16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Changing theme on an established blog - Good idea?

by KenJ
14 replies
My favourite and best blog in terms of income looks very old and tired. When I set it up a year ago I had no idea how to manipulate themes and add graphics.

Now I want to change the theme and set it up to look more professional. Will this badly affect my traffic or not?

I will also be using the widgets functionality which I have not done up to now.

All the posts and pages will stay the same as they are excellent (Though I say so myself)

Any insight on this would be appreciated

Thanks

Kenj
#blog #changing #established #good #idea #theme
  • Profile picture of the author BlogBrowser
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[736742].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author elle56
    Same here. I couldn't remember the number of times I changed themes. It didn't affect my traffic. Some visitors appreciated the makeover. A more professional look would be great, methinks.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[737060].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
    The blog with the highest traffic on the planet also
    happens to be the ugliest... bar none.

    DRUDGE REPORT 2009®

    I thing it's more about the content.

    Tsnyder
    Signature
    If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[737074].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author RevenueGal
      I think if its an improvement, that's going to add value to your site. Whenever I visit a site and they've changed their theme, it's uplifting (unless they've changed it to some dark, gloomy theme with hard to read letters. lol)
      Signature

      ~ Rhonda White
      Sell Information Products - Five FREE Products
      PLRContentShop.com ~ Quality PLR Content on SALE ==>> Plus, FREE GRAPHICS & IMAGES!

      YourFreeGift.org ~ Receive a Free Trip to Heaven! (Money can't buy it!)

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[737127].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BlogBrowser
      Banned
      [DELETED]
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[739066].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Tsnyder
        Originally Posted by BlogBrowser View Post

        God, that site looks 1995 or something!
        Yes... and it gets millions of visitors each month... has
        for a long time.

        Like I said... it's about content. Give people the info they
        want and they won't even notice the background.

        Tsnyder
        Signature
        If you knew what I know you'd be doing what I do...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[739096].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Nahar
          Originally Posted by Tsnyder View Post

          Like I said... it's about content. Give people the info they
          want and they won't even notice the background.
          Very good point and a great example. I would add this though. Until you have built the relationship with your market and have established your brand - do your best to get their attention and try to look the best you can. People often make decisions based on their feelings. It's like in marriage. Before she says 'I do' you might have to attend gym and stuff but once you are married it doesn't matter anymore, right?
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[739168].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author entry
    Originally Posted by kenj View Post

    My favourite and best blog in terms of income looks very old and tired. When I set it up a year ago I had no idea how to manipulate themes and add graphics.

    Now I want to change the theme and set it up to look more professional. Will this badly affect my traffic or not?

    I will also be using the widgets functionality which I have not done up to now.

    All the posts and pages will stay the same as they are excellent (Though I say so myself)

    Any insight on this would be appreciated

    Thanks

    Kenj
    Good question, and has been somthing I have wounderd about for a while.

    I only thought changing the themse would alter tags, h1, keyword etc, as each template is different,
    Signature
    I Have to say a Massive...THANK YOU to every Warrior who has helped me, and thanks to every warrior who helps me in the future...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[737155].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Malachi Kelly
    To be honest its all about testing if I gave my site a face lift and my conversions drop I'd soon revert back.

    But generally a new look and feel can only be a plus point to a long standing blog.
    Signature
    Marketing on the Go Podcast Series
    FREE Marketing Audio Books

    Learn How To Make Ethical Income Online
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[737188].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author krislisa
    YES, AND JUST TRY OTHER FOR IMPROVEMENT...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[737325].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KenJ
      Thanks guys and girls

      I will go ahead with the facelift and watch the stats just in case.
      Thanks for the replies.

      It reminds me of something a teacher used to say to me

      "If statistics prove anything - and statistics prove that they do......"

      Kenj
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[738958].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author zoobie
    yes I do change themes all the time and they are not that hard
    especially if you have just the content on your page. By the way,
    for true suggestion, may be you can post your link here and have
    us taking a look.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[739173].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author nicalyngroup
      Thanks for asking this Ken. I was wondering the same thing since I have been considering having a custom theme created for my blog.

      I also liked Shlomi's advice to gather input from your readers. Great way to make them feel as if they're part of the blog.

      Sean
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[739458].message }}

Trending Topics