Review My Blog Design

12 years ago

I like the design, but find it a bit crowded. Your sidebars are the main root of the problem - you don't need two. It takes up a lot of width that your reader's eyes should be seeing content on.

I'd suggest merging them into one - you don't need a few things on there. The categories, for example, is rarely ever used and can therefore be used. To quote David Risley, "Just because there is a widget for it doesn't mean you have to use it" .

In my opinion, Blogger isn't a great platform, but you seem to be doing decently with it. It's also smart to narrow down on the number of social profiles buttons you show - you don't need six.

I really like everything except for the content area size. I'm fairly sure that your sidebars, combined, are larger than the content area. That's a no-no.

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slimderek

12 years ago

Originally Posted by WebsiteBegin

I like the design, but find it a bit crowded. Your sidebars are the main root of the problem - you don't need two. It takes up a lot of width that your reader's eyes should be seeing content on.

I'd suggest merging them into one - you don't need a few things on there. The categories, for example, is rarely ever used and can therefore be used. To quote David Risley, "Just because there is a widget for it doesn't mean you have to use it" .

In my opinion, Blogger isn't a great platform, but you seem to be doing decently with it. It's also smart to narrow down on the number of social profiles buttons you show - you don't need six.

I really like everything except for the content area size. I'm fairly sure that your sidebars, combined, are larger than the content area. That's a no-no.

I'd really like to remove the sidebars with categories,
but i really don't know html.
would be glad if you can help

Thanks
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WebsiteBegin

12 years ago

Originally Posted by slimderek

I'd really like to remove the sidebars with categories,
but i really don't know html.
would be glad if you can help

With Blogger? There should be a widgets organizer on there somewhere. I'm not entirely great at Blogger, but I know HTML and CSS, so I should be able to help you remove it either way. Look for either a layout or widget organizer - it should exist.

If not, I found a great tutorial that should help. I personally recommend the use of WordPress, but I'll be able to help if needed after viewing that tutorial. (;

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slimderek

12 years ago

Originally Posted by WebsiteBegin

With Blogger? There should be a widgets organizer on there somewhere. I'm not entirely great at Blogger, but I know HTML and CSS, so I should be able to help you remove it either way. Look for either a layout or widget organizer - it should exist.

If not, I found a great tutorial that should help. I personally recommend the use of WordPress, but I'll be able to help if needed after viewing that tutorial. (;

Hi
That tutorial didn't quite go with what i wanted to do
I wanted To remove that sidebar that has category widget on it entirely, and not just the widget
Then use the space for my post areas.
Thanks

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tmanifold

12 years ago

Originally Posted by WebsiteBegin

I like the design, but find it a bit crowded. Your sidebars are the main root of the problem - you don't need two. It takes up a lot of width that your reader's eyes should be seeing content on.

I'd suggest merging them into one - you don't need a few things on there. The categories, for example, is rarely ever used and can therefore be used. To quote David Risley, "Just because there is a widget for it doesn't mean you have to use it" .

In my opinion, Blogger isn't a great platform, but you seem to be doing decently with it. It's also smart to narrow down on the number of social profiles buttons you show - you don't need six.

I really like everything except for the content area size. I'm fairly sure that your sidebars, combined, are larger than the content area. That's a no-no.

That was the first thing that jumped out at me too. Also light gray on white may make it hard to read for some people and that may be enough to have them leave your site.

On the other hand, blogger can be just fine. I run two of my blogs on blogger. It just takes some time to figure out the tricks. It also works awesome with all the google web tools like adsense, analytics and webmaster tools.

Thanks

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ALicenseToCode

12 years ago

Originally Posted by slimderek

Hi Everyone
I just changed the template of my blog and done some new configs
I need reviews so i can know what and what to work on..
Please Feel free to say whatever you wish to.
The url is The Tech Journal -Technology, Blogging Tips, Gadgets, Mobile Tips...

I would highly recommend you cut down on the ads and cut out the second right hand column. Start out with a design that emphasizes your CONTENT, a simple 2 column layout with a right hand nav is great for that.

You should also get an optin for a newsletter on your site and start capturing emails, those will be much more valuable in the long run then cpm ads as long as you keep up with your visitors.

Hope this helps!

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slimderek

12 years ago

Thanks For your reviews I really do appreciate

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jaasmit

12 years ago

Your site is cool. But the background of the site looks like empty or something missing because of it's pure white background.

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MattSabia

12 years ago

I really like the template you've chosen, but it's so crowded and cluttered. Loose the 3 column layout and try to make it a bit more simple. The header can be a bit more lively and attractive too. Other than those two things that's pretty much it. Just make some more reading space.

Thanks
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slimderek

12 years ago

Originally Posted by MatthewSabia

I really like the template you've chosen, but it's so crowded and cluttered. Loose the 3 column layout and try to make it a bit more simple. The header can be a bit more lively and attractive too. Other than those two things that's pretty much it. Just make some more reading space.

Thanks
would work on it

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slimderek

12 years ago

No reply?
Anyone?

