If you read ‘My Goals For StandOutBlogger In 2009‘ post, you would have noticed that one of my goals was:
I will redesign SOB by the end of July 2009, to increase conversion and monetization, while making it easier for visitors to find and read information.
Well I capped out our broadband internet for the month yesterday so I’m currently on 56k til the 1st of January – so I decided to make a start on achieving my first goal before the year even starts (is that cheating? :P).
I have currently designed the majority of the index page and the individual post page, and a very select few have already had a preview – but now I want to open it up to a little bit larger of a focus group to help me fine tune the design so that it has everything that a ‘Stand Out’ blog needs.
But I’m Not Posting Pictures Here
I have a couple of reason for not wanting to show everyone at the moment, and here are the main reason:
- To Many People, Too Many Opinions
If I post pictures here, I will get a lot of people looking at my initial concepts and each will have their own opinions. I would rather have a select few regular readers – who I know will give me feedback that is in the best interest of StandOutBlogger. - Preview Now, No Buzz Later
If I show everyone the design now, when it is finally completed (which could be another month or so) there will be no surprise and no buzz regarding the new design.
So How Do You Get A Preview?
Well sometime tomorrow (Sunday), I will be emailing the design concepts to the subscribers of StandOutBlogger Underground. Currently 50 people will be getting a preview of my new blog design – as well as my reasoning and thoughts on designing a blog theme that ‘stands out’.
Would You Give Me Your Feedback?
If you would like to preview my new blog concept for StandOutBlogger, and give me your highly valued feedback, then please subscribe to StandOutBlogger Underground before Sunday!
What’s Your Favourite Blog Theme Feature?
I absolutely love looking at blog designs, and the different features that each of them have! I have seen a whole heap of creative ideas (some of which I have tried to impliment into the new design), and I think it would be great if you could comment with your favourite blog design feature on a blog that you have seen.
Let me give you an example:
One thing I think is an extremely good idea for converting new readers into RSS or email list subscribers is to have a reminder to subscribe at the bottom of each post. This way they have just read your great content and are more likely to subscribe that just by seeing a button in your sidebar.
Check out the following blogs posts page to see some great examples:
- Jim Kukral – Subscribe to my dads rss feed image
- Caroline Middlebrook – Offering Bloggers Bible for email address
- Yoast.com – What More WordPress Tips?
Anyway, feel free to share your favourite blog theme feature…
please send me too
i am ready to review :D
ProBlogineers last blog post..Merry Christmas To BlogoSphere
I wanted you know that I don’t think your opt-in form to this post is working because I tried to submit my information and a 404 error page came up. I just thought that I would let you know.
Donny-Linkersblog.coms last blog post..A Little Holiday Link Building Love!
Donny – that was my mistake. It still works, I just had the success page link wrong.
56k has got to be like living in a stone age.
wisdom – It is excruciatingly painful! At the moment Im trying to get up at 5am to get a couple of hours of off-peak internet at normal speed before it all slows to 56k.
I AM SO EAGER TO REVIEW YOUR NEW DESIGN. HOPE YOU’LL SEND ME THE SAME.
Hi Dollar Dude – The only people getting to review the design are those who have subscribed to StandoutBlogger Underground. To make sure you get a preview subscribe using the ‘name and email’ form in the post! :D
Now this is cool, I’m glad I’m a subscriber!
I know this is “old news”, but from serious experience, i know having certain things above the fold as well as under the post EXPONENTIALLY raises subscriptions and sign-ups.
Dennis Edells last blog post..$100 First Prize! The *Best Blog Review Contest* Is In Full Effect!
I would love to review your new design, but I’m just swamped with my other work – I’ll let you know if it lets up for sure though!!! I personally love your current blog design, so I’m not complaining either way hehehe
Taris Janitenss last blog post..Humor Week Continues! FUNNY PICTURES!
Dennis – I look forward to your thoughts on the design. Yea, above the fold is very important, and my new design puts a lot of focus on making sure certain content is above the fold.
Taris – I like my current theme also, but it is missing a few things and I wanted to optimise a few others – so I figured it was time for change!
I look forward to seeing and reviewing the new design that you’re working on. I’m pretty sure it’ll “standout”.
One of the things that I want but couldn’t find a theme for was a Featured Post kind of column on the frotn page towards the top so visitors can immediately focus on a new post, then afterwards if they choose tour my site and check out the older posts. I’m still trying to make this work with a theme I’m currently trying to implement for the new year as well.
Happy Holidays!
Pheak Tols last blog post..Have You Been Banned or Penalized by Google?
Pheak – thanks for subscribing! You get an email shortly. Featured post is actually something that I have implimented into the new design!
Now I really can’t wait to see what you got in store for the new design, this is great!
Pheak Tols last blog post..Have You Been Banned or Penalized by Google?
Glad I’m already subscribed…one less thing I have to put on my “to do” list AND I get to see the sneak preview :)
Nicks last blog post..I Found Two More Feeds To Subscribe To
I already subscribed. (the email I subscribed is a bit different than the email I commented here, just add + filter to gmail)
I want to give a review
I am a web designer and if you want, you may contact me via my email, i will give you my honest opinion. :)
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Just letting everyone know that I have just sent out the blog design concept to all SOB Underground Subscribers, if you did not sign up in time, feel free to still sign up and just let me know the email you used and ill make sure you get a preview also!
I hope you would include reply to comment in the new theme
Polls on recent topics/news/etc
and don’t remove your SOB Commentators widget.
Just signed up :)
Cheers!
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VERY VERY smart way to gain more RSS subscribers, but this is why I really dislike feedburner’s ability to allow e-mails as a +1 count. A reader should have a choice rather than having to do it for something.
Another thing is you may lose a lot of good opinions by this.
-Mike
Mike – It’s not signing up for feedburner, its a Aweber list, and the reason I didnt release it to everyone to view, is because then where is the surprise when it’s launched? :D
subscribed to the email..i hope i am not too late to view your design….
ZK@Internet Marketing Blogs last blog post..Wish You a Happy & Prosperous 2009
ZK – I’m just working on a few changes based on feedback so far. I’ll be emailing a new concept out later today. So you will get that! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Interlink key terms in posts to articles discussing the terms is great way to promote other content on your site. There is a great word press plugin for this. Showing the most relative and recent infromation to users depending on what page they are visiting and where they came from would also be a good option.