Despite my recent changes to the Blogger Buster site, I'm still unhappy with the overall look and feel of this blog. It takes ages to load, it isn't quite as easy as I'd like to find relevent information, and let's be honest: the overall look isn't anywhere near as eye-catching as most of the templates I design!
So I'm planning a bit of an overhaul...
Personally I think these are the main problems with this existing template:
- It takes too long to load.
- Navigation is a little awkward.
- There is too much excess content in the sidebars.
- And let's be honest: this template isn't nearly so eye-catching as most of the templates I design!
Sound good?
As always your opinions matter to me, so I would appreciate any suggestions or comments to help me design a better blog which will benefit you; after all, this blog exists for the benefit of it's readers!
One last thing: for the next fortnight or so while I redesign the site, I won't be available quite as much to help you all with your blogs. So please understand if I don't respond to your comments and emails as fast as I usually do! Once the new designs are set up, everything will be back to normal, and you'll probably see an influx of new templates and tutorials available based on what I've learned in the redesign process. Please bear with me during this time, and I promise the end result will be worth the wait!
Technorati Tags: blogger+buster | redesign | templates | logo | branding
You're not the only one with slow loading problems today. After half an hour of consternation I finally discovered that it was in fact Feedburner that was the culprit. After removing the FeedFlare code from my template, the load problems went away. As recently as a few minutes ago however, pages weren't loading on any Feedburner subscribe links I clicked on around the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteHope they fix the problem soon.
My suggestions, Amanda. :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can put the 2 sidebars together (like Read/Write Blog and Smashing Magazine) on the right side so the posts load first.
You should also totaly redesign your header. You're right--it's not eye-catching and a lite pixelated. The nav link (about, contact, questions, templates) are also not in contrast--so at first, I didn't figure that they're clickable.
You can also put a designed search box.
The ads inside the post should look the same, IMHO. (Currently, one is without a border, while one is.)
Links to "post comment" should be more visible (or implement the hack you recently configured).
Make use of the footer area more, so sidebar is not that cramped.
There. Good luck. :)
@Chris: Thanks for the note about FeedBurner. I've noticed for about a week now that the FeedBurner content takes much longer to load than the rest of the page, but had put it down to the scrolling headlines widget which uses one of my Feedburner feeds. Today it does seem MUCH faster, but still the page needs to load more quickly for me to be happier with the design.
ReplyDelete@Angel: In many ways, we're already thinking along the same lines ;) I don't want to put too much in the footer section, as this is usually the last place readers look, if they even go there at all. But I will make much more use of the space available to me.
Your new design was quite inspirational in showing me the ways a Blogger blog can be wholly redesigned. Soon I'll be uploading a new template which may offer an idea of the designs I'm considering.
Ads will also be very differently paced, and hopefully more in sync with the overall theme. I suppose you could say that at present this template is a culmination of what I have learned so far. I need to strip out what's unnecessary give more contrast to what's important!
Amanda, Thank you very much for all your helps.
ReplyDeleteI am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely. I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information
ReplyDeleteYour new template is better than the old one. This is more user-friendly and eye catching. And I love the new gadgets on your sidebar. They are all helpful in navigating your site unlike the old one where I get a bit confused on where a link will lead me to. Good job!
ReplyDelete