Website designs

[Boost]

Do any of you judge a company based on their website? Say for example you are looking into a company that offers a service that could be very beneficial, but when you go to their website, it looks like something created in the late '90s, i.e. a very low tech looking website. Would that sway your decision of going with that company?

[Bones]

Not really, in order for me to look at your site, I would have to be interested in what you are trying to sell.

Then, I would be looking at how many people have tried your product, what the other users are saying about it, and if the product has issues, your capability in solving the issues in a satisfactory manner for your existing customers.

Simple as that, in my case. Wouldn't worry too much about "smileys", extra garbage that some people tend to throw in such as games, etc...

Loose all of the excess luggage, focus on your customers, provide support for the product that you are selling....

You'll do well. :)

NBTP

[Tempestuous]

He isn't talking about a product as much as a service offered.

So as long as there are reviews or testimonies of service, it doesn't matter to you that the website is very plain & basic early internet type format and not on the up & up as far as technological abilities are concerned.

[dk]

I think a good design goes a long way. I'm anything but the best web designer around. My designs suck in my opinion. Very square, and not all that high impact, but I do at least try to keep it professional in a minimalistic way. I think that (or more) is to be expected out of everyone.

You can tell A LOT about a company based on their web presence. If it looks like it was put together by an amateur (bad color coordination, goofy fonts, terrible loading speed, spinning mailbox icons, etc), it probably was. And if it's an ecommerce website, you're best off going with a company that AT LEAST looks like they know what they're doing.

I am more of a programmer, so my priority is always on functionality (does it work right?) and ease of use. I keep it simple and try to not go overboard with anything that loads on the screen. Which is why sometimes I have disagreements with some of the people who have been helping out with the JU site lately.

From one designer to another, I'll always say go with quick loading time, cleanliness, ease of use, and optimized code (for loading time and search engine optimization). If your page loads fast and users can do what they want to do in as few clicks as possible they will return.

From a user's standpoint, I think the least you should ever expect is that the person who created the site to AT LEAST do the bare minimum to make a non-offensively color coordinated site that works.

Rambling.

[Bones]

Boost asked a question, I answered in the only way that I knew how. It wasn't an attack on anyone. It was not meant to be a malicious act, etc....

But even if Boost is only trying to sell a "service", from the consumers viewpoint it is still a product.

And dk, I wasn't trying to criticize your designing skills. I like what you have done with this thing so far. And I completely agree with what you have written in your response.

Just wanted this posted for the record.

NBTP

[dk]

I know man. I never thought you were attacking me. :) I was just giving my own views on web development.

[DoctorP]

In my day to day job, there have been companies that I steered away from because of their website. Either it was cheap looking, or not enough information posted. Either way I was turned off by the site itself, and it cost them my business!

[Tempestuous]

Boost asked a question, I answered in the only way that I knew how. It wasn't an attack on anyone. It was not meant to be a malicious act, etc....

But even if Boost is only trying to sell a "service", from the consumers viewpoint it is still a product.

And dk, I wasn't trying to criticize your designing skills. I like what you have done with this thing so far. And I completely agree with what you have written in your response.

Just wanted this posted for the record.

NBTP
NBTP- I just wanna make sure you know I wasn't jumpin on you either!!! I was just double checkin what you were sayin. As for product/service for me it kind of makes a difference in how I would represent or expect it represented.
But I get ya!
Wanted to make sure you weren't feelin "attacked" either!
Peace!

[Boost]

Either it was cheap looking, or not enough information posted.

That is what I thought as well. I volunteered to maintain a business website for a family member that wasn't short of information, but was very plain looking. I had designed several prototype redesigns for them, but they were against having a more modern, updated look as it might shy away people who are not as technologically advanced. So I was getting some feedback to use as backup for my case, but ended up doing what I wanted in the end. It's not like their paying me anyways. :)

[Tempestuous]

In my day to day job, there have been companies that I steered away from because of their website. Either it was cheap looking, or not enough information posted. Either way I was turned off by the site itself, and it cost them my business!

That is what we are wondering.....trying to put feelers out for. How important is the website? What turns ya off? WHat draws ya in?

We have a family memeber we were tryin to explain this concept to and they just don't see it that way. We were wondering was it just us? Or is there somethin too this?

[Boost]

Boost asked a question, I answered in the only way that I knew how.

Thanks NBTP, I do appreciate your input! I was meaning more about the design of the website vs. the content. This one in particular isn't actually my website, just one I volunteered to maintain. After looking at how plain it was it was my thoughts that, that could detract potential customers.

[dk]

I had designed several prototype redesigns for them, but they were against having a more modern, updated look as it might shy away people who are not as technologically advanced.
If this idea were true, old people would never surf the web for news. Most of the well known news websites (reuters, cnn, bbc, msnbc, etc) really have their act together. That idea just doesn't make any sense.

The website can look as good as you want to make it. The only policy you really NEED to follow is "keep it simple", which can be done even with a professional looking website. Ease of use is everything.

Not saying that most old people aren't technologically advanced, but the younger crowd is certainly more likely to latch onto newer technologies in my experience.

[Boost]

If this idea were true, old people would never surf the web for news. Most of the well known news websites (reuters, cnn, bbc, msnbc, etc) really have their act together. That idea just doesn't make any sense.

The website can look as good as you want to make it. The only policy you really NEED to follow is "keep it simple", which can be done even with a professional looking website. Ease of use is everything.



Exactly my thoughts as well, but I guess I was having a hard time conveying that message to them. That you can have an updated/modern looking website that is still easy to navigate.

But to their credit, I have seen some websites that even I get lost in, do to the overwhelming amount of content crammed onto one page. Most professional sites though do a good job of keeping it simple though.

[dk]

Yeah, some people (http://www.japantoday.com/) do go a bit overboard.

[Tempestuous]

Over stimulated!!! Total meltdown mode!!! LOL
WOWZERS!!!

[Boost]

Yeah, some people (http://www.japantoday.com/) do go a bit overboard.

Holy crap! Yes, that was a bit...busy!

[dk]

They put out good information, and I use their RSS feeds on another site I run, but geez! Information overload is right!