Ask HN: Is it "bad" to use Themeforest? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Is it "bad" to use Themeforest?

#11

Post by leprofessorr » Sat, Sep 01, 2012, 3:25 AM UTC

tptacek wrote: post #8

leprofessorr wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, I'm perfectly fine with Twitter Bootstrap and similar because its highly customizable and after a few hours coding, it won't even be recognizable. I'm using an Admin template for a web app and its pretty unique. I just don't want to be "mocked" because I didn't take the time and money to make a more unique interface. Like North Korea was mocked because the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's site ( http://kor…

Being mocked is a badge of honor. It means you have the hustle to ship and get things out in front of people. You should worry a little bit if you're not being mocked. Maybe you're that good, but, really, for the most part, the people who mock new businesses the most tend to be too dumb to tell the difference. So, not being mocked probably means you're wasting time being too vain to ship. Forget the web design stuff.…

Thanks! I'm learning to see quite a few things in different ways today. :)

Re: Ask HN: Is it "bad" to use Themeforest?

#12

Post by poppysan » Sat, Sep 01, 2012, 5:35 AM UTC

leprofessorr wrote: post #4

patio11 wrote: post #3

It is not "unprofessional" to use a ThemeForest theme. What does that even mean , really? Break it down. Do you think customers will not buy if you use a ThemeForest theme or Twitter bootstrap or WooThemes or what have you? If so, empirically denied: I've sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of product on sites using those options personally, and many people have had that experience. Do you think you owe it to the u…

No, I'm perfectly fine with Twitter Bootstrap and similar because its highly customizable and after a few hours coding, it won't even be recognizable. I'm using an Admin template for a web app and its pretty unique. I just don't want to be "mocked" because I didn't take the time and money to make a more unique interface. Like North Korea was mocked because the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's site ( http://kor…

A few css tweaks and any theme can be made unique. I see no issue in saving time with themes, templates, or the like.

Re: Ask HN: Is it "bad" to use Themeforest?

#13

Post by santa_boy » Sun, Sep 02, 2012, 4:39 AM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #3

It is not "unprofessional" to use a ThemeForest theme. What does that even mean , really? Break it down. Do you think customers will not buy if you use a ThemeForest theme or Twitter bootstrap or WooThemes or what have you? If so, empirically denied: I've sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of product on sites using those options personally, and many people have had that experience. Do you think you owe it to the u…

To put patio11's last comment in perspective .... citing a resource on how some of the most popular sites looks liked in their initial stages:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/6125914/How-20-popular...

OP : Thanks for asking this question. I've been pondering it last night since I am in a similar situation. Just my two cents, I've decided to use Themes from Themeforest that leverage other established frameworks (I prefer the ones that build on twitter bootstrap).

I feel like sticking to a well accepted framework allows you to benefit from further releases since bugs keep getting fixed and you can freely upgrade using the new releases without having to wait for the original author of the theme to do it for you.

Re: Ask HN: Is it "bad" to use Themeforest?

#14

Post by michaelpinto » Mon, Sep 03, 2012, 7:02 PM UTC

leprofessorr wrote: post #10

michaelpinto wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually with many designs (and this really print) the photo could be the main center of attention. In fact a custom photo should communicate the concept of the design, not just illustrate it. So just think of the difference between say a cover photo on a magazine (like an Entertainment Weekly issue with a real Hollywood Star) vs. the generic stock photo. So the photo should be everything -- and the same with the int…

I never thought about that... Perhaps I need to take some design courses :D

Forget design -- take an art history course! that's the foundation...