I tried to click past the signup form so that I could try it out, but it gave me this:
10 errors prohibited this user from being saved
There were problems with the following fields:
Password can't be blank
Password is too short (minimum is 6 characters)
Password is too short (minimum is 6 characters)
Password confirmation can't be blank
Login can't be blank
Login is too short (minimum is 3 characters)
Login use only letters, numbers, and .-_@ please.
Email can't be blank
Email is too short (minimum is 6 characters)
Email should look like an email address.
Or, translated:
These 10 arbitrary barriers just cost us a potential customer.
You guys offer a Free plan, fer cryin' out loud. Let us try your thing without filling in a form. It looks like a cool product, but it's 2011 and people stumbling in off the Internet have zero attention span and zero tolerance for hassle. If I can't get to a working demo with a single click from your homepage, I'm gone.
And so is a hefty fraction of your potential userbase.
Thanks -- a demo of the export tool is definitely something I'd like to implement, but doing so would have postponed the launch by a week or two. I made the decision to launch without it and that's that.
Appreciate the feedback as it helps me prioritize what to work on next.
Don't be afraid to charge people money for your service! Your free plan is way too generous. Personally, I would replace the free plan with a working demo, so people can kick the tires. But definitely lower the free plan to one design.
I think you need to address the line that says "Requires an HTML5 compliant browser." For one, it's not clear enough whether you mean the builder needs HTML5 or the output requires it. In any event, I think you should frame it by telling the user which browsers will work -- those are terms they'll better be able to understand, especially considering you're aiming for the market of people who don't know what they're doing online.
I completely agree. With a service like this, I think someone would know instantly whether or not they were going to use this service in the future, and having the option to do 3 designs just delays the inevitable - that they will pay. BUT, having 3 designs also gives people time to forget about the service.
In my opinion, instead of $19.95 per month, I would rather buy design "packs".
- $19 for 10 designs
- $49 for 100 designs
- $99 for 300 designs
- $499 for 100,000 designs (you're good to go plan)
Thanks for your feedback, especially on the pricing. As I mentioned below, I know its due for a change, but have received wide range of advice so I'm holding off for now.
I removed the "Requires an HTML5 compliant browser" -- It sounded fancy at the time, but agree that it's confusing.
Hey guys -- I'd love to get your feedback on Lean Designs, a new web design tool for web developers.
Some of you might be familiar with jMockups [1], a high fidelity mockup tool that was the precursor to Lean Designs. The overwhelming feedback that I received was that people wanted the ability to export their mockups to HTML/CSS. Lean Designs is the result. For additional details, check out the Lean Designs blog [2].
Thank you all for your feedback along the way; the app wouldn't be what it is without your direction.
You can see the editor a bit on the homepage, but yeah, it's hard to see. I'll probably add a "Tour" section at some point, where I'll definitely include more detailed screenshots.
Re: view the source -- got it. It's a shame that Safari doesn't support it; I removed it for now and will look at alternatives later. Thanks again.
Not sure if I'd given my feedback on jmockups earlier, but this is the sort of thing I was wanting jmockups to be.
Monthly pricing - I don't know how often I go through periods where I need to design sites, so paying $240/year for the few times I'd need this is a little on the steep side, but I understand others might want/need more.
The core system looks nice - congrats.
EDIT: couple of thoughts:
change "examples" to "templates", then have an 'examples' link later with examples that people have built using the tool.
lastly, I'm slightly confused by the diff between a 'layout' and a 'mockup' (and then I also have 'designs' that I did). This is still confusing to me.
Howdy -- pricing this is an area that I need help with so thank you for your input.
Examples to templates. Great idea -- done.
