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Thread: Reasons why NOT to use templates
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04-30-2004, 09:08 PM #26Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by Aussie Bob
And even if a potential client did stumble accross those 2 sites (chances are probably 1 in the thousands), I doubt it would make much difference in their buying decision. Joe Public really couldn't care less.
sign of stability, a sign of investment into the business. You would
never buy a Chevy that was designed to look exactly like a BMW, would
you? I wouldn't buy a service or product from an online company that
did not at least, to some extent, invest into their appearance. Looks
ARE everything. Why do you think companies spend thousands on
custom designs? Why is Ceonex still in business?---
Dan Ushman
Co-founder & CMO
SingleHop, Inc.0
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04-30-2004, 09:21 PM #27Build It Better!
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Designs have very little to do with the success of your business unless your site is your sole point of sales. Even then it's still questionable. HttpMe is living proof of that. That is a successful business model and their web site is a forum, a forum without an expensive skin I might add..
To put a different perspective on this topic, I would say that 40% of our clients have never even seen our web site. They pay by check or Credit Card taken over the telephone, and for support they use the phone or we visit their offices. Sales efforts these clients responded to were not generated online so there was no need for them to ever see our site.
For us spending money on an expensive design would be like buying a Mercedes and parking it in the garage never to drive it.
Just because something works for one company does not mean (by any stretch of the imagination) it will work for everyone. Also, to make a statement that "this is the only way it will work" is a terribly naive statement to make in most cases IMO...0
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05-01-2004, 12:01 AM #28Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by Watcher_TVI
. . . HttpMe is living proof of that. That is a successful business model and their web site is a forum, a forum without an expensive skin I might add..• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
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05-01-2004, 12:35 AM #29Registered User
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I also believe Templates are very much a good idea for businesses starting out. I've used them, however I do make major changes to them before putting them into service.
My organization builds such templates and offers them with a customization service. We don't bring in loads of profit from this service, but we get around 3-5 orders per week, mostly Hosting Companies.
Personally, I myself would probably never got into web design without these template sites. Using generic templates to learn how to build these sites started one of my main hobbies and part-time jobs.
In contrast, I do believe a unique design is benificial to a company, however in the world of webhosting there are just so many different companies out there I'm positive you can compare two or more sites and find many similarities within their sites.
In my opinion, a WebHosting company needs a "Professional Look" whether its a template or original design, but more importantly it needs to be able to prove its services and support to potential customers.0
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05-01-2004, 02:18 AM #30Web Hosting Master
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Hey, I'm using templates for the first kick
If I'm making a decent income, why should I stick with the non-unique site? Using template is just a process0
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05-01-2004, 12:37 PM #31Web Hosting Guru
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Originally posted by Elm
Yeah, to bad people don't put energy into making their own designs..0
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05-01-2004, 02:03 PM #32Temporarily Suspended
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Custom templates
Even if a designer used a template, dosent mean anything other than maybe they have no time. They could be offering services like templatetuning.com or something where you pick a template and they customize it for u, When they want to pay under $100 theres no alternative. I for one prefer that so I atleast have an idea of what there going for. Going from scratch and putting all that time into it and them not liking it, and wanting a ton of changes meaning another clean start isnt what I want to do with my time, esp for under a $100. Speaking for myself would be happy to do a template/site from scratch if they new what they wanted, most cant even tell you want font they want let alone no the difference btw a table and a cell. Most offer low price customizing of any template and if they want a template from scratch its just gonna cost more. I have 1000's of template as Im sure alot of you do. whats the matter with taking slices from a few of them and redoing them, changing colors txt and layers ? I may want server pics from one template and a header from another, colors changed here and there. Would like to know others opinions
Originally posted by dgm
Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that both of those sites are offering "web design services"?0
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05-02-2004, 02:43 AM #33Junior Guru Wannabe
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Here's another example, these two sites look exactly the same..
http://www.adaptivehost.com/
and
http://www.elancehosting.com/
just came across their links on WHT..0
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05-02-2004, 02:51 AM #34Web Hosting Master
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Maybe people should look more clearly under the TM templates how many times it has been downloaded. 98% of them already are but still they risk having the same template. I wonder why?
"Web Hosting is not just about selling space, it is about facilitating customers needs with your plans and supporting the customer for a long lasting mutually beneficial relationship."- Yaser0
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05-02-2004, 10:34 AM #35Newbie
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Joe Public
I don't think Joe Public is going to know it's a template unless he is the 1 in 1000 that find two sites the same...
Originally posted by midphase-Dan
I disagree a lot! Joe Public does care, a good quality design is a
sign of stability, a sign of investment into the business. You would
never buy a Chevy that was designed to look exactly like a BMW, would
you? I wouldn't buy a service or product from an online company that
did not at least, to some extent, invest into their appearance. Looks
ARE everything. Why do you think companies spend thousands on
custom designs? Why is Ceonex still in business?0
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05-02-2004, 01:29 PM #36Web Hosting Guru
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Re: Joe Public
Originally posted by mthosting
I don't think Joe Public is going to know it's a template unless he is the 1 in 1000 that find two sites the same...
