In the past few months, I really started to think about my blog’s design and wanting to change it. I loved my new design for a long time, but I am ready for something fresh and something that feels more “me” after having blogged for more than two years now.
I am working with Meg from the blog O. is Me and I’m really looking to just make my blog visually appealing and also more functional for my readers.
That’s why I’m asking you ladies what you’d like to see in my blog design. I already plan on adding:
- more social media buttons/ways to connect
- more sidebar categories that take you straight to the posts you want- outfits, home decor, home tour, YouTube videos, etc
- A more grown-up header—still feminine but not quite so girly girl
Are there any other features or tabs you’d like to see? Please share your ideas in the comments below. I can’t promise to implement every one of them, but I want to make reading my blog a good experience for all of those who visit so your insight is very helpful π
xoxo,
Veronika.
PS- this new design will be for THIS blog π I am not switching platforms or changing my url or anything, just a fresh design!
Allison says
Hi Veronika! I've always enjoyed reading your blog. Will your new blog still be through Blogger?
[email protected] says
oh yes! I will be on blogger π this is just a new layout, I will clarify that in my post!
Sheila says
One thing I hope you will keep is to be able to see your entire blog entry when your page loads. I don't like the blogs when you only see the first paragraph and have to click a "read more" button. A tab for all of your product reviews and possibily a health and fitness tab would be nice. Instead of going to FAQ and the your formspring tab, it would be nice to have a tab for that so it's one click away. I like that your blog archive is accessible and easy to use now! Also, just FYI since you added Blog Her your page is much slower to load and it's annoying at times. It would also be fun to see an updated about me section.
[email protected] says
sheila—yes I am keeping the entires the way they are, I HATE having to click to read more.
thank you so much—I will add a tab for reviews and fitness too, great idea!
I am aware of the issue with blogher and have contacted the π
Anonymous says
I think your blog would look great with a cleaner design. It is very busy (but cute) now. Your formspring icon looks like a facebook icon now, so I would change that.
[email protected] says
thank you, i agree π the facebook icon was my fault, I asked my designer to add it but then I never made a facebook page so I just linked it to formspring
thank YOU so much π
jen says
Hi Veronika,
I would keep it really clean and have tabs for "Home Decor", "Outfit of the Day", etc where you also have tabs for Home, and About. I think it might be easier for people to just scroll and click on what they're looking for. That way, maybe you can eliminate some of the extra stuff on the side bars. Otherwise, I think the header design/logo looks good. Can't wait to see the new layout!
Jen
[email protected] says
thanks Jen π
Meaghan says
I think adding the correct social media buttons (facebook, formspring and youtube) would be really helpful like you suggested. I also like Shelia's suggestion of a product review tab over where you have the wedding, home decor and outfit of the day tabs. Additionally, I wanted to "piggy back" on what Shelia said about blog her, for some reason ever since you added that feature it has messed with the search function on your blog (at least on my computers).
[email protected] says
thank you for your feedback π
I have been using the search function with success but I will also ask BlogHer about that. Thank you!
Wendy says
I agree with what all Lisa said, but I haven't had loading problems. I like your header a lot. But I guess you could have another pic instead of a wedding pic since that was a while ago. I don't know though, I really like that pic too. lol.
An easily reachable link to your foamspring would be great too.
Anonymous says
I would say your blog is great and I wouldn't change much! I love the girlyness of it and the style of font etc.
May says
I absolutely love your blog as it is very well rounded with a plethora of different topics, such as fashion, home design, and fitness. I really like your Motivation Monday features in which you post about motivational fitness/health routines and would like to see a separate fitness tab. Your health/fitness posts are very motivating! Keep up the great work, Veronika! π
Beautygirl24 says
I have always loved your layout! I love the color scheme, it's very Veronika. I agree with an above comment about the Blogher feature. Loading takes awhile. I think overall, a clean and non-fussy approach is best π
[email protected] says
I agree π I am going for clean but a little more modern!
Jenn says
It would be great to have an outfit index, like one tab where you could see just pics from all of your OOTD posts. Often I want to find one of your old outfits I've seen but don't want to scroll through all of the archives, and this would solve that problem!
[email protected] says
Jenn—If you click on "outfit of the day" on the left sidebar where the photo is—the first one, it will take you to all of my posts labeled "OOTD" π
Rachel says
That is a super cute poster from your H!! How sweet:)
I always love your beauty product reviews, so I'd like to see a tab or a button just for those! I think you have to keep at least some pink, as far as color goes! It just wouldn't be the same without that!:) Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Anonymous says
I am looking forward to a cleaner, more modern blog. One suggestion- can you change your main picture (if you plan on using a picture at all). I know you've been married a few years now and I am in LOVE with your pictures, but I think we need to see an updated Veronika!
