I can't beleive I'm actually making this. Ugh, crappiest looking website ever.

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
So, I'm making this website for my dad's small business, and it looks like complete ass. I TRIED to get him to let me design something good looking, but after literally months of contemplating his website, this is what he came up with, and it looks absolutely disgusting. I feel embarrassed for having created it.

Anyway, here's the first webpage in the site: link
And here's the PDF I was given for reference: PDF

I know, the PDF has a really retarded looking drawing from the 80's that isn't on the main site yet, I have to ask my dad for that graphic...
Also, the text was changed from what was on the PDF on purpose.

God, it hurts my eyes...
 

pyonir

Lifer
Dec 18, 2001
40,856
321
126
The PDF doesn't work for me.

Wow that site looks bland, boring and it looks like it is a first timers site.
 

Grey

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 1999
2,737
2
81
Well.. try and get him to compromise with something to balance the design on the right side. Maybe a graphic from the 2000's
 

BG4533

Golden Member
Oct 15, 2001
1,892
0
71
ehhh, I have seen much worse. Why dont you just create what you like and give it to him. Do something that most all people would agree is better and keep it simple still.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: BG4533
ehhh, I have seen much worse. Why dont you just create what you like and give it to him. Do something that most all people would agree is better and keep it simple still.

Because I've done that before and he said "I don't like like it, it should be more like this <explains something that looks like this PDF file>"
 

Adul

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
32,999
44
91
danny.tangtam.com
After working here for a few months. I have seen sites far worse then this one. not only do they hurt the eyes, but they make you want to gag.
 

OREOSpeedwagon

Diamond Member
May 30, 2001
8,485
1
81
that site is pretty boring and 90s looking. If thats what he's paying you for then do what the man wants... if you want to design him a really nice looking site come up with a few other designs similar to his idea but more professional looking, tell him something like "Here's a few more designs I came up with, thought you might what to check them out" or something like that.
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: notfred
So, I'm making this website for my dad's small business, and it looks like complete ass. I TRIED to get him to let me design something good looking, but after literally months of contemplating his website, this is what he came up with, and it looks absolutely disgusting. I feel embarrassed for having created it.

Anyway, here's the first webpage in the site: link
And here's the PDF I was given for reference: PDF

I know, the PDF has a really retarded looking drawing from the 80's that isn't on the main site yet, I have to ask my dad for that graphic...
Also, the text was changed from what was on the PDF on purpose.

God, it hurts my eyes...

I suck at web design and would be ashamed of it.. Try telling your dad that a website is a reflection of a company.. While it may seem stupid, some people wouldn't work with a great company based on a poorly done website (I wouldn't buy a product from a company who's website looks like it was designed by a color blind 5 year old).. Tell him to think of it as a business card - would he had out scraps of loose leaf with his number written on it with a crayon? I'd also suggest seeking a professional web designer.. I understand that it may be a "daddy, can I do your website?" situation and such but that's cute and all, but this is his business.. I'm not trying to be mean at all.. My dad came up to me and, since he knows I'm somewhat interested in the field, asked if I wanted to design his site.. I asked him if he was crazy for wanted his corporate identity reflected by the work of his inexperienced son over a professional and then sent him on his way.. Try elance.. You'd be shocked by how cheap some of these talented guys are (and they need the work!)
 

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
You want ugly?

Check out the site I work on

Worst website in the world. Might as well be on Geocities. This is for a multi-million dollar company. But that's what the owner likes, so that's what he gets. As long as the paychecks don't bounce, I guess I can't complain too much.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: notfred
So, I'm making this website for my dad's small business, and it looks like complete ass. I TRIED to get him to let me design something good looking, but after literally months of contemplating his website, this is what he came up with, and it looks absolutely disgusting. I feel embarrassed for having created it.

Anyway, here's the first webpage in the site: link
And here's the PDF I was given for reference: PDF

I know, the PDF has a really retarded looking drawing from the 80's that isn't on the main site yet, I have to ask my dad for that graphic...
Also, the text was changed from what was on the PDF on purpose.

