Why do virtually all wp themes fail so badly? - GoFuckYourself.com

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 11:34 AM

It's as if virtually every designer out there believes that sites are only made to show off stock phtography and spiffy ajax features, don't need any ad-specific space, and have no use whatsoever for designs that actually lead visitors to other content on the site.

Seriously, what the fuck?

Machete_ · 01-24-2009, 11:41 AM

Because knowing photoshop well and being able to draw dont make someone a designer

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebus_dk

Because knowing photoshop well and being able to draw dont make someone a designer

But you'd think there would at least some capable designers out there selling themes.

As it stands, maybe 0.1% of paid themes out there are usable for commercial purposes - and that's being generous.

Mike Semen · 01-24-2009, 02:49 PM

Its because any fucker can throw up a site and call themselves a designer without knowing anything about useability, conversions and even god forbid how to build a site that SE's like.

That's why.

Voodoo · 01-24-2009, 02:55 PM

Guaranteed that 98% of the designers out there have never sold anything in their lives, and have no clue how to develop a concept or brand larger than their Photoshop window. The entire purpose of their skillset is to SELL the product and / or develop something useful. Not to make something purty.

Mike Semen · 01-24-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voodoo

The entire purpose of their skillset is to SELL the product and / or develop something useful. Not to make something purty.

Amen.

Johnny G · 01-24-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libertine

It's as if virtually every designer out there believes that sites are only made to show off stock phtography and spiffy ajax features, don't need any ad-specific space, and have no use whatsoever for designs that actually lead visitors to other content on the site.

Seriously, what the fuck?

It has been my experience that you never give a designer free reign and expect to be 100% satisfied. It has to be a collaboration between designer and owner. I have ideas for my sites and no one knows my business as well as me. An outsider cannot just come in and put out materials that will blow the competition away. Consequently this collaboration always costs more as you may go through several meetings and drafts until you get what you want. You cannot expect award winning work when you are only paying a few dollars for their time.

Most of the designers I have worked with over the years are fully capable of extrordinary work, but you need to communicate your needs and wants and give them the time and money to develop something big. Originality does not get pulled from one's butt.

AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE · 01-24-2009, 03:29 PM

More than 1/2 my clients provide less than satisfactory information for a site design and expect me the designer to know everything about what they are attempting.

The more info I have and the client is willing to tell me the better a production becomes.

But a vast majority of my clients come to me and expect I know everything. I only claim to know it all on GFY but professionaly I am only as good as I am instructed to be...

gimme-website · 01-24-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny G

It has been my experience that you never give a designer free reign and expect to be 100% satisfied. It has to be a collaboration between designer and owner. I have ideas for my sites and no one knows my business as well as me. An outsider cannot just come in and put out materials that will blow the competition away. Consequently this collaboration always costs more as you may go through several meetings and drafts until you get what you want. You cannot expect award winning work when you are only paying a few dollars for their time.

Most of the designers I have worked with over the years are fully capable of extrordinary work, but you need to communicate your needs and wants and give them the time and money to develop something big. Originality does not get pulled from one's butt.

I love you.

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny G

It has been my experience that you never give a designer free reign and expect to be 100% satisfied. It has to be a collaboration between designer and owner. I have ideas for my sites and no one knows my business as well as me. An outsider cannot just come in and put out materials that will blow the competition away. Consequently this collaboration always costs more as you may go through several meetings and drafts until you get what you want. You cannot expect award winning work when you are only paying a few dollars for their time.

Most of the designers I have worked with over the years are fully capable of extrordinary work, but you need to communicate your needs and wants and give them the time and money to develop something big. Originality does not get pulled from one's butt.

I'm talking about wp themes here, though. I regularly need them for quick deployment of sites, but there are *very* few good ones out there. Hiring a designer is also an option, of course, but it usually adds at least a week to development.

Come to think of it... I should team up with a designer, and produce high-quality commercially oriented premium themes. They'd sell like hotcakes.

Any designer up for a project?

Max - RiotDesign · 01-24-2009, 04:09 PM

See sig

psili · 01-24-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libertine

I'm talking about wp themes here, though. I regularly need them for quick deployment of sites, but there are *very* few good ones out there. Hiring a designer is also an option, of course, but it usually adds at least a week to development.

Come to think of it... I should team up with a designer, and produce high-quality commercially oriented premium themes. They'd sell like hotcakes.

Any designer up for a project?

