Namecheap Redesign.
- Thread starter mpbiz
- Start date
It's not an oxymoron, shared has it's uses too.
I tried quite a bunch of shared hosting plans to host a lot of network/autoblog/ministites and some would not even handle a wordpress plugin upload.
Namecheap, on the other hand, is always up and pretty fast, they only want to charge 2x more for it lately.
I like it, it's simple, it's also just a landing page and doesn't detract from the functionality or quality of the service. No need to trip about a simple redesign.
Looks nice.
But it's WAY too big.
My eyes can't physically read all that...
I hope people stop designing like that.
When you have to scroll for four or five mins just to read like 200 words, that's insane.
Remember when websites used to be condensed, like Wickedfire?
This responsive trend lately has been OVERKILL for readability.
Scaling the page back down to 90%, and it's so much better..
....
See what I mean? Sigh...
First of all, it's not a trend, it's the web evolving. I don't know how you can't read it. Bigger fonts and shorter line lengths make things easier to read. As far as scrolling goes, it's been shown over and over again that people will scroll, and that the "fold" is a myth. Plus that site is only two screen heights long, so there really isn't much scrolling involved at all in this case.
It's like asking a plumber to fix your television. It's not what they are good at. They usually offer alternative services as an afterthought to their core business, and don't do nearly as good a job as a company exclusively dedicated to those services.
I had that problem with the previous site/login using chrome, although previously it wouldnt autofill password, now it wont autofill username, but password it fills.
Annoying++
I dunno man, look at the footer, it literally fills a whole 720p browser window and unfortunately 720p (typical cheap laptop) is more popular than ever
ITT: people that don't understand good design, commenting on design.
Agree that the search box area at the top is a bit poor (in the sense that the search box doesn't jump out at you instantly) but it's a huge improvement on their old design.
Companies are moving their designs towards more scrolling, larger text, etc, for a reason, too. It's not just a "fad". They test this stuff and it converts better. Phones and handheld devices have gotten people used to scrolling, and so good designers are now realising that they can present information in a more consumable way by incorporating scrolling into their design.
It's change though, and people hate change (as the evidence in this thread demonstrates).
Agree that the search box area at the top is a bit poor (in the sense that the search box doesn't jump out at you instantly) but it's a huge improvement on their old design.
Companies are moving their designs towards more scrolling, larger text, etc, for a reason, too. It's not just a "fad". They test this stuff and it converts better. Phones and handheld devices have gotten people used to scrolling, and so good designers are now realising that they can present information in a more consumable way by incorporating scrolling into their design.
It's change though, and people hate change (as the evidence in this thread demonstrates).
I started noticing websites thinking they are all important and want people to not use the autofill/save password function of browsers on their particular website. I have a FireFox script that removes the DOM presence of the "Not Allow Autofill" on each form of the site, so when websites try to block autofill the browser still autofills.
Now it's rather annoying, butmaybe some sites like Banks, it MIGHT make sense, but they are assuming people aren't on desktop and we are fucking moving around with the shit and can lose it, or whatever. How about the web developer leave that shit in the user's hands and not try to think for the user.
Most recently I went to a website and they had a new design and the autofill broke, so I clicked the script, it removed the autofill block, I re-entered the username and password since I had also changed it, and it denied me access cause it now DETECTS if I removed the autofill on the form. I had to restart the browser, and the browser saved the password, and now I have to click the dropdown to click on the username, 1 little extra step, but whatever. What was really retarded, was this "super security no autofill password" site was Clickbank.com. I mean, come the fuck on...
Overall the design looks pretty good, I agree about the people in the background versus the search box, but the functionality looks solid.
Now it's rather annoying, butmaybe some sites like Banks, it MIGHT make sense, but they are assuming people aren't on desktop and we are fucking moving around with the shit and can lose it, or whatever. How about the web developer leave that shit in the user's hands and not try to think for the user.
Most recently I went to a website and they had a new design and the autofill broke, so I clicked the script, it removed the autofill block, I re-entered the username and password since I had also changed it, and it denied me access cause it now DETECTS if I removed the autofill on the form. I had to restart the browser, and the browser saved the password, and now I have to click the dropdown to click on the username, 1 little extra step, but whatever. What was really retarded, was this "super security no autofill password" site was Clickbank.com. I mean, come the fuck on...
Overall the design looks pretty good, I agree about the people in the background versus the search box, but the functionality looks solid.
Well, I wouldn't call it "web evolving". The design (illustration specifically) looks trendy and in 18 months some other new fade/trend will arise. But I do agree with everything else in your comment about them designing it to convert better. When Godaddy made their design update, it actually re-organized everything and it's been simpler to find. That part of the trend I like, these sites looking like the whole internet is turning into one big ass comic book - meh, looks like a playground. They can use real photos instead of illustrated characters and still make the functionality better like Godaddy did.
