Under Construction… What Do You Think?
Posted on 12. May, 2009 by forest_parks in News
This is just a quick post to ask your opinions before I spend all my time modifying the new theme that I have installed here at Real Blogging Tips.
So here goes:
What do you think of the theme and it’s layout?
Do you like the colors?
What important elements should be easy to access?
I hope to add a new logo (not designed yet!!), latest tweets, and a mailing list sign up form in the coming days.
Thanks and look forward to your feedback.
Thanks,
Forest.
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I think that it is better. Recently I have switched a to premium theme and it looks better on my site. However I am still experimenting with different themes since I have paid 16 themes for the price of one.
Paulubiadass last blog post..Christian Bautista in on a hospital
Thanks for being the first to give me some feedback here
Your blog looks fairly clean, a few small things to sort out (just like me with this blog).
Looks good Ben!
Dunc Wilsons last blog post..I Ved
Thanks George.
The colors look good. Eagerly awaiting a logo. You do great design work. The layout looks good and the order of info.
Thanks CD Rates,
I’m a little stumped on the logo but have a basic idea for a temp logo which should go up today.
Hey,
To be honest, i like the layout but colors need a re-thinking.
cheers
atul g.
atuls last blog post..Start a Professional Blog (Part 1)
Thanks Atul… I just relaised I never replied to you!
Yes I have a suggestion;
Your Blogroll is incomplete – Add my blog name in it
kidding.
frankly speaking previous version of this site was more stylish then this.
This is very simple and dose not establish a STANDOUT kind of image about you. Since you are master coder and designer so you have to convey this thing to your reader through your theme design and style.
Shanker Bakshis last blog post..Here is Your Lethal Money Making Tool
Hey thanks Shanker…. This theme has just been installed as the bones of what I (slowly) want to do.
I pulled everything back down to simplicity for usability reasons and wanted to concentrate more on the graphics rather than filling up with widgets and things.
It seems from some of the comments below that the colours are not a hit at all so this needs to be addresses plus making it much more my own, as you said.
As for the blogroll link…. as you asked, sure. What anchor text would you like?
Hey, Your link has been added, I just used your name.
Hey Thanks a ton buddy for BlogRoll Link. Anchor text Shanker Bakshi will works.Thanks again.
Shanker Bakshis last blog post..Networking Tips To Make You A Better Blogger
I think it still needs some work. Basically something to make it your own, either a unique header at the top or a bold colour scheme so that readers are always reminded that they’re reading your blog and not one of many that are using the same theme.
Also the white padding in your sidebar seems a little big but I just like things trim
Dot Com Duds last blog post..3 Way Linking
Thanks, new header was planned but I am having trouble working out what I want!! Always trouble with my own projects….
As for color scheme, I always like red and black so wondering if that would work…
This is very simple and dose not establish a STANDOUT kind of image about you. Since you are master coder and designer so you have to convey this thing to your reader through your theme design and style.
Ok Underfloor heating….. Next comment that is just garbage or copied then you are banned from commenting and all previous comments will be deleted. Just come by, tell us your name and give a genuine comment and you get to stay
The site looks excellent. I came to visit today and saw it for the first time.. it’s really sleek – really nice! Everything seems a lot clearer to read!!!
Thanks Olga… I hope you like the changes that I will be making too!
I kinda like the new look..I like the top menu system now the colour scheme though … I dunno baby blue and white make me feel sleepy :p
Looks great so far though
Donace | TheNexuss last blog post..Traffic Android Review
Thanks Donace,
I’m thinking red and black…
The colours could be more intense in the body but everyone likes things their own way I guess. It would be nice to see something a little interesting in the header. I love the footer, I could enjoy seeing a lot more black throughout the site. Looking forward to seeing the changes if you make any.:)
Michelle Adamss last blog post..Domain Name Keywords – Do They Matter?
Hey Michelle good to see you,
Yeah I have a lot of changes that I would like to make but just wanted some general feedback on the theme before I started spending too much time on it…..
As I said above I am think Red and Black and obviously a few colors in between.
As for the header I am kind of stuck for imagery!! I know I supposed to be a designer but my own personal projects always stump me!
“Thanks, new header was planned but I am having trouble working out what I want!! Always trouble with my own projects….”
Remember? The cobblers children never have shoes.
I noticed at one point a few months ago that the best-looking site I had created belonged to a client of mine – and it was a client I didn’t even like! That’s when I started revamping my blogs. None of them are “totally there yet” but they are a lot closer. So I totally understand you regarding putting a framework here now, figuring out the header and the other tweaks in good time. I have to do the same, especially with so many blogs to update, revamp, and create these days, it is just unreal to spend all my time on any one of them. Particularly on final quibbles and details while there are so many others with much bigger issues.