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Brad Stephens

12 years ago

Definitely too crowded, I would take a look at the themes over at theme forest.
They really are great however you do have to buy them.

You have a great short domain name, however the articles are all squashed into the left side of the site.

Definitely look at a theme that will show your articles a bit more, because the people that are coming to your site are coming to read the articles, right? They aren't coming to look at your sidebar.

Thanks

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antac

Banned 12 years ago

Personally, I think the colors and layout really suit the purposes of the site, it's themed to match well. Agree with the ease in navigation and hey, all those other image sites suck, anyway. Nice work.

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Evocess

12 years ago

Your site is good. But for the layout I would suggest to remove sidebar "Categories".
Just make it more simple. Add some graphics to your site it is just pure white.

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slimderek

12 years ago

Thanks everyone for your reviews
I really do appreciate

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jaasmit

12 years ago

I really liked your blog. It's pretty good. But i honestly feel that you should add far more contents in it and make it more attractive as you can.

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GforceSage

12 years ago

Hey Derek,

The site looks great. I think the ads are fine, not a big deal.

I would add color to the top of the site though. Your header does not grab any attention. Now it may be true that you don"t want any attention taken away from the content, but you also should avoid looking too sterile. A little color to better highlight or divide your links on the top of the page would be more appealing/warmer to the eye without disrupting the flow of the sites design.

Best of luck with the site!

GforceSage

Thanks
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slimderek

12 years ago

Originally Posted by GforceSage

Hey Derek,

The site looks great. I think the ads are fine, not a big deal.

I would add color to the top of the site though. Your header does not grab any attention. Now it may be true that you don"t want any attention taken away from the content, but you also should avoid looking too sterile. A little color to better highlight or divide your links on the top of the page would be more appealing/warmer to the eye without disrupting the flow of the sites design.

Best of luck with the site!

GforceSage

Hello thanks for your review
I'd really like to add a black color to the top of the blog
but i really don't know how to go aboutt it
I'm kinda new to html
Thanks

Thanks
1 reply

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tmanifold

12 years ago

Originally Posted by slimderek

Hello thanks for your review
I'd really like to add a black color to the top of the blog
but i really don't know how to go aboutt it
I'm kinda new to html
Thanks

Go to templates, customize and advanced. There you can change to color of the header or any other part of your page.

Thanks

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Nolimit2it

12 years ago

I'll agree with the majority of the early posters... bit "busy" and the most important main content gets buried and lost amongst the side bars.
Removing the most right side sidebar and widening the main content area would go a long way to making it more readable and enjoyable.
I take it you are using the freely hosted Blogger platform with the MagPress free Blogger template MagPress Blogger template - BTemplates. As far as I can see there is no way to change that built-in 3 column (two sidebar/one content) layout with out some major php code hacking of the template.
Have you considered using a different blogger template that supports only 1 sidebar such as MxS Blogger template - BTemplates or MetroBTK Blogger template - BTemplates or
ElegantZine Blogger template - BTemplates or
VeryMinimal Blogger template - BTemplates (love the layout on this one...)
BTW - the above links are NOT affiliate links in any way...

That would be an easier strategy than attempting to mess with the template code of your original blogger template

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slimderek

12 years ago

Originally Posted by GforceSage

Hey Derek,

The site looks great. I think the ads are fine, not a big deal.

I would add color to the top of the site though. Your header does not grab any attention. Now it may be true that you don"t want any attention taken away from the content, but you also should avoid looking too sterile. A little color to better highlight or divide your links on the top of the page would be more appealing/warmer to the eye without disrupting the flow of the sites design.

Best of luck with the site!

GforceSage

Hello thanks for your review
I'd really like to add a black color to the top of the blog
but i really don't know how to go aboutt it
I'm kinda new to html
Thanks

Thanks
1 reply

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fileppoa 12 years ago

Cool site, good presentation. All are perfect and I like this.
- Thanks
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slimderek

12 years ago

Thank You for your review

Thanks

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slimderek

12 years ago

Thanks to everyone who reviewed
I really appreciate

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mgs4

12 years ago

I'd suggest using another theme.. you can find a better looking premium theme, easy to use and customize. Check the top websites/blogs in this industry and you will get the feeling what best to use..

PS: would be better to remove those footer links..

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trotterstraders

12 years ago

i like it but agree a little clutterd and logo/name of the site could prob do with being a bit larger imo

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avi619

12 years ago

The elements are all fine but their placement is not good. The adsense ads, categories, search, etc are not at the right places. PM me for proper placement because I can't describe very elaborately here.

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zigzag007

12 years ago

I believe you need a more professional looking logo.

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gracepmc

12 years ago

Hi -- Liked your content. Good value. Wish there was more of it. I'm a newbie so I'll stick with what I know as a user. It appears cluttered to the eye, but you have gotten solid advice from others. What bothered me the most was the logo - I love script and pretty writing but I couldn't tell if it was Tech Jay ,Tech Tay, Tech Guy. 2 cents. Good show.