10-05-2007, 10:09 PM
Many scripts come with a default template or skin, this includes forums, blogs, wikis, or even arcades. This is fine when the site is still under construction. It will allow you to get a feel of how the site's main layout will look out. However, once you launch your site, it's highly recommended to change the template or at least customize it a bit. Why?
Well chances are, hundreds of other people are using the same script as you whether it's commercial or free. The only time when this would not be true is if you made the script yourself, and chose not to distribute it. But that's another story. And since these people are using the same script as you, a lot of them will use the default template, and therefore your site will look very similar. You want to grab your visitors attention, not lose their interest. Depending on what type of site you have, you might only have to tweak the default look a bit. Let's say the default skin was green, and your site was about gardening. You might just have to change the logo and change the buttons to make them more garden friendly. However, if you were running a medical site, you might want to lose the green look and look for a more professional look, such as white and blue.
Good content, and good design are the key points to having a successful site. Sure, some active forums exist that still use the default template, but even they have customized some things. And the reason why they have a lot of members is because they have some sort of popular service, such as a magazine. But for the average user, it's essential to make your site stick out from the rest.
This was written by me (TechDude), this article may NOT be reproduced/redistributed without permission! PM me if you'd like to do so.
Well chances are, hundreds of other people are using the same script as you whether it's commercial or free. The only time when this would not be true is if you made the script yourself, and chose not to distribute it. But that's another story. And since these people are using the same script as you, a lot of them will use the default template, and therefore your site will look very similar. You want to grab your visitors attention, not lose their interest. Depending on what type of site you have, you might only have to tweak the default look a bit. Let's say the default skin was green, and your site was about gardening. You might just have to change the logo and change the buttons to make them more garden friendly. However, if you were running a medical site, you might want to lose the green look and look for a more professional look, such as white and blue.
Good content, and good design are the key points to having a successful site. Sure, some active forums exist that still use the default template, but even they have customized some things. And the reason why they have a lot of members is because they have some sort of popular service, such as a magazine. But for the average user, it's essential to make your site stick out from the rest.
This was written by me (TechDude), this article may NOT be reproduced/redistributed without permission! PM me if you'd like to do so.