That said, I like the theme very much in that it is easy to read and follow. It doesn’t make me feel confused when I look at it and it invites me to read the posts. The posts are not hard to read and I don’t have to squint or ward off distractions from my peripheral vision.
On the coloring – I agree. There is nothing really “wrong” with it per se, I just don’t like the colors they are a little jarring.
I almost feel like it if the coloring were more “forest” it would make me feel better – like, ah, yeah, this is “Forest’s Site.” And maybe you could even use that theme or concept for your header and logo when you create them?
Just a thought.
Now on the blogroll issue, since it was mentioned – I like your site and I want to link to you. If you consider me as well I would be humbly honored (blush).
I am putting you in here on my new blogroll (spaces added to break the link, I try to stay out of Akismet’s Locker): buildingfromnothing.com/links/
Hey Anna,
Thanks so much for the long thoughtful reply…. as for a blog roll link, of course. What anchor text would you prefer? I would like mine to say “Blogging Tips”.
Your site looks great and I have added myself to subscribe via email. So will look forward to reading and commenting.
I want to go with red and black but not sure how to proceed yet…. I wish days were 48 hours long and I needed less sleep
Oh just one other thing I noticed – the contrast between the text and the background in the comments areas is a bit low, a bit higher contrast would be easier to read! Just feedback
Annas last blog post..Finding the Best WordPress Theme for Your Blog
Thanks…. and definitely agreed.
Thank you Forest! LOL on the 48-hour days and less sleep. Don’t I know! Wrote a post about it in fact. I am glad you like my new theme.
“Building from Nothing” is fine for my link. It’s not keyword based but that’s okay. I will change your anchor text as soon as I can. The rain is wreaking havoc with my connection over here, so it might take a few tries. Very glad you subscribed and I want to start visiting over here more often as well …
Annas last blog post..Finding the Best WordPress Theme for Your Blog
Hi Anna,
I added your link…. Damn weather! I just had a few days of not being ale to get online much…. Very frustrating!
We seem to share a nemesis – do you also have a satellite connection?
Annas last blog post..Finding the Best WordPress Theme for Your Blog
I’m all over the place these days so my connection depends on where I am…. Last week I was using a Verizon wireless broadband thing that picked the net up from the cell phone signals.
Forests last blog post..Under Construction… What Do You Think?
I realise this is under construction.
One thing I noticed is that you are a nomad.
May I suggest that you chronicle your nomadic adventures in an online journal, such as a blog so that others can read of your circumstances and the challenges you face whilst homeless.
When you are settled, you can then compile it all into an book for general reading.
Perhaps even a movie deal or tv series may arise.
The point is that your circumstances would actually make for good reading, so I am suggesting to you that you begin a new blog detialing all that has happened since you decided to leave your homeland.
People have a macarbe interest in the misfortune of others.
However, it can also be a means of deriving revenue. Thus keeping you afloat until you set down your roots.
Make sense?
Jason
)
Hey Jason,
This is a great idea but I am yet to have success with a blog detailing my personal journey.
Also my nomadic situation is not unfortunate for me as it’s actually planned…. I have left Canada and am slowly traveling to move to Egypt where my partner will be doing her Masters in Woman’s Studies.
Thanks for coming by
… I really wish I could blog about my day to day life but I don’t think people would want to read about it too much!
i think, having a logo to signify your brand is so important for a blog. and including all those tweet updates and stuffs are wonderful for this creation.
hope this new look will drive more revenue for you bor.
elmots last blog post..Don’t Tell Me I Don’t Value My Family!
Hey Elmot,
I’m not looking for revenue right now, just a trustworthy and nic elook… I have been trying to work out a logo and have just been stumped!!
Great theme….
Thanks
Forests last blog post..Under Construction… What Do You Think?
Forest,
Like the idea, title and content. I think it could be a little more Web2.0 for blogging. The light blue is actually hard on the eyes for me, all clear may work better with highlights and rounded corners on the posts and sections. Some graphics would help and oh, where is the mailing list sign up?
RSS could be a larger highlite as well.
BTW perhaps a Twitter profile would help…and you haven’t added simplystephen50 to your twitter followers…pleasssssssssssse.
A good job all round though.
