1and1 mywebsite review
1and1 mywebsite
I thought it was about time I took a look at this 1&1 website builder, not only because 1&1 are overloading the TV with their ‘it’s so simple’ website builder advert, but because I have recently had a few customers mention it, you know how it goes, ‘well how about that free website builder from 1&1′,
I really don’t want to sound like I am having a dig at 1&1, I have used their hosting platform for years, on many sites and 9 times out of 10 will recommend it! I like any company that explores new ways to get people and more importantly business involved in online ventures, promotion, selling and the like, why wouldn’t I, there is always room for a designer, isn’t there?
The Good news!
Lets start there, well they have a great concept, make it easy, make it cheap, um, well that’s about it for the good news.
The Not so Good news!
This may just be me? perhaps I have spent too many years looking at beautiful CSS galleries and sites such as pocopeople or twofold to ever really go back to the days of simple design without nice images or textures, however, if ever you have a client say ‘hmm 1&1 website builder’ please send them directly there, like so:
Here you can see examples of sport related sites, something tells me Nike won’t be knocking on 1&1′s door anytime soon.
That’s not all, take a look at other sectors, there appears to be a similar look and feel, surely if you are going to branch into different sectors, make the templates reflect that sector, perhaps add in some texture, some nice stock images people can use if need be, its amazing what that can do for a site.
Finally there is the user experience (UX) everyone is talking about understanding the user, making design flow, simplifying and beautifying the online experience, unfortunately I cannot comment, truth be told I haven’t tried their system, I dont feel I need to, as I genuinely wouldn’t recommend any clients to use this based on the aesthetics alone, perhaps someone who has tried it could comment further? let me know, I really would be interested.
So to sum up, I think it is great 1&1 are promoting online business, I personally think they have missed a trick with the designs and overall look and feel of the templates, but as a freelancer I can only take this oversight as a good thing.
My final words would be, it’s so important to have a website nowadays, but more so than that, it’s important to have a site that looks and feels professional, we are fickle consumers, all to easy to click off a site because it doesn’t look professional, clean, simple, or easy to navigate, as this site sums up websites that suck if you are thinking of have an online presence, take it serious, get a budget together realistically £800+ minimum, yes there are loads of sites like peopleperhour where you can get someone to do you an ecommerce site for £350, but if you run a business would you buy a PC that’s £50 and potentially going to break real soon! Then why run the risk with your site, once you have a budget, search web design companies, locally preferably but not always, take a look at the portfolio, speak to a human and get a feel for the work they do and the type of people who do that work, only then make a choice.
Cheers
James