Need Creative Input

[Disneyphile]

I really need to know what you all think of the name "Digital Shanty" for a paid download site that offers website templates, web components, banners, video editing components, animations, digital themes, and more, with prices starting at just $9.99 each. This is only for pre-made templates that can be customized by the buyer, completely royalty-free. Target market are freelancers who want to save a bit of time on projects.

Thanks! :)

[Snowflake]

Love it! Wish you'd started before I bought the web template I did!!!

When can we see something?

[Disneyphile]

When can we see something?As soon as I develop enough product to make at least a few offerings in each category, which is going much quicker than I expected.

I'm looking to launch on January 1st, 2010. :D

It will be separate from my custom contract work. I just want something that will maintain a bit of income with no pressure, etc. I also get free hosting for it, so my expenses are nil, except for advertising, which I've already got some free resources for too. I already secured both the .com and .net domains as well.

[Gemini Cricket]

I likes it.
:)

[Deebs]

Ilikeit too!

[Disneyphile]

I'm currently working on a mock-up of the site for one of my class midterm projects. Might as well get a start since I have to do a project anyway.

So far, the logo is a charcoal sketch of a computer monitor with a crooked roof and bent stovepipe. The "screen" simply reads "Digital Shanty" in a scribbled font. It's straight up black on white.

The site's background is a brown craft paper, like a bag.

And, I'm starting to dream up a tagline for it... something like, "Cheap Yet Professional Designs Under One Roof".

I'm starting to think I work well under stress.

[Moonliner]

And, I'm starting to dream up a tagline for it... something like, "Cheap Yet Professional Designs Under One Roof".



That needs some work. The name rocks. Do you own the domain?

[wolfy999]

Name....great!

Logo....OK.

Tagline....Not so good.

[lashbear]

And, I'm starting to dream up a tagline for it... something like, "Cheap Yet Professional Designs Under One Roof"..
"Your one-stop-shop for affordable resources" ?

[3894]

My opinion is worth what you paid for it, which is nothing. Here goes anyway:

Concept: love.

Name: love.

Logo: love but what about a vivid orange - higher energy, suggests cheap but efficient. If not orange, how about a green, as money is green?

Tagline: I love lashbear's suggestion with the edit of "affordable website resources"

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Apparently I'm in the minority but the word "shanty" gives me negative connotations. Specifically, it means poorly built, hastily thrown together, right? Either meaning your offerings are such, or that the product they create when using your offerings are such.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I agree with CP.

[Strangler Lewis]

I sort of agree with CP. Maybe you're thinking more of a "stand" than a "shanty," a u-pick digital fruitstand by the side of the information superhighway. Or something.

I also wonder if the thought process that takes one fairly quickly from Digital Shanty to Radio Shack isn't a trademark problem. Finally, I think the kicky name and logo are somewhat at odds with the stiff, traditional slogan.

Sounds like a fun site, though. Good luck with it.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I get that connotation from "shanty", too. It's a shack, a temporary thing.

The logo's cute, though.

I guess it's a fine line to ride. On the one hand, something "cheap" is cheap, and people like to pay very little for things, so long as you can reassure them that the product itself isn't slacking.

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, well, I'm biased against the word shanty, but I have to offer that it's got a potential negative connotation ... and I'm not familiar with its use re the concept you're peddling.

[mousepod]

Here's my question: are you the sole creator of the components you're selling? If you are, then it's clearly all about branding, because other folks offer similar services but don't market it the way you are (which is cool, by the way). If you're considering bringing other creative talent into the mix, then you should include that in the marketing strategy.

...and I'm also biased against the term shanty, btw.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Plus, as I've discovered while reading this thread, if you say the word "Shanty" in your head enough, it starts to sound like a brand name for adult incontinence undergarments.

[Disneyphile]

Y'all are brutal. :p

Heh. I love honesty though, because it helps the most. :)

Anyways, I am the "proud" owner of the digitalshanty.com and .net domains, and the content/products will be completely mine. Haven't had time to even get a placeholder up yet, since I've still got to get my connection set up with the server's owner.

As for the tagline, I'd like to keep "under one roof" to go with the shanty theme... it's really the same as "one-stop-shop", but fits the theme.

I can't put "website" in the tagline. It's too limiting, because I'll also be selling video production elements as well - background graphics, DVD menu templates, etc. However, I like the "affordable resources" bit. Might include that with the roof thing... will think on that one.

As for looking cheap, the site is going to have a few bells and whistles, mostly done in Flash (no, I won't using flashing items or "glitter", etc.). However, the theme will be shanty-like. Hard to explain what I've sketched, but imagine a sidebar background of rusted corrugated metal with the navigation buttons that look like old wooden signs nailed on at random angles that slightly swing or "fall" when hovered over. Whimsical, really, but eye-popping and well-done. The overall site background texture being that of brown craft paper or cardboard. Rather than a shopping cart for items, it'll be a box, again to match the theme, but also in connection with a "lightbox" that most digital download sites have. So, the site really will look nailed and tacked together with scraps... but with obviously a lot of work and details put into it, thus giving the first impression.

