New Internet Marketing Speed Blog
Posted by James in How To, James Schramko, News
After an all-nighter the new colorful custom ‘IMS’ theme is in place. I had a lot of help from designer James Dyson who reworked the design based on a wootheme. We chose this theme because it was close to what internet marketing readers voted for a little while back when I asked for help choosing a new look.
Step-by-Step
The process of changing the theme involved quite a few steps. First I recognized the need for a new design after getting told my blog was ugly. Michael Dunlop was a major driver for the change. He has several very attractive blogs like Retire@21. Once I saw the light it was time to engage the designer in discussion!
Enter Dyson
Once James Dyson and I brainstormed the basic concept he proposed some styles and gave me screen shots. Readers of the blog voted on it and we ended up with the current theme. Some of the reader suggestions were fantastic and gave us a feel for what needed to be here. Without knowing what my readers wanted I would have come up with something different. The end result is far better than I could have imagined.
The changeover
When it came time to switch over the theme we took a site backup. I have blown up my blog a few times before so we prepared this time!. Next we de-activated the plugins and switched over the theme.
After switching over the theme we hooked the plugins back up and tested most of the links. There were several mods we needed to hard code into the template to get a transition from the semilogic theme I was using (which was awesome). Some of the special plugins still work and others need replacing. This blog has been very strong for SEO and I do not want to lose that. The new theme has some different features in the background I need to get used to such as the banner displays etc…
More changes required
I still have to go around the blog and make some small adjustments. Some of the links need testing and I want some (affiliate) links to open in a new window etc.. I will also take user feedback and make changes as the market guides the blog into the new era…. I have to add lifestyle pictures in to the about section as well since users like that.
I appreciate your feedback..
Please let me know what you like and what I can improve. This blog is going to be the recipient of a stack of new cutting edge FREE content and reviews. Thanks for being part of it and be sure to grab the RSS feed for your feed reader so you can stay in touch!
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9 Comments
Adam Steer - Better's Better
09. May, 2009
I’ve always read your blog in my reader, so I’d actually never seen your old design. But this one is very pleasing. I like that it isn’t too “flashy” or overdone.
Who did the 3-D image for your free report?
Cheers,
Adam
James
09. May, 2009
Thanks Adam, I appreciate the feedback. My old blog was similar to your blog. Clean and white. I did not want to move too far away from simple.
The designer is James Dyson, his link is in the blog footer. He does most of my graphics and is excellent.
James
Greg Ellison
09. May, 2009
The new design looks really awesome. Greg Ellison
James
10. May, 2009
Thanks Greg!
Steve
12. May, 2009
Great looking theme.
One question: How did you get the optin form into the upper right corner of the side bar? Normally when I get a theme, they only have these ‘blogroll’, categories and so on in the side bar.
Are you using a ‘Text Module’ and just paste the raw HTML into it? Or is there a way to make a WordPress Page and have that page appear in the side bar?
Sorry if this question sounds stupid – but I only worked on static sites so far where I have more control over the layout.
James
12. May, 2009
Hi Steve,
You can hack themes by placing HTML code in various places.
In many themes you can use a plain Text WIDGET and insert the opt-in code there.
Regards
James
Kyle Tully - Consulting Tycoon
16. May, 2009
Site looks awesome, great work all round.
All the pretty buttons make me want to click everywhere.
buy_vigrxplus
14. Jul, 2009
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say
that I have really liked reading your blog posts. Anyway
I’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Segura Trading SEO Company
24. Jul, 2009
Yeah I definitely digg the new look, I agree with Kyle that the buttons are sexy! I hate seeing plain old boring themes all of the time, it gets old very quick.
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