Site theme

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Feb 2004

Hi!
In the next month or two, I am going to be opening a website, were we specialize in
*Instalation of scripts(php, cgi, asp, all other)
*graphic design(logos, banners etc).
*Making templates and selling them
*Buying reseller templates and selling those too
*From scratch web design
*Web site maintaning
*Custom php scripts by request
*developing php scripts and offering those for free
I dont know if i should go towards the fun, colorfull, playfull site; or if i should make it business like, and have those pictures of operators on the phone and office buildings and people smiling(you know what im talking about right?)
I personally would like to do the fun one, i made a sample thing that would go on the top of the main page, its not complete, and is really just a "sketch"
The picture is at:

http://www.geocities.com/jgslotrpage2/banner.jpg

(I havnt bought the domain yet or anything)
The thing is, is i this is going to be very profesional, and i think it might be hard for companies to take a site like this seriously. What do you think?
Any different site titles you can think of?

Please email me at: [email protected]
if you have any coments!

Thanks~!
Jason

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

That URL isn't working.

Not having seen the mock-up design, I would say that it's okay to go on the playful side as long as you can show more professional examples of your work. I think people would expect designers to be on the artsy side. If you look at Happy Cog Studios (Jeff Zeldman's company), for example, you can see that they've gone for a more artsy looking design but the portfolio shows more corporate looks.

I also think that it's best not to pretend to be someone you're not. If you're a one-man shop you shouldn't be putting up pictures of office buildings or receptionist type people answering the phone. That's not who YOU are. Your site should reflect the uniqueness of your business, not someone else's.

They have: 2 posts

Joined: Feb 2004

Wups! Sticking out tongue
It worked on my computer
Try this:
http://www.geocities.com/jgslotrpage2/pic.htm

He has: 20 posts

Joined: Feb 2004

Jason,

Who is your target market for this site? Small businesses, most likely. When small business people look for any kind of business solution, I think they tend to go with the more serious company. So, I would advocate the business-like choice...even with those pictures of people happily doing "business" things. Smiling

-Brian

Netflavors

teammatt3's picture

He has: 2,102 posts

Joined: Sep 2003

for me the url still doesnt work

ie 6.0

The Webmistress's picture

She has: 5,586 posts

Joined: Feb 2001

To be honest that header you have there gives me the impression of an ameteurish site or one that's been around for ages and never changed with the times! The drop shadow is awful IMO and if you want to go along the more fun route (I don't think there is anything wrong with that at all) use one of the wizards not both and use more of a techy font to create a more business logo.

Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....

Megan's picture

She has: 11,421 posts

Joined: Jun 1999

I agree with Webmistress. It would be okay to go with a cute cartoon figure. It's eye catching and adds life to a site. Don't use both of them though, and lose all the special (outdated) graphic effects. A flatter look is more popular now, so do that instead. I like the figure on the right better.

If you're going to go with this title the cartoon is the best way to go. It's a much more appropriate choice than generic stock photos would be.

He has: 20 posts

Joined: Feb 2004

Ok, I have to amend my advocacy of the strictly serious approach and agree with Webmistress. A happy medium can be found (the wizard with a more business-like font). The cartoon logo can certainly help distinguish your brand.

-Brian

Netflavors

They have: 5,633 posts

Joined: Jan 1970

It looks like its for litle kids, no self respecing webmaster would take you seroiusly.

TargetZion's picture

He has: 76 posts

Joined: Mar 2004

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