Oh yeah, btw, Godaddy also tried to break the passwords. And some of these sites aren't even allowing more than one account/password - but that might be my browser.
Godaddy's new design for comparison - Simplified functionality, no Mickey Mouse illustration like this is Disney Land like Namecheap:
Oh yeah, btw, Godaddy also tried to break the passwords. And some of these sites aren't even allowing more than one account/password - but that might be my browser.
Godaddy's new design for comparison - Simplified functionality, no Mickey Mouse illustration like this is Disney Land like Namecheap:
(No hate but)
I am a designer myself...
I've been doing this for well over 10 years.
This IS a fade/trend.
Remember... Web 2.0, or how about the current progression to "Retro", etc.
From an artistic standpoint and branding: This is NOT good design. It's too simple, basic, there is no passion/labor in it. (Aside from the colorful banner). Anyone can make this.. It's simple oversized areas aligned on grid.
There is nothing wrong with the oversized, simple look: See Media Temple's new redesign: Web hosting services, website domains and VPS host - Media Temple (THAT'S design executed well, you can see the labor/passion/branding/concept)
In comparison Namecheap looks like a free WP template someone modified.
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I don't argue with scrolling, the above the fold myth has been proven wrong. With infinite loading on pin/facebook/twitter/etc. People are getting used to it because it's becoming a common part of their daily browsing habits.
Also, Amazon, eBay, Wikipedia, WickedFire, Youtube, FB, Twitter, etc, etc, etc. Have NOT switched to this oversized look. (+ Ecomm, there are thousands) + News sites, etc. When the top sites aren't doing it; there's a conflict that will happen here. You have a mash up of big and small sites.
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As far as conversions go, (links please, I'd love to see)
People are STILL reading the smaller text.
As far as scrolling goes..
Look at the landing page conversion rates.
I've seen DROPS when the page is too long.
Different example: (Don't compare to above/apples to oranges)
But then again you have Amazon, Wiki, etc. so it case-per site. SEOMoz did better with it.
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Here's the other issue I see.
That big text is hiding your CTA; even small elements can have a big impact. (see above)
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Honestly though.
Most of these sites switching over where so cluttered in the past.
Not shocking to see "conversion improvements".
But some are making jumps WAY too big.
Yes, you can over-do the responsive big mobile look.
That's all I'm saying. There's a middle balance where it's perfect; it seems like most are missing are that mark.
...
Click this shit: http://www.6wunderkinder.com/en/#/welcome
THAT'S good design, big sized.
Some odd design choices, and some really strange markup. How's this for an id? id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_base_content_web_base_content_home_content_page_content_left_getstarted_tab_tabList"
The fuck? lol.
Hitting tab after entering a domain doesn't take the selection to submit, takes it to bulk entry. Gradient only on the 'add domain to cart buttons' feels really fucking shitty. Feels faster though, probably a step in the right direction. Probably use it more next month buying domains for a new project.
The fuck? lol.
Hitting tab after entering a domain doesn't take the selection to submit, takes it to bulk entry. Gradient only on the 'add domain to cart buttons' feels really fucking shitty. Feels faster though, probably a step in the right direction. Probably use it more next month buying domains for a new project.
Graphically it's a downgrade. It looks like it switched from something a middle-schooler would do to how a mommy interprets her preschooler's drawings.
It's great to make things less confusing in their detail, but please stop making everything look like Sesame Street.
It's great to make things less confusing in their detail, but please stop making everything look like Sesame Street.
He wasn't talking about the illustration as being a trend though. He said "This responsive trend...", as if responsive website design is a trend, which I disagree with.
From an academic marketing perspective I'd say that the new redesign doesn't actually fit the brand anymore (IMO obvs).
Name cheap.
Cheap.
Low cost.
Business model = Save money on non-essentials.
Non-essentials = fancy design, no frills.
Old website had that no-nonsense feel to it, this doesn't - as someone said - SAAS.
It's like if Ryan Air kitted their planes out like Virgin but still had a low cost business model.
Name cheap.
Cheap.
Low cost.
Business model = Save money on non-essentials.
Non-essentials = fancy design, no frills.
Old website had that no-nonsense feel to it, this doesn't - as someone said - SAAS.
It's like if Ryan Air kitted their planes out like Virgin but still had a low cost business model.
That's actually really true, I didn't think about it like that. The old site had that cheap design to it, very well suiting, this one looks more professional, high quality, polished to an unnecessary extent. Good insight :thumbsup: