I hate my blog.
At least, I hate the look of it. I loved it 6 months or so ago when I finished it, but now I am absolutely obsessed with redesigning it. Something not so… dark. And image heavy, I know.
I’m going for a little more of a minimalist look this time which means the non essentials are going. Well, except for the fun and useful non essentials like content.
The ads stay.
I’ve been looking at the new design so long at this point, I need a little reader feedback. Could you spare a minute and answer some blog design questions for me from a reader’s perspective?
1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog? (Links, About, Popular Posts, etc)
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary?
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for? (About, Popular posts, recent posts, archives, etc)
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve?
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Posted in Blogging and Bloggers - Tips, Contests and Stuff for Bloggers Tagged: blog design, blogging, reader feedback
I read the “About” page and Popular Posts if I’m first visiting page.
To be perfectly honest I think that everything you have here is just right. Even the design. I think the design represents you well. I’ll miss it.
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1. Outside of the front page sometimes I’ll read the “About” page, but rarely anything else.
2. I don’t really have an answer.
3. ABOUT.
4. Not a big fan of smilies. Plus maybe 3 columns is bit much on my old eyes.
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I like to read the about page as well and sometimes I go to the archives. The only peeve I have is blogs that load up music.Oh yeah I also like to see the awards that blogs have been given.
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1. Main page and about and interestingly titled posts.
2. I think that’s a personal decision for the blogger rather than the reader. If the reader sees no need to click a particular page/link then they just don’t.
3. Pretty much those listed. I like that yours are listed at the top. I HATE searching for archives—I want that prominently displayed.
4. Music that starts automatically. A crapload of ads. Three columns.
On a positive note I adore smilies–especially fun ones like you have.
I can’t wait to see the new design.
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Because I don’t even have a blog of my own, this is strictly from a reader’s standpoint. I KNOW you said that’s what you wanted anyway! Geeeeeez! :cheese:
1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog? (Links, About, Popular Posts, etc)
- About page. That’s it. None of the other stuff at all.
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary?
- A “Popular Posts” page, in my opinion, is unnecessary. I never read a post because the cool kids made it popular. :cheese:
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for? (About, Popular posts, recent posts, archives, etc)
- About page for sure. Archives if I feel the need to go back a bit to get a little background. For me, a perfect blog is one that I can just start reading when I find it, without “having” to go to the archives for historical facts.
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve?
I enjoy reading other people’s comments, so I end up coming back a couple of times per day. My pet peeve is when the Comments link is at the END of the post (sorry :blush: ) rather than right under the title. Placement right under the title makes it quicker to get to.
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1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog? (Links, About, Popular Posts, etc)
The about. I don’t bother with popular posts – unless the recent ones are naff I’ll just stick in in my reader and decide as I go. I’ll sometimes check out the blogroll and if there’s an interesting-looking name on there I might click through. It’s always good to have details of all the social media contacts, i.e. twitter, flicker, SU.
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary?
I’m guessing most pages are unnecessary, but a lot that goes up is for our own benefit, not the reader’s.
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for? (About, Popular posts, recent posts, archives, etc)
I don’t tend to look too far, but just stick it in my blogroll – time will tell.
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve?
Music, those ads that extend across the page that you can never seem to close. Lack of a contact page. It drives me up the wall when you just can’t find a way to contact someone.
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1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog? (Links, About, Popular Posts, etc)
Only the About page, and it annoys me when there’s not a lot there. I don’t mind being directed to posts that contain information from the about page, just some decent information is good. (ie if you’re going to use nicknames for people etc, include those so I don’t have to read everything to know what you’re talking about) I do read Archives if I really like you
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary?
Anything other than blog and About
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for? (About, Popular posts, recent posts, archives, etc)
As above.
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve?
Those that take too long to come up. I don’t know what it is about your’s but I get everything on a black background for about a minute until the pink pops up and I can finally read it. I use mozilla 3.0.3. Lot’s of flashing stuff is annoying too.
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#1 I look at contact, about me, but that’s about it, unless I need to specifically look for an old post, and even then, I find that easier to do in google reader.
#2 Not any that you have up. I do occasionally look at someone’s blog roll I respect if I want some fresh blog meat.
#3 I look at about and then the most recent posts
#4 Music that starts playing when you load the page. Ugh. But you don’t do that.
