Web Design Ideas

[d0nny]

Hi
I have designed my wife's website which is all based around fitness, but I can't help looking at it and thinking it's rubbish - and I think that's being kind!
Basically, I'm a firm believer that designers and techies have a role and I'm quite clearly not a designer!

But what I'm after here is some ideas of how best to 'sell' the website and it's contents. Is it best to use templates or a complete fresh design from scratch?
Any ideas or links to other similar sites for ideas would be welcome.

D0nny
[I haven't listed the website address here, as I'm not trying to promote here. If needed, I'll post the URL, but it is rubbish, so be warned!]

 

[SPYDERIX]

Plain and simple, if you aren't a designer don't try to design a template.

You should look into some template options that you can purchase for really cheap and use that. I would suggest templatemonster.com <- tons of excellent templates.

Hope this helps!

NATE

http://www.mainframehosting.net

Got a question? Search G O O G L E first.

 

[ChrisHunt]

It's entirely up to you. Using a template is quick, and can produce good results, but you won't learn much from the experience. If you build your own, it will be your site, and you'll develop more skills while you're at it - but it will be "rubbish" to begin with.

If you build your own, try to keep it simple. For example, limit the number of colours you use - I reckon each colour you add to you palette doubles the amount of design skill you need.

Don't be afraid to post your URL for feedback here - we may end up ripping it to shreds, but always in a constructive spirit

-- Chris Hunt
Webmaster & Tragedian
Extra Connections Ltd

 

[dbeezzz]

I for one use templatemonster all the time. Although I've never actually bought anything there. I peruse it mostly to look at color schemes and layouts. I choose something that I like and then I head off and make my own with that idea in mind.