Hey Stephen,
Thanks for stopping by…. The changes you proposed are pretty much all planned and I am just tryin to find the inspiration for a logo right now!! I;m finding it hard to visualize an easy way to sum up Real Blogging Tips… My designer brain is failing me because it’s a personal project!!
know there is a new telescope under construction, they’re making a bunch of huge mirrors, and will eventually merge them together, making a huge super telescope, its being built somewhere isolated in the north or south pole..
wpmozs last blog post..WP My Gang
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Forests last blog post..Under Construction… What Do You Think?
The top header is taking a lot of space, it looks good but it is wasting a lot of space. As I have seen with many other blogs, you are the top commentator to your own blog (which is obvious), but should be taken care of. Your sidebar claims you are a dofollow blog but I think the plug-in is not working for you. We are dofollow can probably be moved down.
According to eye tracking studies, left sidebar is often an important real estate for blog, you are not using this space (I don’t use it on my blog either). Footer is cool.
Jeets last blog post..GetLinksPro.com – directory submissions
Thanks Jeet,
It may be a good idea to make the header smaller… I am thinking of putting the email signup on the right hand side.
I’ll have to check out the dofollow situation. I acquired this blog from Ben and to be honest have never checked it!!
Forests last blog post..Under Construction… What Do You Think?
Speaking of Ben… the feedburner email subscrip still has the heading Big Ben Patton place…remember to change that as well.
Also when you talk to Ben ask him to shoot me an email.
Thanks Donace, I was trying to work out how to change that.. I’m not sure that I can without starting a new feed and losing all you guys!
I’ll talk to Ben when I see him around.
You can change the title of the feed in the”Feed Edit” area and also in the email settings. The only thing you can’t change is the actual feed URL. I had to do the same thing when I moved my Building from Nothing to its new domain name.
Annas last blog post..Finding the Best WordPress Theme for Your Blog
Weirdly I changed this a while back… It’s just not reflecting in the feed!! Oh Well… I will have to do some digging and find out why….
Its because you have to change it in a few places. When you go into the “Email” area for that feed, check each of the settings (like branding, communication preferences, etc.” You will find all the leftovers from the old blog.
Annas last blog post..Finding the Best WordPress Theme for Your Blog
Thanks a million Anna… so obvious when you are in the know
Ben this new design looks heck alot better than your old one. The only issue I see with this one is your logo. You need a new logo that stands out. Use one of the good fonts and create a simple logo (search for typography inspiration) it would look nice with design.
Keep up the good work ..
Thanks Syed,
By the way I used your URL shortener the other day and it worked very nicely.
I’ve been mulling over the logo for a while and just want something that is simple and right…. It’s taking me much longer than it should and now I am going to be slammed with client work next week!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh.
Forests last blog post..Under Construction… What Do You Think?
Hey Everyone…. I just put up a link to a header idea in my new post. Please go take a look and let me know what you think: http://www.realbloggingtips.com/musically-motivated-monday-in-a-cage/
Wow, that header looks awesome
Very colourful and vibrant, but still quite easy on the eye and professional! Not sure how it would fit in with the current design (mainly due to the colours), but it is really cool 
Simon | Teeniuss last blog post..The Positives And Negatives Of Joint Ventures
Thanks a million Simon… The plan is to amend the colors to a more red / black range.
Forests last blog post..Musically Motivated Monday – In A Cage!
The theme (and the site in general) looks really good, dude
One thing I would say is to sort out the post box a bit on the homepage. I feel that the ’45 comments’ box sticks out a bit, and the title looks a little detached from the post.
That said, I do really like it. The colours are really soft and welcoming yet still professional, and the content you’re posting is awesome – I’ve added you to my ‘sites to check’ list
Simon | Teeniuss last blog post..The Positives And Negatives Of Joint Ventures
Thanks for adding me to your check list… This week I should be starting a case study on a niche blog ebook called the $5 formula (I really like the book).
I subbed to your blog via email.
Thanks for the theme feedback too. I will be changing the colors to reflect the new header design a little and also will slowly be tweaking things here and there.
Forests last blog post..Musically Motivated Monday – In A Cage!
Thanks for suscribing
I look forward to those posts and the theme changes
Simon | Teeniuss last blog post..The Positives And Negatives Of Joint Ventures
Thanks
It really looks elegant and good from the previous one . I like this layout very much from that one. Its too cool.
Thanks…
Looks awesome man; cant wait till all the tweaks are done and dusted!
Windshield Replacement Costs last blog post..Windshield Replacement Cost
Thanks I can;t wait either!
Thanks very much
Well, I’m a little late to the game here but I have to say I’m a fan of the changes. I always think a consistent color scheme and a clear, visible logo are great things to think about!