How important are custom blog designs? - GoFuckYourself.com

OrangeContent · 04-26-2009, 11:54 AM

I know a lot of people who use the default design with wordpress and those that use custom designs. Do you think overall the one with a custom design has a better visitor retention rate (bookmarks)? Or do you think the cost of the custom design just isn't worth it.

brassmonkey · 04-26-2009, 11:56 AM

very important

SBJ · 04-26-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeContent

I know a lot of people who use the default design with wordpress and those that use custom designs. Do you think overall the one with a custom design has a better visitor retention rate (bookmarks)? Or do you think the cost of the custom design just isn't worth it.

you can get a template design for $40 or so.. I think it's very important to have something more then the default worldpress layout but I don't think you need to spend hundreds or thousands on one

Houdini · 04-26-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

very important

Completely disagree.

I have many blogs using the default wordpress theme and that get over 1K SE per day. It may not be that much, but they're #1 for the terms I'm after. I do have one blog that's 8K per day and I've customized a wp theme that I bought for $25 bucks. There's really little need to buy new designs for every blog and I wouldn't spend big bucks on one either. Slap a logo, change the colors around, viola.

If you buy a theme, I'd advise you to buy a mainstream one. It just seems they're much cleaner and are more up to date when it comes to what you can do with wordpress from the technical side (widgets, ajax, etc).

mineistaken · 04-26-2009, 12:11 PM

If you brand your blogs its nice to have special theme..but if you have 100 of small blogs... well its up to you

Supz · 04-26-2009, 12:14 PM

I don't use the default, but there are a lot of good free ones that you customize pretty easily. I don't see any difference to the surfer between my custom ones and the other ones that are not. Its all about the content.

brassmonkey · 04-26-2009, 12:16 PM

some people are cheap

Deej · 04-26-2009, 12:17 PM

depends on how serious you are...

minddust · 04-26-2009, 12:21 PM

Design "very important"? someone should really tell TheHun...

CONTENT is key. Content IS KEY.

Houdini · 04-26-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

some people are cheap

Some people know what works.

OrangeContent · 04-26-2009, 01:29 PM

Thanks guys, it was just a question on my mind.

have a good weekend.

JamesK · 04-26-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minddust

Design "very important"? someone should really tell TheHun...

CONTENT is key. Content IS KEY.

TheHun was one of the first sites to offer free porn galleries, that's what made them popular. In some way their "design" is also important, that's why they haven't changed it.

I agree that content matters a lot, but a good blog design can do wonders to your CTR and bounce rates. If you want to optimize your sales, you should also take care of the design and structure of the blog.

Fucker Five · 04-27-2009, 07:54 AM

If you have a good quality content you won't have any problem with a default design.

Raf1 · 04-27-2009, 08:05 AM

a good design - yes, a bad design - definitely not ;)

Sosa · 04-27-2009, 08:09 AM

Eh, if it is a serious project I'll spend the money for something custom. However I usually just find a free one online and edit it to my liking.

fris · 04-27-2009, 08:18 AM

here are a few links you should read

http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/blog-...act-of-design/

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/43-web-...-should-avoid/

http://www.blogdesignblog.com/blog-d...sign-mistakes/

JamesK · 04-27-2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fris

here are a few links you should read

http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/blog-...act-of-design/

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/43-web-...-should-avoid/

http://www.blogdesignblog.com/blog-d...sign-mistakes/

Yep, excellent articles

Rochard · 04-27-2009, 09:25 AM

I would never run a blog with the default theme on it. I like to take a little bit of pride in my work and I can afford $40 for a fucking template.

With that said, check out my blog network: http://www.badbunnyconsulting.com/

Nearly all of my themes come from Blow Blowout.

fris · 04-27-2009, 09:29 AM

if you are going to use a default theme at least use a custom header

Agent 488 · 04-27-2009, 09:44 AM

there are probably thousands of free themes out there - at least use one of those than the default ...

Jdoughs · 04-27-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rochard

I would never run a blog with the default theme on it. I like to take a little bit of pride in my work and I can afford $40 for a fucking template.

With that said, check out my blog network: http://www.badbunnyconsulting.com/

Nearly all of my themes come from Blow Blowout.

I have no idea why every adult blog theme designer tries to make their shit look cartoonish.

Looks fucking stupid. And the themes are totally PISS POOR for retaining OR handling time on site/bounce.

Not speaking of your network, but of the theme designs you see sold here by designers.

fris · 04-27-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdoughs

I have no idea why every adult blog theme designer tries to make their shit look cartoonish.

Looks fucking stupid. And the themes are totally PISS POOR for retaining OR handling time on site/bounce.

Not speaking of your network, but of the theme designs you see sold here by designers.

because the designers on here have no concept on what a good blog design is what so ever.

