Hey,

I was just wondering, I'm wondering that if your template wasn't unique and was purchased from say template monster, would this be a deterrant? Do people really care whether your site is made up of a purchased or even a free template?

How vital is your design to deterring or attracting customers?

Design is one of the most important things. If your design is bad, people assume your hosting company isn't that great, or professional.

If the template is good, and not too overly used. You may be able to get away with it, but make sure you customize it.

Think of it this way, if you were going to go to a car dealership to buy a new car, would you buy it from the run down, out of date dealership or the brand new top of the line dealership? Both dealerships have the exact same prices for their cars.

If it were me, I would definitely say the new dealership.

Your design is a potiental client's first impression of your company. Try to be as unique as possible. A better wow factor can go a long way for overall success.

I agree with the last post. Use a unique design as the idea is you want to set your self apart from your compeition. You want to show potential clients you are different.

If your site looks as if you have paid more than $60 for or say it looks like you have employed a web designer then your are more likely to get customers.

I got a graphic designer to do a lot of work on mine for very minimal $$. We came to an agreement and i got a good deal (he didnt get ripped off).

Since i have had my new site i have had more signups in the last month then i did when i had a simple templated site!

Also stick to clean and simple designs and dont go outrageously ott on the design as overcrowded designs look just as bad as template monster templates

I like clean simple templates that stand out

As much as folks talk about it, the design of your site is just not a vital part in attracting hosting clients. In other industries, I would certainly say it is, but again --- not in hosting.

Also stick to clean and simple designs and dont go outrageously ott on the design as overcrowded designs look just as bad as template monster templates

I like clean simple templates that stand out
Loadingdeck.com =]

Yep, just thought I would ask you all because I was thinking of buying a templatemonster design: #9842

Another suggestion is when going with template sites or even custom work from such companies as LoadingDeck.com - be sure to find out what it cost for updates. Reason being - your in a service oriented business - your site should be updated regularly to reflect plan changes, specials, news, etc.

I have seen some sites that have had a company do the design work for them, but all updates have been on the client's hands and it shows drastically in the site - it becomes butchered and pieced together - going from a once nice professional design to a more debauchery of code and pics that blend as well as the oil and water.

Keeping it fresh and alive is key.

Did you know that a visitor to your site judges it within the first second. Having a professional non-template look is vital to having a successful business.

Sorry, I still have to disagree when speaking of the hosting industry.

Never judge a book by its coverBut most people still do, don't they? We have all done it at one point or another - guilty of it in one way, shape, or form.

Perhaps you did not buy from that one website even though it was $10 cheaper but you did not like the layout. Or you did not take home that girl over the holidays because you knew your siblings would rib you about her. Guilty, eh? :)

A lot of 'hosting companies' grab a template - buy a reseller plan and think they are in the hosting business. While we might give that business a different definition - we all judge in some way

As much as folks talk about it, the design of your site is just not a vital part in attracting hosting clients. In other industries, I would certainly say it is, but again --- not in hosting.

Why do you think this?

I would say it depends on how you gather your business. If most of your clients are local and you speak to them over the phone then your design is probably not a big factor.

If you are selling to people you may never even speak to before they order, the design and overall feel is going to be very crucial to success.

Why do you think this?
Some of the most successful hosts (GoDaddy comes to mind) have butt-ugly Websites.

Some of the most successful hosts (GoDaddy comes to mind) have butt-ugly Websites.

... and some unsuccessful hosts have great looking websites. :D


While good design is not really a necessity it is better to have a good website which is designed to make your customers comfortable using it. Design should include not just graphics, colors and layout but also good navigation, usability and content.

The look of your site is very important! You have just about 30 seconds to convince the viewer to look further instead of hitting the back button. There are so many host sites out there that try to fit every bit of info on the index page that you get lost trying to find anything. Keep it simple w/ good navigation to more info.

I can second that as you can automatically tell if a design is from templatemonster.com and from that you can automatically guess they are a reseller.

