I was replying to some threads in some webmaster forums I am active in .. a lot if you want to know 
The topic that sparked my attention and benefited from my wise ideas was “what makes you dislike a site” .. If were are talking about first impressions, then let’s hear it. What do I dislike? Default or stock themes. I don’t care if it’s a normal site, a directory, a forum or an auction site. If I see a default skin or template you downloaded for free or even paid (but is still used by many others) you have a HUGE fall in my ratings.
I know you think I am just a mean snobbish woman, but my opinion might be shared by many other visitors. It’s not the 90’s anymore. People are more aware of how a site should look and what is a default skin. They post in other forums too, have visited other blogs, many know about TemplateMonster. So .. if you’re thinking about placing a stock theme and then just see your revenue roll .. THINK AGAIN.
In my opinion .. there is NO excuse for having a default skin or a stock layout. Even if you have a 2 days site or a 10 thousand members forum you just need to think about a good branding and do something …
But some of the big guys have stock themes and no one complains!
Yeah, they do. Some very good (content wise) forums and sites sport a default theme slightly modified or a stock one. DP, TAZ or NP are 3 forums I like a lot because o their nice content. But I still have less appreciation than in Sitepoint’s case for instance. Maybe the latter annoy you with their popups (when you are in guest view), and didn’t go that far from the default skin either. Still they made it look better by adding some codes and deleting some theme parts. It’s refreshing to see this and it always makes my stay very enjoyable.
If they can do this .. why shouldn’t you?
Because you’d give your project no chance. Many huge sites that still have an issue with the looks started YEARS AGO. When people were less picky and knew less. Start a project on a default skin now and refuse to modify it and you’ve already signed it’s death certificate. Good content might make people come and stay, but with a good skin or layout you’d attract even more people.
Branding is what we look for
It doesn’t matter your layout is not the best. There are few designers in the world who can create outstanding layouts. The rest of us just make something .. DIFFERENT. As long as you have some nice colours and nothing “kills” the eyes, you’re OK. Having a unique style helps people recognize your “brand”.
Last year I restyled the Wtricks logo .. and went with the magician and the stars. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I was approached by someone in another forum who said something like: “Ah, you have that forum with the magician hat … how cool”. Doesn’t matter my logo is or not the best .. IT IS RECOGNIZED.
This is what we want with all this theming stuff: we want to create a look that is unique. It would help us all have IDENTITY and others would recognize that identity.
HOW can I made a unique layout?
Well, we understand not all people are Picasso when it comes to layouting .. But I assume you can read some code and use the color picker in Photoshop .. If so, we’re on the way to make your site look better. If you do use a stock skin or a template, try to work a bit some of the colours. You need to open a .css file and replace the color codes. NOT that hard. have patience and see the results as you go. ALWAYS have a backup of the initial file. If you mess, you can always revert.
Let’s move on to the images .. open them in the image editor and change some colours. If you have a gradient image, put your new colours on it.
With just these 2 tricks you are getting a bit farther on the way to make your site look different.
Once you pick up the speed you can work on a new header for instance and put the code in the layout. If you know how to use Dreamweaver at least a bit, I think you have no worries.
YES, you can do it.
I am a woman. I am 28 right now. Started designing at 23. I am not a specialist. I didn’t even read a design book. I didn’t have time to read too many tutorials either. I just tried and failed and then tried again. And sometimes .. i didn’t fail anymore.
I started my first site 5 years ago. I didn’t even have a PC at home and would work on it from the computer I had at work. And still I was able to make my site look less stock and more personal. I learnt a lot of tricks as I worked more on the site. And now .. after 5 years I have a hefty portfolio under my belt, my own design firm and clients who eat me alive. And I should be a kindergarten teacher ..
So yeah, YOU CAN DO IT.
If I was able to do this with no schooling, not even my own PC for months, with limited internet connection (had a good one only starting 3 years ago) and my regular job on top of this, I think ANY person in this world can do it. Have I mentioned I am a Romanian? So I also faced the language barrier on top of all things mentioned.
If you still won’t do it .. HIRE someone
Don’t be cheap. Don’t pay 70 USD for a stock layout. You can just throw the money off the window and have the same result. Hire a professional .. It costs a bit, but it’s really worth it in the end. You’ll have a unique look that will attract people. This will mean more traffic, more exposure and in time some good revenue sources to recover the expenses.
Chose carefully and then enjoy your original layout.
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT.
Weird enough .. this is my motto .. I used it for the first time as a slogan on my portfolio, 5 years ago. I still use it and believe in it. Uniqueness brought me many good things. Try the feeling .. it’s good 
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