Just from the thread, I'd pick Voodoo or Mike Semen as both seem to understand that something "purrty" does not mean it's functional.

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max - RiotDesign

See sig

The designs in your portfolio are really good, yet the design of your own site is god-awful. And by god-awful I mean truly, utterly, completely horrible. One of the worst I have ever seen on any design company's website.

Since you're obviously a talented designer, judging by the designs in your portfolio, I can't help but wonder why you'd present yourself like that...

brassmonkey · 01-24-2009, 04:27 PM

well ok then

Max - RiotDesign · 01-24-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libertine

The designs in your portfolio are really good, yet the design of your own site is god-awful. And by god-awful I mean truly, utterly, completely horrible. One of the worst I have ever seen on any design company's website.

Since you're obviously a talented designer, judging by the designs in your portfolio, I can't help but wonder why you'd present yourself like that...

"The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot." Theres my excuse.

But seriously, I guess it comes down to taste, and in the case of my website probably I pushed it a bit to the extreme, but personally I like it (I wouldnt have done it that way if I didnt).

Anyways, thanks for the compliments!

AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE · 01-24-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max - RiotDesign

"The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot." Theres my excuse.

But seriously, I guess it comes down to taste, and in the case of my website probably I pushed it a bit to the extreme, but personally I like it (I wouldnt have done it that way if I didnt).

Anyways, thanks for the compliments!

Its the background thats killin it, other that everything is nice on your site

Fuck the way the site looks the work is awesome.
Yer a guy I would definatly say is a good designer and would refer work to and probably will when the season picks up.

marktruman · 01-24-2009, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max - RiotDesign

"The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot." Theres my excuse.

But seriously, I guess it comes down to taste, and in the case of my website probably I pushed it a bit to the extreme, but personally I like it (I wouldnt have done it that way if I didnt).

Anyways, thanks for the compliments!

quite excellent blog designs, I think I will be hitting you up in the next few weeks regarding a blog design for me

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max - RiotDesign

"The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot." Theres my excuse.

But seriously, I guess it comes down to taste, and in the case of my website probably I pushed it a bit to the extreme, but personally I like it (I wouldnt have done it that way if I didnt).

Anyways, thanks for the compliments!

Sorry, but it's not just a matter of taste.

There's also the matter of usability. In the case of your site's design, usability is extremely low. Apart from the background quite literally hurting my eyes when I open it, you have a flash "contact" button which is a mailto link in an age where many people use webbased mail, a flash button saying "our blog" which doesn't appear to do anything, and the center of the page dedicated to what at first glance appear to be dead images. Quite frankly, it looks rather unprofessional.

The main website in your portfolio is always your own. From a marketing perspective (note that I am not talking about an artistic perspective here), this one is simply bad.

sortie · 01-24-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libertine

It's as if virtually every designer out there believes that sites are only made to show off stock phtography and spiffy ajax features, don't need any ad-specific space, and have no use whatsoever for designs that actually lead visitors to other content on the site.

Seriously, what the fuck?

When I have an issue like you are describing I fix it by learning how to
do something for myself.

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sortie

When I have an issue like you are describing I fix it by learning how to
do something for myself.

Then you must have a lot of spare time

CurrentlySober · 01-24-2009, 06:10 PM

So we are talking 'off the shelf' themes yeah?

I ask that because I have NEVER used a paid custom theme, until recently...

But I recently sprung for a custom job from a good design studio... And so far I am REALLY IMPRESSED...

So, I dont quite get what you mean?

Max - RiotDesign · 01-24-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlienQ

Its the background thats killin it, other that everything is nice on your site

Fuck the way the site looks the work is awesome.
Yer a guy I would definatly say is a good designer and would refer work to and probably will when the season picks up.

Yeah man almost everyone I showed the website to hated the background, I should definitely change it sometime... thanks for the nice comments!

Quote:

Originally Posted by marktruman

quite excellent blog designs, I think I will be hitting you up in the next few weeks regarding a blog design for me

Thanks! Looking forward to it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libertine

Sorry, but it's not just a matter of taste.

There's also the matter of usability. In the case of your site's design, usability is extremely low. Apart from the background quite literally hurting my eyes when I open it, you have a flash "contact" button which is a mailto link in an age where many people use webbased mail, a flash button saying "our blog" which doesn't appear to do anything, and the center of the page dedicated to what at first glance appear to be dead images. Quite frankly, it looks rather unprofessional.