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Keep in mind my opinions are extremely biased because I am such a personal blawg snob…
1) The About Page and if they have it, A Popular Post Page
2) Link pages (That’s what a blogroll is for, and if your not comfortable with having one in your sidebars then don’t even bother because it’s bad blawgiquette to go hiding it like a dirty little secret) and Contact pages (put the contact form on your damn about page) top the list. I’m also not a big fan of “Bio Pages” being a page about all the different individuals possibly mentioned on the blawg (use the About Page) which seems to be a semi-growing trend.
3) About Page and Popular Posts… and I stress Popular posts… not the author’s Favorite posts.
4) Unreadable text font, size or color and ads
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Generally read about, sometimes popular posts, contact when I need it.
If it’s a long home page I like the blog post column to load first so I can start reading ASAP.
No Flash!
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1. Always the About page – I like to know a little about who I am reading.
2. Arbitrary pages with very little information – post that in a sidebar. If it’s not at least 3 paragraphs worth of info, it doesn’t belong on a separate page. I do like it when bloggers dedicate pages to their interests – places that are informative, but not part of the regular blogging updates.
3. Again, always the About page – see #1. On my first visit I click through all the pages on a blog that looks interesting. I’ve found a lot of interesting stuff doing that! Creative names for pages always peaks my interest.
4. Going to a blog for the first time and having no idea what the blog is about – there should be some general theme or intro on the main page.
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I hope you leave the pictures thing at the top left.
ANd I like the About page too.
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1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog? (Links, About, Popular Posts, etc)
I read the about and maybe ponder over the Popular Posts when I have a little spare time to read them.
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary?
Well, for me anything other than the main page is unnecessary because I never read anything else.
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for? (About, Popular posts, recent posts, archives, etc)
I read the about, maybe some of the Twitterings, and take a glance at Popular Posts.
Then I never look at anything but the main page ever again.
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve?
Colors that make my ears bleed. Music that starts automatically and I can’t turn off. Too many pictures.
Oh, and I second what Dee said, your blog starts off all black until the lighter part loads for me to read, and I also use Firefox.
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1. When I first come across a blog, the about page. And if it is a really good blog, I’ll read some of the archives.
2. Maybe it is easier to say what pages are good? About, Links, Main page
3. See #1.
4. These 3 columns. Don’t get me wrong at all! I think you are one of the best bloggers out there. But the pictures and stuff don’t fit on the 3 columns very well, and either they extend beyond the column, or you can’t see 1/2 the picture because the other column is on top of it. And this design takes so long to load.
K. You asked! But we still luv you!!
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If I’m new to a blog I might read the About page if the blogger intrigues me enough. But, generally, even for people who intrigue me I’ll wait 3-6 months before I wander over to that page. Dunno why, I prefer to naturally know about people through the posts they write for us.
My blog design pet peeve is content on one side then a lot of other columns with busy stuff advertising shit that has no relevance. (No, I am not talking about your blog.)
And, the rule breaker that I am, I’m all done answering but I think I answered all the questions.
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1. I rarely go to any page on any blog other than the main page.
2. Nothing is unneccessary if the author of the blog likes it. It affords the reader an opportunity to roam. I just rarely do it.
3. The first time I visit a blog I will check out their “About” page, but if they are anything like me than there is no real content there. Just sarcastic fluff.
4. I generally go right to the static page of a particular post from my feed reader rather than to the actual home page. Some blogs I go to don’t afford me the chance to comment directly from there so I have to go to the home page and then click on the comments. Lots of extra clicky time. I fucking hate that. Yours is fine, but the way. Other than that I hate embedded music or video that automatically plays and I dislike ads, but you already said those are staying so I will just continue to ignore them.
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1.) I’d have to say the About Page, and just generally eyeing up the general theme of the blog…I may venture back into the archives as well.
2.) Unnecessary items? Hmm… I’d have to say probably the Ads. I know everyone likes them, and they bring in some $$$, but sometimes they get to be a little overbearing. I also don’t really care for the Popular Posts. I like the About and Contact and the actual posts. That’s what it’s about after all.
3.) About, Contact, Pictures… Pictures are big. I like to see what you’re like, and what you like to do!
I also look for Twitter usernames, etc. Oh, Blogroll/Links too.
4.) Pet Peeves? Music playing when the page is first downloaded. Also when there are so many columns/areas that you need to look through first to get to where you want to go.
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1. About and Popular Posts when I first start reading.
2. I’m not sure. A blogroll page is good because then that’s not cluttering up your front page.
3. I read the About and some of the archives. I’ll go further into the archives if there’s something I need to find out about the person.
4. Ads – sorry. I find them annoying. I also prefer a two-column format to a three-column one. Easier on the eyes. Also imbedded music is horrid, even if the music is good.
