Is This the Right Look & Feel?

by Ryan M. Healy

in Blogging

As I mentioned yesterday, Andy Hagan’s post about linkbaiting mentioned the importance of formatting and packaging for attracting links. He says people link to good content, but not good content only. It must be good content that also looks good. In other words, whatever you write must be presented well.

I’ve resisted this to a degree, partially because I like to keep things simple (I’m no web designer, and don’t have time to become a Wordpress expert), and partially because I like my writing to stand on its own. (Do I really need to add a photo for every post?)

I’ve been watching a lot of blogs over the last three months. It seems like the blogs that rise the fastest and attract the most readers are those that have really strong designs that lend themselves to photos, interaction, and easy reading (lots of white space, plenty of subheads, etc.).

So maybe I should be paying more attention to the look and feel of this blog. I’ve gotten some compliments on the theme, but the feedback has been mixed. One person said they liked the old Typepad look and feel better. Another said they liked my old photo better (versus the new photo at the top right of this blog).

Not that I’m one to cave to a single person’s opinion. I’m not bothered if a small number of people dislike the way my blog looks. But it’s another thing entirely if many of my readers think I should switch things up with a new theme.

What’s your take? Do you like the Wordpress theme I’m currently using? Do you like the photo? Should this blog have more of a Web 2.0 look and feel? Would you like a photo with every post?

If you read this blog regularly, please leave a comment letting me know. Thanks in advance for your help.

-Ryan M. Healy

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  • David
    Just my opinion of course....but I think the font is to small. Its hard for me to read
  • No question Ryan -- I was disappointed the first time I came to this blog. I think it indirectly says, I'm not taking this serious, because if you were you'd put more time, perhaps money, into the look of the blog. Head and shoulders, your first blog is superior -- picture an all.

    Just my 2 cents,
    Shaune

    PS: Your brother Jared has done an awesome job revamping the look of my blog at shauneclarke.com -- I'm sure he can help you as well. : )
  • Hi Ryan,

    As a fella copywriter, I don't have the energy
    or patience to deal with pictures or a lot of
    graphics.

    As you can see, I also prefer short, lil
    lines!

    So, I like the cleanliness of your new blog,
    but I don't like the LONG lines ...

    they're harder to read, IMO.

    Your 'mug shot' looks just fine to me! :)

    Continued success,

    Carolyn
    http://www.kickasscopywriter.com
  • I agree with David. The font is a little small.

    The appearance of this blog is clean and straightforward though.

    Joseph
  • Hey Ryan,

    For what it's worth, I don't really like the design of this blog...

    I prefer the bigger fonts and readability of the more "web 2.0ish" blogs...

    Blogs I like:

    http://rayedwards.com/
    http://www.michelfortin.com/ <-- although this seems a little too "busy"
    http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/
    http://stomperblog.com/ <-- LOVE this one

    Good luck!
    Caleb
  • Hi Ryan,

    I like the overall look of the blog,
    but have to agree, the long line is a
    problem for me.

    It's nitpicky but perhaps knocking
    10 characters off would do the trick.

    Blog on, buddy!

    Chris
  • Hi Ryan,

    I like the look of your blog a lot. It's very clean and inviting.

    The new picture is great too. I think it shows your personality and who you are.

    Authenticity is important and I think your new blog displays your authenticity.

    I agree the line length could be 50 pixels smaller. It's really easy to edit the style sheet to accomplish that. I've done it and I know next to nothing about CSS or HTML.

    However, I also like centered pages. I don't like left justified pages like yours. It gives an unfinished feel to the site.

    Thanks for asking the questions. I'm building a blog using a pen name and need to take a second look at it. I like it but the skin style is too dark. I just haven't found one I like yet.

    Now I guess it's time for me to spend a little time finding a better set of skins. I'm using the K2 theme so you can apply a different skin to it without changing any of the other settings.

    Overall, I give your blog an A- or a B+.

    I do need my glasses to read it but that's true of 90% of the web anymore. Your font doesn't need to be over 12pt in my opinion.
  • Ryan, your content is still terrific. I feel that your previous blog layout was much more visually pleasing and accessible than the current layout. The previous blog was inviting, accessible and easy to read. The new blog's layout has a small font and looks more corporate.

    All The Best.

    Rob
  • nadin
    Hi Ryan,

    Honestly, the look is just "ok" , but it doesn't have a "personality" , if you know what I mean. And I do agree with the other people that the font is too small.

    You may consider a custom theme built around the image you want to portray!

    Nadin
  • Ryan,

    Decide what the objective for your blog is (and your ideal visitor) and then test something measurable against that goal. I'm not sure how you'd measure personal aesthetics if that's more important (maybe clicks on pictures?). If you're primary goal is to be useful/profitable, pick a metric (i.e. click through to resources, sign ups, etc.) and start keeping stats as best you can.

    Otherwise, it will be like trying to agree on pizza toppings amongst your closest 500 friends.

    Louis
  • Hi Ryan,

    I third the motion--the font is too small. Also I think a more complimentary picture of you could be found. Otherwise it's okay but I'm thinking perhaps I did like the old one better. But the content is good--content is king.