C-Luv · 04-27-2009, 12:36 PM

I designed my blog theme, it took a couple hours but was well worth it. I really didn't want to use a template that someone else could use.

PSD CSS XHTML · 04-27-2009, 12:45 PM

I didn't want to read this thread because I knew there would be replies that would make me cringe.

Houdini, it may "work" but it could be optimized to perform a LOT better.

You mention a blog that gets 1K SE hits a day.. but what do those surfers do once they see another fucking Kubrick blog. SE optimization is only half the battle.

JD · 04-27-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fris

because the designers on here have no concept on what a good blog design is what so ever.

I just cried a little :'(

devine · 04-27-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minddust

Design "very important"? someone should really tell TheHun...

CONTENT is key. Content IS KEY.

I've data that shows quite the opposite in general. Not saying that design is key either, but our research shows some interesting things and some food for thought about balance.

If you don't believe me, just check out mofos, bangbros and so on. Amazing content updated frequently that converts like crap. And that's because of several factors, being the most important overseen content, as you may imagine. But one of those factors is a design that looks nice but has no marketing tools applied at all, just a design slapped for the hell of it (another important factor is that content is great, but all those sites fail really big on quality, niches and respective fetishes)

Of course this doesn't apply to some restricted small niches, but for general, broad audiences numbers shows you're quite wrong.

As for The Hun, as someone said: that (lack of) design is a trademark itself. Now tell me why all The Hun clones have failed? If it was just that, then I'd make some html page and see the money roll

MrLuvr · 04-27-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rochard

I would never run a blog with the default theme on it. I like to take a little bit of pride in my work and I can afford $40 for a fucking template.

With that said, check out my blog network: http://www.badbunnyconsulting.com/

Nearly all of my themes come from Blow Blowout.

LOL.. those are not blogs.

TheDoc · 04-27-2009, 05:24 PM

If you change your WP theme to at least something other than the default, you are more than set. You don't need a custom design, at any level, ever, to rock the charts.

If you wish to make an authority site, for people - then design would be a factor, along with time.

And a final note.. Surfers, don't know what the default wp theme is.

MrLuvr · 04-27-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houdini

Completely disagree.

I have many blogs using the default wordpress theme and that get over 1K SE per day. It may not be that much, but they're #1 for the terms I'm after. I do have one blog that's 8K per day and I've customized a wp theme that I bought for $25 bucks. There's really little need to buy new designs for every blog and I wouldn't spend big bucks on one either. Slap a logo, change the colors around, viola.

If you buy a theme, I'd advise you to buy a mainstream one. It just seems they're much cleaner and are more up to date when it comes to what you can do with wordpress from the technical side (widgets, ajax, etc).

I don't think you need to spend money on an adult theme, most of them are stupid. There are plenty of very good very mainstream themes that you can optimize for an adult blog.

I disagree with you about using the default theme. Use a free theme, but not the default. A good free theme can give you a lot of control over the placement of your ads. But, adult themes are a waste of money as you said. Don't need one at all.

Rick Diculous · 04-27-2009, 05:32 PM

I use free themes and tweak them a bit

$5 submissions · 04-27-2009, 05:32 PM

HUGE difference. Also, ugly-looking ad themes might look like shit but they get the job done.

collegeboobies · 04-27-2009, 05:32 PM

LOL anyone using default is retarded

Voodoo · 04-27-2009, 06:00 PM

Think of it this way... Is your blog a feeder or a hub?

If it's a feeder, then it doesn't matter what it looks like, any old WP theme will do.

If it's a hub, spend the $ and get something custom for your site.

avalanche · 04-27-2009, 06:13 PM

You can have a successful blog with the default, a non-exclusive, or an exclusive, it all depends on what your expectations are. If you plan on investing a serious amount of time in your project custom is always best. And by custom it could be something as simple as the default theme altered to fit your needs.

The problem is most people don't understand most issues with many themes. When we originally started blogs we used non-exclusive themes and found bounce rates at upwards of 70-80%. When we began using our own customs, such as those at BlogBlowout, we saw bounce rates averaging around 15-25%.

People can talk smack on other designs all they want, but the reality is that they usually don't know their ass from a hole in the ground in regards to what works and what doesn't.

Best thing to do is run tests yourself and find out what's going to work for your project and ignore all the haters.

OrangeContent · 04-27-2009, 06:40 PM

Great replies guys! Who around here do you recommend for the best quality when it comes to blog designs?

