Ugly pages... Do they really convert better?

They say ugly pages convert better than shiny pages. Have you ever experienced this? Is this really true? Which page should I take as an example?

It just so happens that some pages that convert better are not so shiny, but it doesn't mean that ugly converts. Optimization converts, do a lot of split tests and find what's best for your traffic.

It depends on the niche and how you promote it. I use a combination of both.

Older demographics tend not to care much about what the page looks like as long they can access the content, which is why Clickbank landing pages apparently convert. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that pure HTML pages convert better.

Of course, that's why all pro SEOs use Twenty Thirteen WP theme for their PBNs. Shitty looking sites are the new black. Add some spun content, URL shortened links and you are on a verge to becoming a new gazillioner.

additional to the above posts, also the content is important.

Good copy can sell regardless of the design.

I wouldn't say so. I'd say appearance and formatting play a big deal in establishing a trust factor on web pages. However, ugly things often catch attention which is why I'd say its effective in creating some sort of opt-in form (an ugly sidebar opt-in with neon colors, and so on).

I'd stick to creating attractive webpages though, while having ugly opt-in forms if from A/B split testing those give the best stats.

Cheers

Zwielicht said:

Older demographics tend not to care much about what the page looks like as long they can access the content, which is why Clickbank landing pages apparently convert. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that pure HTML pages convert better.

Click to expand...

I've actually seen this in people's houses when servicing their PCs. Go to old person's house, and they are using some 1990 website to gamble on the dog track. It's some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen.

davers said:

I've actually seen this in people's houses when servicing their PCs. Go to old person's house, and they are using some 1990 website to gamble on the dog track. It's some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen.

Click to expand...

Ha, I know! I actually have a funny story about that, too.

You see, back in February when I was off on a business trip, I was asked by an older woman if I knew how to fix computers. I said 'yes' and offered to help her out. So then she takes me to the computer room and tells me that her 1 year old laptop is "slow". I opened up the laptop, started it up, waiting for it to load Windows 7... And waited... And waited... And then her desktop loaded, revealing a screen covered in ads and Internet Explorer windows popping up all over the place! When I asked her what the hell she's been downloading, she said that she only uses "the Internet Explorer" to check her e-mail, but she lent it to her grandson for a week and it came back like that (probably wanking it to dubious porn sites, no doubt). She said she didn't mind it being slow, but it would be great if she can access her e-mails faster. So after 2 hours of malware scans, program removals, disabling programs at startup, disk defrags, disk cleanups, and a whole host of other processes, the computer ran like it did when it was new.

To be honest, I've been in the IM game a long time and STILL the lander I always least expect is going to win... wins.

Soooo split test everything!