tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post7323158564273511972..comments2023-11-03T04:59:35.580-04:00Comments on Serenity Now: Blogging Myth #5: Blog Design Doesn't MatterAmanda @ Serenity Nowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16483017563206007698noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-85559277405808166682011-08-13T12:41:10.484-04:002011-08-13T12:41:10.484-04:00So I innocently started checking on my favourite b...So I innocently started checking on my favourite blogs this morning...ended up on yours, and have now spent almost 4 hours reading and then executing all of your recommendations from this post! Thank you so so so much for taking the time to do this! I've learned so much, especially all the techy stuff, and am thrilled with myself! Hah!<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for taking the time to do this. I really appreciate it and I wanted to make sure you know it!Carol-Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11971833343080910423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-15326873875452032882011-08-09T14:21:33.706-04:002011-08-09T14:21:33.706-04:00Hi Amanda,
Hope your little one is on the road to...Hi Amanda,<br /><br />Hope your little one is on the road to recovery. Thanks for a wonderful series on blogging myths. They have been most helpful and I really hope that all my comments have not blown up your inbox. <br />I read an article one time of what Google looks for that allows a persons blog or web page to get to the top 5 of its search engine. The number one thing is original and quality content , of course, and next to it is blog design. Google is real picky about blog design and if a blog has all kinds of ads and is cluttered with fancy designs, it will discredit it and the blog will never make the top 10. It likes plain and simple; hence Google's home page. When I click on a blog and it takes forever to load because of all the ads and cluttered design I immediately exit. Easy navigation is also a really big factor for me. I have visited some blogs recently that navigating through it was so crazy I gave up and left.<br /><br />Thanks again for all your helpful information. I've really enjoyed ready this series and look forward to hearing more from you. :)<br /><br />ChristineTestinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05358819960292378064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-81474932822948162422011-08-06T14:26:49.608-04:002011-08-06T14:26:49.608-04:00I hope Natalie is doing okay in her recovery! Lots...I hope Natalie is doing okay in her recovery! Lots of ice cream helps (: hehe<br />Love these tips, once again! Music is my biggest pet peeve....eeek!Michaelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05279263060923898833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-23758659798411328032011-08-06T12:46:07.288-04:002011-08-06T12:46:07.288-04:00So glad your little girl is doing well!So glad your little girl is doing well!Leahhttp://www.michondesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-66224436575914094472011-08-03T14:05:05.297-04:002011-08-03T14:05:05.297-04:00I've been thinking that I need to freshen up m...I've been thinking that I need to freshen up my blog design...for me that means thinking of changes I want to make, and having Craig do it. That's usually kind of a high tension evening for us; I'm a hard task-master.<br /><br />I've noticed that since Blogger ramped up their spam protection, there are <i>tons</i> more spam comments to moderate than I ever used to get before. I used to get one or two every couple of weeks on old posts; now there are 5-10 per day. Kinda makes me wonder if Blogger's spam protection is a scam!Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11251615655963897793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-17235306211051587192011-08-03T00:08:45.431-04:002011-08-03T00:08:45.431-04:00Amanda first I hope your little doll baby is okay ...Amanda first I hope your little doll baby is okay after the surgery.<br /><br />Your tips are so great. I have gotten to the point of not enjoying black backgrounds as they feel very harsh.<br /><br />The opposite is such small and light colored text that you can barely read it!<br /><br />xoxo<br />Karena<br /><br />Art by KarenaKarenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05206642885608991170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-20989204942322617012011-08-02T23:09:05.637-04:002011-08-02T23:09:05.637-04:00Your blog tips are right on Amanda!Your blog tips are right on Amanda!Megan // Honey We're Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06786515224193334674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-69351501681339328492011-08-02T22:04:16.669-04:002011-08-02T22:04:16.669-04:00This comes in at the right time for me!! I need to...This comes in at the right time for me!! I need to work on my website and these tips are of great help. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />-Tanya<br />http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/Tanya Anuraghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18202698268407882316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-33027978512819371492011-08-02T19:38:57.153-04:002011-08-02T19:38:57.153-04:00Hey Amanda! First of all, glad to hear the surgery...Hey Amanda! First of all, glad to hear the surgery went ok. Hope she recovers quickly.<br /><br />You made some great points! Blog design can make or break how long someone stays on your site. <br /><br />I constantly tweak my design! I still can't justify paying for a designer (yet) and I like to DIY. Everything I know about design and html I learned on the internet (or other blogs). <br /><br />You can have the best content in the world, but if people can't find it on your blog...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12678479642107788883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-59091624093679103022011-08-02T17:23:42.186-04:002011-08-02T17:23:42.186-04:00Hi Amanda, thank you for the tips I will be lookin...Hi Amanda, thank you for the tips I will be looking at my blog with a new eye. I'm sure I'll be making some changes. Prayers for the little one today and mommy too.LIndahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05022917409206027968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-85718737635473650082011-08-02T16:35:53.494-04:002011-08-02T16:35:53.494-04:00Great post! I think that (like my house) I struggl...Great post! I think that (like my house) I struggle with wanting to change my design way too often! I think you hit each point right on the head, there are so many blogs that have great content, but are unmemorable or difficult to navigate due to their blog design.<br /><br />(On that note, I hope I'm not the pot calling the kettle black! I'd love to hear any constructive criticism regarding my blog design!!!!) <br /><br />Things that I like in a blog: <br />-a solid, recognizable logo (this is where having a blog designer is handy, it took me 2 years to finally get a logo that I loved!)<br />-easy to read<br />-no music (gah!!!!!!)