Layout vs mockup vs designs: probably not as clear as it should be; agreed. Layouts are high level (regions and text only) and you can export them; mockups are detailed and you can't export them. Designs are mockups and layouts. I'll work on the copy :)
Does the builder require a HTML5 browser or does it output HTML/CSS that requires a HTML5 browser? I'm guessing the former, but that wasn't clear to me from the homepage and I'm not sure you want more text there to describe/confuse the user... Actually, I might even leave that off. Your number one goal is to get them to click the button. The more committed they are, the more they'll stick with it and maybe download chrome just to use your product.
You've obviously put a lot of work into this, but what's the advantage of using your lean designs web site builder over Boks (a free Adobe Air App grid builder) for Blueprint CSS?
Also I like that you've left your jMockups code in as the high-fidelity mock-up builder, but it might confuse new users who aren't familiar with the history behind jMockups.
Hey -- I agree that the whole jMockups & Lean Designs app in one is confusing. Without spinning Lean Designs off into its own app, supporting the high fidelity mockups (though not marketing it) seemed like the best option for now.
I haven't tried out Boks, but it may be a viable alternative to this. Long term you'll be able to design an entire site with Lean Designs, which I don't think any other tool does well right now. On that note, are there any features that Boks doesn't support that you'd like to see with Lean Designs?
Matt looks good I just signed up - I'll have time to tinker around with it this week. Very promising. I'm very interested in these tools and your competition (psd2cssonline.com, divine, etc.) in this field. I just moved away from Boston to Florida after 25 years but I'll be up there frequently and maybe we can catch coffee and chat.
Have an actual designer take an hour and spruce up your design. If your target audience is designers light on coding (and likely high on aesthetics) a quality design will go a long way in getting them to stick around.
I like your idea, but be "warned" :D -> I'm building something like this for free. (And there are many others who are getting into these kind of website apps). Sent you an e-mail.
The tool as it exists now is a template/layout builder, but long term the goal is to export complete and styled websites. A kind of automated PSD2HTML service that doesn't suck. Marketing it now as a website builder vs a WYSIWYG CSS template builder serves that end.
I am confused: is it a mock up tool? I don't see any design in the examples, just mockups. You should make more clear what is it that you are offering.
Thanks -- I've received a lot of conflicting advice for how to price the app and honestly I'm not sure what direction to go so I'm leaving it as is for now. Might change it down the road (grandfathering in existing users) depending on the feedback. Thoughts?
PS: It's a three design limit period (not per month).
It appears that your browser does not support LeanDesigns.
Wow, one of the few "Review my startup" posts for something I'd actually use, and I hit a roadblock on the first click.
I understand that you want to use the latest and greatest technology, and do you part to drag the rest of us kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but does mounting a roadblock in front of legitimate prospects really serve your best interests? Is HTML5 a "must have" or a "would be nice"?
I on a work desktop right now, so I'll have to wait until I'm on my own later to try this out...if I remember. Sigh.
Hey Ed -- what browser are you using? Most modern browsers with the exception of IE8 should work; if not there's something wrong on my end. The majority of my market uses an HTML5 compliant browser, so it hasn't been a major issue in the past.
I would love to get your thoughts though. If you don't remember, you can expect an email from me later today :)
[+] [-] jasonkester|15 years ago|reply
And so is a hefty fraction of your potential userbase.
[+] [-] detst|15 years ago|reply
Not only a demo but the actual product. Let me jump right in and start on my free 3 designs. Only ask for my info when I want to export to HTML/CSS.
Perhaps this is what you meant but I think this is really important.
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
Appreciate the feedback as it helps me prioritize what to work on next.
[+] [-] keen|15 years ago|reply
Agreed. I think I'll make this a rule for my future projects.
[+] [-] atacrawl|15 years ago|reply
I think you need to address the line that says "Requires an HTML5 compliant browser." For one, it's not clear enough whether you mean the builder needs HTML5 or the output requires it. In any event, I think you should frame it by telling the user which browsers will work -- those are terms they'll better be able to understand, especially considering you're aiming for the market of people who don't know what they're doing online.
Anyway, there's my two cents. Good luck.
