http://www.i7omedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/inStash5.jpg http://www.i7omedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/inStash-Fresh2.jpg Do you like the blog layout or the grid layout? Any feedback is much appreciated!
I think it depends on what your target audience is and what your goal of the website is. Are you a review website or a casual blogger?
I'm targeting the buyer's guide for men niche. "Competition" includes uncrate, coolmaterial, theawesomer, gearpatrol, werd, acquiremag, etc. Basically we find cool (unique) stuff for guys, and do a short product review.
I think that they can work together, my only advice regarding the first one is that the H2 tags (because I suppose are going to be H2.. am talking about the 2012 Lexus title) is too big and if you need to post a longer title you can loose a bit on readability...
I think the empty space left by the blog layout will look a little awkward as the reader scrolls down the page. Therefore, I'll go with grid.
In my opinion I prefer the second one as well, yet the first could work as well. You can always try to test them both.
the second one (inStash-Fresh2.jpg) more headlines w/o having to scroll down and more pictures so your viewers will have more to choose from with the lowest amount of effort.
Definately the first layout is the better of the two. Just looks so much professional. Also since the ad looks more like a part of the grid, if utilised properly (eg. a Car/Car website advert and not sunglasses) it will get hella clicks from people. A celever ad placement is one that blends in with the content and looks like part of the content and not so much of an ad. These are the ones that get the money.