    Lisa
  • Hi Ryan,

    I like the simplicity overall but it could use a little snazzier header.

    My first thought, though, like several others I see -- the font should be no smaller than 12 pt. So larger font, shorter line length, for us skimmers.

    The picture is friendly, casual and fine in my opinion.

    Best,

    Becki
  • Hey Ryan,

    Personally, I read your blog for the content.

    You could have the butt-ugliest website in the world, and I wouldn't care.

    You could put a picture up of you wearing a pink bunny suit and giving us all the finger and I wouldn't care.

    The "beauty" (if I may use that word) of your blog design is it doesn't call attention to itself one way or the other. Which makes your content all that easier to digest and focus on.

    Ben

    P.S. I've seen studies showing that small font actually increases readership -- so I'd keep it. Unless, of course your tests show otherwise : )
  • Thank you all for your comments. Clearly, the number one concern is the font being too small.

    Hopefully, this new theme sufficiently addresses this issue. Also, the content is now centered. I may make a few more changes in the days/weeks ahead.

    If you have more feedback, please feel free to leave additional comments below. Thanks!
  • I like your new theme. It's perfect. There are very few distractions so I can focus on the content with ease.
  • Aaron - Thanks for the positive feedback. I'm glad you like this theme.

    Ben - Your comment made me laugh out loud. Thanks for making my day. :-)

    Now, where to find a pink bunny suit...
  • Faye
    Hi Ryan, your content and expertise is the only reason I subscribe but this template is much, much easier for me to read. I've always liked this theme, too. Chris Pearson did a good job with this one.
  • Richard
    Hi Ryan

    I love reading your blog. Right off the bat I wanted to complain loudly about the tiny font and long lines.

    This comes under my category of "fun stuff" and I hate having to strain my eyes (inceasing the font helps but still, more hassle).

    Please go easy on the design and graphics to keep it =fast= loading. I will deeply appreciate it.

    Keep up the good work!

    Richard
  • Chad
    Ryan,
    I like the new blog. It's simple. Not a lot of distractions. Not a mass of lines and text, graphics, etc. Some blogs I come across you don't know where to start.
    I come to your blog for the content anyway. I enjoy some of the questions you raise. Like with the "eight month letter". I really enjoyed our discussion.
    I know design plays a part but what you write is the main thing. You are a good writer. Worry most about that.
    The font could be a little bigger but it's not that big a deal to me.
    Just my two cents.
    Keep on bloggin'....

    grins,
    Chad
  • Cheryl Antier
    Hi Ryan,

    I'm a creature of habit, and I was used to your old site. I liked the look and feel of it. This one (to me) is colder and more impersonal.

    On the other hand...I've always enjoyed your content and that's why you're one of the few blogs that I'm subscribed to. As for the font, I don't have a problem reading it, so no vote there.

    Oh - and I REALLY want to see you in the pink bunny suit before I vote on which photo to use...

    Warmly,

    Cheryl
  • Hey Ryan:

    Puh-leeze get yourself into that pink bunny suit and by all means make a short video of you hopping all around, wiggling your nose, and munching on a carrot or two ... That would be hilariously precious, and I would LOVE to post it on my funny videos site! :-)

    That said, it's great - and valuable (to a point) - to get feedback about your site's overall look and feel, but at the end of the day, you're probably just splitting hairs (or pink hares? There's another pink bunny reference for ya!).

    Who cares if you have a "snazzy header" or a "Web 2.0 look"? At the end of the day, web users want information that's clearly presented and easy to digest visually (so it's easy to read).

    In my opinion, you've done that with your site! I like it. Leave it alone and get/stay focused again on the stuff that really matters: Valuable content.

    You've got a good, clean-looking site. So, focus on what matters: Traffic - do you have a steady stream of visitors? Is it increasing? Are other sites linking your content? Are you making money?

    Ok? So, hop along now, and when you get the chance, please make that funny pink bunny suit video!

    Dave
  • Pat
    I like this new theme a lot. The old one was too plain. This one is just right, not too busy either. I think the photo is fine. I would expand your About page a little.

    FYI, your Archives page is not working. I think you need to create a blank page with the title "Archives". Choose "archives" as the template for that page. (I know this because I am using this theme for one of my blogs. :) )
  • Faye, Richard, Chad, Cheryl, Dave - Thanks for the feedback. It's greatly appreciated.

    Pat - Glad you like the new theme. I'll take a look at fixing the Archive button. I didn't even know it was broken, so thanks for calling it to my attention.
  • Hi Ryan,

    Overall the look and feel is very good.
    Two changes you REALLY should make:

    1 - Get a background with borders for your main template.
    The white on white look makes the eye wonder a bit.
    For example of a simple background that pulls the content forward, see:
    http://www.resperate.com/discover/what_is_respe...
    (I made the background on that page myself)

    2 - On the same note, you should have a different background color for your right column or at least a thin line between the main column and the right one.
    Our eyes like content to be well defined with borders for easier reading.

    - Ophir
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