Unless this is your first time around these parts, you might notice something new. And that something is… everything! Okay maybe not everything but a lot of things. Because I finally did the thing I had been swearing up and down I’d do “soonish” for like at least five years: I redid my design! Which, of course, got me thinking about designs in general, so here we are, with me fulfilling my “one-or-two discussion posts a year to keep me quasi-eligible to host the challenge” quota, olé!
I finally got around to doing this for a few reasons. The first, my friend Amber asked for some help with her own redesign and it sent me down a rabbit hole. The second was that I am very bad at doing the stuff I actually have to do, like schoolwork, housework, etc., so instead I decided to waste time doing this!
Anyway, it took a minute, but not as long as I had been telling myself it would take for the past few years. So I guess I could have done it before, when I had slightly more time, but alas. So. I wanted to kind of chat about how often we all redo our blogs, how we go about it, all the fun stuff. Obviously, you can tell me all about your experiences in the comments, but also, we love a poll, don’t we? Let’s do some!
How often do you redesign/redo things on your blog?
I mean, maybe you never have, and your site is just whatever loaded up when you started the thing! Maybe you change a little here and there but nothing major. Or maybe you are one of those folks who likes to redecorate on the regular, much like me in my high school bedroom.
Loading ...How do you redesign it?
Let’s face it, we all have different levels of expertise when it comes to design, coding, and the like. So how do you go about those changes when you’re ready to make them?
Loading ...Do you like redesigning?
Look, I like it in theory. Who doesn’t love a shiny new look, right? But gosh, it is a lot of work. And getting the work from my head to something that actually looks readable and not like a five year old did it is… well, not exactly easy. But I imagine some people have a lot of fun with it, because those people have better attitudes than me, and maybe you are one of them!
Loading ...When was the last time you redid your site?
Mine was today! So I win? Or maybe lose, who can tell. Anyway. When have you last changed things up?
Loading ...And finally, when do you think you’ll do it next?
I mean, I hope I am good for a second. But how about you? Have you been thinking about it? Have I inspired you to go for it? Or does it just seem like work and money and hassle you do not need?
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I love your redesign! I paid a random artist $150 to redesign my blog in 2019. I hated every step of the process and never want to do it again. 🙂
Aw thank you! Yeah that is where I was- I had paid quite a bit and then everything went to hell so I did not want to pay for it again heh.
Wow, love the new design, Shannon! Mine is quite old, I’m thinking maybe five years or so since I last changed anything. And yes, I’ve been saying for a couple of years “it’s time!” but of course nothing’s changed, ha ha. You’ve inspired me, though😁
Aw thanks!! Glad I could be of service (or you know, the opposite, sorry I prompted you to think about this 😂) It is seriously such a hassle, hence why I took so long!
I love it! This is the first time I am seeing your redesign. It definitely conveys your energy (a good thing). My daughter did my redesign a few years back, and I personally love all the slothtasticness of it. I would like some banners, but nothing major. I am sort of like Sloth that way.
Aww thank you! I posted this literally two seconds after I updated it all so that it would happen at the same time heh. I love your sloth stuff, I am glad she did it for you!
Loving the new look!! Seriously, it is so great. I think my favorite are the rainbow/tie dye-ish icons. So cute! I simply do not have the know-how to do it myself. And I have zero interest in learning. lol So my last overhaul was done by some lovely soul on etsy how I gladly paid to do the dirty work. And one of these days when I am ready to redesign again, I’ll do the same. 🙂
Aw thank youuu! I don’t blame you, it is a LOT, especially when you don’t have all the pricey tools like photoshop and such. And hey, the Etsy lady did a lovely job on your site!
I love your new design. It is very ‘in your face’. 🙂 I don’t do much changing on my blog. I like simple designs, whether it is my blog, a book cover, or my home. Sometimes I see something I like on someone else’s blog and check that out, but I am not very technologically inclined.
sherry @ fundinmental
Thank youu! I am definitely not a subtle person 😂 I think a lot of people like a simple look, but alas, that is not me heh.
That is the great thing about enjoying something outside my comfort zone. I can enjoy something I would not have thought of myself.
Aw such a good point!
I love the redesign, looks great!
Thank you so much!!
I LOVE it. This looks awesome. I love the whole starry retro yet modern design. It’s one of the more striking looks I’ve seen lately. And this does make me want to redesign. If I knew how. Now I gotta pay someone to do it. sigh
I love that last question! Maybe in a year… or twenty lol. that’s the one I picked and there’s like 10 votes so thank God I’m not alone heh.
Aw thank you! Bwhahah I mean- it is easier probably on Blogger because you can legit just buy pre-made themes on Etsy and such, and for not much money at all! I did that before I switched to WP and it was soooo easy.
Love your redesign, Shannon! It’s very fun. Since I stopped paying for my hosting, I have changed my design literally never, but before I’d keep fumbling my way around redesigning small things haha. I wish I could justify paying someone to do a great design, because I just find it so satisfying to see well designed blogs.
Thank you so much! It is so hard to find the time, motivation, money, etc etc etc. I feel like no matter how much of it you do yourself, you still end up paying for some stuff unless you are truly that good of a designer, but I agree that it is very hard to justify spending money on a site that like, doesn’t earn any money! I just finally told myself at least I’d like looking at it more? 😂
Haha yeah exactly – but that said, I think it’s totally valid to spend the money! I just meant I don’t feel like I can justify it since I’m not really using my blog, but when someone is actually actively using it, it makes sense that you’d invest in it. Like I’d buy new gym clothes if I went more often, but I don’t need new ones if I go twice a year haha.
