Hello,

I'm just curious in knowing whether or not you would rather purchase a hosting plan at a more corporate hosting website (http://www.hostway.com) or at a creative/cool website (http://www.gearhost.com -- hosting websites that feature an attractive Flash header).

Any more comments are appreciated! :)

Thanks.

Well if i try to look at it from the customer point of view ( i used to be a viritual-hosting customer) than i would prefer more seriuos look. It just gives me feel of profesionality, and beside that we all know that flash loads slower than pure html so if a customer comes to you and you promisse fast conections but your website takes 1 min to load = forget it. :)

I don't think it matters. 'Flashy' sites can still come across as corporate-looking, like HostRocket.

I like both styles, when they're done well.

I fully concur with NetXL. Just wondering how much $$ they charge for the site!

Personally, I prefer a nice, clean and easy to navigate website. Since people are trusting you as a host of their website (maybe even their business), I think you would win if you can provide some kind of calm feeling to the customer. I would also like to say that Flash should not be categorized since Flash (as Images, HTML or anything else) can be created to look professional, cool, or anything else the designer/developer desires. You have to also think that if you use Flash for an important part of your website (i.e. menus), a small percentage of people might now be able to view your menus (they might not have the plug-in, have a text based browser, etc).

I prefer a site that is flash free. Especially if I'd have to access my control panel or support through it. Flash screws with my browser.

I dont really care what the site looks like.......just as long as I can find the info quickly and easily......(what I do care about is the company's rep).........

Flash is OK.......but a Flash Intro and then it will be a race to my close browser button.........

www.xs4all.nl

Originally posted by Warez
I fully concur with NetXL. Just wondering how much $$ they charge for the site!

Hostrocket must have paid a lot of money for their website.

PixelBrick charges between 5000-24000 USD for a complete design of any website.

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I definitely agree with NetXL.
Both are good as long as they are done well.



Regards,
Richard Trinh

I personally think both web sites you mentioned look pretty professional. However, the Gearhost sites needs to fix up the text area in the flash animation. When those white balls jet by the text gets a little distorted and shakes a bit (big turn off in my opinion).

Thanks for the opinions guys!

it doesn't really matter to me too much but I do like sites that aren't just plan colors and text.

I personally like a professional looking page. It isn't needed much, but then again I like to see work and effort put into a companys page.

When it comes down to it, I don't judge a host by its design. I judge by its reputation and it's offerings. And in this case, Hostway all the way!

However, when I get a no name company host I look at its design to try to judge it's professionalbility. it's all about presentation sometimes. :) But usually I NEVER go with these guys anyway. :)

I go for the straightforward-easy to navigate websites that don't spend most of their time rambling about "solutions" while trying to use as many long words a possibile without actually telling you anything. I'm believe it's fine to use flash as long as you don't force your users to go through it, just have it as an option. That way the people that want the information they want now can get it now and those who also want to be entertained while they are at it can get their thrills too.

Flashy sites are ok as long as I can concentrate on the content. many flashy sites are so flashy that I can't keep my eyes on the content very well.

And yes, it'd close my browser if a host was using an intro page. I don't know why.. I just close.

What category does my site (http://www.secondreality.nl/) fall under ?
I think it's somewhere in between :) Personally I prefer "cool looking" sites, but there has to be some professionalism in the site too.

(my site's in dutch btw, so you can probably only judge the design, not the text)

How does http://host24.com rate?

i don't dig gearhost's flash banner, its too flashy and ders something wrong with their flash.

to tell the truth it would have been better if they get another more simplier banner and non flash.

coz i don't wanna load the same banner throughout every page i visit over der.

personally, i think a 2d or flat look will look more professional than a 3d look like gearhost's design. it has to load fast and it must not attract the customer's eyes from the main content.

T_E_O: I think your site falls more to the 'corporate' look. Although the logo does look quite 'techie' and futuristic, there's nothing too fancy... Looks clean though!

Host24: I'd say corporate too. The navigation bar gives it all away and the bluish theme. ;)

well personally it was gearhost's layout that got me to join. They seemed really profiessional, and my service with them so far has been good.

Definitely corporate site if you want serious customers.

Just because a web site uses Flash doesn't mean it can't also look corporate, though I think that as long as the design is suitable for its purpose there is no need to spend thousands on a "flashy" web site, as the money could have been better spent on more servers and faster support. Just my opinion. :)