My new baby- Oops, my new site!

Discussion in 'Websites' started by Ellen C. Braun, Apr 4, 2006.

  1. #1
    Hello DP'ers

    I have learned a ton here, and continue to do so every day.

    What kind of constructive feedback could you give me regarding my very first self-built website: http://www.RaisingSmallSouls.com/

    Adsense placement, general layout, whatever you think, post it here!

    Thanks!
     
    Ellen C. Braun, Apr 4, 2006 IP
  2. poseidon

    poseidon Banned

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    #2
    How about bringing the top ads to below parenting tip no.1 ? using <ol> or <li> won't be a bad idea in left hand side menu to distinguish between links. The rest looks really nice
     
    poseidon, Apr 4, 2006 IP
  3. jackburton2006

    jackburton2006 Peon

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    #3
    Hey Ellen what an excellent site, with fantastic content. You'll go far with this, I can practically guarantee it. It's so good that if I had kids I would bookmark it and check in often!

    Ad placement wise, I would recommend replacing the leaderboard with a leaderboard adlink, then putting a 336 box at the bottom of your articles (but before the comment section). This is basically my default advice regarding blogs, as I've run a number of them, and nothing has managed to beat this two simple (and unobtrusive) placement.

    Give it a try for a week or so and see if it works. I won't guarantee improvement, but chances are you'll make more than right now with just the leaderboard on top.
     
    jackburton2006, Apr 4, 2006 IP
  4. articlebazar

    articlebazar Peon

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    #4
    Hello Ellen, nice site, I think you have pretty good content there. If you keep on working on the content site, your site will grow more rapidly.

    As for adsense placement, why not put a large rectangle in the article body, let it blending with the content, such ad has high CTR.

    I myself have a newly launched article website - http://www.articlebazar.com/, would like to seek your advice too :)

    And if possible, I would like to do link exchange with your site, thanks. PM me if interested! :)
     
    articlebazar, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  5. Ellen C. Braun

    Ellen C. Braun Peon

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    #5
    Thanks, all!

    Posidon- forgive my ignorance, I just kinda self-taught myself html in order to modify the Wordpress theme I'm using for the site... what good would list tags do in the left menu??

    Jack- if you don't have kids, you should get yourself some! LOL! Can you pm me an example of the adsense layout you described... sounds like it has potential! I'm always kinda skeptical of the link ads, because your visitor must click TWICE in order for you to make $$!
     
    Ellen C. Braun, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  6. ramakrishna p

    ramakrishna p Notable Member

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    #6
    I like your site. Colors perfectly matched.
     
    ramakrishna p, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  7. Ellen C. Braun

    Ellen C. Braun Peon

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    #7
    Thanks! I "stole" the color theme from a site I liked, pinkmagazine.com
     
    Ellen C. Braun, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  8. ramakrishna p

    ramakrishna p Notable Member

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    #8
    Wow, Pinkmagazine is simply superb! I took a printscreen.
     
    ramakrishna p, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  9. kashem

    kashem Banned

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    #9
    My view is bring the right columns content - Join Us! and search box up in the left column, in the right column put some more adds
     
    kashem, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  10. pmorissette

    pmorissette Peon

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    #10
    i like it a lot. nice and simple, yet effective. great job.
     
    pmorissette, Apr 5, 2006 IP
  11. Bruno4444

    Bruno4444 Guest

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    #11
    I really like your site, very well organized and it looks very profesional. Great job.
     
    Bruno4444, Apr 8, 2006 IP
  12. Ellen C. Braun

    Ellen C. Braun Peon

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    #12
    Thanks, all for your feedback!

    I'm going to Fl. for 2 weeks, not sure if I'll have time/Internet access to implement any of the changes you suggested... but keep 'em coming!!

    If you are a parent, you must watch the Animal School Movie!

    Be back to DP soon!!
     
    Ellen C. Braun, Apr 9, 2006 IP
  13. ramakrishna p

    ramakrishna p Notable Member

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    #13
    I watched complete Animal School Movie! Cute animals and pleasant backgrounds. Introduction of anmals and conclusion with same animals is nice idea.
     
    ramakrishna p, Apr 10, 2006 IP
  14. miko67

    miko67 Well-Known Member

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    #14
    Congratz on your website - looks great. Hope you make a ton of money :D

    Just one small question, how did you make your categories present only links to the full articles? I liked that.
     
    miko67, Apr 10, 2006 IP
  15. Ellen C. Braun

    Ellen C. Braun Peon

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    #15
    Miko- I don't know! I have a friend who is a Wordpress expert... and I asked her to do it for me!!

    Well, today was my site's best day ever! 146 unique visitors, 473 pageviews, 3 comments, and my most-ever adsense clicks! And the day is not over yet...

    Now, the ultimate test: will those stats go up or down as I go on vacation and temporarily abandon submitting articles and posting on forums?

    Hang around, and I'll let you know, when I return in 2 weeks- now- back to packing!
     
    Ellen C. Braun, Apr 10, 2006 IP
  16. miko67

    miko67 Well-Known Member

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    #16
    Damn.. now I have to go and find out for my self - again ;)

    augh.. now I'm jealous too :D

    Good work - good rolemodel for taking it to the next level. Thx for sharing :cool: :cool:
     
    miko67, Apr 11, 2006 IP