Bwhahah that is the perfect way of putting it! 😂
Your new design is so cheerful! I love the color scheme. It reminds me of 1950s-style soda pop bars. 🙂 Maybe because of the new marquee style of your header. But it’s retro in a very fun way!
One of the perks of only having 3 followers is that I don’t feel like anyone is sick of my blog design yet. 😀 Also, I still love it, and having hired a great friend to be the designer and artist I feel like it’s more polished. But I hear you about redesign in general- I love changing up my space every once in awhile, whether that’s re-organizing my bookshelf or painting a room. I’m hoping a garden will help scratch that itch, since it’ll be re-done with new plants every 4 months or so.
Aw thank you so much! That is exactly what it is supposed to be- midcentury modern/atomic starburst, etc. So yay!
Bwahaha well, yours is pretty new and shiny, so you should be able to bask in its newness for at least a few more years! And then procrastinate for several more! 😂 I think a garden is a great idea! I hope it is successful!
The banner is fierce LOL. It does make a statement!
I’ve never done anything to my own design since I started blogging in 2012 (except for changing my avatar). Gasp! 😂 To be honest, it’s my baby, it was hard work to come up with it (even if I did use a couple of premade graphics, but I tweaked them), and I don’t feel the need to change it. The only issue I have with it is that it probably looks challenging (to say the least) if you’re daltonic, something that I didn’t think about when I chose the colour scheme. I’d like to add an accessibility menu, but I couldn’t find one for Blogger…
Aw thanks! I know it is A Lot™ but that is who I am as a person I think? 😂
Wow that is impressive! I really wish I could be that content with my stuff- but I think consistency is also good because people remember your color scheme and such! Yeah Blogger can be so user unfriendly sometimes. I wonder if someone out there like, makes their own menus or something that you could try?
So, I’ve been kind of redoing the header by having someone who makes up new ones for me when I reach out to have her do it. As to redesigning all of the rest of it, I don’t do that as much. I only know a little about graphic design, like using Canva or Ribbet to design things. But I do love your new design!
Aw thank you! Yes, I love that your header changes a lot but still retains the same basic vibe so we know it’s you! That is really smart I think!
It’s my first time here so can’t really compare.. but looks pretty good.
I wish I had the time to redesign or get someone else to do it but I never really get around to it.
Aw thank you! That is usually how I am too- never enough hours in the day! Well, I had ONE week off from classes and here is the outcome hah!
Wow! I love this new design! It looks awesome!
Aw thank you so much!!
I love the new design and seeing the polls answer! I tend to be someone who do a whole makeover once in a blue moon. I get easily excited with new ideas, but quickly lose the steam when it’s time to actually doing the work xD
OMG that describes me PERFECTLY! That is how I have been for at LEAST 4 years- ideas, grand ideas, and absolutely no follow through 😂 Honestly if I had not been helping my friend, I may never have done it! And thank yoU!!
I love it! (which I already said in another post but I’m working my way backwards here lol) It fits the “midnight” tagline well.
I redesign mine (or at least my header) so often that I’m surprised everyone hasn’t either bailed or is totally confused when they visit my blog lol At least I’ve stuck with the me/my pets theme recently.
I used to pay people to do it but now it’s just me and PicMonkey (& it shows) I have no expertise (again…it shows lol) but it seems to jump start me into blogging again after a slump. And help me avoid doing anything I SHOULD be doing.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Aw thank you!! Bwhahah I think your header changes still like, convey that it’s YOU though? at least they do for me, and I love them! I think that is a good way to shake things up without going too crazy. Bwhahah THIS is also me and PicMonkey, for the most part! I think your blog looks awesome, so don’t sell yourself short! I honestly think that procrastinating on other stuff is the ONLY reason I ever changed things so I feel you there 😂
It’s definitely a surprise to see the new header and the little changes. I like the new header though it appear quite large on my small computer screen.
I used to redesign my blog a lot but now I only change the header and little things now and then. Just last month, I changed my header.
It used to be that bloggers change their blog looks more often but now I see people keeping the same look for years. I do love seeing bloggers change their blog’s design, it kind of wakes up the blog in a way and gives the reader something new to look at.
Have a lovely day.
Thanks! i have thought of making it smaller, but I am afraid it won’t be wide enough then? I will try to play around with it a bit!
I think header changes are a great way to shake things up without having to change *everything*, so that is a great plan!
YEP yep I agree with you completely- redesigns used to be a big thing, but they seem to be on the decline for sure.
Love the new design! As you know, I haven’t changed mine significantly in years. I actually got redesign out of my system when I got my author site done (which I definitely paid for – didn’t do much at all myself).
Thank youuu! OHH that is good though- you got the shiny and new without having to do too much! Though your wallet sure did I am sure 😂 At least the result was worth it, because it is so pretty and on brand!
I love the new header! I keep telling myself I should come up with some sort of image/logo/something since mine is just text, but I can’t think of anything good. My blog looked different when it was brand new, but I settled on what it is now within a year or two. The main stuff, at least. I have occasionally changed little layout things, which I enjoy doing myself cuz figuring out the coding is like a little puzzle lol.
Aw thank you! I think the text works great for yours- especially since the “moonlight” font actually looks like moonlight. I agree completely- I love the challenge of doing a little coding here and there, makes me feel like I accomplished something when I get it right (after a million tries, sometimes 😂)
I love this new design, it looks fantastic!! <3 I did a big re design a few years ago, when I went self-hosted, but haven't touched it since. At the time, I paid a designer for the main logo and header, but did the rest of it all by myself -and thanks to canva. I don't know what I'd do without canva 😂 . It was a fun journey, but… it also takes so much time, I don't know if I'll do it again anytime soon! 😂
I like your new design. I had thought about changing the design, but I am too lazy to do it.