Supz · 04-27-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deej

depends on how serious you are...

says the designer

MrLuvr · 04-27-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeContent

Great replies guys! Who around here do you recommend for the best quality when it comes to blog designs?

http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/

Unless you really want something very specific, save your money. I am sure you can find a free theme to fit your needs specially if you are just starting out.

fris · 04-27-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrLuvr

LOL.. those are not blogs.

i have to agree with you there.

the.drunk · 04-27-2009, 08:56 PM

design is not important at all

thehun, myfreepaysite, craigslist, myspace, twitter, aff, ebay

content and function are what is important

ExLust · 04-27-2009, 09:43 PM

Important in meeting standards to earn.

Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life · 04-27-2009, 09:49 PM

depend son what the aim of the blog is and what your overall plans for it entail...

n general i would say it's not that important.

Shoplifter · 04-28-2009, 01:26 AM

For the most part I use a modified K2 and it works well. But my biggest blogs do use custom themes.

04-26-2009, 11:56 AM	#2
brassmonkey Pay It Forward Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yo Mama House Posts: 77,258	very important __________________ TRUMP 2025 KEKAW!!! - The Laken Riley Act Is Law! DACA ENDED - SUPPORT AZ HCR 2060 52R - email: brassballz-at-techie.com

04-26-2009, 12:16 PM	#7
brassmonkey Pay It Forward Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yo Mama House Posts: 77,258	some people are cheap __________________ TRUMP 2025 KEKAW!!! - The Laken Riley Act Is Law! DACA ENDED - SUPPORT AZ HCR 2060 52R - email: brassballz-at-techie.com

04-26-2009, 12:17 PM	#8
Deej I make pixels work Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I live here... Posts: 24,386	depends on how serious you are... __________________ Deej's Designs n' What Not Hit me up for Design, CSS & Photo Retouching Icq#30096880

04-26-2009, 01:29 PM	#11
OrangeContent Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: US / Canada Posts: 381	Thanks guys, it was just a question on my mind. have a good weekend. __________________ START A REVIEW SITE GOOD PRICES ON WRITTEN REVIEWS CLICK HERE quote (at) orangecontent.com \| ICQ: 564-113-756

04-27-2009, 07:54 AM	#13
Fucker Five Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 179	If you have a good quality content you won't have any problem with a default design. __________________ New porn bitch brazilian site/blog Blog Casa Do Prazer New Posts Every Day CasaDoPrazer.Net Coming Soon!

04-26-2009, 11:54 AM	#1
OrangeContent Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: US / Canada Posts: 381	How important are custom blog designs? I know a lot of people who use the default design with wordpress and those that use custom designs. Do you think overall the one with a custom design has a better visitor retention rate (bookmarks)? Or do you think the cost of the custom design just isn't worth it. __________________ START A REVIEW SITE GOOD PRICES ON WRITTEN REVIEWS CLICK HERE quote (at) orangecontent.com \| ICQ: 564-113-756

04-26-2009, 12:11 PM	#5
mineistaken See signature :) Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: ICQ 363 097 773 Posts: 29,656	If you brand your blogs its nice to have special theme..but if you have 100 of small blogs... well its up to you

04-26-2009, 12:14 PM	#6
Supz Arthur Flegenheimer Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 11,056	I don't use the default, but there are a lot of good free ones that you customize pretty easily. I don't see any difference to the surfer between my custom ones and the other ones that are not. Its all about the content.

04-26-2009, 12:21 PM	#9
minddust Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,438	Design "very important"? someone should really tell TheHun... CONTENT is key. Content IS KEY.

04-27-2009, 08:05 AM	#14
Raf1 Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Writer for hire :) Gallery descriptions, articles, blog posts etc. ICQ: 209 356 106 Posts: 12,117	a good design - yes, a bad design - definitely not ;) __________________ 80% Revshare or 30$ PPS on $1 trials: 200 Niches = Vidz.com Galleries / FLVs / Embeds 3 & 5mins FLVs \| RSS & Tube Feeds \| Matching Thumbs \| FLV Browser & Exporter \| No Prechecked Xsales >> Mobile Redirection Script: mobile.vidz.com also paying 80% net Lifetime << ICQ: 198-394-557

04-27-2009, 08:09 AM	#15
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	Eh, if it is a serious project I'll spend the money for something custom. However I usually just find a free one online and edit it to my liking.

04-27-2009, 08:18 AM	#16
fris Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 55,372	here are a few links you should read http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/blog-...act-of-design/ http://www.dailyblogtips.com/43-web-...-should-avoid/ http://www.blogdesignblog.com/blog-d...sign-mistakes/ __________________ Since 1999: 69 Adult Industry awards for Best Hosting Company and professional excellence. WP Stuff

04-27-2009, 09:25 AM	#18
Rochard Jägermeister Test Pilot Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NORCAL Posts: 74,324	I would never run a blog with the default theme on it. I like to take a little bit of pride in my work and I can afford $40 for a fucking template. With that said, check out my blog network: http://www.badbunnyconsulting.com/ Nearly all of my themes come from Blow Blowout. __________________ “The choice is no longer between right or left. The choice is between normal and crazy.” - Sarah Huckabee Sanders YNOT MAIL \| THE BEST ADULT MAILING SOLUTION

04-27-2009, 09:29 AM	#19
fris Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 55,372	if you are going to use a default theme at least use a custom header __________________ Since 1999: 69 Adult Industry awards for Best Hosting Company and professional excellence. WP Stuff

04-27-2009, 09:44 AM	#20
Agent 488 Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 22,511	there are probably thousands of free themes out there - at least use one of those than the default ...