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I love this post. I am constantly staring at my blog and wondering how I can make it work. I’m never happy with anything below the header.
From these comments (which are awesome and which I will return to a million times for more), I’d say there is something to say for titling your best posts “Favorite” or “Popular.” One commenter says she won’t conform and read what’s popular. One says he doesn’t care what your favorites are.
Well, what the hell? What do we call the posts we feel best represent us and resonated with our audience the most?! And just picking the posts with the most comments won’t work because sometimes it’s really lame posts that people comment on because it’s something silly they can delurk on, which is fine but doesn’t tell new readers anything.
Ooh, and I do load my content on the left and my sidebars on the right, so that even if something in my sidebar fails to load, my content has loaded first and loaded quickly. So there.
For real, though, I need to work on my About page. I had no idea that would be the top go-to. Crap.
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I read the current post and the about. Then I’ll go for the popular post.
I’m so unoriginal.
I’m considering re-thinking categories because there are SO Many on my sidebar and I don’t ever go into categories on other blogs and yet I’m ridiculous with mine.
That’s my 2 cents.
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I am personally not really a fan of three columns. I prefer the footer column, but that’s just me.
I have everything that takes more time to load on a separate page so that the blog isn’t that slow. Which it still is… but I will read the main page and if I’m intrigued, then I read the about page. About page is pretty important I think.
I am trying harder and harder to go minimalist. It’s hard though…
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I read the About page if I like the blog. Then, I’ll go to popular posts or archives. Pet peeve: MUSIC. I’d like the option of listening, but I don’t want to hear music as soon as I get there.
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This post would have been helpful last week when I was designing my damn layout. LOL.
I think I got some of it right. I may have to scrap one of my pages but I refuse to let the charity page go. On principle. Whether or not anyone clicks on it, it is necessary for my well being.
I can’t wait to see your new design. Hopefully people will like it better than they seem to like my redesign. Buggers.
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You left schematics and blue prints for your new design on your desk.
I scanned them and they are now in the hands of some very technical people who will backward engineer them.
I’ll usually look at “About” and ignore the rest. If I’m daring I might click the most popular post.
Pet Peeve… Hard to read text. Almost always the result of either bad color choices or too small of a font. Firefox can zoom in on text, but you shouldn’t have to unless it’s something that’s not important.
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I am about to redesign mine as well. My big pet peeve right now is big headers/banners.
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About, yes. A LINK to home, yes. Contact, yes. Recent posts, they’re on your main page. Popular posts, nah. But POSTS I’M PROUD OF for sure. Popular and best are not always the same.
I think sidebars are for ads and promotion. THe stuff you REALLY want people to see. Like, a dropdown for archives and a search box.
Everything else can go in a page.
I think your sidebars right now are just about right, but go with one. You don’t need two.
And I’ll miss your header, just sayin. I likey.
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Ummm… well… I’m not sure design matters all that much with the readers. I’m all about content.
1/3. I only ever read the days post, and then only click over if I’m going to read to leave a comment. (I comment a lot.) Upon first visit, I’ll visit the about page. (Maybe photos.) And I’ll scroll back a few posts.
2. Ad links – I never click. (I’m from a journalism print background, so I don’t see them unless they are offensive. Like Karen’s blog one day had an ad for “Asian wives” or some such travesty.)
4. Auto-music has to be The Big One. Design don’t mean much to me, but I prefer clean and uncluttered.
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Pet Peeve? Having to dig for a subscribe button, or none at all. I want it at the very top of the main page. Because I’m a lazy schmo.
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I love the look of your blog. When visiting blogs I rarely click anywhere other than the homepage.
My blog pet peeve? Music that automatically plays. I mostly hate it because I am usually try to sneak a quick look at a blog while I am at work. I totally get busted when the music suddenly starts playing!
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Honestly? And maybe I’m a lazy blogger, but I only read the posts. I don’t like DARK blogs, but there are some I read anyway. I do like the labels, cause let’s say you talked about moving to Florida in a post, and I never read you before, I would go to the labels and catch up on that. I have never, EVER clicked on an ad in a blog, or about (okay, just one time, but it wasn’t updated) or best posts.
I’m sure that doesn’t help, at all. Sorry.
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I would suggest just really thinking about what you want your blog to DO, its purpose, and its meanings.
I only read the About page when I first visit a blog, and it helps me determine whether or not I return and whether I’m interested.
I sometimes read other pages, too. Have you thought about doing a page about your radio show? What about a page about being a Hot Blogger/other awards?
I hope your insistence on keeping the ads means that you’re actually making some money!