[+] [-] dpcan|15 years ago|reply
In my opinion, instead of $19.95 per month, I would rather buy design "packs".
- $19 for 10 designs
- $49 for 100 designs
- $99 for 300 designs
- $499 for 100,000 designs (you're good to go plan)
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
I removed the "Requires an HTML5 compliant browser" -- It sounded fancy at the time, but agree that it's confusing.
Appreciate it --
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
Some of you might be familiar with jMockups [1], a high fidelity mockup tool that was the precursor to Lean Designs. The overwhelming feedback that I received was that people wanted the ability to export their mockups to HTML/CSS. Lean Designs is the result. For additional details, check out the Lean Designs blog [2].
Thank you all for your feedback along the way; the app wouldn't be what it is without your direction.
[1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1829657
[2] http://blog.leandesigns.com/2011/04/introducing-the-lean-des...
[+] [-] random42|15 years ago|reply
Compelling offering otherwise.
[+] [-] splatcollision|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
Re: view the source -- got it. It's a shame that Safari doesn't support it; I removed it for now and will look at alternatives later. Thanks again.
[+] [-] mgkimsal|15 years ago|reply
Monthly pricing - I don't know how often I go through periods where I need to design sites, so paying $240/year for the few times I'd need this is a little on the steep side, but I understand others might want/need more.
The core system looks nice - congrats.
EDIT: couple of thoughts:
change "examples" to "templates", then have an 'examples' link later with examples that people have built using the tool.
lastly, I'm slightly confused by the diff between a 'layout' and a 'mockup' (and then I also have 'designs' that I did). This is still confusing to me.
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
Examples to templates. Great idea -- done.
Layout vs mockup vs designs: probably not as clear as it should be; agreed. Layouts are high level (regions and text only) and you can export them; mockups are detailed and you can't export them. Designs are mockups and layouts. I'll work on the copy :)
[+] [-] cjkundin|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Maro|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jefflinwood|15 years ago|reply
You've obviously put a lot of work into this, but what's the advantage of using your lean designs web site builder over Boks (a free Adobe Air App grid builder) for Blueprint CSS?
Also I like that you've left your jMockups code in as the high-fidelity mock-up builder, but it might confuse new users who aren't familiar with the history behind jMockups.
Hope this helps!
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
I haven't tried out Boks, but it may be a viable alternative to this. Long term you'll be able to design an entire site with Lean Designs, which I don't think any other tool does well right now. On that note, are there any features that Boks doesn't support that you'd like to see with Lean Designs?
[+] [-] Sakes|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vinautomatic|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bgriggs1|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] BasDirks|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] aksbhat|15 years ago|reply
It is especially useful for people like me who aren't very well versed in CSS. I guess you should market it as WYSIWYG CSS template builder.
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
The tool as it exists now is a template/layout builder, but long term the goal is to export complete and styled websites. A kind of automated PSD2HTML service that doesn't suck. Marketing it now as a website builder vs a WYSIWYG CSS template builder serves that end.
[+] [-] sklivvz1971|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] MatthewB|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] saturdayplace|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] volandovengo|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bhousel|15 years ago|reply
If anything, I think you might be able to charge more. I think 3 free designs/month is very generous.
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
PS: It's a three design limit period (not per month).
[+] [-] frankdenbow|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] edw519|15 years ago|reply
Wow, one of the few "Review my startup" posts for something I'd actually use, and I hit a roadblock on the first click.
I understand that you want to use the latest and greatest technology, and do you part to drag the rest of us kicking and screaming into the 21st century, but does mounting a roadblock in front of legitimate prospects really serve your best interests? Is HTML5 a "must have" or a "would be nice"?
I on a work desktop right now, so I'll have to wait until I'm on my own later to try this out...if I remember. Sigh.
[+] [-] matt1|15 years ago|reply
I would love to get your thoughts though. If you don't remember, you can expect an email from me later today :)