying for anything, I'd prefer it to be for something I can't do.

I'm a designer of the old cut/paste/whiteout type that went into web art. It has been a major change, as web art isn't so much about "do all you can" as it's about "smallest possible files."

The featured template was interesting, but my critique of it is: it's too dark, too big (65k) and essentially eye candy.

Sites need to be *fast* loading. Your server can push the images out in record time but the viewer may have to wait. Cutting up that image into clickable images would require each image to be loaded increasing load time (and you ain't going to get 65k out of it, it's going to be slightly larger without compressing it more - after 30% compression it'll look really crappy).

Result: lost 33.6/56k modem customers.
--
What I mean is, I haven't seen much branding going on between you guys and I can't even think of the ones I liked. Maybe this would help, maybe not... just a thought...

Also some of the webdesigners here don't have sites up. This doesn't help either. Ya know...

Hope they'll put up their sites!

I don't have one because that last time I advertized for free work I got swamped with work requests. Besides since I don't charge I don't do templates.

Originally posted by Chicken
I don't think the market is dry for templates, though some posted seemed unfinished, or maybe basic (in other words, something I felt I could do myself). I am *NOT* a designer, but I can fiddle a tiny bit and if I'm paying for anything, I'd prefer it to be for something I can't do.

While people might not buy the template from you, they *may* see your design skills and see the work as a sample of what you can do and this might generate some custom jobs. There have been a few people here who have been pretty impressive, thogh I will say one thing...

I can't tell who they are anymore.

What I mean is, I haven't seen much branding going on between you guys and I can't even think of the ones I liked. Maybe this would help, maybe not... just a thought...

Also some of the webdesigners here don't have sites up. This doesn't help either. Ya know...

I agree that their is still a demand for templates, however, with no offence intended, some of the recent templates that have been put up for sale have been of a low quality - something that lots of people could create in 5 minutes.

Just my opinion,

Matt

Thanks for the feedback...


everyone and their brother has been trying to sell templates here
That's a fair point, I have noticed an increase in templates for sale at WHT, but I did hope that this template would stand out a bit.

The featured template was interesting, but my critique of it is: it's too dark, too big (65k) and essentially eye candy.
I disagree with you stating that it's too big. What I've posted up is solely a screenshot, after optimisation I've managed to get this down to 50k for all images and HTML (and I could probably take another 5 - 7k of that). Although this is still quite large, it is not too big. As for your eye candy statement... I like fast loading sites that are not bogged down by graphics, BUT, everyone who approaches the company I work for (and I've spoken to other designers about this) want sites that are fancy and graphic intensive.

that lots of people could create in 5 minutes
I generally look at all templates that are posted up, it's good to see some other work, and I would agree that some templates aren't the highest of quality (however, some are truly brilliant!)
However, there is a big difference in completing a template and completing a standard design. For a standard design, a fair amount of time would be spent sitting down with the client, discussing options for the design, coding and backend system, completing rough designs and generally keeping in contact with the client. Whereas, for a template, a designer would put together a good design and then try to sell it. A lot of work would go into the design after it had been sold to customise it to the clients liking.
The template I posted up was just a sudden idea I had one day, over the next week or so I put it together in my spare time and left it at that... however, I don't like seeing designs doing nothing so I attempted to sell it here.

Thanks again for the feedback everyone, it is very much appreciated :)

Originally posted by WaldoUK
I disagree with you stating that it's too big. What I've posted up is solely a screenshot, after optimisation I've managed to get this down to 50k for all images and HTML (and I could probably take another 5 - 7k of that). Although this is still quite large, it is not too big. As for your eye candy statement... I like fast loading sites that are not bogged down by graphics, BUT, everyone who approaches the company I work for (and I've spoken to other designers about this) want sites that are fancy and graphic intensive.


Disclaimer: Critique technique (not a smart/personal jab).............

I can understand the above request of having a fancy site. What I don't understand is why cut off potential customers?

