Good Design Is Profitable!

I can remember when the Korean auto manufacturer Hyundai first introduced the Excel in 1986. It was the cheapest new car on the American market at the time. It was also the ugly duckling of the automobile industry. Merely being seen in an Hyundai Excel was a form of aesthetic punishment for buying the cheapest car on the market. Needless to say, it sales suffered as it languished behind the better looking and better made Japanese imports.

Well, the former ugly duckling has become a beautiful swan. Hyundai made an extraordinary effort to makeover its entire line of vehicles. That focus on good design has made a healthy contribution to Hyundai's bottom line. Hyundai has achieved impressive sales gains in a depressed market due to the design improvements in their vehicles. HYUNDAI'S US SALES ROSE 24%, to nearly 540,000 units last year, a new record that helped the automaker claim 4.6% of the American market, its highest share yet. What Hyundai has accomplished testifies to the power and appeal of good design.

Hyundai's approach reminds me of what we try to do at newark1.com. Give customers world class web design on a "beer" budget. We make APPEALING, TASTEFUL WEB DESIGN affordable. We strive to make small businesses look as polished and impressive as the best the web has to offer. Good design really matters. It can make or break your product or service. Just ask Hyundai!