Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Design and Content : Professional Or Not

[cedwards]

Okay this isnt really a question if this is professional or not but do you think it would turn ppl off. I highly believe in people moving to firefox instead of IE (Im a avid hater of IE). I have a mid sized webdesign and programing company here in Orlando Florida. We use firefox on all of our office computers and the entire staff uses them on their home.

Thing is if you look at my site right now i have a little icon at the bottom.... www.overdrive-studios.com ....of firefox eating IE ...lol What im wondering is if you think that would turn away clients or not? Right now i get alot of subcontracted work from other webdesign companies but as we are growing im building my staff and going to get more clients directly with us meaning they will most likely go through our site.

Thing is should i not have a support firefox thing at all? Should i change that current one to be just a get firefox button..u know not eating IE? or you think that wont effect anyone considering only those that really know firefox would understand that?

Currently that is just a page holder untill we go out of subcontracting into public so right now only my subcontractors see it and they dont mind it.

[S-Comm]

I'm an IE fan by the way and when I saw this page I didn't know that firefox is eating IE until you've mentioned it.

[Mekhu]

My personal opinion is that it's harmless. If a client wants to be turned off by a 80x80 logo of a fox eating an "e", then cya!

Anyways, I'd keep it. Even best, you're promoting a browser that supports better code, etc if I'm not mistaken.

Jeff

[Pete]

I wouldn't do it, unless all your clients are internet savy.

I would also get rid of the blue circle around the e, they look like the hands attached to the paws.

[cedwards]

Originally posted by Mekhu
My personal opinion is that it's harmless. If a client wants to be turned off by a 80x80 logo of a fox eating an "e", then cya!

Anyways, I'd keep it. Even best, you're promoting a browser that supports better code, etc if I'm not mistaken.

Jeff

Yeah. I hate building something and previewing it in Firefox and it works perfectly...then jumping it over to IE and BOOM...there is 2 hours worth of problems to fix lol.

[peynir]

I like the fox eating IE

[kelvinklay]

always test your websites in all major browsers, like

firefox
netscape
explorer

[the_pm]

I understand your desire to spread the good word about browsers that support industry standards and provide people with safer browsing experiences. I'm personally an Opera man, but I recommend FireFox to my non-technical friends, because most people don't need or wouldn't understand the functionality available in Opera, and FireFox does basic browsing best.

That being said, obviously you must feel you're treading a fine line with this image. Is it that bad? No, not really, not from my perspective. Some larger corporate clients will not understand it, and then will wonder what's wrong with you when you tell them their choice of browsers is a poor one (many of these companies rely on MS products, and if you tell them their vendor of choice makes a poor product, they're likely to think something's wrong with you). But that's all about how you explain it, if anyone asks. I doubt anyone will.

Here's my approach. I put a credits page on sites where credit is due, or where any site-related messages need to be made. Here's a small sample of the type of statement I'll make:

This site is designed to function well in all current-release browsers and legacy browsers up to five years old. It is also designed to display functionally on alternative browsing devices such as cell phones, PDAs and tablet PCs. It will honor user specifications, such as font size increases/decreases, browser window size preferences and user-controlled stylesheets.

To ensure the most enjoyable viewing experience of this site and others on the Web, we recommend downloading and installing one of the following free browsers:
FireFox 4.5 mb.
Mozilla 11-15 mb.
K-Meleon 5.3 mb.
Opera (free/purchase options available) 3.4/16.2 mb.

The statement will vary slightly from site to site, but as you can see, no mention is made of IE whatsoever, not even a negative statement. The only thing this statement conveys is that universal usage is the goal of the site, and that using one of the recommended browsers will further this goal.

Perhaps a similar approach would work well on your site

[igeek]

nice! i hate IE now also!

[Acert93]

Considering IE has 90% of the market you should be careful how you represent your feelings on this issue.

If I were a potential client with a business I would recognize most of my business will go to people using IE. I could care less about how IE performs (or underperforms) because if that is the browser of choice for my clients then my designer better support it, and support it well. Also, who are you trying to preach to? The client or the end user? There are thousands of end users for every site so the evangilism wont go far.

I think a professional company picks their battles wisely. It can be very good to be trendy, but most business people could care less about trendy--they care about their clients using their site to make money. And since IE is the market leader, well, poking fun of my clients most commonly used browser probably is not seen as the most professional move.

Just my opinion. I like IE and Firefox but could care less about the debate. I try to make sure my stuff works on both platforms.

[cedwards]

True. I do make sure it works perfect in the major browsers. I think im going to remove it once we open for public business. Like i said now im just subcontracted out and they dont even visit my website...we jsut meet in person and by phone.

You guys made a good argument and kinda also something your agruments added into my head. If i have that symbol even though I say i do all the testing and make it work in all major browsers...some clients may think that i do not taylor it to the most widly used browser...IE which could potentinally cause them to leave.

THanks Guys!!

[qwidjib0]

I agree that a lot of people probably won't get it, but I think it's great . I would hope that the potential IE fans would at least be able to appreciate the humor here, and I really don't see it as any kind of 'battle'. It might turn some potential real uptight clients off, it might turn some more laid back clients on (FireFox fans or not). I would think about how you view your target audience, and I think in the end it's totally up to speculation.

[E:magine - Rik]

I have to say that although I use IE predominantly, I use it to check how things display. Firefox/mozzila are by far better and seem to have fewer issues where display is concerned!

I don't think that you would upset IE users, howabout making that image a link explaining the alternatives to IE with links to downloads for each of the alternatives
just an idea

[Void Exception]

I'm still into the age of ie, although I've tried out firefox and such.. I didn't check to see what type of site this will be for, but in my opinion, I don't see that it's that necessary. It's a nice little icon though..

[dirmass]

As a FF supoter I'd have to say thats an awesome image!
Is it your own work or is it copywrited in any way? If yes, may I please use it on my own website?