A Quick Question on How This Blog Looks

I do like brussels sprouts! but I'm trying to kick the habit :)
I feel bad now, I didn't realize this was your own creation. In that case you deserve Kudos as coding Wordpress is no easy task!
That said we should discuss the things you agreed with and things you didn't and I'm sure we can come up with a mutually beneficial arrangement! (imagine that said in the style of Del boy) haha
I will email you
Lisa
.-= Lisa Kalandjian´s most recent blog post ...New Constant Contact Template Design – The Beauty Bed =-.

Honestly I think your header is really letting the side down. It could be much more appealing without being overdone...Also your color palette is a bit limited with the blue and orange, I'd probably extend that a bit. I'd perhaps introduce some subtle colors into the comments section, you get lots of comments and it's hard to see where one ends and another begins...
The simplicity of your site is nice though...makes you approachable.
Just my two cents :)
Lisa
.-= Lisa Kalandjian´s most recent blog post ...New Constant Contact Template Design – The Beauty Bed =-.

I prefer simplicity and minimal blog design, so how about removing the blue background and making that white, and thus expanding the width of your "column 1" so I don't have to scroll vertically as much?
.-= Ari Herzog´s most recent blog post ...Blogging with Influence in 5 Steps =-.

For what it's worth...every time I see something I like about a site, I bookmark it in a folder called "sites to emulate". I visit a lot of sites....been through over 10k in sites looking for ideas. I have your site bookmarked in that folder, so that is a good sign :).

I'm re-doing my own site http:jupiterflhomes.com as we speak and am switching it over to Headway ... one thing I like about your site now is the round edges of the corners, but I think the sidebar would look even better if each widget had its own container and was separated from the others. Sorry to be posting so many of my opinions on your blog :).
.-= Abacoa Real Estate´s most recent blog post ...Valencia at Abacoa Market Update From January to May 2010 =-.

Danny, read this post yesterday and at the time was not quite sure how to answer, because my immediate reaction was what are your thoughts about the site design? Obviously you're thinking about a change, right? From a reader perspective it works well for me. Clear, concise, easy to navigate, comment/share, etc. Emphasis is clearly on the information and your users which I think is the point. One thought (and so minor): unless people follow you regularly they may not know what 12for12k. Perhaps there is a way on the (right hand bar maybe) to surface up nuggets of recent activities/successes/posts to drive more attention there (assuming it's a goal). From a design perspective there was one comment on size of header which I tend to agree with. Smaller would help surface up content a bit more - although, we do like nice lg pics of you :)

Hi Danny,

I think it looks fine: clean, with good clear navigation. And it's certainly way better than my ex on a good hair day (hey, there's a reason for the "ex" designation). That said, tweet away at will and surprise us with your latest design innovations.
.-= Daria Steigman´s most recent blog post ...Do Referrals Matter to Your Business? =-.

Well, Danny, I like this better than prior ones and I understand the redesign issue because with Headway, some of it is because you can. I love the ease of change with Headway but the temptation to play is stronger.

I just noticed the little Tweetmeme and company widget following me around your blog. I rather like that. And I don't know when you added it but I just saw it today. I'm slow reading blogs lately so for all I know you already tweaked.

So I didn't vote, I think you should decide but it looks great, so totally your choice.
.-= Julie Walraven | Resume Services´s most recent blog post ...Nuggets of Gold =-.

I would "improve", instead of doing a total revision....it looks great already, but how about making your header match the footer, and then define and separate the pages boundaries more by making the background a different color than the page background. Just a few opinions, but what the hell do I know :).

Don't misinterpret this either, because I already told you that you have one of the most visually pleasing blogs I have seen.
.-= Abacoa Real Estate´s most recent blog post ...Valencia at Abacoa Market Update From January to May 2010 =-.

I love the colours and layout. But I'd really like the header to be smaller. It kind of dominates above the fold and I'd like to read a bit more content before scrolling.
.-= Jon Buscall´s most recent blog post ...How to Hire Great Staff to Work with Social Media =-.

