Changing it up…
If you missed the big announcement yesterday, I’ve got a new blog design, courtesy of Parajunkee Design. I absolutely love everything about it, and I keep coming back to sneak a peek at it. 🙂 For today’s conversation, I wanted to take some time to chat about how a blog looks and share a little more about mine…
I’ve got fun new graphics… The title feature of this post is just one. Come back tomorrow to see the new Sunday Snippets logo as well. I’ve also got new graphics for reviewer signatures and author features. Here’s an example…
I love the beautiful jewel tones … so pretty!!
So I am curious… does the look of a blog impact whether or not you visit/use the site? It makes a difference to me – if a site isn’t easy to read, if the graphics are overwhelming or distracting, and/or if I can’t easily find my way around the site, I’m not going to frequent the site. My goal in the redesign was to make this site beautiful, but not overwhelming. I wanted a blog that is easy to navigate as well. I hope you agree that I was successful…
Now for the fun! I’m hosting a
GIVEAWAY!
If you missed it, here is the information from yesterday: In celebration of the new look here at That’s What I’m Talking About, I’m giving away a $20 [US] Gift Card to Amazon! To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form, below. As part of your entry, please leave me a comment about what you like about the new look, layout and/or design. Also, let me know if blog design impacts your browsing.
Note: Contest open to all, where not prohibited by law. If you have trouble with the Rafflecopter form, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com.
Thanks for stopping by to chat!
The look is not the only thing I look for in a blog. Sure it’s what grabs my attention at first. Much like a pretty book cover. But if the content is not great I don’t care how pretty it looks I’m not coming back.
Another thing that is really key for me is organization. It bugs me when sidebars are junked up and have out of date information. If you are doing a hop, event, etc and it’s past the date of that event then remove it from your sidebar.
So for me the the order of importance for me to come back to a blog is (in order):
Content
Organization
Design
I agree with your order of importance completely. However, if the site has design flaws, annoying music, etc. that distracts me from reading the content, I admit, I’ll skip it.
It does. I like blogs that are easy on the eyes and easy to navagate. Colors that compliment each other. Love your new design.
Thank you, Susan. I hope my blog fits into your categories!
My initial visit to a blog has to pass the same test as a book cover. Unless I’ve already heard great things about the content, the cover matters. I want to know that you care enough about your site (and presumably to content) to put effort into it’s appears and organization. Call me shallow, but I’m not sure I would sit and listen to a brilliant scientist on any subject if she didn’t shower and brush her teeth. One cannot come at the total expense of the other. That said, content and ease of navigation will keep me coming back.
Great points!
I LOVE the new look!!! Congrats on a fantastic redo… and kudos to Rachel for the work!! To answer your question, I don’t know that a site’s “look” is necessarily a draw for me, but the ease of use DEFINITELY is.
Thanks, Jen! Would you classify hard to read font or something like a back ground and font that clash- making it hard to read the “look” or “ease of use?” To me, that is a situation where the look makes it hard to use. However, feed readers to help with that a lot!
I guess the font/background clash would be a “look” issue. I hadn’t thought of that. I guess I’m lucky, I really haven’t come across TOO many blogs with unreadable text. I really look for how the site is put together. Menus, posts and post information, sidebars, etc. I’ve seen some really convoluted sites. I hate having to try to figure out where content may be. And I have to admit that I’m a sucker for cool/pretty/unique graphics.
I like the new graphics and I’m not sure if it’s different, but I like how the buttons are only on one side.
FYI, when I click on your post from bloglovin, it takes me to a blank, white screen.
Thanks for the info Krista. I am having problems with the feed on Twitter and FB – I didn’t know about Bloglovin. I’ll look into it now.
The buttons and such on one side are sort of new – it happened when I moved to WP from Blogger. Thanks!
Love ur header she kinda looks like you
Love the new look! What gets me to a blog is the look if it has not been recommended, if I have just stumbled across it. However, what keeps me following a blog is ease of use. I have author blogs that I do not keep to because they are not updated, they are hard to find info, etc. Great job!