As for "cheap" - it's not the best word for a tagline as you've pointed out... but I will put it somewhere on the site. Why? Believe it or not, the keyword "cheap" is entered into Google searches as many times as "affordable" (found this out while contracting with the website design firm). So, people do look for "cheap" quite often.

I'm not very concerned over names having to sound exactly like what is offered. For instance, Dreamworks sounds like it should be a mattress store. Or, Ralph's sounds like someone's vomiting rather than shopping for groceries. Wal-Mart doesn't sell walls. And, Target isn't in the hunting supply business. Pinkberry should be a fresh fruit stand. But, one thing they do show - memorable and "catchy" names. I'm hoping to obtain the same impact. Some will find it whimsical, some might find it repulsive, but as long as it makes them curious enough to check it out, then it serves its purpose.

But, I really appreciate the feedback I get here - you've definitely driven home the point that I have to make it look damn good. Shack=ok. Slack=bad. And, if something doesn't work, then it's easy to change. :)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

If you make it a gorgeously detailed website that has a theme as you describe, you could be on to a bit of something...though I still can't say I think it's great.

It reminds me of a recent Top Chef episode where a team creates their own restaurant. Putting parts of their names together they come up with the name "Re-Volt". Nice try, but, um, no.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm also liking it more now that I see where you're going with the theme.


(My bias, btw, is because "Shanty" is often a mispronounced version of my daughter's name, Shanti.)

[alphabassettgrrl]

What you propose for the look sounds fantastic! And yes, I like the little signs to swing when you hover over 'em.

[3894]

And yes, I like the little signs to swing when you hover over 'em.

Me, too.

[Andrew]

I love the name even without delving into the content. Finding a good name that isn't already taken is getting really difficult.

[Disneyphile]

Finding a good name that isn't already taken is getting really difficult.No kidding. Try typing "digital" + (anything) into Google or GoDaddy. It took 2-3 hours of constant searches, from both Ken and I simultaneously. I really didn't want to give up "digital" and also needed to find something that was not already associated with graphics. It was quite the challenge.

[Disneyphile]

Finally.... the site's design concept is finished!

I'm still working on actual content for sale, plus the store development, but here she is!

Digital Shanty (http://www.digitalshanty.com)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I still don't love the name but that's some very nice design you got there. :)

[Alex]

Should there be a comma after "yet professional"?

[Strangler Lewis]

Neat. However, I'm not clear what I'm looking at. Is it the wall of a shanty or a bunch of messy papers on a desk? Or both?

[Disneyphile]

Should there be a comma after "yet professional"?
Er... yep! Good catch! Will have to fix that.
Neat. However, I'm not clear what I'm looking at. Is it the wall of a shanty or a bunch of messy papers on a desk? Or both?
It's just a bunch of scrap stuck to a wall. Maybe I'll add a few nails to help bring it out a bit. :)

My favorite minor detail is one of the doodles on the link scrap. It was my visual representation of thinking outside the box. ;)

[Not Afraid]

Cheap, yet professional designs, under one roof.

I hate the word cheap. It means tacky, shoddy, poor quality or something where the quality has been compromised. It also connotes temporary.

What about Affordable? Inexpensive?

Or, changing the concept a bit, Ready Made?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Along the same lines, "yet" just further reinforces the initial thought of "cheap and crappy." I get where you're coming from with it, it sounds little too much like, "Nor, really, it's not sh*tty! Trust me! I know it sounds sh*tty, but I swear it's not sh*tty!"

Lead with the best attribute.

"Professional AND affordable design, all under one roof."

[BarTopDancer]

I like the concept but not digging the word "cheap" and I'm still not sure what you're selling (even though I know what you're selling).

"Professional AND affordable design, all under one roof."

This.

[Not Afraid]

Design of what?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

"Professional AND affordable design, all under one roof."I'd change that to "Professional AND affordable design under one roof." Two things does not an "all" make.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Fun!

I am betting that your use of "cheap" is intended to convey informal, down-to-earth style. But I'd have to agree that its negative connotations will override that style choice, especially if prospective clients aren't familiar with your personal voice.

CP has it nailed with "professional and affordable design under one roof." Though NA has a valid point that at a glimpse, users will need to know what is being designed. I know that you're going to offer a wide range of services. Maybe you could consider using your well-earned flash guru to add a touch of magic to that slogan by transitioning between the words, like so:

Professional and affordable interactive design under one roof
[a beat, and then dissolve]
Professional and affordable audiovisual design under one roof
[a beat, and then dissolve]
Professional and affordable game design under one roof

And so on. You're multifaceted! Dissolving between what you're offering will show off your diamond facets without overwhelming the eye.