Why I can't stand 'slick' designs for webhost sites

J

JamesCWilson

New member
Am I the only one that notices all of these web hosts with an over slick design, are also the same ones who often offer the least amount of information regarding the web host itself?

To me, it almost seems like they are using a stylish site, to cover up for the shortcomings of their service.

Offering complete information should always be the top priority for a web host's site, and having a fancy interface is only icing on the cake.
 
JamesCWilson said:
Am I the only one that notices all of these web hosts with an over slick design, are also the same ones who often offer the least amount of information regarding the web host itself?

To me, it almost seems like they are using a stylish site, to cover up for the shortcomings of their service.

Offering complete information should always be the top priority for a web host's site, and having a fancy interface is only icing on the cake.
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You're absolutely right about offering complete information, but design is an important ingredient to capturing a prospect's attention. If I happen across a site that hurts my eyes, I won't stick around to read their content, no matter how complete it is. And just the opposite as well - if a site's design captures my attention, how long I stay depends on their content and it's value to me. You need a good mix of great design and content that has value to your prospects.
 
JamesCWilson said:
Am I the only one that notices all of these web hosts with an over slick design, are also the same ones who often offer the least amount of information regarding the web host itself?

To me, it almost seems like they are using a stylish site, to cover up for the shortcomings of their service.

Offering complete information should always be the top priority for a web host's site, and having a fancy interface is only icing on the cake.
Click to expand...
You are right by that, I have found some of these hosts do nto last long and over sell to the max.

Some web hosts do it very well with having a very slick Web 2.0 site with the right information but many try it for the looks, the sad thing is some customers go with a host that looks good, generally they are n00b in this area.
 
It must be a crazed fad that people do not realize can really hurt their company. I see places all the time spring up with fancy this or that, but everything that lacks is all the things clients want to see when checking a place out. Pure nonsense.
 
As steve said, you need both. A nice clean design with all the information a potential customer will want to see. Also, your right james...Hosts that have a slick design but barely any content about the company just screams out noobs. A host needs to place information about the company in order for the client to see what their getting into.
 
shockym said:
It must be a crazed fad that people do not realize can really hurt their company. I see places all the time spring up with fancy this or that, but everything that lacks is all the things clients want to see when checking a place out. Pure nonsense.
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I think it shoudl not just be for new customers but for those customers already with the company. I knwo with th evast majority of hosts they care for both sides but some hosts do not, but a clean "slick" design can only go too far before the hard work of the host has to step in.

Mind you some of these new Web 2.0 designs look very nice!
 
JamesCWilson said:
Am I the only one that notices all of these web hosts with an over slick design, are also the same ones who often offer the least amount of information regarding the web host itself?

To me, it almost seems like they are using a stylish site, to cover up for the shortcomings of their service.

Offering complete information should always be the top priority for a web host's site, and having a fancy interface is only icing on the cake.
Click to expand...

Yup I agree but customers don't see that. Look at my current site its crap but once you look at my one. Don't think I can post it. There another thread about it but its my company website .com/gnomes its way better. I know once Iget it up and running I will get more clients. You have to have a customer mind. Its all about the look of your website. Your website is your building in the whole cyber world. Find a local web designer and set up a relationship with him and you can probably get it for free. Social engineering is a great tool to have. Talk your way into what you what and you can do anything. Remember that.
 
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that having a good looking website isn't important, but I just feel that the web hosts need to have their priorities straight, and to be as honest and as complete with the information as possible.
 
Looks VS content...

As a web hosting company, I DO NOT offer any reseller packages, I deal directly with the end user, most of my advertising is geared to the Business world, so If you look over my site, it says very little about what you get for the money. The feedback I got back from clients was PHP what? Mysql HuH? So I went with a clean design and posted GENERAL information like what web hosting was, etc.
I have also heard that when a user looks at my site they imagine what their site may look like, and although we know this has nothing to do with their hosting package choice, they will go with a company that has a cool interface. kinda like we all want to go out with the hot chick... until we learn looks are not supposed to matter (well, ok, I still have this to learn)
 
JamesCWilson said:
Am I the only one that notices all of these web hosts with an over slick design, are also the same ones who often offer the least amount of information regarding the web host itself?

To me, it almost seems like they are using a stylish site, to cover up for the shortcomings of their service.

Offering complete information should always be the top priority for a web host's site, and having a fancy interface is only icing on the cake.
Click to expand...

That is very good you think in this way. I assume the kids which are running web hosting companies might think in another way. And there is no ways to influence on that.
 
The website should be resourceful and contain extensive information related to specific product/services that is the reason many web host include knowledgebase and case studies which help the visitors to find relevant information going into depth.
 
nexxterra said:
As a web hosting company, I DO NOT offer any reseller packages, I deal directly with the end user, most of my advertising is geared to the Business world, so If you look over my site, it says very little about what you get for the money. The feedback I got back from clients was PHP what? Mysql HuH? So I went with a clean design and posted GENERAL information like what web hosting was, etc.
I have also heard that when a user looks at my site they imagine what their site may look like, and although we know this has nothing to do with their hosting package choice, they will go with a company that has a cool interface. kinda like we all want to go out with the hot chick... until we learn looks are not supposed to matter (well, ok, I still have this to learn)
Click to expand...

While I do understand that many customers may not know what Mysql or PHP is, I still feel that it's important to include that type of information, for those who DO know what they are, and to those, that information woud be important to them. And also if your primary customers are businesses, I would think that they especially would want complete information.
 
I agree that design catches the initial curiosity and interest...but then people aren't stupid, and this curiosity is going to generate questions as to what it's all about. I think that many web hosting companies create a good looking site, and then an order form.....that's it. They need to be able to prove on their site that they are worth the investment.
 
I think moreso than ever, you're seeing comparison shopping - first for price - then to match their requirements. If their questions aren't answered on your site, do you have a phone number or live chat to help (24/7/365) ?
 
If you want to review my site you can. I put prices at basic information at the top and the rest at the bottom. All pakcages have"more details" buttons in case the user needs to know more detailed information. It is sometimes hard to find the balance between eye catching and informative. That is where the customer should be seeing a livechat button so that they can ask any questions that come to mind as everyone has different needs for this hosting requirements.
 
solarbluseth said:
If you want to review my site you can. I put prices at basic information at the top and the rest at the bottom. All pakcages have"more details" buttons in case the user needs to know more detailed information. It is sometimes hard to find the balance between eye catching and informative. That is where the customer should be seeing a livechat button so that they can ask any questions that come to mind as everyone has different needs for this hosting requirements.
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I did just review your site and am very impressed - it's very professional, easy to navigate, good color theme ... kudos. :)
 
I think the look and content of a hosting site should depend largely on the target audience. Some hosting companies focus on providing services for big clients who know what resources they currently use and will need in the future, and some are more interested in providing small, cheap packages for personal use to individuals who've never had a website before. If you're targeting the former, you need to focus on providing clear, quantified information. If your customers are mostly from the latter group, a big shiny front page with the basics in bold will probably do the trick.
 
Some slick websites just get straight to the point - all they do is host.

The style of the website indicates who it is targeted too.

"Slick" websites can also have plenty on information as well.
 
I agree that substance is of most importance, but many customers are swayed by various marketing tactics of which the site design is one.
 
My site I think posts decent info, but doesn't get TOO techie with the info presented, so as to confuse potential newbies that may stumble onto the site. I'm available easily via e-mail (right at the top of the page) or usually Live Chat for those that need more guidance.
 
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