Danny, I like your color scheme and layout. I love the header - it's one of the best personally branded sites on the net. My own advice would be to make small tweaks instead of a total overhaul. Experiment with typographical changes but not necessarily re-design. I decided long ago that my own blogs would constantly be in a state of evolution, so I make little changes all the time.
.-= Brandon Cox´s most recent blog post ...Don’t Just Market for Attention – Call for Devotion =-.

Utilmately it should be up to you, Danny, regardless of the vote, I believe, because it should be a reflection of who you are and want to become. IMHO, the site looks fine.

Darren
.-= Darren Sproat´s most recent blog post ...On Motherhood =-.

I know exactly how you feel, Danny. I'm always wanting to renovate and tweak my site as well. We actually just completed a pretty big overhaul recently and I'm going to resist doing more changes for right now. We had our readers give us feedback and they were happy with the new look and said it was very easy to navigate through and read. That's what's most important and I'll say the same for your blog. It's great as it is, but thanks for asking.

Darryl
.-= Loving the Bike´s most recent blog post ...Team: Happiest On My Bike =-.

Well, Mr. Brown, you'll need to do whichever makes you happy. ;) I think your current blog looks great - I love the navigation and colors. It's easy to find things. But, like Cog (Cogster? Coggie?) I understand if you need a little change.

I'll also admit that it's fun, as I learn more and more about the design process, being able to notice the little tweaks that bring originality to your blog.

So, not very helpful, eh? ;)

Hey Hey Mr. Brown -

My own USD0.02 - a blog design is as much an expression of the author as the content is (to heck w/ the readers beyond interface and usability issues). I think the current blog fits with what I'd expect from you on a personal level - clean lines, good, softer tones, etc.. Feels to me as if I should pull up a seat and spend some more time.

Compared to the 12for12K site, which also serves its purpose - bit more contrasty, more "let's get down to business and help people out."

So, at the end of day, while I voted keep it the same, if you're feeling the need to change it for yourself - go for it. For me it works as is, but I have little doubt that whatever redesign you do will still be all-you.
.-= PR Cog´s most recent blog post ...Embedded Tweets Verdict: MassiveFail =-.

Ha! 6 votes and no answer yet as its 50/50. Have a good day.

DB - Site looks great. The colors work better than the old orange that was in your face and hard to read with the white background.
.-= Jeff Esposito´s most recent blog post ...Happy Mother’s Day =-.

It seems like some of the A-Listers are going minimalistic and I kind of like it. It is easier on the eyes, and allows the visitor to focus what you want them to focus on. ZenHabits.net is another very minimalistic site.

I do like brussels sprouts! but I'm trying to kick the habit :)
I feel bad now, I didn't realize this was your own creation. In that case you deserve Kudos as coding Wordpress is no easy task!
That said we should discuss the things you agreed with and things you didn't and I'm sure we can come up with a mutually beneficial arrangement! (imagine that said in the style of Del boy) haha
I will email you
Lisa
.-= Lisa Kalandjianu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...New Constant Contact Template Design u00e2u0080u0093 The Beauty Bed =-.

Honestly I think your header is really letting the side down. It could be much more appealing without being overdone...Also your color palette is a bit limited with the blue and orange, I'd probably extend that a bit. I'd perhaps introduce some subtle colors into the comments section, you get lots of comments and it's hard to see where one ends and another begins...
The simplicity of your site is nice though...makes you approachable.
Just my two cents :)
Lisa
.-= Lisa Kalandjianu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...New Constant Contact Template Design u00e2u0080u0093 The Beauty Bed =-.

I prefer simplicity and minimal blog design, so how about removing the blue background and making that white, and thus expanding the width of your "column 1" so I don't have to scroll vertically as much?
.-= Ari Herzogu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Blogging with Influence in 5 Steps =-.

For what it's worth...every time I see something I like about a site, I bookmark it in a folder called "sites to emulate". I visit a lot of sites....been through over 10k in sites looking for ideas. I have your site bookmarked in that folder, so that is a good sign :).

