Does the default style turn you off?

[smallpc]

I have a website that is using the Simple Machines forum and it has the default style. I looked at several styles available from Simple Machines but none of them worked with the overall template as well as the default style. So when you see a website that uses a script like vBulletin, SMF, Joomla, Wordpress, or whatever, and it uses the default template, does that turn you off of the website?

 

[The Equivocate]

From a past forum admin and general webmaster point of view, yes. To me, someone who uses the default style is someone who doesn't want to put in the effort to make his/her site original.

However, in some cases, there's no reason to use different styles for discussion forums, such as support forums for customers. In those cases, it actually makes more sense to keep the default style.

 

[Coolprogram]

In my personal opinoin, I would say that it depends on how it is being used, I say this for a few reasons.
#1. The default is your forum (I mean, you created it.)
#2. You could have a forum site, that you want people to see how the original looks.
#3. Some defaults are really cool check out http://www.wowbb.com
That's all
-CP

 

[Epic]

When I see a forum using the default skin I kinda get the impression that they put no work into it...

 

[enlytend]

Personally, if there's worthwhile content I could care less.

 

[abcde]

i careless about what skin they use. Infact i like the default skin better than many others. I designed and coded a few nice skins, but i prefered to use the default for my forum.

NP also use the default skin, and it looks just great.

 

[lpxxfaintxx]

Definately. I think default templates really "scare" away potential users.

 

[Daniel15]

Although I usually have default themes, I love the default SMF 1.1 theme . It's probably one of the best default themes I've seen

#3. Some defaults are really cool check out http://www.wowbb.com

Wow, that's quite an interesting theme :D

 

[alanpaladka]

Default themes are good in terms of functionality.