It shouldn't be too fancy but you still want to have a good looking site, anything above an eyesore is alright.

Also- Although most people viewing your page have DSL, try to keep graphics and pics to a min. as they are slower to load and search engines cannot read them.
Search engines love html text content.

Anyone who says design doesn't matter is setting themselves up for a huge fall.

For hard core hosting types like those who visit this forum, yeah, a crappy design probably won't deter from a solid reputation. However, for a cold client (from a search engine type in or a non-referral) who sees an ugly site and knows nothing of the reputation is going to turn tail and run before they ever bother to read about the actual quality of the service.

I also believe design matters. If your page was all one background color and a few lines of text that would be horrible. I doubt you would get any business.
Even the poster that said they didn't think the design was important, had what I consider a well designed web site. Basically it looked professional.
Godaddy also looks professional to me. I like their design, though it is very busy. However, I can find exactly the option I'm looking for quickly, so it serves it's purpose.

Some of the most successful hosts (GoDaddy comes to mind) have butt-ugly Websites.
Successful, well thats debatable :stickout:. Godaddy is not known for being a host, its a domain register with hosting as a sideline. I am pretty sure that if they did not offer domains (only offered hosting) they wouldnt be successful.

However, for a cold client (from a search engine type in or a non-referral) who sees an ugly site and knows nothing of the reputation is going to turn tail and run before they ever bother to read about the actual quality of the service.
Totally agree with that statement.

Something to throw out here.

www.plentyoffish.com is the most popular dating site on the internet.

it has an ugly but functional design.

Something to throw out here.

www.plentyoffish.com is the most popular dating site on the internet.

it has an ugly but functional design.

Lol. This discussion is about hosting related websites not dating sites. Keep in mind that a dating site is just a tool for you to meet other people. If it goes down then you just move on. A hosting company is something that you will be relying on; if the host closes up shop or ends up screwing you over, you could loose an entire website, users and possibly thousands of dollars worth of sales. Its not easy to just walk away from that.

...and a Web hosting site is a tool for recruiting new clients. Looks aside, functionality is tops. :) I rest my case...

Good design is a plus.
I mean people will always tend to judge you on the first look.

But, if your site (although not that good in design) is user-friendly
and easy to surf and clients get to the page they want to see fast,
you should not be so worried.

Your site should first load fast and it should be "food"
for search-engines out there. Optimize its content and make it easy
for your clients to find information. Design will come in second.
Just be prepared to answer queries when they come.

Clients looking for a hosting company will always try your support
services.

But, it is not a bad idea to have a good design as well if you can.
Simple, clean design is good!

We wish you well on your endeavor.

But, if your site (although not that good in design) is user-friendly
and easy to surf and clients get to the page they want to see fast,
you should not be so worried.

But technically speaking wouldnt user-friendliness be a part of a design? After all people often refer to user friendly layouts. If the layout is good, doesnt that mean its a good design? A design doesnt necessarily have to be graphics.

^^^ Ok, that's the point I've been trying to make!!! Guess I haven't done too well! :P If a user can get to what they need, with no hassle, I don't see why the rest of the "design" is so important.

^^^^GlobalWebDan's design is not too user friendly :/

In my opinion.

Why not? Can you elaborate on what's wrong? Folks keep saying there's something wrong, but won't say what it is (which makes me tend to think they're talking empty).

Yea I guess we were arguing the same point.

@GlobalWebDan

I PM'd you.

Got it, but I just don't know what you mean. I'd love if you could elaborate.

Well-said Mike. I totally agree. What I mean by "good design" in the statement is that design common people would tend to lean on, that is, the looks (graphics). But, you are right. Good design does not have to be full of graphics.

:)

But technically speaking wouldnt user-friendliness be a part of a design? After all people often refer to user friendly layouts. If the layout is good, doesnt that mean its a good design? A design doesnt necessarily have to be graphics.

