All New CommentMILK Version 1.0New Look at John Cow dot Com and the Reasons for It
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If you are a regular visitor to the JohnCow homestead, you will have noticed that we have done a little rennovating around here and we are very happy with it so far. We still have a few minor things we want to do but for the most part we are VERY HAPPY!
So Why the Redesign?
The previous JohnCow template was fantastic. The colors, images and everything was very nice looking and it was a great template, the problem however was with the templates functionality.
1. Above the Fold: When designing or selecting a template, one of the first things you want to ensure is that your main action needs to be above the fold. What this means is if you want subscribers or buyers you want the offer to be immediately viewable as soon as they land of your blog.
The previous template had a huge header graphic and as a result there was a lot of wasted real estate that did nothing but look nice. With the new template we now have our highest priority offer (opt in) in the header area, making it immediately viewable and have shrank the hieght of the header so it allowed for other action items below to move up higher.
2. Move non action items to the footer: The old template had a cool looking footer but it did not allow for much information to be added. This in turn caused us to have to jam everything into the sidebar of the template and caused some distraction from people seeing the items we wanted them to take action on.
With the new template we now have much more room to be able to ensure we have everything available on the page but it is not jammed into the side bar and distracting the reader from what we feel is first priority.
3. Internal Functionality: The internal structure of the template was also a huge improvement for us. Most templates have the same basc structure and as a result if you are trying to update the template, you need to try and find where that code is in the main templates and if you are not savvy at php and html, it can be a bit of a challenge.
With our new design it takes full advantage of Wordpress’s powerful widget technology and all the main areas that are most likely to see changes now use widgets.
There are also more php pages within the template, for example the top navigation on the page is a template page all to itself. This allows for much more control when updating and editing the templates.
Whats Left to Update?: There are only a few small changes left to do and this has to do with creating custom template pages for thankyou pages (remove action items that will confuse people from thinking they might not have already opted in) and opt-in landing pages (such as the ebook page and soon to be Keyword Corral page) that we want the focus to be on the content and getting people to sign up rather then other banners and links.
So, there you have it… the reasons for the updrade!
I also want to give a HUGE THANKYOU to Hyder over at http://www.weborithm.com/ for doing such a fantastic job on this template. If you are ready to take your blog to the next level and are interested in your own custom template, I 100% recommend you check them out. Draw out what you want and http://www.weborithm.com/ will be able to do it for you.
So, what I want to know is…
What You Think of the Redesign
- Love it --> Looks Great (50%, 59 Votes)
- Like It --> Looks Good (28%, 33 Votes)
- Its OK --> Could Be Better (23%, 27 Votes)
Total Voters: 119
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Hi,
I thought it looked different! Very nice and neat use of space now.
Also, its about time you were different to everyone that tried to copy your template!
Shane
Thanks for posting about the redesign. I now have some things to think about when it comes to the design of my blog and my website in general.
GBGamess last blog post..Indie Business Rules: Relationships and Service
I really like your new look. I think that putting emphasis on downloading your e-book will be another way of getting subscriptions to your blog. You will be able to remind those subscribers also of your blog posts.
Blogging Millionaires last blog post..6 Things You Should Look for in a Blog WebHost
Nice work John!
Looks awesome!
Tell Weborithm to expect a call from me soon =]
HAHA!
My only suggestion is to put a small white strip under the top navigation.
A very nice redesign. I like it a lot. A great write up too. Very useful to me as I’ve just started out. Cheers.
Hey great changes, I saw them yesterday at midnight
. The sections in the footer are a great thing, and now the hearder looks better.
Mr. Javos last blog post..Spreading Love - September 08 Week 01
Jason, you’re very welcome
It was fun re-doing this template, I gave more thought to making it easy for you to update various sections, as you pointed out above, as well as giving the typography an uplift as well.
you did a great job!
It’s a very good idea that you took advantage of those free space. I did the same with my blog. If you take a look at it, almost every part of the header and sidebar is used for something. Wasted space is a very bad thing.
Cool changes in design and header area looks nice now. I want to purchase this cow2.0 theme and also emailed you about this. how much it costs and how should i purchase it
I really like the idea of having widgets for the bottom of the page, very clever.
