vB commercial themes

[Shelley_c]

I've always thought of vbskinworks, transverse, extremepixels as the major players in the vb styling game.

Another source which I think worth mentioning is http://www.cinvin.com/ they've been around long enough and am sure they have a good solid customer base.

Haven't heard much about forumthemes. then what do I know about styling.

[Lea Verou]

Shelley, if we start listing all sites selling vb skins we will never end.
The point is to find the top 2-3 most financially successful.
Btw you have a very nice theme in your site! Did you make it yourself?

[MRGTB]

Yes, that "Element" skin is very good. And it comes I saw before with all new graphic icons too. It really is a very nice skin that one. Just a pity though I feel that most skins don't also come with matching admincp skins also.

[Lea Verou]

Originally Posted by Gary Bolton

Yes, that "Element" skin is very good. And it comes I saw before with all new graphic icons too. It really is a very nice skin that one. Just a pity though I feel that most skins don't also come with matching admincp skins also.

Would you pay more for a theme (eg $10 more) if it came with a matching admincp style? Cause that's inevitable if they made ACP styles as well...

[MRGTB]

Well lets put it this way, lets say I saw a skin I wanted to use as default skin. And it was sold at $30 or $40 with admincp skin. I'd personally pay the $40. So the whole site, including the Admincp which only I can see totally matched.

I would see that as worth paying the extra $10. And if you search around, you will find threads were people ask "is there any admincp skin for this theme". I think people do like the have both if they can. And there are very few skins that come with matching admincp skins, so I think it would be a good target to aim at if your thinking of starting a skin site. As that would make your skins different. because they all come with admincp skin also. And thats a niece worth capitalizing on to get more sales.

[Dr. Harriman]

I'd say ExtremePixels, as well... and I'm not really too concerned with skinning the Admin Cp... that might be great, but it doesn't really matter to me as long as it's something plain and easy on the eyes.

[Lea Verou]

Originally Posted by Gary Bolton

As that would make your skins different. because they all come with admincp skin also. And thats a niece worth capitalizing on to get more sales.

I have a more innovative idea about making a difference I can't tell now but I believe it will be quite a success
Anyway, it will take months to end the project and start selling, so don't expect anything shortly

[Shelley_c]

Skinning the admincp as an added touch to compliment a commercial release is a nice touch. I wouldn't say it's going to grab customers in their droves but might attract the odd occaisonal client. I'm not into the buisness side yet but it's something I am going to pursue in the future though the buisness end of styling is something I'm learning everyday.

Again with the admincp thing, I wouldn't focus to much on this because it's not something the user will see and will only be viewed by a select few. Would it warrant an additional 10 dollars? My opinion, no.

I'm involved in with one of the most respected/succesfull vb styling sites and I found (and with the sales count) providing standalone graphic sets whether it's for default stock images (buttons, emoticons etc) this is defenitely a niche which can be exploited.

For example, A client loves that style you worked hard on but they are unsure about the button set you designed that complimented that style. Standalone sets gives the client the choice to pick from a variety of sets that may suit the style. I don't need to say that everyone has their own preference and judging by alot of styles (and I speak of some of the large sites) that some sets really don't compliment the style design.

Not sure whether this is relevant to this discussion. I'm just chucking some ideas on the table and to say that their are other areas which can be exploited to gain a larger customer base.

Edit: Missed your query, I did design the style and everything that you see on the forum. But I usually release images in my designs to the public so you'll rarely see any of the graphics that compliment my designs as being unique as most sets are released here first (before my own site).

[MRGTB]

I think you have a good point about the button sets, your right. I've looked at skins and thought nice skin, shame about certain images it uses. So your point is a good one. Like you say - some people have the view only they see the admincp skin, so what does it matter. But when your using a skin all the time like a dark skin, then you go to the admin panel and get blinded with a light blue skin that simply class together. Thats why some might want it matching none the less. I think it is a small market, but still a niece worth exploting.

I think most skinners just don't want the hassle of creating a skin and then having to work on an admin skin as well (which they feel they won't really sell many off. And most people don't complain because there not used to buying vB Skins with matching admin panels.

But then who says you have to charge only £10 for the admin cp skin, they could both be sold as stand alone products together for the same price. And once a person owns the forum skin, there going to be tempted somwhere down the line to buy the admin one as well.

[smacklan]

Thanks for including us in your list I think one of the main business principles that seperates those who are successful from those who aren't is support after the sale. There are many ways to draw sales in, but what builds success is how you take care of those customers after they have spent their hard earned dollars with you. It is a difficult thing to do correctly, but brings many rewards...not all of them financial