Lol. This discussion is about hosting related websites not dating sites. Keep in mind that a dating site is just a tool for you to meet other people. If it goes down then you just move on. A hosting company is something that you will be relying on; if the host closes up shop or ends up screwing you over, you could loose an entire website, users and possibly thousands of dollars worth of sales. Its not easy to just walk away from that.

You missed the point.

A "pretty" design doesn't mean you company will be around longer than others, or your company is better than others. I think however often sites designs reflect the kind of service you will receive from a company.

My point is a very ugly site can attract alot of users, the website i linked earns about 500,000 dollars a month from adwords. It receives 22 million hits a day. It is not the only free dating site, there are 100s. I tried launching a free dating site back in 2004 without much success.

I think functionality is important, a site that is easy to use, functional and easy to navigate rates far highly that one that looks nice but is fiddly.

compare google.com to msn.com or yahoo.com. google's design is basic.

You missed the point.

A "pretty" design doesn't mean you company will be around longer than others, or your company is better than others. I think however often sites designs reflect the kind of service you will receive from a company.

My point is a very ugly site can attract alot of users, the website i linked earns about 500,000 dollars a month from adwords. It receives 22 million hits a day. It is not the only free dating site, there are 100s. I tried launching a free dating site back in 2004 without much success.

I think functionality is important, a site that is easy to use, functional and easy to navigate rates far highly that one that looks nice but is fiddly.

compare google.com to msn.com or yahoo.com. google's design is basic.
I think that your trying to point out the fact that the quality of a design is not based on graphics alone; user friendliness is a major part of it as well.

As I pointed out earlier (see below) a high quality design in fact includes the important factor of user-friendliness. So in other words, I agree with you. My whole point about the dating site was that yes I agree that they need nice websites too, but a great website design may help clients that are on the borderline between your company and another. Also a dating site is like a grocery store (you go to the dating site to find other people just as a grocery store is to find food, if it closes you must move to a different one). A web hosting company that suddenly closes could really screw a person over.

I guess that my point is that a design (most importantly including user-friendliness) is IMO important for a host. It shows your customers that you want to represent yourself well.

Have a good day :)
Mike


But technically speaking wouldnt user-friendliness be a part of a design? After all people often refer to user friendly layouts. If the layout is good, doesnt that mean its a good design? A design doesnt necessarily have to be graphics.

Dan... since you asked for specific dislikes, I checked out your page.

Your page has alot of monochromatic gray that (to me) is less appealing to the eye. Not sure what the bg image is in your nav menu, maybe palm tree fronds or bike spokes? Either way, not hosting related.

On your hosting page you feature a couple pictures of OLD desktop PC's. One of them even has an AT keyboard (before PS2)...probably 15yrs old at least! Are you hosting your clients on machines like these?

Your FAQ requires a username & password. New prospective customers may want to read the FAQ's before committing to you.

Your prices ($30/mo & $50/mo) may be high here in the US. A buyer here can get a 512mb managed VPS for $50.

When you say "Please say our ID 16871 to the associate" screams "We have outsourced support...I don't want to have to help you myself!"

On the home page I think you can find stock images that look better, the main image is blurry. In the site builder section the two office girls are huddled over a 14" CRT monitor with a DOS screen (that may be their PC on the hosting page! LOL!). It might even be a VT terminal..!

When you open the "Terms & Conditions" page all I see is the NAV menu on the left, and a bunch of empty space on the right. I have to scroll below the screen to begin to see the content.

No SSL on the order page!

On the "compare our prices" link YOU are the highest price! You would win if the link was "compare our disk space".

Don't take any of these comments as a personal attack on you or your business, just trying to give the specific feedback you asked about.

Why not? Can you elaborate on what's wrong? Folks keep saying there's something wrong, but won't say what it is (which makes me tend to think they're talking empty).

Not saying anything is wrong, but was there a reason the offer in the bottom right is an image as opposed to text? Also the main menu would be easier to read without the background image.

