I respect what the Bootstrap developers have built. It is robust, it looks good, it is opinionated, and it seems to
just work. And it's EVERYWHERE.
And that's my problem with it: I feel as though every new web application I visit is built with Bootstrap, barely customized (if at all), and lacking any soul or personality – not because Bootstrap doesn't have personality (it does), but because its impact has been diluted by the number of sites that use it.
Take this 'inspirational gallery' for example. With few exceptions, every screenshot looks almost exactly the same: light gray background, white containers, Helvetica, black toolbar on top, Bootstrappy buttons. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that most of these screenshots came from a single application.
My point is this: tools like Bootstrap are great for rapid prototyping, but if you're not doing heavy customization, you're forsaking the opportunity to create an identity and personality for your product or page. So be wise: customize!
And that's my problem with it: I feel as though every new web application I visit is built with Bootstrap, barely customized (if at all), and lacking any soul or personality – not because Bootstrap doesn't have personality (it does), but because its impact has been diluted by the number of sites that use it.
Take this 'inspirational gallery' for example. With few exceptions, every screenshot looks almost exactly the same: light gray background, white containers, Helvetica, black toolbar on top, Bootstrappy buttons. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that most of these screenshots came from a single application.
My point is this: tools like Bootstrap are great for rapid prototyping, but if you're not doing heavy customization, you're forsaking the opportunity to create an identity and personality for your product or page. So be wise: customize!