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

by ShawnP

Posted: 14 years ago 25 replies

WEB DESIGN

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

#design #designs

hymesdesign 14 years ago

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.
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Lisadeb 14 years ago

I prefer the second concept, it looks more modern and the download button is more visible with the black background!
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- newbim 14 years ago
  
  #2 ALL THE WAY! Looks good - crisp and easy to follow whilst still looking aimed at the right audience.
  
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  sam520 14 years ago
  
  #2 is my choice!
  
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- Karen Blundell 14 years ago
  
  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.
  
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  staceykephart 14 years ago
  
  Number 2 looks catchier.
  
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ShawnP 14 years ago

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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ShawnP

14 years ago

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?

Thanks
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bizfox

14 years ago

Originally Posted by ShawnP

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

#1 it looks more friendly and inviting

Thanks

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nota-bene 14 years ago

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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- CarloD. 14 years ago
  
  I like the look of number 2, cause I like black, however, not as easy to read.
  
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  polkadot100 14 years ago
  
  I like #2 but agree that white on black can be hard on the eyes
  
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osegoly 14 years ago

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.
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- ShawnP 14 years ago
  
  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
  
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dawdaw 14 years ago

I like them all... I can not decide which one is the best... nice work(if it is your work)
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- clwest 14 years ago
  
  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.
  
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max922 14 years ago

Number 2 is more Eye-catching than 1.. but both design are awesome..
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bg-011 14 years ago

#2 , it will look and convert better if it is not black
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- Denise Million 14 years ago
  
  I like the second one. It's got the feeling of action without having to have flash.
  
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mine1718 14 years ago

second one looks good
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iClickGraphics 14 years ago

I like concept #2
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- Kay King 14 years ago
  
  I'd use the header graphic from #2 and the style of #1 and make the text area white background with black border.
  
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- Intrepreneur 14 years ago
  
  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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Cruiser 14 years ago

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

That's 2 (two) for clarity!
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Which of these 2 designs do you like better (or neither)?

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