Meg O. says
I'm loving reading these suggestions. I think they are all great. I believe the idea is to stay very "Veronika" while making it a little more grown up and sophisticated. I'll keep checking back to see what everyone else suggests. I am getting very excited to start working on it with you! π
LisaC says
Hi Veronika! Your blog is always one of my favorites!
Maybe add a tab for your BlogRoll? I think that would free up a lot of space on your main page.
kaylan says
just wanted to say that i appreciate that your page is white with colour/design incorporated in other ways. i hate (as in, often quit reading) blogs that have a bright, colourful background and i think for blogs that are photo heavy like yours, white is the best background so there is no visual colour distortion. so less of a "please add" and more of a "please don't change!"
Anna says
Veronika, have you checked out Lauren Conrad's blog. I really like how things are organized on there. It's by subjects so people can get what they need.
Anna says
Hi Veronika,
have you checked out Lauren Conrad's blog/page? I love how things are organized there. It's easy to navigate, visually pleasing, and readers can grab what they went there for without looking forever where they last saw it at. Go check it out!
RosaLovesDC says
I agree with Lisa C, if you want to clean up your main page, another page or tab for your blogroll will make it look much cleaner and organized. I can't wait to see what you do with the new design.
Ann says
I would love a cleaner design- makes it easier to find things!
Glitter and Glaze Blog!
Michelle @ The Vintage Apple says
Meg O. did my blog design and I am seriously IN LOVE with it. I have gotten so many compliments regarding her design. You have chosen the perfect person to make your already beautiful blog something that you now think reflects you and your personality today!!! She is wonderful!!! Can't wait to see what she comes up with!!!
Dana says
I totally love your blog, it is really beautiful and well organized!
My 2 cents: Agree on adding the "reviews", "motivation mondays" etc buttons to the current ones. How about one on jewelry, celebrity inspirations and on travel?
I would also suggest to update your FAQ section with the most asked formspring questions – for example the MK watch model #.
I like the blogroll feature, but is there any way to put it into a small window or frame which people can scroll if they're interested – maybe it would shorten the loading time?
Lastly, I think the "Stay Blushing" picture is adorable, you should totally use that! (Hopefully there would be no copyright infridgement)
Anonymous says
An easier way to search for an older post.
Anonymous says
Keep the color scheme (white background with pink and black front). I think the sidebars look a little cluttered right now. I would simplify the Archive section to group the posts by year instead of by month. The readers can click on each year and then go to the monthly posts as they please.
I will also simplify your blogroll section. Right now, you have way too many blogs. You should pick 15 or 20 that you really love and stick to those. I would also simplify the look of the blogroll. Right now you have too much information. Just have the name of the blog and give the reader the chance to click on it if they want to go to that particular blog.
I disagree with some of the comments above asking you to add more sections/buttons to your blog. Adding too many buttons can be distracting and make the blog difficult to navigate. Stick to the core topics of your blog: fashion (hauls and OOTD), beauty (products and tutorials) and home decor.
You can probably get rid of your wedding section now since is a little old.
G. says
I have the same poster, same color, just says "keep shopping" instead of "blushing" :). You can put the poster on the side bar, it's super cute. I did that :).
I'd love it if the followers could be a bit higher, and if you could take that advertising thingy at the top right of the blog. The FB and Twitter buttons are not noticeable, never saw them until I read the comments above…
I really like it when there is only one side bar, cause otherwise it looks too busy, and the posts are crushed in between.
The blogroll should just be the names of the blogs, no more details,makes the list too long.
I do not agree with the previous comment about taking out the wedding, it's a good idea – but the thing is that you talk a lot about it in your videos, how important that and that piece is because you had it on on your wedding day. It is obvious that that day is still the most important in your life, and if you want to keep it alive on your blog – than you should.
There is no need to add an archive section, and buttons to "how to's" or "home decor" etc, just choose or buttons, or archive, because it's basically the same.
Makes me think i haven't checked my layout since a while… I should probably get on to it too…
Can't wait for you new design, have fun making it!
[email protected] says
@G- I can't remove the ad at the right because I am in a partnership with BlogHer.
[email protected] says
but thank you for your other comments and suggestions π
Natasha xoxo says
V, I love your decor posts! You really have an eye for design and hope to read more about that on your blog! Hope you're having a great week. xo, tasha
Anonymous says
I really love your blog because is soooo easy to read and the layout its perfect. I wouldn't change the layout may be just some new decor.
Jalila says
I agree with anon….the layout of your blog in general (not the blogher ad blech!)does not bother me. Just update your decorum to make it more sophisticated ..like you. Also I like that the blog roll contains more than just the blog name. I would never use it if it only had the name.
Samatha says
You should incorporate the poster your husband made you somewhere on your blog π
Anonymous says
I actually do not think you should do anything with the "Keep Calm…" theme or poster if you are looking for a fresh look. IMO that whole "Keep Calm" thing is so overdone.