Is it the design you hate, or is there something about your blog itself that you hate?
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My design is constantly a work in progress and I love all these ideas folks gave you.
My personal pet peeve is not being able to find the contact button and the comment button being at the bottom (you know, where mine is but I don’t know how to move it so I wait on boy genius to do that).
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Aside from the issue that others have mentioned — that your page goes to black before everything is displayed; and I’m on IE 7.0 (don’t hate), by the way — what I’d like is if your Daily Britt photo would show in the little preview box (what AM I talking about with all this “tech talk”???) so that we know that it’s been updated, the same way as you already do in your iPhone photos (I like that). I often click on it to see a new photo, but it’s still the old photo once I get there.
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1. Occasionally I’ll read the About, but mostly I’m interested in the Archives. Recently I’ve also looked at the “best of”.
2. Anything about Twitter or feeds from other services, or stuff like that.
3. Archives, definitely archives.
4. Light text on dark background, animation, overly busy designs.
Let me know if you need anything else.
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Only the main page, the archives and the about page, if I am just learning about someone.
I am looking into re-designing my blog too..I prefer minimalist, to be honest, but that’s because the drama is in my words and not my blog…
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1. About.
2. Links.
3. About, then I subscribe and give it a try.
4. CLUTTER.
Good luck with the redesign.
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Unless it’s my first visit to the site, I usually won’t venture past the first page (occasionally, I’ll check out the blogroll if I’m bored, but I’d prefer the blogroll to be on a separate page instead of cluttering up the sidebars).
If it’s a first visit, I’ll check out the about page.
Necessary pages: Home, Archives/Categories, About, Links, Contact
Unnecessary pages: Everything else.
That’s about it.
Pet peeves: White text on black background, serif fonts for anything other than titles, font sizes (for posts) smaller than 12px, comments without “subscribe to” options, headers that don’t link back to the homepage, post titles that don’t link to the post permalink page, a gazillion 3rd-party widgets and other last.fm-type stuffs in the sidebar…
I should stop now…
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1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog? I might read about the writer. Usually nothing else.
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary? I guess since I usually only read “About,” I’d say the other pages are unnecessary.
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for? About and archives.
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve? I read most of my blogs through a feed reader, except on rare occasions when I click through to the actual site. . . so I don’t really have any pet peeves about design.
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As it is now, your blog is clean. Not too busy. Easy to navigate.
Personally, I don’t like blog design that is way too scrapbooky or precious. I like bright colors, dark colors, but too much white is hard on the eyes when you do get to the content.
Basically, it’s content that keeps me….and decent grammar.
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I read almost entirely from the feed and never see the site. So, do what you want!
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I really like this design, too. I really have no room to criticize, because I’ve been wanting to overhaul my own for freaking ages now! If I really like a blog, like, really, really like it – then I’ll scour through most of what they have to offer as far as links about the blog. That would also include their blogroll. Still – that’s rare. I usually read the posts themselves and maybe the “About Me” section. Some archives, maybe. I hate when people force their music on you. Other than those things, I am not picky. I read for the content and the personality of the writer.
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If you are going for new readers, the stuff in the columns and the page tags need to be clearly (not cutely) labeled. I hate to hunt for stuff that is mentioned, and not know where to go, or how to get back “home”. Maybe I have more personal issues than I thought….
I admire your post titles maybe most of all…intriguing, funny, curious….excellent writing there.
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When I get to a new blog, I read the About page, links, and popular posts. And that’s about it. I typically don’t click on ads unless it’s something I’ve never seen or it’s a sale or something at a Web site I frequent. I definitely like your iPhone captures link and your photo blog link.
Whatever you do will be good for me!
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1. What pages – beside the homepage – do you read on a blog?
i always read the about page and usually the “100 things about” the author. a search feature is so helpful if i really like a blog because it is just so damn easy to find an old post when i want to share it with a friend, coworker, etc. someone really has to blow my skirt up for me to head to the archives.
2. What types of pages do you feel are unnecessary?
personally i don’t find any pages unnecessary. since all kinds of junk aren’t cluttering up the home page, i actually don’t mind various pages. lots of people have issues with links or blogrolls being separate, but i have found some amazing people by jumping around the daily reads of my favorite authors even if i don’t need to see them down the side of the blog every damn day.
3. When you find a new blog you like, what extra content do you look for?
i will totally admit to being in love with photo pages…it is as though the author is giving me a bonus post, especially if they are a talented photographer. (please don’t take away your daily photo and iphone photo sections! even if you don’t update them every day, they are a wonderful addition to your site.)
i love to read the about, the 100 things if it exists, popular posts and the author’s favorite posts. so many times the popular posts are not what is dear to the author’s heart so i really, really appreciate them coming out and telling me what is important to them. after all, it is their site.
