Innovative?

There is really nothing wrong with what they're doing. The problem lies in their integrity and the title. "Innovative" is the farthest thing that applies to this particular company.

Every web designer I know recycles their code. Hell, I don't blame 'em, really. Why write the same stuff over and over, and if it ain't broken....

BUT - they should definitely mix it up a little.

The other firms I know do this, but they keep like a dozen sites to snag stuff from, like a "grab-bag", so they hide their mockery better than these fools do.

These folks should visit that 37signals.com site I read yesterday. They'd HATE it! :D :D

send those dudes from Innovative to this site by 37signals:

http://www.enormicom.com/

I'd die to see their faces while they surf through it.

It's THEM!!:D

nothing wrong here. these people were hired to setup a very hands-off, small audience ecommerce site. they were not hired to create a unique design.

looks like a good solution for those who are not web savy

Originally posted by graphicsguy
There is really nothing wrong with what they're doing. The problem lies in their integrity and the title. "Innovative" is the farthest thing that applies to this particular company.

Every web designer I know recycles their code. Hell, I don't blame 'em, really. Why write the same stuff over and over, and if it ain't broken....

I guess I view it differently. I think there's something wrong with it. Recycling code is not really the issue. Recycling an entire website, with match for match graphics, content, etc is [small obviosu differences aside, logo and whatnot].

The site is supposed to be for the bookstore, allow people to buy what's for sale at the bookstore. Since the bookstore came first, I would believe all of this company's pre-scripted for-sale content isn't sitting on all the shelves at the bookstore. If it is or isn't I'm still waiting to hear on that. Safe assumption, maybe some of it is.

The site is supposed to at least mention our church. Can you tell me what the name of our church is from that site? If it's on there, I've yet to see it and it ain't Crossroads church!. Parts of the site are supposed to highlight certain aspects of our church only. I can't really tell there's even a church associated with that bookstore. Every link is filled with generic nation-wide content. Nothing particular to our church, like the Ministries page should be.

Originally posted by Charm
these people were hired to setup a very hands-off, small audience ecommerce site. they were not hired to create a unique design.

Glad you've talked to all the parties involved to back up your assumption.

Originally posted by Charm
looks like a good solution for those who are not web savy

That I guess I can agree with. But, I'd venture a guess that they [at least our bookstore] wanted a unique website, to showcase our bookstore, not a generic template with the same stuff being sold over and over and over again on other websites with the exact same layout, content, etc.

i assume again:
someone did not do their research and if they wanted a unique design they hired the wrong people.

here is where you are wrong...
there is nothing wrong with recycling an entire site if people are willing to pay for it and not care. (i would not do it, but it seems like an effective business model for someone)

if the people that paid for the site are unhappy i can't fault the 'designers'. a quick look at the portfolio on their site and its clear that all the sites are the same.

edit: **** it.

I have to agree with Charm somewhat.

If the company made it apparent that they made template sites, and the client still paid for it, then I see nothing wrong.

However, if they are advertising a unique design for every client, and then give people a template, then that is wrong.

But I wasn't in the intitial client meeting, so I don't know.

i agree with MBB because he is the one who knows what his church wanted and to me it sounds like they do not know they have been given a site that exists in 2 other places on the web.

i will say that i think the church may have been misled by the 'designers'. the double-talk on their site is clearly B.S. to us, but to those who may not be web-savy, it is VERY misleading.

Double-Talk: language that appears to be earnest and meaningful but in fact is a mixture of sense and nonsense

B.S.: bull ****