Designers: How do you value your name in the footer?
The recent revelation that Automattic wouldn’t allow designer’s names in the footer on themes sold on the upcoming WordPress.com Theme Marketplace – which I blogged about recently – got me thinking. For me, it’s crucial that my name is visually exposed on the sites I design. These are the guarantees of gigs delivered, and a way for gaining recognition. Aside from pure recommendations, I know I’ve gained a few clients this way, and would probably gain more if I had the time, and put up a serious portfolio.
Personally, I don’t care about building pagerank with these design credits in the footer, but I could understand people wanting to do that as well. If a client requested a nofollow on my design credit I’d probably think he was a bit cheap, but fine, I’d probably be OK with it. Unless I took a principal stand for some reason… Anyway, the point is, I’m not putting those links in there to build Google juice, I have them there to prove that I did the design, and to possibly gain new clients.
In the post about the WordPress.com Theme Marketplace, I said that I would probably be on it, even though Automattic is claiming 50% of my revenue. That opinion will be seriously considered if I won’t get my name in my theme’s footer, linked to my site. A nofollow is OK, but just giving me credit in the metadata, that Matt’s talking about, isn’t an option for me.
I doubt any of my clients gained with online recognition (and that includes blog posts where my services are namedropped) would even think of looking for the designer’s name in the metadata, and some would probably not even be aware of the fact that there is such a thing as metadata, let alone know how to find it!
How do you value your link in the footer on designs you’ve sold, or released for free for that matter?
Related reading:
[...] in the theme’s footer, which sucks. I wrote an extensive post on this over at Wisdump, and followed it up with a post on design credits, so pop over if you’re [...]
By Devlounge | The WordPress.com Theme Marketplace on November 6, 2007 2:26 am
[...] No back links. I don’t much care for SEO, but a bit of branding doesn’t seem unreasonable. I’m not sure if it is the link that is the problem or the branding. If minor branding, albeit unlinked, is allowed then perhaps it isn’t such an issue. This is discussed more at Wisdump: How much is it worth to have your name in the footer? [...]
By wp-fun » Blog Archive » Wordpress.com Theme Marketplace on November 6, 2007 9:02 am
Totally bogus. Matt is certainly not making it attractive to participate in his little premium theme game. 50% is outrageous, but taking the designer’s name out the footer is even worse. What he’s going to get is sub-par designers submitting themes. I sincerely hope that none of the cream of the WP theme designer crop will participate.
By Randa Clay on November 6, 2007 9:21 am
Everything you see in the program thus far was developed in coordination with some of the highest quality designers around, including some surprise ones that aren’t public yet. It’s totally in our interest to promote these guys as then more of their themes will sell, so not only should you get credit, but we’ll do our best to make you a star. :)
By Matt on November 6, 2007 4:45 pm
Addendum: I see buying a theme more like buying art, but instead of something that sits on your wall, it rearranges your whole house.
By Matt on November 6, 2007 4:46 pm
Matt, having a designer link at the bottom of the page is crucial for me and most designers. Even on non-WordPress work, I’ll agree in advance with the client to link back to my site.
Is this the war on sponsored links getting out of hand? It certainly seems that way.
The previous system was that themes were free and designers could garner recognition via that link, precisely as Thord has said above. I’d be inclined to take my chances offering the theme free of charge from my own website, thanks.
By Gerard McGarry on November 6, 2007 9:24 pm
I can understand that point of view, Matt. However, you hardly erase or cover the artist’s name on a painting, right?
Designer credit is crucial. If you do that, I’m game.
By Thord Daniel Hedengren on November 6, 2007 10:25 pm
The current proposal is for the the theme’s name and author’s name to be included in the footer, but not linked.
By Lloyd Budd on November 7, 2007 8:07 am
What’s the big deal with that link? Nofollow it then. I deserver full credit as a designer.
By Thord Daniel Hedengren on November 7, 2007 8:40 am
I have to respectfully disagree with you here. Let’s discuss.
1) Web designers are artisans, not artists. Web design should solve problems and tell stories, not be something made to hang on museum walls. Usability and Interaction Design are not fine arts, they’re crafts and the products we make are meant to be used, interacted with. That’s like asking a car company not to put their logo on the rear or clothing designers to leave off their tags.
2) Let’s be honest. If there is fine art on the web, it probably isn’t a Wordpress theme design. This IS NOT meant as a diss to WP theme designers (a group that I am a proud member of) but rather that, of all the web sites developed, the very concept of a blog template–a style wrapper for the content–is the definition of interaction design, NOT fine art design.
In summary, give designers credit where credit is due. thank you.
By Justin D on November 14, 2007 4:47 pm