In this episode of the Business Blogging podcast I take you behind the scenes of a major blog redesign that took me over 100 hours to complete.
I switched from the WooThemes Fresh News theme to the Studiopress Genesis framework from Copyblogger media.
I gotta say, I’m happy with the results; and today I’m here to take you through the questions I asked myself before I started redesigning. We’ll talk about some things to consider to make sure you’re creating a usable site.
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On to you..
So what do you think about the new design? Are you thinking about designing (or redesigning) your own blog? What other questions do you have about blog themes and usability?
Leave your questions and feedback in the comments section below. Take care
Hector
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Hi Hector,
I love your new blog design. It’s neat and clean and the fact is that you are now using the Genesis Framework which Brian Clark, Darren Rowse and others are using.
Anyway, I noticed that you’ve recently get your product into the market and I was motivated by your achievements. I want to also have a podcast on my blog but I still need to exercise my English Speaking ability. Lol!
Another thing is that, I recently read an article that most (if not all) internet Marketers are LIARS. Do you believe about this issue? If you don’t mind, read the whole info over this link http://tinyurl.com/4ax7fwg
It was a guest post over Blog Engage and it was really intriguing to me and also to other commentators. If you don’t mind, please join us on the conversation and let us know your thoughts about it. I am thinking that your ideas are credible and we love to hear from you.
Once again, great new blog design. God Bless!
Cheers!
- Felix
Felix Albutra´s last post ..If You Want To Make Money- Then Join This Blogging Contest!
Thanks Felix.. I was looking at Thesis before this one, but the showcase on the Studiopress site is filled with amazing looking sites, so I had to pick this one..
I’ll check that link.. but you could have just said it was yours and you wanted me to check it out …Lol
Hector,
The blog looks beautiful. I must confess i plan on stealing all your layout ideas. I promise i’ll link back to you though.
Caleb.. thanks a lot and steal anything you want. I think it’s a smart move. I also looked at elements from some of my favorite sites before I did the redesign.
Great look Hector!!
I love the clean look and feel. The colors are strong and confident. Blue, especially darker blues, give a feeling of authority and trust.
Beautiful job. Looking forward to digging into your pages and posts!
Heather
PS. Awesome podcast too. Great questions to ask ourselves!
Heather C Stephens´s last post ..Join the Clever Marketer Mastermind Community- Blog Commenting Tribe!
Hey Heather.. thanks for the great response, really appreciate it. I guess it helps that blue is my favorite color Lol..
glad you enjoyed the podcast, too
Hi Hector,
Have been anticipating for your new look ever since i saw the under maintenance message. This is really great. You have shown a very good example of letting your content standing out. I like the usage of colors too which reflects your authority as what Heather had mentioned above.
100 + hours of work is worth it men. You are killing it with another awesome work.
Keep up the good work brother.
Lye Kuek Hin´s last post ..What We Are Lacking To Become A Leader In Our Niche
Lye.. that maintenance message was there for quite a while (longer than I had anticipated) – but I think it was worth it too. It also let me slow down and reflect. I felt rushed and not in a state of flow for months and those 5 days of design work re-energized me somehow.
thanks for the comment
Hector
What’s going on man? I’m really digging this new look! Greta job!
I came over to your site a few times this week and every time I got hit with the maintenance message. I started to wonder if something was wrong but the wait was well worth it!
This post is so timely for me. I think I mentioned to you a few weeks back that I had an interest in redesigning my blog. Well, I’ve been working with a developer I hired over the last few weeks and things are going great. In fact, I think we will be releasing my new blog design in the next few days.
Thanks for the podcast Hector, although I had already put some thought into most of the questions you covered there were a few that I did have to go back and answer to make sure I was going to be providing the best experience for my audience.
Looks like your future clients are going to get some awesome designs with your use of the genesis framework!
Hector Avellaneda´s last post ..How To Gain Spousal Support As An Internet Entrepreneur
Hec.. what’s up
Thanks a lot bro, really appreciate your comment. Definitely let me know when your redesign is ready (send me an email) so I can go check it out..
Yup! ..I learned so much about wordpress functions, PHP and CSS in those 5 days that my clients are gonna be very happy with the work I do for them.. so it was well worth it..
Thanks for stopping by
Hey Hector,
I was wondering where were you for so many days. I like your new blog design. This is refreshing for a change. Premium theme always works as one should have professional looking blog. I checked out your site few days ago and I saw the maintainence message. Great tips as always from you Hector. I am going everything as you said like removing unwanted application/ pages, may be changing logo design. I have a little redesigning to do on the blog.