<br />-professional looking, yet personalized<br /><br />I'd love to switch to wordpress eventually, but for now I love having that $10/yr domain name. I wish it was possible to pay just a bit more to have a faster loading blog...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15545976779114071588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-74853065351431158412011-08-02T15:11:33.005-04:002011-08-02T15:11:33.005-04:00Enjoyed this post along with the previous ones. H...Enjoyed this post along with the previous ones. Hate the music playing when I click on a blog! I have to do some tweaking to do to mine and will look back at these tips again.Kim@todayismysome-dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09821483601646252432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-72275972648017425422011-08-02T13:02:13.370-04:002011-08-02T13:02:13.370-04:00Great post ... I think the appearance of a blog is...Great post ... I think the appearance of a blog is huge and you touched on so many great points.<br /><br />Hope your little one does great today!Randi~Dukes and Duchesseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08277985792260962440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-22203253262499323572011-08-02T12:36:34.657-04:002011-08-02T12:36:34.657-04:00Great post Amanda. I hate automatic music player o...Great post Amanda. I hate automatic music player on blogs! Especially when I'm on (audio) skype with someone and meanwhile I surf around blogland!!!<br />Hope Natalie feels better soon.Life In The Thrifty Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03612303326504320531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-68007834014234483812011-08-02T12:24:20.441-04:002011-08-02T12:24:20.441-04:00P.S. I can understand you being nervous about litt...P.S. I can understand you being nervous about little Natalie, I would be too. <br /><br />Hope she has a speedy recovery!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-44976495289059978552011-08-02T12:23:07.966-04:002011-08-02T12:23:07.966-04:00I've been meaning to work on my blog design. T...I've been meaning to work on my blog design. Thanks for posting this, Amanda.<br /><br />P.S. Totally agree with the word verification-it truly is annoying!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-71315804126504647682011-08-02T10:29:35.428-04:002011-08-02T10:29:35.428-04:00Best wishes to Natalie!!! I'd be a nervous mom...Best wishes to Natalie!!! I'd be a nervous mommy to, Amanda. : ) <br /><br />Another great post in this series! I'm going to send this to a blogging friend of mine who's just starting out too. I try to keep all the things in mind that you mentioned when I'm designing my blog. How well people can navigate is a biggie, in my opinion. <br /><br />I've really enjoyed this series. Can't wait for next week's! <br />~ Catie : )Catie @ Catie's Cornerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00693440878484859938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-143260503799985802011-08-02T10:25:10.546-04:002011-08-02T10:25:10.546-04:00Saying a prayer for both you and little Natalie. M...Saying a prayer for both you and little Natalie. May the Lord watch over her and keep you strong.Salliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12555863235304408491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-47387155572455273192011-08-02T10:23:23.464-04:002011-08-02T10:23:23.464-04:00Another week of great tips. I use templates for a...Another week of great tips. I use templates for a long time and then bit the bullet last summer and paid for a custom design that I really like. I'm curious as to why so many bloggers are switching to Wordpress. <br /><br />I hope Natalie does well today with her surgery. You must be so nervous!Paula@SweetPeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00159609759110718249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-68621047690748530532011-08-02T10:20:13.173-04:002011-08-02T10:20:13.173-04:00great post Amanda!! and I will be praying for you...great post Amanda!! and I will be praying for your little one as well. Its always harder on the mommy than the kid. My 3yr old had an emergency appendectomy last year-I was a complete wreck- and he sailed through it like a trooper! Our kids are stronger than we realize. *hugs*Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17984411828925652326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-46596854971610015622011-08-02T10:18:46.685-04:002011-08-02T10:18:46.685-04:00I agree with your comments on music. While I love...I agree with your comments on music. While I love to listen to it, it bugs me when automatic music starts with a blog opening. Great tips! and...I'll be thinking of your daughter today!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06970697186745968645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-30652985140861951062011-08-02T09:37:37.046-04:002011-08-02T09:37:37.046-04:00Another great post, Amanda!
Honestly, updated b...Another great post, Amanda! <br /><br />Honestly, updated blog design doesn't matter that much to me personally--I'm all about a blogger's content and personality. But I know that it DOES matter to many readers. And I totally agree with you that it's a good idea to upgrade from the basic styles to a more customized look.<br /><br />So are you considering moving to WordPress? It's funny--I've had great luck with Blogger and feel no compulsion to change. I do, however, completely recommend changing to your own domain name. That's so easy to do, even I was able to do it. . . and that's saying something!<br /><br />Praying for Natalie and for you. Anesthesia is disquieting, to say the least. I pray that the cyst removal is 100% successful and that the whole process is as stress-free as possible.Richella Parhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04353214472648623583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-7044693425187548622011-08-02T09:30:59.895-04:002011-08-02T09:30:59.895-04:00Have to agree with you on the music. I can't s...Have to agree with you on the music. I can't stand it when I get onto a page and the music starts blasting. If I want to listen to music I'll put it on where only I can hear it. <br /><br />Hope everything goes well with Natalie. I'm sure she'll be up and jumping around in no time. She's in my prayers. <br /><br />JessicaSimply Jessabellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09221854321903799703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-30653894820438919762011-08-02T09:29:06.728-04:002011-08-02T09:29:06.728-04:00Thank you for more great tips! I also do not like ...Thank you for more great tips! I also do not like music on blogs. I find it very distracting. I will be praying for you and your sweet girl today. God Bless :)Jennifer S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08045707126341829231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4550079205854272848.post-44074097967523504902011-08-02T09:17:49.977-04:002011-08-02T09:17:49.977-04:00Always good thoughts! I am back from my semi blog...Always good thoughts! I am back from my semi blog summer break and so glad to be catching up on all your great posts. Hope Miss Natalie's procedure goes well. (((hugs)))Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15600433643318115707noreply@blogger.com