Good examples of web based business apps?

Question

I want to get more inspiration and ideas for creating web based business applications. These apps have treeviews, tabs, grid, forms, panels..etc. I develop apps but want to improve my design skills. So I would like to look at very good looking online business apps which have good use of text and background colors, good use of a general theme across the site, good use of white space, groupings and a clean layout.

I am NOT looking for web design templates or how to design a web page using css and columns.

I want to design a business app (semi heavy use of controls) which looks polished and professional.

So if you encountered a business app site or template which you liked, please share.

Business app means something like mint.com or salesforce.com.

Answer 1

Check out Salesforce.

Answer 2

I was impressed with the Terracotta site, it has a lot of good info without being too cluttered.

Answer 3

these apps are worth checking out for ideas (you can sign up free accounts with all of them)

Invoicing:

• Freshbooks.com - popular
• Invoicemachine.com - polished UI
• Cannybill.com - polished UI
• Blinksale.com
• GetBallpark.com - very slick and new, saw it on reddit a few days ago

Accounting:

• Xero.com - polished UI, they also use lots of ExtJS controls (rare)
• LessAccounting.com

Project management:

• Basecamphq.com - popular

There is lot more at feedmyapp.com

Answer 4

Look at the pinnacle of web applications: gmail.

Answer 5

The Zoho Suite is pretty sweet.

Answer 6

invoicemachine.com is very slick.

Answer 7

Seconding gmail, and the whole rest of Google's apps. Bonus attention to Google Calendar, that thing is a fantastic example of a classic desktop app made better on the web.

Answer 8

You could also take a look at the samples here: http://www.sencha.com/products/js/