God, it hurts my eyes...

I suck at web design and would be ashamed of it.. Try telling your dad that a website is a reflection of a company.. While it may seem stupid, some people wouldn't work with a great company based on a poorly done website (I wouldn't buy a product from a company who's website looks like it was designed by a color blind 5 year old).. Tell him to think of it as a business card - would he had out scraps of loose leaf with his number written on it with a crayon? I'd also suggest seeking a professional web designer.. I understand that it may be a "daddy, can I do your website?" situation and such but that's cute and all, but this is his business.. I'm not trying to be mean at all.. My dad came up to me and, since he knows I'm somewhat interested in the field, asked if I wanted to design his site.. I asked him if he was crazy for wanted his corporate identity reflected by the work of his inexperienced son over a professional and then sent him on his way.. Try elance.. You'd be shocked by how cheap some of these talented guys are (and they need the work!)

I am a professional web developer: this is what I do at work
 

Imaginer

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
8,076
1
0
You would be surprised on how many businesses would like a SIMPLE and CLEAN interface.

In that department, I say it does nicely.
 
Mar 15, 2003
12,668
103
106
Originally posted by: notfred
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: notfred
So, I'm making this website for my dad's small business, and it looks like complete ass. I TRIED to get him to let me design something good looking, but after literally months of contemplating his website, this is what he came up with, and it looks absolutely disgusting. I feel embarrassed for having created it.

Anyway, here's the first webpage in the site: link
And here's the PDF I was given for reference: PDF

I know, the PDF has a really retarded looking drawing from the 80's that isn't on the main site yet, I have to ask my dad for that graphic...
Also, the text was changed from what was on the PDF on purpose.

God, it hurts my eyes...

I suck at web design and would be ashamed of it.. Try telling your dad that a website is a reflection of a company.. While it may seem stupid, some people wouldn't work with a great company based on a poorly done website (I wouldn't buy a product from a company who's website looks like it was designed by a color blind 5 year old).. Tell him to think of it as a business card - would he had out scraps of loose leaf with his number written on it with a crayon? I'd also suggest seeking a professional web designer.. I understand that it may be a "daddy, can I do your website?" situation and such but that's cute and all, but this is his business.. I'm not trying to be mean at all.. My dad came up to me and, since he knows I'm somewhat interested in the field, asked if I wanted to design his site.. I asked him if he was crazy for wanted his corporate identity reflected by the work of his inexperienced son over a professional and then sent him on his way.. Try elance.. You'd be shocked by how cheap some of these talented guys are (and they need the work!)

I am a professional web developer: this is what I do at work

That's different then - I apologize.. I just assumed that you're the average anandtecher - a 12 year old with a pirated version of frontpage :)
 

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
I was engaged for new work today... and it wasn't the best looking website by any stretch of the imagination. They were describing what they wanted the new site to look like and it wasn't going to be much of an improvement from what I can see... but still... it's what the client wants...
 

ComputerMonkey

Senior member
Sep 25, 2002
313
0
0
As a web developer that makes me cry. Have you tried showing your dad some well designed clean sites? There are some very minimal sites that are extremely simple, but look great. Oh well, just remember what they say.....the client is always right! Especially when they're your dad :)
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Originally posted by: EugeneChien
took you/him literally months to make this? Seems.. simple.. as in 15 mins simple.. :p

It didn't take months to make this page, it took my dad months to put those PDF files together. Mostly due to procrastination and people kept telling him his ideas looked crappy.
 

KenGr

Senior member
Aug 22, 2002
725
0
0
I don't like the white backgrounds on some of these sites and they aren't too exciting, but that's best for some companies. A lot of these companies probably figure their customers are all on slow dial-ups and are not computer literate. The last thing they want to do is lead the customer into a site with music, animation, large images etc. that they can't figure out where to click next.

If you want to improve someones site, ask yourself "Why this make the customer more likely to buy a product?" If you think about it honestly, the bells and whistles don't do it, the content and simplicity of navigation does.