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How do you choose a website design?

by Barbara Eyre
8 replies
I'm still at that beginning stage of putting together a website that may just end up being a membership site. Regardless of that format, I am having a heck of a time trying to find a design.

FYI - this isn't a shout-out for work offers. However, I was curious, when you have a big website project you're starting, how do you begin the designing of the site ... the graphics, colors, layout?

I can't tell you how many website/WP template sites I've been to (free and paid) and as of yet, nothing has 'jumped out' at me. I am honestly drawing a complete blank on how I want this site to look. I've narrowed it down the ever popular color choices of blues or greens though! LOL.

I can't begin to build this site if I can't even find a template (or create one) I like.

Ok, back to looking .... but would like to hear ideas, suggestions, tips, etc.
#choose #design #website
  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Originally Posted by Barbara Eyre View Post

    FYI - this isn't a shout-out for work offers. However, I was curious, when you have a big website project you're starting, how do you begin the designing of the site ... the graphics, colors, layout?
    Barbara, the first thing I consider isn't graphics, colors or layout. I look at function.

    What do I want the site to do? What sections do I need to include? Who is the site aimed at, and what do they expect to see from a site like I'm planning?

    Once you know what you want the site to accomplish and what the anticipated visitors expect, now you can start thinking about a layout that delivers what you want. And the platform under it.

    If you were buying a house, you'd first want to know that the structure was sound and the systems worked properly. Graphics and colors are like paint and flooring - cosmetic features that are easily changed.

    Not sure if I answered your question directly, but I hope it helps...
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    • Profile picture of the author Barbara Eyre
      John,

      Thanks for replying. And you are so right in thinking about what the foundation of the site is about. This I have done. I know what the site is about (naturally), I know what I want as content and sections/categories, etc.

      I am at the "interior decorating" stage ... the actually "look" of the site.
      And I'm stumped.
      I couldn't even tell a graphics designer what I wanted for them to design anything. I am a complete blank on this and I haven't a clue why. Usually when I'm creating a website for myself or a client, I have a vague idea at the beginning and as I "get my hands dirty" with their content, I get inspirations.

      But this time, I might as well be staring into a black hole.

      The website is geared for the beginner marketer ... first-time online business adventurer ... etc. I know I don't want flash and other distractions as these folks are going to be inundated with new vocabulary, new concepts, etc - so the website needs to be clean, simple, friendly, caring, casual - yet professional. And I think either blues or greens would convey that.

      I want to do membership - but haven't yet decided if the membership will be the auto-reponder series where they click through from email to specific webpage ..... or: make the site itself membership. Since it's my first time doing membership, I think the auto-responder version would be the easiest.

      My own graphics skills are still in the "primitive stick figure" stage ... hence why I was looking at ready-made templates. But so many of them are so "busy" and don't allow room for expansion of sections/categories in the navigation menu - makes it hard to find anything.

      Not sure how this thread will help me, but if we can open a discussion on how to design a website ... from choosing colors, to choosing/design graphics, to choosing the best layout .... that might help spark something ... get those juices flowing again. And it may help me get out of my "boxed-style" website I've been creating time and again ... and learn new ways to do layouts.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Okay, now I understand better what you're asking...

        I've stared into the black hole myself, or at least the version that sucks away hours looking at templates...:confused:

        One trick that sometimes helps is to surf the same template/theme sites with graphics turned off. That way, all I see is the layout and I can guess how easy it might be to modify the graphics. I can sneak a peek at the css file and gauge how easy changing the colors and styles a bit would be.

        Soothing blues and greens sounds like a good place to start.

        For graphics ideas, I'm usually swapping pictures to make a site more unique, so I'll spend a little time wandering around sites like flickr using my main keywords to see what comes up. Since your target is new marketers, you might get better ideas at a site like istockphoto...
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  • Profile picture of the author Damien Roche
    Yep, function is far more important than appearance - as is content.

    My initial response would be to ask if you are a little too perfectionist and indecisive to actually make this decision. Hire somebody else to make it for you. Go to a freelance site and have people bid on a simple project, ask them for examples of work and I'm sure you'll find plenty of decent templates to go off.

    If you're asking entirely from a design perspective, you're in the wrong forum. These forums are dominated by internet marketers, not web designers. Try a web developer forum instead, you may get more useful responses:

    webhostingtalk.com
    webmaster-talk.com
    bytes.com
    sitepoint.com

    Hope that helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author Barbara Eyre
      Sorry - guess I'm not asking my question right. I do want the option of marketers ... hence why I'm here.

      I want to know how they get their inspiration for designing their website.
      Regardless of if they use another person to do the actual work, they themselves still need to have an idea of what they are looking for to begin with.

      The site design ends up being a part of your brand - especially when you incorporate a mascot (a character such as a frog or something) ... how does one come up with those things?
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  • Profile picture of the author Pat Ordenes
    in my experience, if a site is very information heavy, colours should be kept pretty low key... As Jonh stated, you can let function follow form, It's gotta be the other way around.
    First up, i would stay clear of dark backgrounds if you have a lot of text.
    it's harder to read light text on a dark back than dark text on light background...
    The next step I would take is go window shopping!
    By that, i mean, look at the sites in your niche and see what works and what doesn't on them.
    Make notes and pass on to a designer, who can then create a draft for you.
    As Picasso once stated:
    "good artists borrow, Great artists steal!"
    (though some argue TS Elliot said it first)

    Seriously though, by researching whats out there, you'll answer most of your questions yourself...

    All the best!
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    • Profile picture of the author Barbara Eyre
      Thanks, Pat and John .... your posts are indeed helping.

      I have downloaded about 7 templates - I guess I better stop window shopping and see what I have to play with.

      Then the next hard step is trying to figure out what I want for a site banner/logo! *bangs head on desk* Haven't the foggiest on what to have as a brand logo. I may definitely have to hire someone for that one. The initials are B and M .... in that order ... have to be VERY careful with that one LOL. :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author Pat Ordenes
    Maybe we can work it here??
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