Simplify… this word is influencing my every decision. Therefore I have decided to extend my hiatus indefinitely. I will post here if and when I choose to continue my pursuits in web/blog design work.
[Web hosting is not included in the hiatus. If you would like to have your blog or website hosted by WebExHosting.com please contact me through that website.]
May the God of peace fill you with all hope.
Blessings,
Lauren
I know I haven’t updated here in ages and I apologize. I’ve officially gone on a leave of absence from website and blog design due to an upcoming move. Moving a family and business out of state isn’t always easy. I’m working hard at being completely organized so I don’t lose a kid, dog or file cabinet along the way.
I expect that we will be settled by the end of June and I’ll make an announcement when I’m back in the design business.
Please note that the hosting segment of the business is still up and running; I expect there will be little to no effect on it during this process. I’m totally able to host websites and pack boxes at the same time. I’m quite the multitasker, no?
I’ve just finished the redesign for Laurel Wreath’s Reflections. Have a look/see, very soothing and inviting wouldn’t you say?
I think that is a pretty good representation of who Laurel is and the feelings she evokes in me when I visit her blog. It was great to work with someone I’ve come to know through blogging. Visit her today, I think you’ll enjoy her.
We started with the photograph below taken by her sister-in-law while she was Italy.
I think the end result is very… Laurel.
{{Hugs}}, Laurel. Hope you enjoy your new home! You’ll soon find out that Wordpress Rocks!
Updated: The Family-Friendly network has Moved to http://b-nn.com/index.php/ffnetwork-info/
I love this new option for displaying the Family-Friendly Blogroll. I haven’t added it to the JOIN page yet. I’ll do that as soon as I get a chance. I wanted to make it available now though to those who are interested. I’m guessing that a few of you will really like it.
This is what it will look like in your sidebar:
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Like it? Thought so.
This is the code you’ll need:
<center><a style="font-size:12px !important;" href="http://www.webexdesign.com/blog/family-friendly-network/">Join The Family-Friendly Network</a><br></center>
<div style="height:300px; scroll:auto; overflow:auto; margin: 4px 0 6px 0; padding: 8px 0 8px 4px;
font: 10px verdana,arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; text-align:left; background:#F4F4F4;
border-top: 1px solid #606060; border-right: 1px solid #ccc; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;
border-left: 1px solid #606060; -moz-border-radius: 8px 8px 12px 12px;">
<marquee onmouseover=’this.stop()’ onmouseout=’this.start()’ height="300"
scrollAmount="2" scrollDelay="120" direction="up">
<script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://rpc.blogrolling.com/display.php?r=35262d1ea94b3ccaa349b7df8b4465f9"></script>
</marquee>
</div>
<!–end blogroll code –>
It should resize to fit any sidebar perfectly. Hopefully!
I’ve been blogging for two years - you might not know that when first visiting this blog - I have visited quite a few blogs in my day. In fact, by running a blogroll I have become acquainted with more blogs than I can possibly read on a daily, weekly, even monthly basis.
When someone requests that they be added to the blogroll, my first step is always to visit the blog and make sure that the content truly is family-friendly. Now that the rules are the blogroll should be displayed in the sidebar prior to contacting me, I also look to make sure that it is.
In that first visit I usually make a quick assessment as to the viability of the blog. I don’t do it on purpose, I can’t help it. I look at the blog and imediately know whether it will become popular. The content is obviously important but it’s not the only thing that is critical to popularity. There will always be a segment of the population in the blogging world that will read you no matter from what perspective you write.
What’s even more important than content is your design. If people don’t like your look they usually won’t stick around to find out what you have to say. You need to pick a design and colors that are pleasing to the eye. At least to the eye of the type of people to whom you write. If you’re Goth, by all means choose black and red as your color scheme. But a white background and dark type proves to be, in most polls, the preferred choice of readers. Use this information, it will help gain readership.
Another problem I see is the use of free blogging sites that fill the top of your page with their own advertisements. It’s annoying for a reader, especially if it makes navigation confusing. If you must use a free service choose wisely. And make sure the free service allows comments without registering for an account. Also try to use a service that allows javascript so that you can join blogrolls and promote your blog.
One more thing about the free blogging services, no one who is promoting a business or attempting to start a business should use these free services. From a customer stand point - and I’ve heard this said more than once - it’s tacky. If you don’t believe in your business enough to invest $9.00 a month to run your own blog/website no one else will either. At the very, very least, you must begin with purchasing your own domain name. Many have found that after spending hours upon countless hours building recognition and links that they have to start over when they finally decide to purchase their own name.
We like to think that in life, looks don’t matter. The thing is that they do and people make a snap judgement based on looks even more so in Bloggityville. So take a look around your blog today and see if a little sprucing up might be in order.
Like my kids always say, “You’re cleaning? Who’s coming over?”
Because in bloggityville, company is always stopping by.