As much as folks talk about it, the design of your site is just not a vital part in attracting hosting clients. In other industries, I would certainly say it is, but again --- not in hosting.
Huh?

Well you may be right, if only because I've never seen a well designed web hosting company site. This industry is rife with followers and cowards, and they wouldn't know how to innovate in site design, advertising, or anything else. If you think that's harsh or incorrect, I am open to being proven wrong.

Having said that, of course design is vital. Imagine if someone were to come up with an original thought in web hosting and actually act upon it. The unwashed masses would lean back in their desk chairs and say, "Whoa, now what it this?!" and reach for their credit cards.

But as it is now, buying web hosting is like walking onto an endlessly huge parking lot and having to choose one of 382,481 Ford Festivas that are all exactly the same, but with slightly different sticker prices. If you ever scratched your head wondering why big hosts compete so fiercely on price and quotas (and push many of the little guys off the map in the process), it's because that's all they have to sell you.

Every can of soup is the same, every hammer, every bottle of shampoo, every car does the same thing, every computer does the same thing, so why do people buy one over the other? because someone persuaded them to do so. Someone who is thinking about things like design, image and appearance. Advertisers have known this for a hundred years, yet for some reason the hosting industry ignores that.

And that's why you get statements like, "design is important for other industries, but not hosting."

Design and image is important in attracting customers to anything. Apple computers run unix, fer chrissakes, but they sure do come in pretty boxes! And the kid in that commercial is so much cooler than the stuffy old loser who represents PCs!

Come on man.

Is it important, and I prove it, I remember a few years ago, we had an "amateur" design, it was done by a paid designer, but indeed, it was kind of "amateur" and we changed to a "flash" based web site, when that was the "latest" in designs (pixelbrick designs), daily sales duplicated almost instantly since we put that design online, plans were the same, same prices, everything was equal, but the design.

I would agree with datapimp. If you can make your site appear unique, then you'll stand out in the endleeeeeeess sea of hosts and wannabe hosts. That's why I built HTTPme as a forum. Sure, lots said it wouldn't work, but the last laugh I had. :D

I would agree with datapimp. If you can make your site appear unique, then you'll stand out in the endleeeeeeess sea of hosts and wannabe hosts. That's why I built HTTPme as a forum. Sure, lots said it wouldn't work, but the last laugh I had. :D

I agree with this. Making YOUR company stick out from the rest by differentiating your site, your brand and overal service is wonderful! The forum is an excellent approach to be different and I think it is masterminds at work.

As a web designer, I would say the design of the site is every important because it shows customers a big company. There are many hosts on WHT that have ugly sites. I don't know who designs there sites. But leave the designing to the designers. The people who say that design doesn't matter are the people who have bad designs.

there is a difference between between ugly design and bad design.

I have been working on designing my hosting site for that last week or so. As a freelance designer I have made many sites in the past. I think the the most important thing is that it's appealing to the type of customers you want to attract, and works well.

It's important to place things "where people would look for them first".

As for poor designs vs. your business' success. It's marketing. That's it. Who are you marketing to? What would best catch their interests?

I have seen many WHT host's sites that look horrible, but I don't believe that's stopped them from being successful. A clean, professional design isn't crutial, but it helps.

just my 2cents

I think the design is very important. Certainly was the case from my experience. But having an OK design is sufficient.

Templatemonster designs are awful for hosting, for many reasons.. The biggest reason, everybody knows.

Do you think the design on my site is ok?

http://cymraegwaleshosting.com

That's actually really nice, and it looks unique.

Red and green is generally a bad idea. Could be tough for any color blind people to get around your site. Same with the blue links on the red background.

And the dropdown menus go behind your 50% promo banner in FF2, didn't check any other browsers.

Just a couple suggestions.

We are going to change the links to a lighter blue. Then on the 1st jan, the advertisement will be gone