The main website in your portfolio is always your own. From a marketing perspective (note that I am not talking about an artistic perspective here), this one is simply bad.

I know man, it's a strange site and there's lots of room for improvement... (dont even look at the code

)

But thanks for the constructive criticism, much appreciated!

collegeboobies · 01-24-2009, 06:17 PM

because they are made for no other reason than backlinks

Johnny G · 01-24-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimme-website

I love you.

Maybe we should meet for a drink. Do you ever get to New Jersey?

Deej · 01-24-2009, 07:12 PM

My eyes hurt...

Barefootsies · 01-24-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny G

It has been my experience that you never give a designer free reign and expect to be 100% satisfied. It has to be a collaboration between designer and owner. I have ideas for my sites and no one knows my business as well as me. An outsider cannot just come in and put out materials that will blow the competition away. Consequently this collaboration always costs more as you may go through several meetings and drafts until you get what you want. You cannot expect award winning work when you are only paying a few dollars for their time.

Most of the designers I have worked with over the years are fully capable of extrordinary work, but you need to communicate your needs and wants and give them the time and money to develop something big. Originality does not get pulled from one's butt.

devine · 01-24-2009, 07:26 PM

I know A LOT of wp themes that are marketing oriented and beautiful at the same time. Even a few free ones. So maybe you didn't find the right ones. Of course, most free themes are free because they lack a lot of stuff, hence you'll need to pay for some goodies. But as I said, there are A LOT of excellent mainstream WP themes.

Of course, good adult WP themes is another song...

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devine

I know A LOT of wp themes that are marketing oriented and beautiful at the same time. Even a few free ones. So maybe you didn't find the right ones. Of course, most free themes are free because they lack a lot of stuff, hence you'll need to pay for some goodies. But as I said, there are A LOT of excellent mainstream WP themes.

Of course, good adult WP themes is another song...

If you know a lot of them, you've been looking in different places than I have.

Here's an example of one of the better ones I've found:
http://www.woothemes.com/demo/freshnews/

It might look good, but let's take a quick look at the problems with it, from a marketing point of view:

- wastes banner space on the search form, that needs to be fixed
- not enough effective integrated ad spots, those need to be added
- wastes the footer, one needs to be added
- relies strongly on images to look good, which means extra expenses in stock photography
- does not present enough opportunities for slapping attractive content on the front page above the fold - increased bounce rate

To fix it:
Use smaller logo, put standard-sized ad in place of search thingy, add search thingy to nav bar.
Fix front page to show more featured content above the fold. Major redesign, but completely essential.
Add a productive footer.

So you'd end up having to fix the header, the main content presentation and the footer. Essentially, a complete redesign.

Remember, beauty is unimportant. You want to cut bounce rates, increase pages/visit, increase bookmarks and increase ad clicks. Other things don't really matter.

AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE · 01-24-2009, 09:11 PM

I'll ad that I think the design of a WP is absolutely meaningless. Most Adult BLogs copy and back link each other they are all nothing but dumb drones of repetition.

Its the content, If it sucks and says everything everyone else does you are basically gonna be standing there holding your dick wondering why you got 100 of them and the guy next to you has 1 that does better than all 100 of yours.

SHooting the retarded designer that you paid to design it over the matter rather silly for two reasons.

A: You paid someone to Design a WP for you when there are literally thousands of free templates.
B: Think design matters on WP.

Libertine · 01-24-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlienQ

I'll ad that I think the design of a WP is absolutely meaningless. Most Adult BLogs copy and back link each other they are all nothing but dumb drones of repetition.

Its the content, If it sucks and says everything everyone else does you are basically gonna be standing there holding your dick wondering why you got 100 of them and the guy next to you has 1 that does better than all 100 of yours.

SHooting the retarded designer that you paid to design it over the matter rather silly for two reasons.

A: You paid someone to Design a WP for you when there are literally thousands of free templates.
B: Think design matters on WP.

First, I'm not talking about adult.

Second, you're an idiot if you think design doesn't affect bounce rates and average pages/visit. And hey, guess what? Bounce rates and pages/visit directly affect my bottom line.

Deej · 01-24-2009, 09:31 PM

now my brain hurts...

Mike Semen · 01-25-2009, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psili

Just from the thread, I'd pick Voodoo or Mike Semen as both seem to understand that something "purrty" does not mean it's functional.

