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Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

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Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#11

Post by timae »

BlueSkies wrote: post #8
cmer wrote: post #7

IMO, hire a graphic/ui designer. No offense, but it's butt ugly.

No offense taken :) I'm a back-end programmer without much UI experience. I was trying for a simplistic layout. Any specific suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

I agree on the ugly factor. A simple, temporary fix might be to center everything (after moving the "just drag.." text below the two subtitles near the logo). Some things are aligned left, some centered, doesn't flow well.

Also, the logo (specifically the font used) is very 90s. Pick something cleaner.

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#13

Post by Sam_Odio »

Like others have said, the site looks horrible. My first reaction was to turn and run. After trying it out, I actually found it pretty cool. It's similar to tr.im's bookmarklet.

I'd spend the majority repeating the cycle of adding/refining features and getting feedback from users. Eventually you'll could evolve the project into something new & innovative.

Don't spend too much time on promotion, but do a few things to get the word out. Do you have a business twitter account & blog? Use it to announce new features.

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#14

Post by BlueSkies »

Sam_Odio wrote: post #13

Like others have said, the site looks horrible. My first reaction was to turn and run. After trying it out, I actually found it pretty cool. It's similar to tr.im's bookmarklet. I'd spend the majority repeating the cycle of adding/refining features and getting feedback from users. Eventually you'll could evolve the project into something new & innovative. Don't spend too much time on promotion, but do a few things to…

I did setup an account @bigtweet but do most of my twittering @scott_carter

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#15

Post by trickjarrett »

tectonic wrote: post #9
cmer wrote: post #7

IMO, hire a graphic/ui designer. No offense, but it's butt ugly.

I too would like advice on how to find a UI designer to clean up an existing site without paying a fortune?

Designers are not all super expensive. I'd recommend hitting your regional Craigslist and posting on there, ask for resume / portfolios, and negotiate a price.

Tip #1: Pay them, and make it clear you'll pay them. Designers get shit upon so much and get all sorts of 'hey just do this design for me to build your portfolio' - 99% of them are sick of hearing that.

Tip #2: Have a clear vision of what you want. The quick way to suffering and painfully dealing with a designer is to not give them any limits or guidelines. Don't design it for them, but if you don't tell them where you want to go, how can you get pissed at them when they go their way and it isn't what you're looking for? Most of them won't take a job without a clear layout of what it is you want anyways.

Tip #3: Communicate. If you like a design, try to figure out what you like so they can replicate the look in other parts of the site. If you don't like a design, tell them why so they can fix that one part.

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#17

Post by webwright »

I'd agree with some folks that there is no business here.

If you envision a business here, I'd write down exactly what you're going to build that people will pay for, then ask 50 Twitter users if they'd pay for it. If 10% say yes (and you believe them). If not, punt.

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#18

Post by tjpick »

timae wrote: post #11
BlueSkies wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No offense taken :) I'm a back-end programmer without much UI experience. I was trying for a simplistic layout. Any specific suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

I agree on the ugly factor. A simple, temporary fix might be to center everything (after moving the "just drag.." text below the two subtitles near the logo). Some things are aligned left, some centered, doesn't flow well. Also, the logo (specifically the font used) is very 90s. Pick something cleaner.

Boo. Don't center everything.

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#19

Post by noodle »

tectonic wrote: post #9
cmer wrote: post #7

IMO, hire a graphic/ui designer. No offense, but it's butt ugly.

I too would like advice on how to find a UI designer to clean up an existing site without paying a fortune?

becoming a competent ui designer, not exceptional, is a task that can be undertaken in a manner similar to learning a language or technology. you won't be able to make a visual masterpiece, but you'll be able to make something that is color coordinated and somewhat visually appealing.

Re: Ask HN: Launched my free app, now what?

#20

Post by myoung8 »

trickjarrett wrote: post #15
tectonic wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I too would like advice on how to find a UI designer to clean up an existing site without paying a fortune?

Designers are not all super expensive. I'd recommend hitting your regional Craigslist and posting on there, ask for resume / portfolios, and negotiate a price. Tip #1: Pay them, and make it clear you'll pay them. Designers get shit upon so much and get all sorts of 'hey just do this design for me to build your portfolio' - 99% of them are sick of hearing that. Tip #2: Have a clear vision of what you want. The quick w…

Well put.
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