Next Free Template Theme

[ideasgirl]

Hi everyone,

I will be upgrading my store and working on some customers projects for now, but I will try to submit another free template for August.

Now.... I'm a bit unsure of what is really wanted (colors/themes). So I'm posting a poll to know what you want most of the 3 ideas I have for the next one.

Please vote... I will decide the 21st. of July with your votes.

[ideasgirl]

Well, good to see anyone needs/wants new templates.

[Zapisto]

dont say that
always happy see new template.
go for it :)

[Lala_G_Clef_Jewelry]

oo i like the idea of a citrusy one.

[peruprincess]

metalcart sounds ########!

[bettysue]

Personally the color doesn't matter as much to me as the overall layout. I would love to see a coupe of new templates with sections of the page re-arranged and/or customized.

An example would be a different layout in the featured products, or split the new products into a row of new products, some main page text, then a second row of new products, etc.

It seems the majority of the templates I've seen on template sites are the same structure as the original, just different colors and box shapes.

b

[TinaS]

BettySue -

I agree with you on that - I think that the reason it has taken me so long to put up templates on my own site is that I toy around with moving things and making my templates not look like common zen templates.

I am all for everyone who creates free templates - I admire them for giving their work away - but I also see that at least 75% of the zen sites I look at end up looking like zen sites with a common "box cutter" look to them.

[ideasgirl]

BettySue,

I understand what you mean, but when creating free templates you have to think about the general people that's going to use it, not on only a handfull of users.

Also, not twisting too much the code so when the users integrate modules don't crash with the modifications made to acommodate the template. Remember that "the boxes" or "cookie cutter" design is there to organize and make your shopper experience an easy one when it comes to find, select, buy and pay for an item/service; if you change it too much, or make it confusing, they will go away.

Don't get me wrong! I love to see those completely different sites that you wouldn't imagine they are ZC.... but were they free? You can find very nice templates for v1.3 for less than $200; but for custom design you will pay at least 3 times more.

====================================

Tina,

I understand what you mean, I'm in my 3rd. template designing my store for the upgrade, but I think I already have what I want.

The shopper doesn't care about your "pretty" design, they care more of the items and service you are offering, and how easy they can buy it.

As a designer I made a study about pretty and ugly sites.... and the statistics were amazing... it really doesn't matter.

[TinaS]

Well thanks hun - that is interesting indeed - I would think the visual appeal would be a big factor to people, but I have never really researched the idea or anything... we learn something new every day.

But upwards of $300 for a custom template - sheesh I need clients like that !!! Throw some my way will ya

Thanks for the info - I will keep that in mind while I am sitting here with Fireworks open and browsing my icons and clipart for stuff to create more templates with

[bettysue]

Hi ideasgirl,

Trust me I know how much time goes into customizing just the template for a regular layout as I have customized every ZC store I've installed. No 2 look the same. That's also the reason I haven't installed any versions above 1.27d yet.

I should have been more specific, instead of making the post a casual one.

I should have been more straight to the point and said something like:

I would love to see a template created for v1.30+ that has more than different colors and template design. I would like to see one that has several of the cart features, e.g. new products, featured products, text defines, etc. arranged differently and appearing differently than the default template.

More to use as a learning tool rather than a design.

Betty