All hosts seem to look exactly the same?

M

mattxclassic

New member
This is more of a question as to why this is like this... but it seems every site has the same basic header changed around a little bit. A flash template with a picture of a server that lights run through. Examples: xelanti.com and raine-tech.com. Nothing against these sites, it's just that xelanti support seems really slow, and I am hesitant to trust any host that looks like this now. Could someone explain why this is so? I'm currently hosted under passionhost.com and want to switch to something cheaper with better options, but it seems like everything else would be unreliable.
 
Hello, welcome to HD.

The answer is very simple - most companies (especially in the hosting industry) purchase use ready-to-use templates from variety of sources. Those templates are sometimes sold tens of times, so it is common to notice similarities in web design of many web sites.

#1 reason for buying ready templates: appeal and price. Its cheap, fast and easy.

Best,
 
fact is ..50% or more hosts buy templates online, that's why a lot of hosts look so alike (except for their own logos)
 
Well for the most part I find that these companies are unreliable and typically run by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.
 
mattxclassic said:
Well for the most part I find that these companies are unreliable and typically run by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.
Click to expand...

No matter how you look at it, it is wrong to associate the look of the site with performance. There are companies who do not have big budgets for "designing" purposes for variety of reasons, one of which could be the fact that they prefer investing those money in tech support.

Also there could have been factors in play like lack of time. Maybe time was a crucial factor for them at the moment.

Anyways, you know where I'm going. :)

Best,
 
mattxclassic said:
Well for the most part I find that these companies are unreliable and typically run by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.
Click to expand...

i wouldn't want to think like that. When a host purchases a template, that doesn't mean that host doesn't know what he/she doing. A good host doesn't mean he/she has to be good at designing websites.

I think i'm good at designing websites that doesn't mean i'm a good host provider, does it?

It's like you're saying ...if you're a doctor you have to know how dentists work or vice versa. :confused: Again, NEVER judge a book by its cover.
 
mattxclassic, you really need to put the template on the bottom of your list of things to look for when choosing a host.
The key is research. Go to forums to get opinions. Do a whois to find out how long they have been in business. Do a google search under the host name to see if anything negative turns up.
A very good website costs in the thousands of dollars to have designed. Most hosts starting out would rather put that money toward stable servers and promotion.
That being said, there are many kiddie hosts who use a template and a dirt cheap reseller account to get into the business. By doing the proper research you can avoid these.
 
as people have said above, the templates usually result in a poor host (obviously not in all cases). Personally when I see a web host using a template i think the following:
1) fly-by-night firm.
2) reseller
3) Kiddie host (as in a 14 year old at the reigns).

Again as some have said above, if you wish to take the time to investigate a template host - then probably google and WHT are your friend though in 99.9% of the time, nothing will turn up as the host simply hasnt been around long enough. and a quick email to their support@ address or contact form with some sort of question is a good way to gauge their level of service.

Personally, I (if I were back in the position where I would actually need a web host) would never deal with a template based host as it shows that they either dont have the inclination to hire/ employ a web designer or the funds to do so, and if that is the case then what is their infrastructure like and what sort of state are the servers (ie, cheap hardware, poorly configured.etc .etc .etc).
 
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I agree with some of the points made here. I mean if I were to startup a new website, I'd want it to look nice but if the functions/features are more important to the survival of the site, I'd obviously budget more for that and make sure I get the best I can for that portion, and budget less for the design, as long as the design is user friendly and easy to navigate.

I don't think ALL or MOST hosts that use templates would be bad. As mentioned in an earlier post, they could be spending money on other more worthwhile things like a good support system, or hiring a better support staff.
 
mattxclassic said:
Well for the most part I find that these companies are unreliable and typically run by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry but that's crap. Ive designed my own sites and ive bought templates for sites depending on how much time i have when i am setting up the site. It has nothing to do with how much i know!
 
Most hosts do indeed use templates, for a variety of reasons. Some, because they don't have a clue how to create shiny new html pages. Others, because they're not even close to familiar with the graphic and color ballancing side of things (I'm that way somewhat myself), others because they want the fast and lazy way to do it.
Judging a host by its "look" is pretty shallow, either saying "it's crap" or "It's not a good host", both from the competition standpoint and the consumer standpoint. Unfortunately, consumers want a shiny new site to take their business to. They are under the misconception that if they go with someone who's got a shiny new site they're safe, when that's just not true.
 
i used to have a website at this host and the site looked horrible with at least 20 spelling mistakes ...i signed up with them any way and it was the best host i've ever had, great support and superb service. A lot of hosts with nice designs but they suck at providing their support...again, you should always investigate first before making a judgement/decision ;)
 
Hello,
Most hosts don't bother hiring a designer so they purchase it from sites like templatemonster.com. That doesn't mean they are poor. Its just most like their designs and feel its good and fits their needs.
Thanks
 
I have no problem using templates, especially with some of the high quality ones available out there.

I'd rather wait until i have a nice budget to get design work from a reputable company, which in most cases, runs 4 figures :)

I'd certainly hope though that potential customers would not judge us by the fact we used a ready-made template.

Heck, we still spent over a week customizing the thing, and we still have a day or two to go. Granted, we only spend about 2 hours a day on it ... :rolleyes:
 
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