I'm not a designer.

chupachups · 01-25-2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebus_dk

Because knowing photoshop well and being able to draw dont make someone a designer

Because knowing photoshop well and being able to draw dont make someone a designer, but an artist. (and that sums it up)

Jdoughs · 01-25-2009, 08:05 AM

How many personal websites or web logs (the true definition of the term) need banner space.

None do. So now re-ask the question, why do they all fail at marketing and generating sales.

Because its not what they are made for.

ContentPimp · 01-25-2009, 09:08 AM

That is why there are designers that make templates with Ad spaces, and a goal to sell a product.

Pornwolf · 01-25-2009, 12:16 PM

99% of those design fuckers have no clue how to make money on the interwebs.

So, all we see are good looking templates that aren't made to make money.

CarlosTheGaucho · 01-25-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pornwolf

99% of those design fuckers have no clue how to make money on the interwebs.

So, all we see are good looking templates that aren't made to make money.

Exactly my thoughts for 99 pct. of them,

Where are the banner spots?

What's with all that SEO unfriendly bullshit?

Why is the navigation / categories so overcomplicated - to distract attention from what should be the main point of the site?

I've picked up a theme for my mainstream stuff already, it's pretty light and simple, but I'll anyway need to modify it myself so it fits my needs.

fris · 01-25-2009, 01:09 PM

you arent looking hard enough, or you arent modding it right.

Matyko · 01-25-2009, 01:25 PM

I do love my first blogs which were designed by Rochard's great team, but since that I followed the advice to start fine-tuning the default skin with a unique header and some useful plugins and I am satisfied with the results.

Libertine · 01-25-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fris

you arent looking hard enough, or you arent modding it right.

Hmm. Would you have any recommendations for places with good themes?

fris · 01-25-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libertine

Hmm. Would you have any recommendations for places with good themes?

What kind of look are you going for?

Libertine · 01-25-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fris

What kind of look are you going for?

Magazine/glossy type, not too dark, space for several headlines above the fold, not too image-dependent, ads incorporated in the design, lots of space reserved for presentation of content.

01-24-2009, 11:34 AM	#1
Libertine sex dwarf Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 17,860	Why do virtually all wp themes fail so badly? It's as if virtually every designer out there believes that sites are only made to show off stock phtography and spiffy ajax features, don't need any ad-specific space, and have no use whatsoever for designs that actually lead visitors to other content on the site. Seriously, what the fuck? __________________ /(bb\|[^b]{2})/

01-24-2009, 02:49 PM	#4
Mike Semen Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: London Town Posts: 2,924	Its because any fucker can throw up a site and call themselves a designer without knowing anything about useability, conversions and even god forbid how to build a site that SE's like. That's why. __________________ ICQ 1454 81 522 \|

01-24-2009, 02:55 PM	#5
Voodoo ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Porn Valley, CA Posts: 10,590	Guaranteed that 98% of the designers out there have never sold anything in their lives, and have no clue how to develop a concept or brand larger than their Photoshop window. The entire purpose of their skillset is to SELL the product and / or develop something useful. Not to make something purty. __________________ "I'm selflessly supporting the common good, but only coincidentally looking out for No.1."

01-24-2009, 03:29 PM	#8
AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE best designer on GFY Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IALIEN.COM - High Definition Video and Photographic Productions -ICQ 78943384 Posts: 30,307	More than 1/2 my clients provide less than satisfactory information for a site design and expect me the designer to know everything about what they are attempting. The more info I have and the client is willing to tell me the better a production becomes. But a vast majority of my clients come to me and expect I know everything. I only claim to know it all on GFY but professionaly I am only as good as I am instructed to be... __________________ NAKED HOSTING FTW!11 I'm On The INSANE PLAN $9.95/mo! \| The Alien Blog Adult News Worth Reading Updated Daily \| Content For Sale! 641 PICS 216 MINUTES OF VIDEO $350.00 \|ICQ: 78943384 \|

01-24-2009, 04:27 PM	#14
brassmonkey Pay It Forward Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yo Mama House Posts: 76,935	well ok then __________________ TRUMP 2025 KEKAW!!! - Support The Laken Riley Act!!! END DACA - SUPPORT AZ HCR 2060 52R - email: brassballz-at-techie.com

01-24-2009, 11:41 AM	#2
Machete_ WINNING! Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 14,579	Because knowing photoshop well and being able to draw dont make someone a designer

01-24-2009, 04:09 PM	#11
Max - RiotDesign Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 246	See sig

