Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)?

ShawnP · 01-25-2010, 02:24 PM

I have hired a graphic design and usability firm to create a new site for the upcoming release of the new version of my software. The site is currently a standard direct sales letter long-copy kind of site, and the new site is totally different in that I am trying to get visitors to download the software first, and not sell them anything.

The designer created one that has an all-black background and I always thought this was a faux pas when it comes to site design. Although he does have a point that I want visitors to download anyway, not read the site necessarily. What do you think of these 2 concepts:

Concept #1:

Concept #2:

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

Shawn

hymesdesign · 01-25-2010, 02:35 PM

I don't like concept #1 at all, #2 is good, really god in my opinion, but if you don't like black as the major color then don't settle for it, it's up to you to make sure you get what you want, don't let the designer push you around. Still I do like #2 a lot, and I think it will work for you.

Lisadeb · 01-25-2010, 02:40 PM

I prefer the second concept, it looks more modern and the download button is more visible with the black background!

newbim · 01-25-2010, 03:35 PM

#2 ALL THE WAY! Looks good - crisp and easy to follow whilst still looking aimed at the right audience.

sam520 · 01-25-2010, 06:13 PM

#2 is my choice!

Karen Blundell · 01-25-2010, 07:00 PM

If you look at every single sales page out there, it is black or a mixture of black and red text on a white background. Look at all the biggest sites: Microsoft, Google, etc...white background, black text.

The dark backgrounds are great for gaming sites, entertainment sites, music sites, etc...

I do like #2 design much better, but don't let the designer bully you into a design you don't want. It is very easy to change a background color and text color, that is if the designer used CSS, because it's just one or 2 tweaks and it's done.

staceykephart · 01-25-2010, 07:02 PM

Number 2 looks catchier.

ShawnP · 01-25-2010, 07:43 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback, much appreciated! I was going to get him to create a mockup of the 2nd one with a white background but most of the feedback suggests it is ok as is. I agree, Karen, that black is mostly for entertainment-type sites and not so much for product sites which is why I wondered about black in the first place.

Has anyone seen a black background product/e-commerce site?

ShawnP · 01-25-2010, 07:47 PM

Looking at it again, it almost gives it a techie feel and it is supposed to target people that are looking for a simple way to publish video to their site while sprucing the videos up with links, labels, opt-in forms, etc.

I wonder if this black look will turn non-technical types off?

bizfox · 01-25-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShawnP

Looking at it again, it almost gives it a techie feel and it is supposed to target people that are looking for a simple way to publish video to their site while sprucing the videos up with links, labels, opt-in forms, etc.

I wonder if this look black will turn non-technical types off?

I agree that #2 can turn off non-techie or simple types.

#1 it looks more friendly and inviting

nota-bene · 01-26-2010, 05:02 AM

The design on #2 rocks! Looks really good indeed. I might be tempted to go against the general consensus here when I say I actually prefer #1. Reasons being that it is simple! Easy to navigate, there is not so much text to put me off...yet you still have all the info easily viewable (should they wish to read further). If you want people just to download, then don't overload them with other stuff to read/click on.

I would be tempted myself to take the colours and graphics from #2 and incorporate them into the simplicity of site #1.

CarloD. · 01-26-2010, 08:27 AM

I like the look of number 2, cause I like black, however, not as easy to read.

polkadot100 · 01-27-2010, 02:55 PM

I like #2 but agree that white on black can be hard on the eyes

osegoly · 01-27-2010, 03:44 PM

I also like the design of #2 much more. It's very catchy and makes certain elements stand out a lot, which is great. Text readability is a bit of an issue against a black background but using more of that testimonials-gray background could be used as a workaround.

ShawnP · 01-27-2010, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I've actually had a few other mockups created and decided to go with the first one in the attached PDF. Reason being it is simple and doesn't give many options in the top fold other than to download the software, which is what I want.

