This is a question that has been plaguing me since I started web development and consulting. The more I reach out into the world, the more I see companies with absolutely horrid website designs and yet the companies are doing extremely well. Maybe I'm missing something? So: while I understand a company isn't it's website, but I believe a website helps define a companies image. So why do companies stick with, pardon my language, P.O.S. websites?
Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
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Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#2As usual - depends.
I had few sites from era when I had very bad design taste... But surprisingly ads do very well on these sites.
I believe, that as long as users _needs_ (vs. _might_ need) what your business offers through this site, design does not matter as long as it is readable and usable.
But for new businesses design might be crucial. Usually you have only few seconds of visitor's attention and you have to fully utilize it. Design is one of the tool to get a bit more attention nad may be convert new user. But it do nothing for existing users IMHO.
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#3I've worked with companies with terrible websites in the past, either to give them a new website or to fix existing components while keeping my eyes closed... I think there are a few reasons here. However, your actual question? No idea, I would love to see some stats, but I doubt it can be quantified that well (see point 3).
1. Someone in the executives actually likes the site the way it is. These are business people, not designers. I'm surprised time and again, how if you give a business person a logo drawn in crayon, they'll chose it, because it show synergy or whatever (slight exaggeration). Maybe a family member made the existing website for them. Even if they recognize there are other websites out there that look better, they cannot imagine that website with their logo and content. One company I worked with saw our wireframe and love it. It was so much better than what they had, even unfinished, and because it had their logo in the top corner, they were able to get it.
2. Costs are unknown. How much does it cost to make a new website for me? This guy says $500, this guy says $5000, what is the difference? These people are in the top of other fields. They know if their electrical contractor pushes them for 2 months and doubles the price whether its reasonable or not. They have no idea for web stuff.
3. Success cannot be easily quantified. Was the uptick in business as a result of a new design or the full marketing campaign you launched at the same time? (and I anticipate functionality far outweighs design, I mean, look at DrudgeReport, still extremely popular with a very basic design) And certainly depends industry to industry. A good design means far more to a web design company than it does to a electrical contractor.
(edit, added a little spacing)
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#4It definitely does, but the magnitude of the affect varies based on the clientele. For example, the affect on a web-based business would probably be much greater.
For example - I ran a file hosting site a number of years ago using a pre-built php script, and the default template with a few modifications. I ran it with this template for a few years, until I was making enough profit to warrant hiring someone to make a new site template for me. I hired someone off of rent-a-coder for less than $100, and within a week of installing the new theme my pageviews increased about 20% overnight, and stayed there.
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#5Nope.jpg
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#6I think that an over-polished website for a small business can seem suspicious. E.g. when looking for small restaurants or family owned hotels, an average website with average photos is fine and they are obviously not trying to hide something, it shows the real thing. However, a super-professional website with high-quality, photoshop-retouched photos... I know it won't be as good as it looks in the photos.
Then again, a web / mobile startup with bad graphics or design will suffer a lot from it because that should be one of their core competencies.
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#7When you buy something do you look at how it looks, presents and is put together? How much does that factor in for you when you're buying something for the first time?
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#8How many times have you not done business with a company because of the quality of its website? If its an online transaction I will generally try (not very hard) to find another vendor, but in person, I doubt anyone has losty business for this reason.
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#9Ask yourself, has Jon Ive (DESIGNER!!) helped Apple in business at all ? Of course it does !
Re: Ask HN: Do quality web graphics, design and layout actually help businesses?
#10It definitely does, but the magnitude of the affect varies based on the clientele. For example, the affect on a web-based business would probably be much greater. For example - I ran a file hosting site a number of years ago using a pre-built php script, and the default template with a few modifications. I ran it with this template for a few years, until I was making enough profit to warrant hiring someone to make a…
Were there any HTML changes that might have helped you with SEO ? Because that could be a big factor too.