4. What’s your BLOG DESIGN pet peeve?
hate, hate, hate music that automatically plays, but i know you would never do that to me. also hate when blogs take a week and a half to load because i am one of the few who actually like going to visit the actual site. (yes, daily. don’t make fun.) ads don’t bother me the way they piss off some folks, but i do kind of like when they are all on one side / in one area. easier to see the ads and still see the content. (does that mean i like a two column format?) i am not a fan of the new “stumble this” trend, but i guess that has nothing to do with actual blog format. oh, and i hate white text on black or blue backgrounds. or fucking pink text. or black text on a hot pink background. ALSO, huge pet peeve is when i comment on a post and can’t automatically go to the previous or next post with an easy link…hate having to go home, then clicking the next post i wanna comment on. rrrrrrrrrr!
k, i’m done. sorry you asked?
xoxo
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fuck, apparently i am all kinds of opinionated! sorry for the novel up there. sheesh, i should have emailed you.
:blush:
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1. I read the About page and use the Contact page to send email if I have a direct question not related to a specific post.
2. The 100 Things page is cool, but if you had one, it’s one that could go.
3. I don’t really look for extra content. If there are ads on the page, I look to see how integrated they are vs. how much of a hinder they are to the whole viewing page.
4. Any design that I have to scroll to the left or right on a decent resolution screen.
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I usually only read the current post page. If I’m new to the blog, and I am interested, I may read the About Me page. I like 2 column pages, and NO MUSIC playing. Geez that is annoying. I also hate slow loading pages with lots and lots of blue and pictures of some hairy dude all up and down the right side…wait. Scratch that. I rarely pay attention to anything but the daily posts. I am boring. :dunce:
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I actually like your blog the way it is, but as far as blog pet peeves… I’m not a huge fan of blogs with dozens/hundreds of multi-colored blog widgets. I think they tend to distract me from the real content.
Yours balances it very well, but please don’t add tons of new widgets in the redesign.
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Alrighty, I’ve come back with my biggest blog pet peeve.
It’s when blogs will post the start of content and then provide a link so you can read the rest of the content on another page. I understand it’s so they can get a variety of posts on the index page, but more often than not I don’t click to read the rest. (I don’t use a reader…I think blog design adds to voice.) Give me what you’ve got to give me.
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1. I always read About the first time I visit. I’ll check out links a number of times. Popular Posts if the titles look good. Anything that’s obviously changed since my last visit.
2. The Ads. Sorry.
3. See 1.
4. You have a black background which is only visible for a few pixels on either side, but the main text is black on off-white. So while your graphics are loading, the text is invisible. It’s only a few seconds for me, but anyone on dial-up might get bored and click away. Easily fixed, surely?
Three columns is ok for me.
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1. usually just about me
2. hmm…
3. about me, an easy-to-find! subscribe button
4. Dark bg w/light text, auto loading music, eye-scorching neon colors….oh, I’m sure there are more, but these are probably the biggies.
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If you put autoplaying music on your site, I’m outta here.
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Thank God you finally asked the question that needed to be asked: “Cris, can you PLEASE help me fix this mess of a blog?”
I consider myself a bit of a designer and engineer without the math or spelling skills or even a bit of taste. Therefore, I am the perfect pop consultant. I should be on TLC!!
First of all you should do away with the theory of ONE size fits all. Have a variety of looks. I personally recommend the Naked Thursday theme as something you should promote several days a week. Please encourage photos in the comments sections… but please ban Adam from posting.
I really loved the look of your old blog with the artistic banner that had a cool whimsical look. It was bright, cheery and inviting. Then when you talked about your vagina or showing your boobs I somehow fell in love and never went back.
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Hmm, blog design. The pages that I visit are the about page and if I like the blog, I check out the links page to try to find other good blogs. Unnecessary? Popular posts.. uhm, that’s about it. Things that I dislike are auto sound (really really hate that one), three-column designs (they just seem like a bit tooo much, but then I’m a severe minimalist – look at my site, I like nada on it) and uhm, dark colors tend to overwhelm me, but all of this is slightly irrelevant since I read through a feed and only pop on the site to comment.
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I’m a simple girl…just give me a good search box and I’m a happy camper.
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It’s pretty stupid to spam a “nofollow” blog for an SEO company. Just sayin’.
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god resource Continue also
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