Try #2 (or 3) for new blog design - need your help with review

**rogercbryan** · 08-26-2010 09:00 AM

I created a new post because I'm using the same links but the design has changed. Thanks to everyones advice I've shrunk the main banner to bring the service menu above the fold. I'm also working on designing the advertising banner we I see what it looks like when plugged into the site.

Old (current) Roger Bryan’s Business Blog for Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Proposed (version 2) Roger Bryan - Business Blog – How To Advice, Videos, and Blog Posts from an Industry Leading Business Consultant

What does everyone think now? The new version may be a little wordy in the main banner... not sure

**rogercbryan** · 08-26-2010 09:42 AM

Another quick question. Should I shed the blog approach all together? This site has sort of moved from a blog to a service sales site. I want to sell my consulting services to people via this site so that goes beyond the blog approach. I have actually already secured two new clients since my site hit the #3 spot about a week ago. I never expected this to happen. This the primary reason for the third draft of the site. I have momentum and I don't want to loose it.

**Encrypted** · 08-26-2010 04:01 PM

Not really a fan of this one either. I think you need a new designer to be honest. I don't like the way this one organizes things.

As for the overall site, I'd say stick to the blog approach if it's working and possibly test out other things little by little to see how it affects traffic/income. Possibly throw in a "Get a Quote" button up top or something..

**rogercbryan** · 08-27-2010 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Encrypted

Not really a fan of this one either. I think you need a new designer to be honest. I don't like the way this one organizes things.

As for the overall site, I'd say stick to the blog approach if it's working and possibly test out other things little by little to see how it affects traffic/income. Possibly throw in a "Get a Quote" button up top or something..

What don't you like about this designer? I would have to say he is following my directions for the most part. I'm trying to get a feel for what you don't like about this site overall.

**dfveteran** · 08-28-2010 06:37 AM

Well since we seem to have a lot in common with our websites/ blog subject, I have to say great idea, hehe.

I don't like the first theme. It's looks like the designer tried to do too much. It's way too busy and confusing at once.

I DO like the second theme. Maybe get rid of that long banner advertisement at the top, it doesn't look right. I have to say, if that is wordpress, it's a really cool little theme. Have your designer tone it down a little. But spice it up more at the same time.

I would say make your blog your website. Ton's of new companies online are using a blog as their main website. Or you could go with the old school yourdomain.com/blog. You are going to drive traffic off the content it creates. You need a blog.

I would also use a twitter/facebook plugin also. So no matter what you post on to your blog, it will automatically go to twitter and facebook. You hit 3 stones at once. That alone is good for about 50-100 hits a day for every 1000 friends or followers.

Anyway, good turn around from your last website. I would definatly go with the 2nd theme.

Good luck fellow home business consultant

**dfveteran** · 08-28-2010 06:46 AM

O'yeah, one more thing I couldn't help notice. Your designer puts funny things in his code, hehe it's a riot

He has things like:



Maybe have him take that stuff out later, it doesn't look professional. Although I did get a good chuckle from some of it

And how come you aren't doing web design by yourself now? You have been around YE as long as I have. I do everything myself now

You should try and teach yourself, it's not hard.

It is a lot better in the long run when you don't have to rely on someone else to keep your business plan going.

Good luck again Roger!

**rogercbryan** · 08-30-2010 02:35 PM

I don't do design work myself because I don't have the skills or time. My online businesses are my third business segment so I have to dedicate my time to what makes me the most money. I have five different sites being worked on right now by four different designers. With out them I'd never get anything done.

They are both WordPress Themes and they do have the Facebook and Twitter Plugins in them. That is great advice for everyone by the way.

The site is a few years old and ranks very well for my primary keyword and my secondary ones are moving along nicely.

The one thing I don't agree with is

It is a lot better in the long run when you don't have to rely on someone else to keep your business plan going.

I think the only way anyone can grow is to rely on other people to do much of the leg work. We each have our own business models so we will have differing opinions on this.

**Encrypted** · 08-30-2010 09:31 PM

I don't like the design because there seems to be too much padding around everything. The design in general is not very "sharp" looking. It also looks rather bloated, in a way. I'm having a hard time explaining myself on this one, but I think "bloated" best describes it.

Update: Alright, I think I figured it out. My "bloated" verb basically means this... your font, the tables, everything is just wayyy to big. Look how much content some of these other sites fit on the screen (examples: http://venturebeat.com/ , http://venturebeat.com/2009/12/03/zo...ting-business/) and then go to your site and look what you fit on your screen. I go to your site and I think.. alright.. there's a shit ton of nothing here. A little image slider.. an advertisement, and some more images below that.. that kind of almost look like more ads. I just think you need more content, less bloat. Use text.. instead of images with text in them. That about sums it up I think.

.
.
.

**dfveteran** · 09-03-2010 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Encrypted

I don't like the design because there seems to be too much padding around everything. The design in general is not very "sharp" looking. It also looks rather bloated, in a way. I'm having a hard time explaining myself on this one, but I think "bloated" best describes it.

Update: Alright, I think I figured it out. My "bloated" verb basically means this... your font, the tables, everything is just wayyy to big. Look how much content some of these other sites fit on the screen (examples: Tech News | Innovation News | Money News | VentureBeat , Zoosk raises $30M for social dating business | VentureBeat) and then go to your site and look what you fit on your screen. I go to your site and I think.. alright.. there's a shit ton of nothing here. A little image slider.. an advertisement, and some more images below that.. that kind of almost look like more ads. I just think you need more content, less bloat. Use text.. instead of images with text in them. That about sums it up I think.

.
.
.

That's what I was looking for. Bloated is a great word. Sorry Roger but he is right. Content is king. You can have ads, but the content has to rule as the first thing your eyes go to.

**mbabusiness** · 09-05-2010 02:05 PM

To be honest your new design looks a little spammy.The red button , I suggest changing because it looks like an ad.

also changing the 4 buttons to a softer look (more 'web 2.0' look, softer color)