I have made some changes on my blog over the last 2 months. New Template (Modified slightly), and trimmed a little fat. Traffic is up...had some nice spikes this month, but I would still like to hear some opinions,since I never really ask for reviews, I just go with my gut. Thanks, in advance. The URL
well...content is nice.Domain is nice too...but only 1 thing... In my oposition, design is too dark and too simple. Try to do something in that case
Well, I do think it looks quite a bit cluttered. The dark background, lack of Web 2.0 design, and the fonts and colors used all assist in that. Sort of looks like one of those sites from the late 1990's or early 2000's. I'm not saying that to be mean or harsh, I am trying to help. Because I do think the site has a nice domain name, nice content, and an overall nice idea. I like it - I just think the design could use a bit of work. Have you considered Wordpress?
I do plan on changing the header. No, that's not harsh at all...I am looking for opinions. Yeah...it is Wordpress. I was actually going for a Dark/Underground kinda feel. Sort of like the inside of a Night Club....traffic has gone up since I changed it, but do you think the darkness is inhibiting it at all? Is it hard to read? I am not that big on the "2.0" thing because most "non-web" folks, have no clue what a blog is, let alone "2.0", and I just have not seen any "2.0", styles or templates that match the subject matter...they all seem to be great for Tech, SEO, Marketing, and Blogs about Blogs... but not for this niche, and I have looked far and wide, including paying for a design, but to no avail....nothing that really strikes my fancy. I hate seeing music blogs with little content, a bunch of adsense, and a big bright "coloring book" type template that makes it look like a 12 year old girl selling ring tones, and crayons. (No offense to anyone selling ring tones). I am trying to give off just the opposite effect. Do you have any design/template suggestions? The Dark seems to be working...do I want to change that?
I don't like black backgrounds...my personal preference I guess. I think it would look more professional and established with a white or light blue/othercolor. Good idea for a blog...sort of. I don't like the layout either. I'm picky though, don't listen to me.
LOL, that's cool thanks anyway. I use black because I post a lot of promos and flyers for events and they tend to be very colorful..a white background kinda washes them out...a black background makes them "PoP" more. Does anyone know of any Wordpress templates that they feel would give off a more professional appearance? Or are there any designers that have any samples that I could look at? Still looking for more opinions...thanks so far. <edited> It may be important to add that most DJ's, Artists, Nightclubs, and Record Labels of Trance, House and other forms of Electronic Dance Music use Black Backgrounds...it's kind of a standard. Here are a couple of examples of the niche that I am writing about: Victor Calderone Pacha NYC Ageha So the industry is a little different than the Webmaster blogs and sites that are so prevalent around here for review. The readers kind of expect it.
I think the black background is okay but I really don't like the blue colored font you used for list of "The Top 40 House Music Tracks, according to DJ Mike RKM" - it really didn't suit the black background you're using and it makes my eyes hurt. And on the left sidebar, you have to many unrelated links "industry blog blog dust blogger seo service etc." - i don't think this is good for seo (but i'm still a newb though). if you wanna exchange links, exchange links with something related to your site - probably music/entertainment sites. the links on the sidebar make your website looks cluttered. hopefully that helps! =)
That is one of the things that bothers me the most. When I first started this blog, and began submitting to directories, I put the reciprocal link in that spot, not thinking ahead..(I didn't really expect to get many readers or traffic)....now I want to move them, and I don't know how, without loosing the links, and my listing in those directories.(I don't want to loose any PR)...anyone have a clue on how to do this? Also, I do agree that it looks cluttered still even though I have trimmed a lot of fat...maybe I will cut a few more side bar things, some of them aren't necessary...believe it or not I am actually thinking of cutting the "My Blog Log" widget. Is that blasphemy? I don't really care for it that much. Does anyone else feel that it is out of place and serves no purpose?
Changed the fonts, and cleaned up some of the clutter. Changed the RSS, and Podcast Buttons. Got rid of that. Thanks for the constructive criticisms.
You got a Nice Blog But The text style is not that good - apart from that there is no color suitable color matching - The text in Quote doesn't match your other content - It shouldn't be Blue . Your site logo is very simple - should be bit catchy. other things are ok! Best of Luck Regards, MicroBrain.
I will get a logo done soon, when I find one, or a design that I like, as well as change the header. As far as the text style....I don't like some of the fonts that I have seen on other blogs..they are not easy to read (some fonts are too small and look like newsprint), and I hear that from a lot of people, (Over 30) that are internet savvy. I agree with the colors of the list on that one article...the others are theme defaults, and I will probably change that. Thanks Any comments about content, SEO, niche, or anything outside of colors and fonts? Since traffic is growing, I probably won't change too much of that. I appreciate all comments, but I am not hearing any solutions, or technical reasons behind critiques other than personal taste. I am more concerned if any of the comments will inhibit growth, SEO, or readership.
OK, I have taken some of the suggestions under advisement, and changed a few things that made sense after I tested them out. So...is this better, and a little more in tune with what some of you were talking about? Link