Most of the people are design elitists.
Since sites that use templates aren't big companies, the chances of a person encountering sites with the same template are very small.
The highest risk is on WHT, which is not a big deal at all. I bet less than 1% of web hosting customers actually do some research. Ipowerweb, a web host with a dubious reputation here, is bigger than most of the non dedicated WHT members combined (including Lunarpages, hostnexus, etc.)
And I know all of us are sick with TM templates and can smell them a mile away. But the vast majority of the internet population doesn't care. TM templates actually look better than most of the custom designs I've seen here. I know you want to puke when you see a website that resembles a video game. But like I said, most of you are design elitists.
HTTPme had a horrible design. It was unprofessional looking and non-intuitive. It would have fallen on its face if it didn't have Aussie Bob or its stellar reputation here at WHT.
If the prices and reputation were the same, a regular customer would go with http://www.adaptivehost.com/ anyday.0
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05-02-2004, 10:25 PM #37Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by |<@os
Here's another example, these two sites look exactly the same..
http://www.adaptivehost.com/
and
http://www.elancehosting.com/
just came across their links on WHT..
ThrillHost as well =x---
Dan Ushman
Co-founder & CMO
SingleHop, Inc.0
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05-02-2004, 11:45 PM #38Web Hosting Master
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Most of the TM templates have a high loading time dont they? Ive heard that if a site takes more than 10 seconds to download then the user looses intrest in the landing page. Most of TM templates have a presentation in their flash header which takes lots of loading time
"Web Hosting is not just about selling space, it is about facilitating customers needs with your plans and supporting the customer for a long lasting mutually beneficial relationship."- Yaser0
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05-03-2004, 03:11 AM #39WHT Addict
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Haha I was featured as one of the "evil templators"! I love it. When I made the choice to start a web hosting company in early 2003, I had very limited resources, yet needed a professional look. I saw this template in early May, and had to have it! At that time only 2 others had it. You might say I was the third to get it. I had no idea there would be a ton of web hosts out there who had it.
Anyways, I customized it quite a bit from the actual template. For example take a look at the webhosting page which is totally different. We are are going to re-do it the entire site. At the moment we are currently re-designing it ala templatetuning.com. When we are done with that it should be different. None of our clients care, they love the site! The only people who have a problem with it are other web hosts, which don't pay me a dime, so I don't care! lolLast edited by MaxHosting; 05-03-2004 at 03:15 AM.
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05-03-2004, 04:41 AM #40Aspiring Evangelist
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Decisions, decisions....
Do I use Frontpage to design a hosting site??
Or do I use a template for my hosting site??
Which will I get slammed more for?? Frontpage?? Template??
That is what I based my decision on. I did not have Dreamweaver at the time, so, I went template. Although a new hosting site is being done in Frontpage totally. Keeps with the "theme" of the hosting service name.Glen Millar
Tyger Hosting Services
http://www.tygerhosting.com
Affordable Direct Admin Linux Hosting Since 20030
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05-03-2004, 06:05 AM #41Web Hosting Master
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Re: Re: Joe Public
Originally posted by Intersabre
. . . HTTPme had a horrible design. It was unprofessional looking and non-intuitive . . .
If you don't understand or comprehend the .COMmunity platform (and you don't), and how it interacts on multiple levels, and draws in the site visitor, then you simply don't understand. Don't knock what you do not comprehend.
Originally posted by Intersabre
. . . It would have fallen on its face if it didn't have Aussie Bob or its stellar reputation here at WHT.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
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05-03-2004, 06:38 AM #42Web Hosting Master
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quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Intersabre
. . . It would have fallen on its face if it didn't have Aussie Bob or its stellar reputation here at WHT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aussie Bob is not a superhero that he saved HTTPme without doing anything, he probably spent lots of time and hardwork building the reputation, he's almost 10K posts which is a very good contribution to WHT.
Maybe he can tell us any of his secrets hehe"Web Hosting is not just about selling space, it is about facilitating customers needs with your plans and supporting the customer for a long lasting mutually beneficial relationship."- Yaser0
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05-03-2004, 07:13 AM #43Web Hosting Master
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My opinion about templates is obvious. Templates work. However it is not a good solution for those who want and mean business.
I don't know if that's because I am a designer myself but, I can easily identify a web site template and already caught so many hosts using it, even though they always neglect to say it
Why don't you just say to your customers "I used a template"?
The funny thing for me is that everyone using a template tries to pass a wealthy image to the customers.... wealthy with a template?
I definately prefer having a www.adjkhost.com then having a templatemonster.com!
But hey, I respect those who use templates, after all not all of us can have design skills or money to hire a good designer.
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05-03-2004, 08:39 AM #44Web Hosting Guru
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Re: Re: Re: Joe Public
Originally posted by Aussie Bob
I find that extremely offensive
I still stand by my convicitions though. There's a reason why no other business site looks like yours. The majority of the internet population would have difficulty using a forum. Plus it's unprofessional - it looks more like a web community than a business. You could have had a normal website and a forum featured prominently.
