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Thread: Is the design vital?
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12-27-2006, 01:40 AM #1Junior Guru
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Is the design vital?
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?█ Your reading skill has increased by one point!
█ computers are cool now OK!
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12-27-2006, 01:46 AM #2WHT Addict
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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.
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12-27-2006, 03:12 AM #3Retired Moderator
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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of it this way, if you were going to go to a car dealership to buy a new car, would you buy it from the run down, out of date dealership or the brand new top of the line dealership?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.
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12-27-2006, 04:53 AM #4Junior Guru Wannabe
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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!All Talk Communications Limited
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Wholesale telecommunications - NZ
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12-27-2006, 05:33 AM #5Web Hosting Master
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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
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12-27-2006, 09:26 AM #6Web Hosting Master
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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.
Daniel B., CEO - Bezoka.com and Ungigs.com
Hosting Solutions Optimized for: WordPress • Joomla • OpenCart • Moodle
Data Centers in: Chicago (US), London (UK), Sydney (AU), Sofia (BG), Pori (FI)
Email Daniel directly: ceo [at] bezoka.com
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12-27-2006, 09:32 AM #7Junior Guru
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Hmm ok
Originally Posted by Linuxtechie
Yep, just thought I would ask you all because I was thinking of buying a templatemonster design: #9842█ Your reading skill has increased by one point!
█ computers are cool now OK!
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12-27-2006, 09:50 AM #8Web Hosting Master
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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.
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12-27-2006, 10:42 AM #9Web Hosting Master
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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.
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12-27-2006, 12:29 PM #10Web Hosting Master
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Sorry, I still have to disagree when speaking of the hosting industry.
Daniel B., CEO - Bezoka.com and Ungigs.com
Hosting Solutions Optimized for: WordPress • Joomla • OpenCart • Moodle
Data Centers in: Chicago (US), London (UK), Sydney (AU), Sofia (BG), Pori (FI)
Email Daniel directly: ceo [at] bezoka.com
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12-27-2006, 12:37 PM #11Texan at Heart
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Never judge a book by its cover
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
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12-27-2006, 12:42 PM #12Retired Moderator
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Originally Posted by GlobalWebDan
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12-27-2006, 01:00 PM #13Retired Moderator
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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.
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12-27-2006, 01:04 PM #14Web Hosting Master
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Originally Posted by MikeWalczakDaniel B., CEO - Bezoka.com and Ungigs.com
Hosting Solutions Optimized for: WordPress • Joomla • OpenCart • Moodle
Data Centers in: Chicago (US), London (UK), Sydney (AU), Sofia (BG), Pori (FI)
Email Daniel directly: ceo [at] bezoka.com
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12-27-2006, 01:30 PM #15working on it
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Originally Posted by GlobalWebDan
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.
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12-27-2006, 01:30 PM #16Newbie
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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.
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12-27-2006, 01:32 PM #17Web Hosting Master
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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.
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12-27-2006, 01:37 PM #18Newbie
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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.
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12-27-2006, 03:58 PM #19Web Hosting Master
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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.
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12-27-2006, 04:28 PM #20Newbie
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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.
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12-27-2006, 05:55 PM #21Retired Moderator
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Originally Posted by GlobalWebDan
Originally Posted by taylorwilsdon
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12-27-2006, 07:49 PM #22Aspiring Evangelist
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Something to throw out here.
www.plentyoffish.com is the most popular dating site on the internet.
it has an ugly but functional design.Rediscover online gaming Get Continuum / Subspace | Play Trenchwars
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12-27-2006, 08:19 PM #23Retired Moderator
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Originally Posted by doc_flabby
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12-27-2006, 09:51 PM #24Web Hosting Master
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...and a Web hosting site is a tool for recruiting new clients. Looks aside, functionality is tops. I rest my case...
Daniel B., CEO - Bezoka.com and Ungigs.com
Hosting Solutions Optimized for: WordPress • Joomla • OpenCart • Moodle
Data Centers in: Chicago (US), London (UK), Sydney (AU), Sofia (BG), Pori (FI)
Email Daniel directly: ceo [at] bezoka.com
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12-27-2006, 10:08 PM #25Business Owner
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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.I help entrepreneurs develop online branding. I value my clients and build relationships. I am a friend.
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