04-27-2009, 12:36 PM	#23
C-Luv Confirmed User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,025	I designed my blog theme, it took a couple hours but was well worth it. I really didn't want to use a template that someone else could use. __________________ C-Luv [email protected] ICQ- 461280620 - Skype- C-luvi

04-27-2009, 12:45 PM	#24
PSD CSS XHTML Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: I was right here a minute ago Posts: 546	I didn't want to read this thread because I knew there would be replies that would make me cringe. Houdini, it may "work" but it could be optimized to perform a LOT better. You mention a blog that gets 1K SE hits a day.. but what do those surfers do once they see another fucking Kubrick blog. SE optimization is only half the battle. __________________ . . psd to xhtml/css conversions . . cost effective css template solutions . . and now offering css lessons . . My XBIZ profile

04-27-2009, 05:24 PM	#28
TheDoc Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Currently Incognito Posts: 13,827	If you change your WP theme to at least something other than the default, you are more than set. You don't need a custom design, at any level, ever, to rock the charts. If you wish to make an authority site, for people - then design would be a factor, along with time. And a final note.. Surfers, don't know what the default wp theme is. __________________ ~TheDoc - ICQ7765825 It's all disambiguation

04-27-2009, 05:32 PM	#30
Rick Diculous Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,370	I use free themes and tweak them a bit

04-27-2009, 05:32 PM	#31
$5 submissions I help you SUCCEED Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Pearl of the Orient Seas Posts: 32,195	HUGE difference. Also, ugly-looking ad themes might look like shit but they get the job done. __________________ Need a NON-ADULT income stream? We build your YOUTUBE CHANNEL for only $20 per video! For Hire: $3/hour or $400 per month Marketing Specialist Virtual Assistants

04-27-2009, 05:32 PM	#32
collegeboobies So Fucking Banned Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,644	LOL anyone using default is retarded

04-27-2009, 06:00 PM	#33
Voodoo ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 10,592	Think of it this way... Is your blog a feeder or a hub? If it's a feeder, then it doesn't matter what it looks like, any old WP theme will do. If it's a hub, spend the $ and get something custom for your site. __________________ "I'm selflessly supporting the common good, but only coincidentally looking out for No.1."

04-27-2009, 06:13 PM	#34
avalanche Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,922	You can have a successful blog with the default, a non-exclusive, or an exclusive, it all depends on what your expectations are. If you plan on investing a serious amount of time in your project custom is always best. And by custom it could be something as simple as the default theme altered to fit your needs. The problem is most people don't understand most issues with many themes. When we originally started blogs we used non-exclusive themes and found bounce rates at upwards of 70-80%. When we began using our own customs, such as those at BlogBlowout, we saw bounce rates averaging around 15-25%. People can talk smack on other designs all they want, but the reality is that they usually don't know their ass from a hole in the ground in regards to what works and what doesn't. Best thing to do is run tests yourself and find out what's going to work for your project and ignore all the haters. __________________ Avalanche CherryPimps - Daily Pornstars, LIVE and more!

04-27-2009, 06:40 PM	#35
OrangeContent Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: US / Canada Posts: 381	Great replies guys! Who around here do you recommend for the best quality when it comes to blog designs? __________________ START A REVIEW SITE GOOD PRICES ON WRITTEN REVIEWS CLICK HERE quote (at) orangecontent.com \| ICQ: 564-113-756

04-27-2009, 08:56 PM	#39
the.drunk Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 712	design is not important at all thehun, myfreepaysite, craigslist, myspace, twitter, aff, ebay content and function are what is important __________________ find good domains : free epassporte : whitelabel webcams CONTACT ICQ 591549611

04-27-2009, 09:43 PM	#40
ExLust Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,223	Important in meeting standards to earn. __________________ BE A PARTNER

04-27-2009, 09:49 PM	#41
Angry Jew Cat - Banned for Life (felis madjewicus) Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In Mom & Dad's Basement Posts: 20,368	depend son what the aim of the blog is and what your overall plans for it entail... n general i would say it's not that important.

04-28-2009, 01:26 AM	#42
Shoplifter Richest man in Babylon Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Posts: 10,002 Posts: 5,734	For the most part I use a modified K2 and it works well. But my biggest blogs do use custom themes.