Would "Good Looking Website" helps in traffic building?

llegent · 06-23-06, 11:58 AM

I have been wondering this:-
As it has been widely discussed, content is the primary traffic pulling factor in a site marketing strategy. But there are times where I myself am attracted to those "Good Looking" sites which may not offer the kind of "Rich Contents" as compare to the other informative sites.

So, from another view point of visitor's perspective, is a "good looking" site also helps in traffic building?? There might be instance where a visitor bump into such site and like it, then tell his/her friends about it and they visit the site. Well, they like it, and keep going back to the site. This kind of "word of mouth" does help isn't it??

What's your thoughts?

**Baby Boy** · 06-23-06, 09:47 PM

I would say yes, to me, the quality of a good looking website tells if the company is a good business. NOW... don't let it fool you or whatever. I would just say "Oh well, if the site has a good design then hey... its a great company, whereof poor design equals a poor business." I've been proven wrong but yeah.

Some place can design some great sites for you if you put out the money. Investing can give your company an upper-hand. For me, Web Rhino (http://www.webrhino.biz) is a very good site, but very expensive... I believe they charge like $1,000 for a design. My recommendation, find a good cheap place that does designs and tell them you want a smooth looking site sort of like their examples.

All in all, if I were to answer... site design is an effective necessity for the marketing of your website.

Digit · 06-24-06, 03:39 PM

I believe the look of a site is very important. Especially if it's an e-commerce site. I know I wouldn't trust a site with a makeshift layout to handle my money. I feel if the design is nice, it means that the owner spent time on it, instead of just throwing something together. It makes the company look more professional.

**Baby Boy** · 06-24-06, 04:08 PM

Quote:

I believe the look of a site is very important. Especially if it's an e-commerce site. I know I wouldn't trust a site with a makeshift layout to handle my money. I feel if the design is nice, it means that the owner spent time on it, instead of just throwing something together. It makes the company look more professional.

I fully agree with you too Digit, that's the same thing I said. If it has a nice design, the company is serious about their job. But don't let the look fool you. Its like the old saying goes "Don't judge a book by its cover, judge by its content." Even businesses that are good may have a poor design. My solution, shoot them an email to overhaul their site and make their business better for them by providing a good layout.

Right Or Wrong?

Melos · 06-24-06, 11:31 PM

My website designs are not that great - I'll be the first to admit it. I do not have money to hire a designer and I don't have much knowledge about graphics or CSS layouts or anything.

However, my sites have consistent graphics, color schemes, and are neatly laid out with easy-to-use navigation etc.. I have had people say "Your site sucks" and others say "Wow, your site looks great!" Attractiveness IS in the eye of the beholder, but I think if your site is neat and user-friendly, you'll do okay.

llegent · 06-25-06, 02:11 PM

So, the rule of thumb is to have a consistent theme for the site before going for "good looking" or "feels good design"? The other day I also read something about accessibilty of a site. It was about aligning a site to make visitors experience a smoth surfing when they drop by your site. If I remember correctly, it prefers to have a neat and smooth design rather than a bulky kind of design with heavy graphic load.

But aren't that visitors like those flashy designs?? They look fancy though...

**Baby Boy** · 06-25-06, 03:22 PM

It really depends llgent --- if you want to know the truth, like I said in my other topic, my personal site isn't the best but if you take a look at it and you'll think, wow, the color scheme is nice (or so many people have told me.)

In the end its smart to throw a little bit graphics if I have to be quite honest. As for you not having the knowledge Melos, send me an IM sometime, maybe we can work something out so I can teach you the ins and outs of Photoshop if you have it.

Melos · 06-25-06, 04:23 PM

Thanks BabyBoy - but I'm stuck with Paintshop Pro 8 and not looking to spend anything on graphics programs any time soon.

I see tons of websites that are just awful - each page looks different, the graphics & text blocks are kinda scattered across it, and even the navigation is different on different pages. They have no hope. I have some hope

**Baby Boy** · 06-25-06, 05:28 PM

Well, I am not a promotion to piracy... but its a good way to get a program, experience and THEN buy it. I vouched $600 out for this Photoshop software, you think Imma use it to its full potential, you d*mn right :P

Julius Designs · 07-22-06, 11:26 PM

Content is the number one factor in having visitors return to your site. Design can also do this, just not to the same effect. Design is more like the frosting on your cake. It makes your business look more appealing, and it makes your visitors enjoy their experience.