Emmas last blog post..How To Remove The Dates From WordPress Themes
You should just remove that little AdSense block you have in the footer. It doesn’t serve much purpose and I doubt you’re making any money from it.
If AdSense was really important to you, you’d be embedding it into posts. Where it is right now is just more wasted space.
Chris Jacobsons last blog post..How To Make Money with Twitter
its advertising spots and one is paid out right now
It looks okay, Im not too fond of three columns, the middle one looks squueezzed in there
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I like what you’ve done with it.
Wills last blog post..Use LinkedIn for Link Building
It’s definitely an excellent re-design. I’ve always thought the design was too large that it grabs attention away from other more important things.
But other than that, it was already an awesome blog.
Andre Thomass last blog post..The True Secret To Big traffic
I feel like you not having the capacity to moo like the original cow. I see he is with the John Chow now.
OK, go there then.
WOW!!!! Your new design looks much more organized, effective, and efficient. I love it.
Are you thinking of ways to use the long green space to the right after the sidebar?
Jessel
Jessels last blog post..Building a Spectacular Spec Reel Pt 1
Looks pretty slick mate.
Jasons last blog post..The Perfect Joint Venture
Great new design, Mr. Cow
Sorry I haven’t been here in a while. Been away after selling bloggin-ads…:(
-Mike
Mike Huangs last blog post..Initial D Drift
Wow this all sounds really really good.
It would be interesting to know how much you paid someone to make the changes (or did you do it yourself).
I really like the new look.
Well done
I prefer the old one myself…
CowBloggers last blog post..Comment To Bring In The Herd!
what are your reasons? I am curious.
Not sure TBH, I just loved the old JohnCow more. The new one is nice I just don’t care for it as much thats all
CowBloggers last blog post..Building Your Brand Cow Style!
I like the new design, and thanks for pointing out why you did it.
You might want to check it with IE6 however. I know lots of people that don’t use it, but lots that still do. It is broken with it.
Elliotts last blog post..Usborne Books
Looks good but the ad banner is too busy, using gif is not in your niche “I guess”. I also like the old one.
It looks good but I feel as if the navigation links could be moved below the header image.
Ganeshs last blog post..Sunday Link Love and Announcements
looks good. Until today, i just use free theme. But i decide to buy premium theme. Hope i can find a good and better theme soon.
Your site is broken in IE6. Your sidebar is waaaay down at the bottom.
Just an fyi.
Bills last blog post..Ugly Sites Make No Money
I tested in all.. I will have to get with hyder and get it fixed.
I like it. Pretty clean and efficient design. Glad I signed up on your list so I can keep up with your awesome ideas & suggestions. Thanks!
Theme Wedding Ideass last blog post..Put a Little Magic in Your Marriage With a Harry Potter Wedding!
I miss a few days at the pasture and come back to this! Great move John I like it, and it’s great that you’ve been able to improve the functionality without a total overhaul of the site!
Normal Joes last blog post..IMwithJoe.com Monthly Update
Glad you like it
hi johncow
even though i don’t visit your website regularly, but those are good reasons when designing web or blogs.
i’m thinking of renovating my layout too..
myadlans last blog post..UPSR and DSAI
Your header redesign makes perfect sense as you’ve taken advantage of the new real estate. I really enjoyed reading your reasons for the redesign and find it helpful as a blogger to learn from your thought process. Great job!
Like the new layout. Have always liked the original graphics as they are different to the generic designs we always see around the web. The new layout seems to be much more efficient.
Please offer your services to Blogger ! ! !
Cheers
Millionairemumma
PS You really need a proofreader here and over at DDC.
I sent an email to your keyword corral support. There may be some formatting problems with IE6.
I included some screen shots. Hopefully it is helpful.
I dealt with some similar problems on the new design we are working on.
Overall, I think the changes are very positive.
CD Rates Blogs last blog post..Kansas Bankers Surety Calling It Quits
I don’t like the thin middle column. It looks to busy, especially with all of the swirling and flashing ads.
Hello,
The theme looks great! Like the old lay out you sold the theme will you do the same with the new theme?
Steve
Steves last blog post..Learn From The Top 10 Blogs
Nice design.
How much did you pay for it.