I often brag that I create some of the ugliest websites on the web. Today I received a comment that said, “Didn’t explore site because it’s one of the worst looking websites I’ve ever seen.”
I wonder how many people don’t use this site because it is ugly. I personally don’t believe that it is really ugly, just unconventional. I purposely try to make my site memorably different so that it will make an impression.
I don’t think that the presentation in communication is tightly coupled with a reader’s reaction to the content unless the presentation gets in the way of the content.
My site is different, unexpected, and challenging. I have been considering changing the template for a while, but all of my ideas would make the site even more different, unexpected and challenging.
The current template is about 4 years old, and is based on the original template that is more than ten years old. Perhaps I should make a few test templates and let people vote.
To the person who had to leave the site because their own fragile expectations of what a blog should be were challenged, I am sorry. There are worse things in the world than ugly yellow on black web pages, far worse. I hope you can avoid those things as easily as clicking a red x.
3 Comments
I think it's retro and cute. Makes me think of the old Commodore 64 and those books where you could create your own games.
Thank you!
Your site is a little too retro for my taste; however, I read on. I don't see why someone would have dropped out – after leaving a negative comment… so rude.
My site, on the other hand, might be a little too dry for many people. I might try to spice it up someday. Not today, but someday.