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Custom Websites by Gene Schwerman
So the guy calls at 7:00 AM and leaves the message: "I want the 1957 Chevy of websites. I want the turquoise, 1957, with three deuces, fender skirts, a low ratio four speed tranny and dual exhaust. Maybe even a convertible. Do you guys do those?" So I'm pretty sure he wants a powerful, uniquely customized, very attractive, versatile, uncommon website with a bit of flash and a lot of style. So I wrote back in his same language. "I can build you a 1957 Chevy 'webracer' in turquoise, and chrome, with a hard top convertible, power Delorean doors, quad exhausts with glasspack rumble, and we can drop in a "fury" 409 engine with dual carbs and a turbo if that's what you want," I told him. "I just don't recommend ragtops, anymore," I added, trying to let him know that we would also advise him in the process although I had no idea what part of a website a ragtop might symbolize to him.
I never heard back from the guy but it did give me a pretty cool analogy to use in describing what has become something of a passion for me of late. It truly bothers me to view the top ten sites in a given category and see ten different websites which are unique enough in thought and other content but predictably the same in appearance. I have to think those same guys who are the ones who drive the customized cars and trucks, the completely outfitted, custom lettered, pinstriped SUVs are likely the same ones who have the custom websites, the cool graphics and the dramatic or highly stylized home pages. On the other hand it might be more positive if the guys who do the more creative websites today are not the same guys as the ones driving the customized vehicles. That might at least mean there are various sets of creative people out there waiting for their own opportunity for inspiration to strike. In either case, it seems that if websites were sheep, one could own a pretty lazy sheepdog without ever having to worry about loosing a stray.
Take the test yourself. Search a subject of interest to you. Take a look at the sites. Are they mostly all white backgrounds? Are there any really cool graphics? Is there anything that stands out about the way they either navigate within the site or the way it is laid out? What percent of the sites you open appeal to your eyes right away? How many make you want to look further? Why are so many sites so bland as to make you wonder if it is a template in spite of the fact that the websites are constructed to help build and further the most innovative and creative communications device in the history of man.
As for my part, I am resolute. No matter how insipid I find my subject matter, no matter how limited my time or budget or how great the size of my next project, I will continue to build the heavy chevy. Sleek, low to the ground, more under the hood and talk about handling, this baby corners like it's on rails. But don't be surprised if a set of wings pop out from either side and it suddenly rises Phoenix like into the stratosphere. "Look, up in the sky, it's a bird... " Turquoise. No Problem."
About the Author
Gene Schwerman is the founder and head marketing consultant for Truly Unique--Affordable Custom Website Design. He has been in marketing and consulting to small businesses for over twenty-five years. To read more of Gene's work, visit Truly Unique for more website design and SEO articles.