In the end I decided that the black one just looked too technical oriented and my customers are not all that computer savvy.

Thanks again for the comments, much appreciated!

Shawn

dawdaw · 01-27-2010, 03:58 PM

I like them all... I can not decide which one is the best... nice work(if it is your work)

clwest · 01-27-2010, 04:22 PM

Although both are edgy, I would listen to Karen - she hit it right on the nose. Eyes get tired real easy with the combos you selected. As someone who reviews way too many legal documents, follow the Amazon, ebay, google, microsoft model.

max922 · 01-28-2010, 06:30 AM

Number 2 is more Eye-catching than 1.. but both design are awesome..

bg-011 · 01-29-2010, 12:26 AM

#2 , it will look and convert better if it is not black

Denise Million · 01-29-2010, 12:54 AM

I like the second one. It's got the feeling of action without having to have flash.

mine1718 · 01-29-2010, 01:01 AM

second one looks good

iClickGraphics · 01-29-2010, 07:58 AM

I like concept #2

Kay King · 01-29-2010, 08:05 AM

I'd use the header graphic from #2 and the style of #1 and make the text area white background with black border.

Intrepreneur · 01-29-2010, 09:36 AM

Black background is a no no. It doesn't let other colours and attractionson your site stand out very well. I suppose in the margins it's ok but not on your main content area.

Cruiser · 01-29-2010, 09:51 AM

The one after the first one, and before the third imaginable one, gets my vote!

That's 2 (two) for clarity!

01-25-2010, 02:35 PM	#2
hymesdesign Warrior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lubbock Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I don't like concept #1 at all, #2 is good, really god in my opinion, but if you don't like black as the major color then don't settle for it, it's up to you to make sure you get what you want, don't let the designer push you around. Still I do like #2 a lot, and I think it will work for you.
	http://hymesdesign.com Small Business Identity and Web Design

01-25-2010, 02:40 PM	#3
Lisadeb Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Belgium, Thailand Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Social Networking	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I prefer the second concept, it looks more modern and the download button is more visible with the black background!

01-25-2010, 03:35 PM	#4
newbim HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North East - UK Posts: 147 Thanks: 162 Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts Contact Info	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? #2 ALL THE WAY! Looks good - crisp and easy to follow whilst still looking aimed at the right audience.
	"If you do what you've always done, you'll always get the same results!"

01-25-2010, 06:13 PM	#5
sam520 Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 34 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? #2 is my choice!

01-25-2010, 07:00 PM	#6
Karen Blundell Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Niagara Region, Canada Posts: 1,113 Thanks: 1,476 Thanked 412 Times in 322 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? If you look at every single sales page out there, it is black or a mixture of black and red text on a white background. Look at all the biggest sites: Microsoft, Google, etc...white background, black text. The dark backgrounds are great for gaming sites, entertainment sites, music sites, etc... I do like #2 design much better, but don't let the designer bully you into a design you don't want. It is very easy to change a background color and text color, that is if the designer used CSS, because it's just one or 2 tweaks and it's done.
	KarenBlundell.com RaisingtheShire.com ClassicRockLover.com

01-25-2010, 02:24 PM	#1
ShawnP Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Almonte, Canada. Posts: 575 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I have hired a graphic design and usability firm to create a new site for the upcoming release of the new version of my software. The site is currently a standard direct sales letter long-copy kind of site, and the new site is totally different in that I am trying to get visitors to download the software first, and not sell them anything. The designer created one that has an all-black background and I always thought this was a faux pas when it comes to site design. Although he does have a point that I want visitors to download anyway, not read the site necessarily. What do you think of these 2 concepts: Concept #1: Concept #2: Thanks in advance for any feedback, Shawn