Your customers are resellers, which are much more sophisticated than the general internet population.
I'm taking it from a purely design perspective though. Ask any professional web designer with a degree. It worked for you because of special circumstances.0
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05-03-2004, 08:46 AM #45Web Hosting Master
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Members: 1,797, Threads: 16,423, Posts: 113,427
There are currently 11 members and 6 guests on the boards. | Most users ever online was 143 on 05-28-03 at 03:52 PM.
HTTPme.com seems to work. So keep it up.
- AF0
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05-03-2004, 09:20 AM #46Web Hosting Master
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Joe Public
Originally posted by Intersabre
I apologize if you were offended. Looking back, I should have worded that better.
Thank you.
I still stand by my convicitions though. There's a reason why no other business site looks like yours.
Thank you. I am very partial to flattery.
Others are running with that platform now. HTTPme was probably the first hosting company to embrace that type of platform. It's a brave path if others want to follow. I see this platform being adopted more and more in the future, as we shake ourselves from the shackles and bondage on what people think a "website" constitutes.
The majority of the internet population would have difficulty using a forum.
Good thing we're not trying to connect with the "majority of the internet population". However, communities connect to the very heart of most people. Business on the net is really about connecting with someone, and using that connection to interact and create a platform whereby products and services can be distributed.
Plus it's unprofessional
If you say so. The experience of our clients and from much other feedback received, is that is not the case. But each to his own.
it looks more like a web community than a business.
Bingo, gee imagine that. It comes accross with the desire to connect in a familiar community (human) manner, and thus removing heaps of barriers. It connects MUCH more than an average site, which pretty much just displays information, with no interactivity. Humans have a deep desire to connect. Communities facilitate that connection, and this transpires into the business world.
You could have had a normal website and a forum featured prominently.
Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt. If I want a normal car, I'll buy a normal car. If I want something noone else has got, then I'll create that. You need to differenciate yourself from your competition, and HTTPme did that very well, with the .COMmunity platform.
Your customers are resellers, which are much more sophisticated than the general internet population.
Let's hope so. Gee, maybe we thought about that first?
I'm taking it from a purely design perspective though. Ask any professional web designer with a degree.
lol, if I wanted to build a standard website, I would have. HTTPme is a .COMmunity which faciliates human connection via an online platform, which inturn allows for the distribution of products and services. Most designers with a "degree" wouldn't know what the hell I'm talking about.
It worked for you because of special circumstances.
Sometimes I do ponder on all the underlying psychology and variables that contribute to the entity, but I find myself satisfied and content with some mystery.• WLVPN.com • NetProtect owned White Label VPN provider •
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05-03-2004, 10:58 AM #47Build It Better!
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Originally Posted by adjkhost
Look at them now, in my opinion Pair is just about the premier hosting company out there. They sport a stellar reputation, run a morally solid business and have the utmost respect from most (if not all) of the legitimate web hosts out there. All without some fancy overpriced web site. Imagine that.
A great and expensive site design will not overcome a poor network, bad support or deceptive business practices. In and of itself a web site design is not what makes a company serious about their business, nor does it enhance their reputation for providing quality services. It is simply an online office that needs to be soundly functional and work without errors.0
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05-03-2004, 02:00 PM #48Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by Watcher_TVI
... A great and expensive site design will not overcome a poor network, bad support or deceptive business practices. In and of itself a web site design is not what makes a company serious about their business, nor does it enhance their reputation for providing quality services. It is simply an online office that needs to be soundly functional and work without errors.
Pair.com had success with a template. Ok, I accept it. Here is an example of a web host that boosted sales with a new site:
www.hostrocket.com
Thanks for replying, btw. Good to know your opinion.
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05-03-2004, 02:56 PM #49Web Hosting Master
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Joe Public
Originally posted by Intersabre
I apologize if you were offended. Looking back, I should have worded that better.
I still stand by my convicitions though. There's a reason why no other business site looks like yours. The majority of the internet population would have difficulty using a forum. Plus it's unprofessional - it looks more like a web community than a business. You could have had a normal website and a forum featured prominently.
Your customers are resellers, which are much more sophisticated than the general internet population.
I'm taking it from a purely design perspective though. Ask any professional web designer with a degree. It worked for you because of special circumstances.
You put your foot in your mouth with uneducated, ignorating comments such as
there's a reason no other business websites look like yours
Another comment I find utterly foolish is:
HTTPme had a horrible design. It was unprofessional looking and non-intuitive. It would have fallen on its face if it didn't have Aussie Bob or its stellar reputation here at WHT.
I also beg to ask, you consider the design of adaptivehost (not picking on these here), and the thousands of others with Pixelbrick-inspired designs intuitive? Incredible.Matthew Russell | Namecheap
Twitter: @mattdrussell
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05-03-2004, 05:26 PM #50Web Hosting Master
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Originally posted by adjkhost
Pair.com had success with a template. Ok, I accept it.
Speaking for pair,
Kevin0