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>There are some really good (free) AI logo generators out there you can use to generate logos very similar (perhaps even better) than this. In recent years I've used them almost exclusively to generate some initial logo ideas then either made minor alterations myself (where needed), or paid someone a little to do it for me.

I've tried AI logo generators and didn't like the results. Last time I tried was 3-4 years ago, so maybe they've gotten better.

>Similar things can be said for web templates. There are some really good customisable templates for simple sites like yours out there today. I don't know why you'd pay someone for something so simple, especially when the design is so generic and forgettable (no offense).

Even with a template, there's still a lot of work. Someone has to sift through all the templates to find a good one. Then I still have to pay developers to adapt my existing content to the new theme. And in my experience, template code tends to be pretty bad. Tons of inline style rules so that the page looks good in exactly that configuration, but it's not flexible.

If I had to do it again, I'd still rather work with a freelancer than search for a template and adapt it to my site.

I run a similar sized software business and found generatepress.com. I set up a wordpress site using their visual builder tools and pre-made components, hosted on wpengine.com so everything is always up to date. Took a few weekends, but this is more than adequate these days. Logo came from upwork.com

I also feel your pain. I've had a bad experience with a top python/django agency that turned out to have a CEO "incubating" several startups to compete with Amazon, while also running an agency. I got bad vibes early but kept pressing on, and learned my lesson the hard way.

I'll rub a little aloe in that wound. I actually like the redesign. The illustrations are great, and overall it's a big improvement over the original. Worth the price? Perhaps not, but at least you have a better website now, and more experience dealing with agencies.

Thanks for the aloe! Yeah, that's how I feel as well.

I was expecting people to not like the new design but it's been surprising to hear how many people prefer the old design and logo. I think the new one is way better, and it's not even close. Not perfect, but certainly an improvement.

I also think the redesign is way better, especially the product page and «buy frame» with prices.

I think the design came out pretty nice.

But I would definitely hire a freelancer to do some visual clean up time to time.

As site content is updated, I can already see evidence of site feel reverting back to 'mom and pop', 'maintained by webmaster' look in some sections / pages.

Why not Fiverrs?

I talk about this at the bottom: https://mtlynch.io/tinypilot-redesign/#why-didnt-you-just-fi...

I see cheap $4/hr developers, but I don't see anything specific about Fiverrs. Are you lumping them in together?

Yes.

I don't mean literally $4/hr, but just any developer whose distinguishing feature is being cheaper than most other developers.

I thought that was Fiverr's brand.

That's not their brand, at least not in the past 5 or so years. I've had significant success with Fiverr, many of which are not the cheapest. Certainly you can find the cheapest if that's what you want, but that's on any freelance platform.

If you have more money than time, you’re not going to start shifting through templates, configuring stuff, dealing with bugs, updating it, generating strange AI logos etc.

Even if the alternative is dealing for months with a design agency that is creating a three-page website?

I am gonna disagree, this looks like ok money spent. A bit expensive, but I know for sure I am unable to do that UX and design myself.

> There are some really good (free) AI logo generators out there you can use to generate logos very similar (perhaps even better) than this.

How have I never heard of these. Which ones are good though? I couldn't find any free ones

This one looks good https://logomaster.ai/ not free but you can make one for < $50

Probably worth $50 when time is money but all I got were results I could have duplicated in GIMP, as someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with GIMP. It looks it just picks a font and an icon?

There aren't any good ones. Everybody who recommends these must not have any sense of branding or design whatsoever.

Highly disagree. Usually developers are utter crap in design and cannot do it appropiately in context (he makes <40k per month with the website).

The design is okay and due to the inefficiencies he spent too much. But with a better process in place he would have gotten a very good deal from that agency.