Ok folks, I’ve been thinking of totally changing the template for this blog (that’s the layout). I found one I liked and installed it on another site so you all could check it out and weigh in on it.
I’d love to hear your opinions, either in a comment here or a comment there.
Oh-and just to let you know. I have wanted for a while to start a second blog that is about more general mommy/life/parenting stuff. I decided on the name “Beyond Frugal Upstate”, snagged the name on blogger, and did a single test post. Then I never did anything else. I’m hoping to continue on with that someday-but not just yet. In case you were wondering.
I like the test layout – but I have to say, I love the new header on this blog right now. I’m easy 🙂
Thanks for all the great posts, btw. I appreciate so many awesome frugal recipes and all the rest of it!
Honestly I think the new one is a little cold and to businessish (if that is a word!) I do like the buttons across the top, I agree with you there, but is there a way to put a little more of the softness from your current website over there? Mayve a change in color?
HeatherC
I have thought recently that I’d be in favor of ads on your site to support your work in providing such excellent content, so I’m glad to see the boxes for ads. I agree with Heather about the general look. -Mac
I like your present site much better. It seems warmer to me. Then, to be honest, I’m always resistant to change. I’d like to see a better picture of you. You are a beautiful lady–from your wedding photo.
Regards, Peg
SusieH-The new header is nice-Kaitlyn of KittyKait designs made it for me. She’s a teen and works for donations (although $10-$15 is suggested for headers). I put her badge on my right sidebar 🙂 I’m so glad that you enjoy the site. I like writing it, but it’s always so great to hear that folks are finding the information useful.
Heather-I want to go for a slightly more professional look, yet I don’t want it to be cold. I’ll try some other colors and see what I can do that way. I do sort of like the functionality of the layout though.
Mac-I’m so torn about the advertising issue. On one hand I don’t feel ethically comfortable encouraging consumerism on a site that tells folks not to spend extra money on stuff. On the other hand I spend a lot of time on this blog for no compensation except for the comments. Some slight revenue would be nice-as would the ability to consider it a “business” and write off some of my computer cost etc.
Peg-I think I do need a better photo anyway-although I think the mysterious one is a bit funny 🙂
If you want to use your old photo, send me the original and I’ll photoshop it a little more cleanly for you, if you’d like.
I do like the layout, but agree the colors could use some tweaking.
As far as advertising, frugality is often saving in some areas to splurge in others. If you choose your advertisers, I’m sure others would understand. You do provide a lovely service with your blog and I think very few would frown on your accepting some indirect compensation as long as you maintain your transparency.
Heather-thanks for the offer. I plan on getting a new photo if I use this template-I just threw that one up there to see how it would look with a personal photo.
Glad to hear your opinion on the advertising.
I agree with Heather’s comment. The currently layout has more a more “friendly” look and color scheme 🙂
I like the general layout, but the grey coloring definitely feels cold and stand-offish. I think as you add personality with color, it will be great!
I don’t like it. It reminds me of a cubicle, whereas your current template reminds me of a comfy easy chair.
I agree with what’s already been said. The new template is nice, and I like the buttons on the top, but it does feel a bit less personal and more business-like than the current site.
And while I’m here, I’d like to say I have been reading your blog for a while now (never commented, though). I really enjoy it and I appreciate the time you put into helping the less frugal learn to change their ways. It’s been a real help to me.
It definitely needs more colour! Maybe add in some of the tones you currently have. It’s clean and professional, sure- but that’s not really what your blog is about. It’s not about cold, corporate cleanliness. Maybe some of the sharp lines should be softened, by colour or otherwise.
And be careful about ads- sometimes they cause annoying pop-ups, some will even install spyware on users computers (had that happen) and some could be offensive. If you can choose your ads, then great, but if you have no control over what would be displayed, then maybe you could look into some other way to profit from this blog (which you totally should do, by the way!) I’m just being a nit-picking worry-wart over here. 🙂
I like the new layout. It is functional but then that goes hand in hand with frugality in my opinion. I do think your content will go some way to softening it.
I’m sure your current readers won’t mind which layout you choose as it’s the content that keeps us coming back to read more rather than the design, but I can understand that new readers only take a few seconds to decide if they’ll stick around and maybe something more attention grabbing might help that.
I think advertising is fine as long as it’s relevant. I do agree that a lot of people will cut costs in one area in order to be able to splash out in another so I don’t think consumerism is a problem, we have to buy things at some stage.
hi! love your blog. i’m trying to be frugal in upstate too 🙂 in any case, i do rather like the warm, homey look of the current one better than the new design. great content either way!!! thanks for posting.
I don’t care for the new template.
To be honest, when I read blogs I only care about the ‘content’ not all the extras: I rarely look at the sidebars, and too many ads are a real turnoff as they lead to the impression the writer cares more about $$$ than anything else. Not that writers don’t deserve to earn money; of course they do, yet I still yearn for the ‘good old days’ when the Internet was about free exchange of information.
Chris
I think everyone else echoed my thoughts, but in general, I’m just not fond of it. The only part I do like is that the picture of you is outlined in white with the shadow of another pic behind it…like a fanned stack. I DO like that look.
Hmmm… the other one is too cold, too business like, but I can see your desire to rework this one to look more professional. If that makes sense. So I like the idea of moving toward a more professional look, maybe a little cleaner, just not the one you posted. I felt like maybe I was at a site that sells pc software.
Love the name, DOnt really like the blog style. SOrry 🙁
I like the one you did. Another one you could do in the future is one with money, change,coupons, a cash register, a piggy bank and with frugal humor like pinching a penny until it screams. You could do one that shows the art form frugality is. You do a great job already though but, this would just be one other fun one to do if you feel the need. Have a great week. Never let constructive critics get you down.
Hi Jen,
Sorry to say but I don’t like it. Much too harsh for my liking. Enjoy your blog though.
Kim
Hereford uk
As a former upstate NYer, it has occurred to me that the other site has more of a “downstate NY” look.
As far as advertising, I agree that you would have to be selective regarding both content that would be compatible with frugal ideals and presentation that wouldn’t give the site an overly commercialized feel.
Mac
Sorry, I don’t like the new one- the old one is so much nicer and homier.