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Post by formyloveof on Nov 11, 2014 13:57:37 GMT
Hi guys! Still trying to figure out the forums and how to participate in the mentorship program. I know yesterday was design day but if anyone could take a look and make suggestions I'd appreciate it!
Formyloveof.net
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Post by slapdashmom on Nov 11, 2014 21:21:51 GMT
Welcome, and thanks for participating! Your blog looks like it's off to a great start. A few things I notice right away: The colors don't really jive for me. It's colorful, which is great, but the sidebar has sparkly gold social media buttons, while the header has dull gold/browns. I personally love the pink and teal. When I land on your page, the main thing I notice is the big ad on the right hand side. Unless you're making a LOT of cash with that, I'd get rid of it and move everything else up. Ads are designed to take people away from your blog - and that's fine if you're making big bucks - but just think about that in terms of your traffic, bounce rate, etc. We want people to stick around! I really like that you have so many posts featured on the front page. Gives me lots to choose from. Your pictures are nice, great job! The black bar up top doesn't really match with the rest of the site, and I think having the ad AND the bar is a bit much. I'd choose whichever one is more valuable, and just use one of them. Good luck! Looks like you're off to a great start!
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Post by Nile Flores on Nov 12, 2014 14:17:12 GMT
I agree with Sadie... however, only put it there later down the road. Right now, it's doing nothing for you and a lot of new site owners don't realize that they need to build a following first before even thinking that they can monetize. In fact, some of the big companies like Izea (for PayPerPost) won't even let new bloggers in until they have 21 posts and have been up for at least 90 days because... there's no money to be made. Heading - You may want to clean it up as some of it looks pixellated. Also, the thick gray line is only on the right, rather than aligned centered. I don't mind the font you used, but in the actual menu, it looks a bit odd. Some of it is off the line. Your reading font is too small. Standard is 12 pixels, and that is on Arial and Helvetica. Some places are suggesting that we should be using a 14 pixel font for those with eye issues. Sidebar- social icons are squished together. Add a padding to each. Footer- You're using a different font for the titles. You may want to keep consistent with your font titles throughout your theme. You're on your way and have a great set up with this so far.
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Post by jdaniel4smom on Nov 12, 2014 23:28:23 GMT
I would move your add down. I get that you want it above the fold, but I think you should sell yourself first. You might wan to group your ads more. It would be easier to find your information.
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Post by Katrina on Nov 12, 2014 23:51:25 GMT
Hello and welcome! Nice blog!
I agree with the other ladies for the most part.
I was a little distracted by the font--the A's and the V's and the W's--I thought at first maybe you italicized them but then realized it was the font. I found it a bit difficult to read smoothly.
I love the teal and pink too, and would suggest sticking to those colors (but that's just my minimalistic-design-loving opinion!)
Also--I didn't view your site on a mobile device, but I'm wondering how your sidebar welcome/explore/subscribe/button widget works on mobile. Personally, I'd love to see your welcome & picture & blurb about the site as a static widget at the top without having to switch tabs.
And also maybe consider getting your navigation bar to just 1 line to clean it up a bit and make it more symmetrical--maybe having the Disclaimer and As Seen On links as a dropdown under About?
I'm wondering if you even need a footer area--you could move some of that to your sidebar to make it easier to see and get to. Especially your affiliates, since I'm sure you want people clicking on those.
Just my two cents! Nice pictures & posts!
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