Standard of web design

[gaydemon]

I'm starting to wonder if in general, standard of web design is fairly low.

I designed a web site for my brother which looks ok, but he needs to have a proper E-commerce system since he is going big.

He was qouted around $20000 including the sofware, fair enough I thought its a proper design company with some big clients.

But when they send through examples of previous work.. well it's rubbish. The sites works ok, but just nothing special.

Do I just expect too much, is the standard of design fair low and would you have to pay a HUGE amount more to get the really nice looking sites?

[gaydemon_jr]

Yes, the standards are really low. In general, for a site like e-commerce, you get a coder (who knows how to do all the database and code) also doing the desiging - often, but not always not their strongest point. Whereas for much simpler websites you tend to get better design, as a designer can do simple html and css. Usually no need for more advanced coding.

[Gaystoryman]

I think standards have gotten lower, and customer's pay it anyhow, so they just keep on lowering the bar. Also I think it's from a lot of people not being honest about how something looks, or being clear enough in their instructions. That said, there are still some awesome designer's, coders out there who are worth every penny and more. Just that they are harder to find.

[basschick]

it varies all over the map, but that's nothng new. i've seen incredibly poor designs every year since i've been in business from people who believe they are the best designers and who heard rumors that designers make the big bucks. instead of checking on some prices and design work through google, they just throw up whatever seems like the big bucks to them on a site.

in 1999 there was this woman with 6 "designers" working for her. for $3000+ they'd make you the worst site you've ever seen, 1 tour page and a templated member area. they hired me to help them make better tours since not one of their clients ever had made a sale at the time. they had enough clients, btw, to buy her a spectacular hous in malibu, so ya gotta know those tours were just dreadful!