Comments on: How important is my blog’s design?

By: Wisdominthemind

Wisdominthemind — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:47:52 +0000

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By: Wisdominthemind

Wisdominthemind — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:47:00 +0000

By: Marian Schembari

Marian Schembari — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:15:12 +0000

Thanks for stopping by Alexis! I was actually just reading YOUR blog… God, I love the internet ;-)

Your advice about the header and photo are also exactly what I was thinking as an easy/cheap way to make my site a little more personal. I can't afford to hire a designer for the whole site but did just hire someone to design an awesome header. A photo is a great idea too… I just did a photo shoot with Real Simple magazine and I'm hoping to get some portraits out of it!

By: Alexis Grant

Alexis Grant — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:12:11 +0000

I've been thinking about this, too — for my next Web site. I want to do it myself, but I also don't know enough about code to make it unique. Here's another idea: How 'bout hiring someone who knows Thesis to help you? I found a few people like this simply by asking on Twitter — there's a hashtag for Thesis and WordPress, but I can't remember it off the top of my head. That way you wouldn't be paying for someone to create a fancy logo or a fancy site, simply make some tweaks to what you have, customize it the way you want to.

For what it's worth though, I think it looks pretty good! Could use a colorful header and photo of you in the sidebar.

By: isaokato

isaokato — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:52:19 +0000

Hi Marian

Talk about coincidence - in the recent months I have also rebuild my blog's theme in a bottom-up approach. That is, only add or tweak stuff that matters. To the readers.

Currently my blog is visually bare-bone (when you hear "minimalistic," that's what people actually mean). If content is the king, accessibility is the queen. I think you are spot-on.

The left column contains the "dailies" - Tumblr photohaiku, quote, and Twitter. The center colum contains the meatier blog posts. The right column contains other info: subscription, history, search. I tucked most "look at me" stuff (banners and profiles) into the top menu and made sure whatever appears on the page adds some value to the visitors. Oh yes, no ads. Please oh please.

I decided to just give what I can offer to others without expecting returns. I feel better that way.

By: Marian Schembari

Marian Schembari — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:09:49 +0000

Isao, you are always too nice to me. But your advice has been duly noted. I think one of the MOST important things about a website is accessibility. Not flash or pretty colors or a fancy header. If a site is difficult to use I could care less if your traffic is awesome and you spent $1,000 on a logo. I don't have time in my day to figure your shit out.

Anyhoozey, you make some excellent points. I now have a subscriber button so yay! Let me know if it doesn't work.

Question: How did you decide on your blog's organization and layout? Is always nice to hear another perspective. Especially since mine is 100% learn-as-you-go.

And as always, thanks for visiting!

By: Marian Schembari

Marian Schembari — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:06:13 +0000

You're fabulous and give excellent advice, my dear. Obviously I played around with a new design but you're right – the whole point of this blog is to present myself in a smart, honest and somewhat flattering light. I do think, however, that an unprofessional looking website can seem, well, unprofessional. Then again, I liberally fling curse words and complain about The Man, so my options are already limited. Still… Your advice is sound and wise.

And go you for creating a site! It looks great!

xoxo

By: DanHolmes2010

DanHolmes2010 — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:29:38 +0000

Your new favorite person? Wow, thanks. :-)
I like your enthusiasm and your generous use of the word “fuck” – it's like I'm corresponding with Hemingway or Mailer.

Dan

By: Ginni

Ginni — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:17:54 +0000

I don't have any particular advice but I enjoy being your cheerleader so I'll just let you know that your brilliance inspired the creation of my own website (lowly as it may be right now).

Personally, I feel like your site should showcase what you ARE good at and what services you sell. Just because we live in a digital age doesn't mean we have to be good at everything digital. That's why people specialize. Your writing is what conveys your intelligence, personality, & spunk. The witty titles speak much more than some snazzy site and expensive logo. You're rad.

Your adoring fan,
GK :)

By: Markus P.

Markus P. — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:58:43 +0000

How important is my blog's design? | Marian Schembari: About a month ago I considered paying someone to do my blog… http://bit.ly/aAb3Sb