01-25-2010, 07:02 PM	#7
staceykephart Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 14 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? Number 2 looks catchier.
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01-25-2010, 07:43 PM	#8
ShawnP Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Almonte, Canada. Posts: 575 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? Thanks everyone for the feedback, much appreciated! I was going to get him to create a mockup of the 2nd one with a white background but most of the feedback suggests it is ok as is. I agree, Karen, that black is mostly for entertainment-type sites and not so much for product sites which is why I wondered about black in the first place. Has anyone seen a black background product/e-commerce site?
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01-25-2010, 07:47 PM	#9
ShawnP Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Almonte, Canada. Posts: 575 Thanks: 14 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? Looking at it again, it almost gives it a techie feel and it is supposed to target people that are looking for a simple way to publish video to their site while sprucing the videos up with links, labels, opt-in forms, etc. I wonder if this black look will turn non-technical types off?
	Last edited by ShawnP; 01-25-2010 at 07:58 PM. Reason: Apparent dyslexia

01-26-2010, 05:02 AM	#11
nota-bene HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: London Town Posts: 178 Thanks: 61 Thanked 30 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? The design on #2 rocks! Looks really good indeed. I might be tempted to go against the general consensus here when I say I actually prefer #1. Reasons being that it is simple! Easy to navigate, there is not so much text to put me off...yet you still have all the info easily viewable (should they wish to read further). If you want people just to download, then don't overload them with other stuff to read/click on. I would be tempted myself to take the colours and graphics from #2 and incorporate them into the simplicity of site #1.
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01-26-2010, 08:27 AM	#12
CarloD. HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Thunder Bay ON Posts: 401 Thanks: 12 Thanked 42 Times in 36 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I like the look of number 2, cause I like black, however, not as easy to read.

01-27-2010, 02:55 PM	#13
polkadot100 Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I like #2 but agree that white on black can be hard on the eyes
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01-27-2010, 03:44 PM	#14
osegoly HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vancouver ,BC Posts: 137 Thanks: 10 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I also like the design of #2 much more. It's very catchy and makes certain elements stand out a lot, which is great. Text readability is a bit of an issue against a black background but using more of that testimonials-gray background could be used as a workaround.

01-27-2010, 03:58 PM	#16
dawdaw Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I like them all... I can not decide which one is the best... nice work(if it is your work)
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01-27-2010, 04:22 PM	#17
clwest Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 53 Thanks: 28 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Contact Info	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? Although both are edgy, I would listen to Karen - she hit it right on the nose. Eyes get tired real easy with the combos you selected. As someone who reviews way too many legal documents, follow the Amazon, ebay, google, microsoft model.

01-28-2010, 06:30 AM	#18
max922 Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 72 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? Number 2 is more Eye-catching than 1.. but both design are awesome..

01-29-2010, 12:26 AM	#19
bg-011 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 132 Thanks: 12 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Social Networking	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? #2 , it will look and convert better if it is not black
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01-29-2010, 12:54 AM	#20
Denise Million Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 53 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I like the second one. It's got the feeling of action without having to have flash.

01-29-2010, 01:01 AM	#21
mine1718 mmm War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 112 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? second one looks good

01-29-2010, 07:58 AM	#22
iClickGraphics HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 157 Thanks: 69 Thanked 22 Times in 11 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I like concept #2
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01-29-2010, 08:05 AM	#23
Kay King Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast, USA. Posts: 15,142 Thanks: 3,704 Thanked 4,138 Times in 2,256 Posts	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? I'd use the header graphic from #2 and the style of #1 and make the text area white background with black border.

01-29-2010, 09:36 AM	#24
Intrepreneur I.C.Hope War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 2,515 Thanks: 446 Thanked 227 Times in 181 Posts Contact Info	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? Black background is a no no. It doesn't let other colours and attractionson your site stand out very well. I suppose in the margins it's ok but not on your main content area.
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01-29-2010, 09:51 AM	#25
Cruiser Active Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 63 Thanks: 17 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)? The one after the first one, and before the third imaginable one, gets my vote! That's 2 (two) for clarity!