01-24-2009, 06:10 PM	#21
CurrentlySober Too lazy to wipe my ass Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A Public Bathroom Posts: 38,496	So we are talking 'off the shelf' themes yeah? I ask that because I have NEVER used a paid custom theme, until recently... But I recently sprung for a custom job from a good design studio... And so far I am REALLY IMPRESSED... So, I dont quite get what you mean? __________________ My AI Handywork... My Dream Gal... XXX 👁️ 👍️ 💩

01-24-2009, 06:17 PM	#23
collegeboobies So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,644	because they are made for no other reason than backlinks

01-24-2009, 07:12 PM	#25
Deej I make pixels work Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I live here... Posts: 24,386	My eyes hurt... __________________ Deej's Designs n' What Not Hit me up for Design, CSS & Photo Retouching Icq#30096880

01-24-2009, 07:26 PM	#27
devine Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 620	I know A LOT of wp themes that are marketing oriented and beautiful at the same time. Even a few free ones. So maybe you didn't find the right ones. Of course, most free themes are free because they lack a lot of stuff, hence you'll need to pay for some goodies. But as I said, there are A LOT of excellent mainstream WP themes. Of course, good adult WP themes is another song...

01-24-2009, 09:11 PM	#29
AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE best designer on GFY Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IALIEN.COM - High Definition Video and Photographic Productions -ICQ 78943384 Posts: 30,307	I'll ad that I think the design of a WP is absolutely meaningless. Most Adult BLogs copy and back link each other they are all nothing but dumb drones of repetition. Its the content, If it sucks and says everything everyone else does you are basically gonna be standing there holding your dick wondering why you got 100 of them and the guy next to you has 1 that does better than all 100 of yours. SHooting the retarded designer that you paid to design it over the matter rather silly for two reasons. A: You paid someone to Design a WP for you when there are literally thousands of free templates. B: Think design matters on WP. __________________ NAKED HOSTING FTW!11 I'm On The INSANE PLAN $9.95/mo! \| The Alien Blog Adult News Worth Reading Updated Daily \| Content For Sale! 641 PICS 216 MINUTES OF VIDEO $350.00 \|ICQ: 78943384 \| Last edited by AlienQ - BANNED FOR LIFE; 01-24-2009 at 09:12 PM..

01-24-2009, 09:31 PM	#31
Deej I make pixels work Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I live here... Posts: 24,386	now my brain hurts... __________________ Deej's Designs n' What Not Hit me up for Design, CSS & Photo Retouching Icq#30096880

01-25-2009, 08:05 AM	#34
Jdoughs Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Great White North Posts: 5,794	How many personal websites or web logs (the true definition of the term) need banner space. None do. So now re-ask the question, why do they all fail at marketing and generating sales. Because its not what they are made for. __________________ LinkSpun - Premier Adult Link Trading Community - ICQ - 464/\281/\250 Be Seen By New Webmasters/Affiliates * Target out webmasters/affiliates based on niches your sites are for less than $20 a month. AmeriNOC - Proudly hosted @ AmeriNOC!

01-25-2009, 09:08 AM	#35
ContentPimp Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 3,184	That is why there are designers that make templates with Ad spaces, and a goal to sell a product. __________________ Blog Post Writing and Reviews are 2 cents per word & Titles and Gallery Descriptions 1 cent per word We also write Pay Site Reviews, SEO and Mainstream text www.contentpimp.info Contact me on ICQ at 400792466 Payoneer, Paxum and Paypal Accepted forms of Payment by the Pimp

01-25-2009, 12:16 PM	#36
Pornwolf Drunk and Unruly Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hollywood Posts: 22,712	99% of those design fuckers have no clue how to make money on the interwebs. So, all we see are good looking templates that aren't made to make money. __________________ I've trusted my sites to them for over a decade... Webair, bitches.

01-25-2009, 01:09 PM	#38
fris Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 55,239	you arent looking hard enough, or you arent modding it right. __________________ Since 1999: 69 Adult Industry awards for Best Hosting Company and professional excellence. WP Stuff

01-25-2009, 01:25 PM	#39
Matyko PsyHead Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hungary Posts: 8,664	I do love my first blogs which were designed by Rochard's great team, but since that I followed the advice to start fine-tuning the default skin with a unique header and some useful plugins and I am satisfied with the results. __________________ -=- Register with our ref link and we help you with the setup! -=- AdSpyglass.com - Double your profit from brokers