Thanks for the podcast.
lali
Hey Lali… thanks for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast. I tried to go with a more professional look and feel to the site and like I said, make it easier for visitors to find content.
Removing widgets, plugins and pages is part of that process of cleaning up. wish you the best
Nice re-design, I must honestly say that this new theme is easy and looks better than the one although the other one fine too.
BTW, why did you opt to use the RSS logo next to your main logo? I like the idea.
Cheers,
Peter Hutyr
Peter Hutyr´s last post ..My Online Passive Income Progress
Thanks Pete.. my previous design started off good but then got way too crowded. It felt like everything was battling for your attention. So this design is like I said, focused on creating a better experience and easier navigation for the visitors.
The reason for the RSS logo was mainly because I talk about using a wordpress blog to build and audience, and grow a business – so it just felt right Plus the colors sort of match the orange buttons. Lol
Hector,
You are back – I was already worried to see that maintenance text on your blog for too long
Anyway, I like the new look of your blog.
Looking forward to use UsableDesigns, when I need my blog redesigned.
Cheers,
Timo
Yea Timo.. it took me a while but I’m glad you like the new look. Whenever you’re ready, you let me know :0)
Hi Hector,
Your new blog theme is very good looking. My blog has some design deficiencies and I am planning to change it in future.
I want to point out one thing in your design that REPLY appears twice after every comment! Please check it out!
nazimwarriach´s last post ..Hostgator Coupon Code
Nazim.. thanks for the comment and thanks for pointing that out. I had threaded comments activated, so I uninstalled it and now it’s fine.
Hi Hector,
I can vouch for the Genesis theme, they just released their Dynamic Grids.You can also update the theme by one click of the mouse. No need to FTP.
My favorite child themes are Lifestyle and Magazine.
Gerry
Genesis really blew me away at the ease of use, AND the support in the forum is outstanding. They have answers for everything over there. One click updates are awesome.
I haven’t experimented with other themes, but I just might soon enough
Mate – the new look is awesome, Clean as and much more professional looking.
As for the time it took you – thats not too bad at all.
I was looking at Genesis but then I found something even better – stay tuined for a rebuild competition LOL
Alex@make money with amazon´s last post ..How I Won My First Client The True Value of Free
Thanks bro.. Oh you didn’t think my other one was professional – What are you trying to say huh?? Lol –
No, I agree. The other design was getting way too crowded. Too many things battling for visitors attention and way to many colors.
Better than Genesis??? I gotta see this!!
Hector, wow, love the look man. Super clean, very effective. Well done.
Marcus
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion´s last post ..How to Will Success into Your Life…One Blog Article at a Time
Thanks Marcus.. clean and effective. Exactly what I was going for. :0)
I love your web design. It’s simple, and easy to find any post what you have posted. Honestly, I feel disturbed with ads that you tide if I want to read your post. I hope you consider to move on it to the place that’s not interfering the reader.
DailyAppNews´s last post ..NoteMaster iPhone App with Google Docs Syncing
Hey.. thanks for the comment – Not sure which AD you’re talking about. If it’s the Popup that shows up – don’t worry about that for the next 15 days. That’s how I have it set up for now, while I test.
Hector, it’s my first time to your blog so I can’t comment on how the new design compares to the old one. However the design now looks great. Professional looking and easy to navigate. Also makes it easy on the eyes to read the posts. Will be back for sure.
Hey Benny,
Thanks the comment. I appreciate what u said. I’m glad getting around the site is easy and I hope to see you around soon. Thanks again for stopping by.
Hector
Hector
I’ve been thinking about upgrading my theme for awhile now. I can’t decide whether to go with Studiopress or Thesis. I noticed you said it took you 100 hours to do your redesign. What did you spend the most time on. I want to be able to give my theme a personalized look. Was that difficult to do in Sudiopress?
Thanks
Liz
Hi Liz,
what exactly would you like to know?
I guess I can help you
I just have to tell you how much I really enjoy rediscovering your blog about blogging basic and essential tips. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
I like the Studiopress Genesis Framework but I am already using a premium WordPress theme: Thesis theme. Thesis theme is SEO-friendly and customizable so I greatly recommend it.
The new design turned out perfect. There is good choice of colors and it really does look neat and organized. You really did a great job on this.