I'm re-doing my own site http:jupiterflhomes.com as we speak and am switching it over to Headway ... one thing I like about your site now is the round edges of the corners, but I think the sidebar would look even better if each widget had its own container and was separated from the others. Sorry to be posting so many of my opinions on your blog :).
.-= Abacoa Real Estateu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Valencia at Abacoa Market Update From January to May 2010 =-.

Danny, read this post yesterday and at the time was not quite sure how to answer, because my immediate reaction was what are your thoughts about the site design? Obviously you're thinking about a change, right? From a reader perspective it works well for me. Clear, concise, easy to navigate, comment/share, etc. Emphasis is clearly on the information and your users which I think is the point. One thought (and so minor): unless people follow you regularly they may not know what 12for12k. Perhaps there is a way on the (right hand bar maybe) to surface up nuggets of recent activities/successes/posts to drive more attention there (assuming it's a goal). From a design perspective there was one comment on size of header which I tend to agree with. Smaller would help surface up content a bit more - although, we do like nice lg pics of you :)

Hi Danny,

I think it looks fine: clean, with good clear navigation. And it's certainly way better than my ex on a good hair day (hey, there's a reason for the "ex" designation). That said, tweet away at will and surprise us with your latest design innovations.
.-= Daria Steigmanu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Do Referrals Matter to Your Business? =-.

Well, Danny, I like this better than prior ones and I understand the redesign issue because with Headway, some of it is because you can. I love the ease of change with Headway but the temptation to play is stronger.

I just noticed the little Tweetmeme and company widget following me around your blog. I rather like that. And I don't know when you added it but I just saw it today. I'm slow reading blogs lately so for all I know you already tweaked.

So I didn't vote, I think you should decide but it looks great, so totally your choice.
.-= Julie Walraven | Resume Servicesu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Nuggets of Gold =-.

I would "improve", instead of doing a total revision....it looks great already, but how about making your header match the footer, and then define and separate the pages boundaries more by making the background a different color than the page background. Just a few opinions, but what the hell do I know :).

Don't misinterpret this either, because I already told you that you have one of the most visually pleasing blogs I have seen.
.-= Abacoa Real Estateu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Valencia at Abacoa Market Update From January to May 2010 =-.

I love the colours and layout. But I'd really like the header to be smaller. It kind of dominates above the fold and I'd like to read a bit more content before scrolling.
.-= Jon Buscallu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...How to Hire Great Staff to Work with Social Media =-.

Hi Danny
Been following you for awhile (via Jim Connolly) and generally I agree, I like the blog's minimalism, and there's something quiet about it that seems to reflect you... still I am so wishing sometimes you would look up so I could see your eyes!

Of the 100+ blogs I subscribe to via RSS, yours is one of a handful for which I automatically click through to the site after reading a sentence or two.

Reason 1: I love how it looks.
Reason 2: Your site reinforces what you're saying far better than most.

The only things I'd change are the distracting/annoying drop-down and floating SM share menus. But that's just me.

Danny, I like your color scheme and layout. I love the header - it's one of the best personally branded sites on the net. My own advice would be to make small tweaks instead of a total overhaul. Experiment with typographical changes but not necessarily re-design. I decided long ago that my own blogs would constantly be in a state of evolution, so I make little changes all the time.
.-= Brandon Coxu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Donu00e2u0080u0099t Just Market for Attention u00e2u0080u0093 Call for Devotion =-.

Utilmately it should be up to you, Danny, regardless of the vote, I believe, because it should be a reflection of who you are and want to become. IMHO, the site looks fine.

Darren
.-= Darren Sproatu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...On Motherhood =-.

I know exactly how you feel, Danny. I'm always wanting to renovate and tweak my site as well. We actually just completed a pretty big overhaul recently and I'm going to resist doing more changes for right now. We had our readers give us feedback and they were happy with the new look and said it was very easy to navigate through and read. That's what's most important and I'll say the same for your blog. It's great as it is, but thanks for asking.

Darryl
.-= Loving the Bikeu00c2u00b4s most recent blog post ...Team: Happiest On My Bike =-.