STOP USING LAYOUT GENERATORS!!

STOP USING LAYOUT GENERATORS!!

STOP USING LAYOUT GENERATORS!!

"WOW!!! This website is ASSSS!! WHAT were the WEBMASTERS even THIIIIINKIIIING?!"


I'm just kidding. That's not how I think about websites that use Sadgrl's layout generator. Before anything else I'd like to say I don't hold a grudge against Sadgrl, just their layout generator. When making it, they were making a tool they knew would help plenty of people make websites who would not before make websites, same with their other tools (of which I am using now even. Check out their tiled backgrounds!)

BUT, with all that said, I really don't like the Sadgrl layout generator. I think using it usually results in really same-ey sites that never really dare to be different, and I think that's a shame. I think it's indicative that we've come to the indieweb like Neocities and Nekoweb to get away from samey corperate sites like Twitter and Facebook just to not have the courage to make our own different-looking websites.

I Don't Hate People Who Use It

...but, I think it's a darn shame if you do. Sometimes I complain about Sadgrl's layout builder and hear people say "I'm sorry for using it then!" as if they have to 'repent' and I think that's kind of funny. I don't dislike you for using it, but I heavily recommend changing your site!! Some people even say they edit the templates heavily afterwords, and I'm a lot more fine with that and it makes the website feel a lot more homey though I still recommend learning to make layouts from scratch in the future.

More On Why I Hate It

You might be thinking to yourself "Why should I even care? I think it looks just fine."
I'd like to give a few reasons why you SHOULD care.

  1. Not using it makes you better at making websites.
  2. They make websites look really repetitive. Many people will click off if they see a template layout because they want to see something new.
  3. I feel like it kind of defeats the point of making your own website.

    4. Furthermore, I have a question: if someone were to make something like a videogame or animation without being good at art, which would you rather? Would you rather a template-made dime-a-dozen copypaste of some template art, or would you rather they draw their own art with their own personality despite it being poor art? I personally would heavily prefer the bad art over the plain art, and if you would too than you should make your own custom layout from scratch for your website!