Ask yourself does the extra 50k add functionality to the site? Like that's 50k of navigational buttons that have a purpose? It's one thing having a center piece graphic to advertize the site name/product, it's another to offer it for essentially "eye candy."

Too me it's "eye candy."

------------------------------

Got an idea for this forum - (Moderators/owner are you reading this?]:

How about having a little contest here? Let Chicken (or board staff) suggest a front page design contest, defining the rules (like file size and what to include and not include). Web designers agree to it and later each comes back to show their smallest example. Web hosts here can then judge who has the smallest files with the best functionality. It can bring in fellow designers (word of this contest will get out) and the hosting companies have a chance to preview the talent out there. The winner of the smallest sized file/functionality contest can gain free advertizement; hosts will know who can deliever great site graphics and how the designers will present their work and how they react to critiques (essential for business relationships - owners and designers can and do disagree) increasing the chance the winner will get more business. Win-win for all.

The reason to judge file size and functionality is to be fair. Everyone has their own idea what is "classy", but file size and functionality can be measured concretely (download time/bandwidth usage and use). Those also affect the bottom line of hosts who are in the business to make money.

What do the people here think of this idea?

Originally posted by ChrisLM2001a
I can understand the above request of having a fancy site. What I don't understand is why cut off potential customers?
I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree ;) I connect via 56k modem at home and I've waited a lot longer for certain sites to load (I'm thinking ones with mega Flash intros, etc.) However, I do see your point. As I mentioned previously, I prefer content driven sites as opposed to graphic intensive sites, however, selling a very basic template is pretty difficult.

As an update to the template for sale, this particular template is going to be used on an Interactive CD, so it is no longer for sale.

How about having a little contest here? Let Chicken (or board staff) suggest a front page design contest, defining the rules (like file size and what to include and not include). Web designers agree to it and later each comes back to show their smallest example. Web hosts here can then judge who has the smallest files with the best functionality.

I have to say, I like this idea :)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by WaldoUK

I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree ;) I connect via 56k modem at home and I've waited a lot longer for certain sites to load (I'm thinking ones with mega Flash intros, etc.) However, I do see your point. As I mentioned previously, I prefer content driven sites as opposed to graphic intensive sites, however, selling a very basic template is pretty difficult.

I think some education about site design might help hosts and all. Hard for designers to say, "I'll cut my masterpiece into a 72dpi 30% compressed (or worse web safe colors) file to sell" when they want to push the envelope, but for both it'll be nice to strike a balance.

Think Flash is rad because it's a compromise between video and stuccato GIF animation. It's the closest businesses can get to a video commercial online without going to video itself. It's just a lot include it up front, and a 56k modem surfer has to click again to get to where they were going in the first place.

Hostrocket has a better idea and incorporates it on their front page and it's very nice (I go back time-to-time to marvel at it). But it's execution (one can see the background at the joint between the flash and static graphic) makes it look unpolished.

As an update to the template for sale, this particular template is going to be used on an Interactive CD, so it is no longer for sale.

I wasn't knocking it, it looked good.

I have to say, I like this idea :)

Heh! Would love the challenge. Hope others would ask for it too. :-D

Originally posted by ChrisLM2001a
Think Flash is rad because it's a compromise between video and stuccato GIF animation. It's the closest businesses can get to a video commercial online without going to video itself. It's just a lot include it up front, and a 56k modem surfer has to click again to get to where they were going in the first place.

Flash can be brilliant, but then it can be badly used (very badly in some cases). It is a hugely valuable tool in web development and design, but some people treat use Flash like a mallet when they should really use a paintbrush (sorry, just trying to incorporate the "tool" imagery :D)

I wasn't knocking it, it looked good.
Heh! Would love the challenge. Hope others would ask for it too. :-D

I'm glad you liked the design... having such a design on CD allows much more creative freedom than worrying about size all the time for downloads, etc. ;) Hopefully the moderators will spot this message and like the idea of the web design competition.

Regards,