How Do You Go About Displaying Content?
Posted on October 19th, 2007. 10 Comments so far. You next?
Content, whether you like it or not, is the reason any person visits any web page. There is something there that they want to see.
It goes without saying that the way you display your content is very important. Many say content over design, but let’s be realistic for a second: would you read my blog if it were the default Times New Roman on a blank white background?
Good content and competent design over poor content and flashy design, let’s say.
In designing my new “version” or whatever I’ll dub my next iteration of this blog, this was at the top of my priority list. The only reason you’re not viewing that design right now is it’s constant evolution and my start from scratch approach.
I like to sit on concepts I draft for myself, and let them sort of evolve in my head, and after a week or so I’ll have a brand new, totally different design. This cycle is infinite, so there is a point where I draw the line, but the finished product is something I can original and something that I hope accomplishes my goals.
I took a new approach, though tried and tested by many, by designing content first, and building a website around it. I found my font and colour schemes and went from there, focusing on how the content on the homepage will look.
I made some pretty heavy changes in the way content is displayed on the from page, and it’s something I like better. I’m still not 100% sure how this new way will go over, not because it’s flashy AJAX stuff, but because it’s different from now.
My goal of course in this site is to please the reader, but in reality the reader doesn’t see anything I don’t like myself. I like this new way and hope everyone else does too.
A Note on Advertising
A while back I asked how those who leave comments and read regularly would feel about me introducing advertisements to this blog. There weren’t any negative comments at all, so I am going ahead with it. The original plan was four 90×90 image ads, but at the time of writing that I had a different design than the one that will be final (shows you how fast that evolves).
The new plan:
- Two (2) 125×125px image ads.
- $50/month
- Good sidebar real estate for advertisers, while not being obtrusive and in the readers’ faces.
If you’re at all interested in dropping $50 a month for one of those ads, campaign starting November 1st, send me an email (my first name @ this domain). Some benefits of buying these now:
- See the new design before anyone and how your ad fits in.
- I’ll personally design your ad if you can’t provide something we agree works with the design.
- $50/month for a well trafficke, read, and PR5 blog that is regularly updated (sorry about this week- personally busy) seems cheap, get in on that before it goes up.
So now in my best infomercial voice, I implore you to act now! Also, if you order in the next 30 minutes you’ll get a free Chuck Norris autographed workout machine that will get you ripped in four minutes a week!
10 comments
October 19th, 2007 at 9:54 PM
The wait is over. I’ve been waiting for your next post
It’s true, you could have the best information in the world but if your blogs design sucks no one will want to stay.
There are of course some exceptions but in general a nice looking design is almost as important as the content.
$50 is really good for a 125×125px spot, if I had the money I’d do it for sure.
October 21st, 2007 at 3:58 AM
1) I am probably an exception, because I’d answer your question regarding times new roman simply “yes”
.
2) $50 per month isn’t bad, however it is difficult to find advertisers at all. For example, those who advertise on my site via google adsense pay much more than I’d ask for. But they prefer “comfort” instead of price.
October 21st, 2007 at 8:57 PM
You can charge whatever you want to but you need to have a buyer if there is no buyer there is no sale. I think $50 is a little high but thats just my opinion if you get it all the power to you.
Its not always about the reader its about what you like to, I am sure most of the users here wont mind a change in the way the content will change as long as its not confusing, you dont want first time visitors to be turned off by how the content is displayed.
Can’t wait for the new layout I am going to assume nov 1st is the release date?
October 21st, 2007 at 11:48 PM
November 1st or some time sooner.
It’s been coming together great, and WordPress has been amazing so far. It seems at every road block there’s a quick solution already thought of and built in.
I also decided to give Gravatar a try, and with a couple of lines of PHP (no plugins) it works great.
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:44 AM
Careful of selling ad space, Google’s link police will be after you
October 22nd, 2007 at 6:47 PM
I have somewhat of a picture in my head of what this design will be, but I’m probably way off.
I think Google police are more after text links because they are more about selling link juice than selling exposure like image ads.
Connor, now that you’ll be selling ad space will you be abolishing the Top Comments area?
Just for the record, I think $50 is well worth it.
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:52 PM
I think this one will come out of left field, but in a good way. It’ll be a new way of displaying more content and a pretty drastic design change.
In terms of colours and fonts, it’s totally different. Much better, I think.
Ryan, top commentators will stay.
October 23rd, 2007 at 2:49 PM
Seeing as you’re changing your current blog theme, what will you do with this one? It’s pretty good, and a shame for it to go to waste… You could try selling it as a premium theme or you could dristribute it for free as a means to build backlinks.
October 23rd, 2007 at 5:18 PM
With some modifications, I will distributes this one for free, some time down the road. Not right away, but you’ll see it come up.
Unless of course some one happens to give me an offer that’ll make me think otherwise
October 24th, 2007 at 2:25 PM
I look forward to seeing the new design. I always like to hear other designers talk about their process before I get to see the work itself. Provides a real insight into the way people work.
Leave a Reply