website feeling- authentically amateur vs. businessy and sleek

Saturnin · 2009-08-15, 07:01 PM

I'm doing a redesign on a site which I started about four years ago. I used Go Live, didn't know much about what I was doing, and has continued to make business over the years. Most of the old structure is outdated and can't handle RSS or the like. Further, Go Live doesn't exist anymore, and my only copy is on my wife's laptop.

So, I got a sleek new template and all things Adobe to work from. The result is a lot slicker with all kinds of bits and bobs, much more businesslike. I asked my wife's opinion, since she's part of the business too, and she kinda likes the new site, but thinks the old one is more charming and shows a sense of personal authenticity. (Kinda the "I did all this myself" type feeling, despite having CCBill and all the usual mem section, etc.)

Any thoughts on what sells better with customers... or just a question of run it up the flagpole and see if they like it or not.

2009-08-15, 07:01 PM	#1
Saturnin A woman is like beer. They look good, they smell good, and you'd step over your own mother just to get one! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edge of the Universe Posts: 53	website feeling- authentically amateur vs. businessy and sleek I'm doing a redesign on a site which I started about four years ago. I used Go Live, didn't know much about what I was doing, and has continued to make business over the years. Most of the old structure is outdated and can't handle RSS or the like. Further, Go Live doesn't exist anymore, and my only copy is on my wife's laptop. So, I got a sleek new template and all things Adobe to work from. The result is a lot slicker with all kinds of bits and bobs, much more businesslike. I asked my wife's opinion, since she's part of the business too, and she kinda likes the new site, but thinks the old one is more charming and shows a sense of personal authenticity. (Kinda the "I did all this myself" type feeling, despite having CCBill and all the usual mem section, etc.) Any thoughts on what sells better with customers... or just a question of run it up the flagpole and see if they like it or not.