So if you read my article yesterday you might be a bit confused about this one. Why would someone who doesn’t get the whole reboot thing, have a post about the best reboot sites?

Well, I am glad you asked. Jon responded to my request for someone to explain the whole reboot thing. Here was his comment:

it’s a great way to get a lot of free advertisment if you do a good job. like a trade show, people show up because they know they’ll have access to a lot of people that are tooling about, specifically looking for something to get excited about.

internet foot trafic

That is a great answer, and made me realize that the reboot is kinda like a contest, where the prize is getting traffic to your site because of your new design. So I figured today that I would do my part for the community and give a little traffic to those sites that I liked for one reason or another.

So here we go, after looking through the vast majority of the sites from the two reboot sites, here are the ones that I liked the most (in no particular order).

For each site, I will tell you what I liked about it, and some nitpicky things I noticed that I think would make a great site look even better.

Andy Eveland
Why I like it
I have to admit, I am still a fan of the whole “web 2.0 look”. Reflections, shininess, etc…as long as it is done tastefully, then I think it really adds something. Andy Eveland’s website is just that. A very tasteful and great looking implementation of the Web 2.0 look. Its clean, simple, and does a great job of showing what Andy is all about.

Nitpicking
Although I love 90% of the reflections, the ones under the titles like “Just Added” seem just a hair too strong. This is a really minor thing, but at first glance it slightly muddies the clean text.

Warnis
Why I like it
I really like the background of this site. The design would have been really annoying in a stronger color, but in the subtle dark grays it adds some nice texture. This is, overall, a very simple design that stays with the tried and true. Looks nice.

Nitpicking
There are a few nitpicky things here that I noticed. One, the logo at the top left…first time I read it I thought it said “Ularnis” which after looking at the domain name confused me…the graphic over part of the W just doesn’t work for me I guess. Secondly, the hover graphic is a bit odd (is that space invaders)…doesn’t fit with the rest of the design. Finally, the blog titles are friggen huge!

Dache
Why I like it
I have no idea what it is (a mailbox?) but I just love the big graphic on the front with their logo. With its subtle background it just says “this is a friendly site”. Combine that with the big icons in the work section, and it just gives a nice feel.

Nitpicking
The front page doesn’t really say anything about the company…

Feller Appliances
Why I like it
Microwaves!! Sweet.
I like that the site kinda looks like a little appliance. The menu is unique and makes me want to buy a rotisserie grill…anyone know where to get one?

Gleamland
Why I like it
This site is mac-tastic…very white…minimalist. Nice.
The sliding menu is a great, but unobtrusive effect. The important parts are always visible, but if you want to dig in, ya gotta push “More Menu”.

Nitpicking
“More Menu”? I know the site isn’t in english, but the menu is…and “More Menu” just reminds me of caveman speak or something.

Jamayk Design
Why I like it
I love the menu…simple as that. At first it reminded me of laundry, but then I realized that it is notes…or napkins…or something…whatever it is, it works, and adds to the mood.

Nitpicking
The fuzzy edges are a bit too fuzzy.

jn squared
Why I like it
I absolutely love this site. The greens, the monkey, the layout…it all just works. It is really hard to do a site in basically one color, but these guys pull it off in a big way. What more is there to say?

MCG Web Development
Why I like it
This site just grabs you…the photo is really sharp, and the fading effect they have on it is great. Good use of color sets a “tranquil” mood.

Nitpicking
The graphics under “Recent Work” are too bright for the tone they have set with the rest of the site. They pull the eye away the meat and potatoes and over to the side salad (I’m hungry…).

Mezzanine
Why I like it
Simply put…its the header. It looks great, and I like the fact that the name “Mezzanine” looks like it is growing out of the ground. Nice effect.

Nitpicking
The background is a bit plain…maybe some subtle stripes? Something to give some texture.

Steven Bao
Why I like it
Its pwetty.
Great use of color. I like when a site that doesn’t have a lot of content is designed like it doesn’t have a lot of content. Steven doesn’t have much to say on his site, so he doesn’t need to fill up the screen with nothing. Wish I could have done that when I was a high school freshman (heck, I didn’t even send an email till I was a freshman in college!).

Nitpicking
On the about page he highlights several things, but they aren’t links…a bit confusing.

So there you have it…my list of the best looking reboots.

How did I do? You agree with me or do you think I am off my rocker? Did I miss a great one? Let me know!