THERE, I said it. I’m not referring to the header, which I still think is very cute. But the overall layout is just . . . 2000-and-late. Or whatever the kids are saying these days to mean dated*/tired/etc. It also doesn’t look right on many browsers, a fact that I am aware of but have been studiously ignoring. I want a pretty blog that looks modern and clean and reflects the time that I put into it.
I have written multiple times about wanting to transfer all of my old posts to WordPress and start anew. But from what I have read, that is tricky and I might lose all of your wonderful comments. So what I am thinking is . . .perhaps I will just start again! As in a new URL.
My previous concern about this was that OMG, my readership would go down.** But if I really dig into that thought . . .it’s probably okay. If a given reader finds that changing the bookmark/feedly link is not worth it, then I’m okay with them moving on — hey, it will help them in their journey towards a minimal reader that really fits their needs!
Upon some reflection, I believe I write this blog for the following reasons:
– Meaningful interactions with you all in the comments
– An outlet for my own creativity
– An outlet for processing my emotions
– To be able to look back and remember things and details and pieces of my life
Changing the URL and moving on is not going to impact any the above. I would leave this site up, continue to pay the $10/year fee for “theshubox.com” and just link to it as “archives”. The $ I get from Blogher are not worth stressing over ‘readership’ and whether that might change.
Plus who knows . . .maybe with a prettier site I would be moved to write more, and then the #s might go up anyway.
Thoughts? WordPress users, it makes sense to switch, right? New site name ideas? All welcome. And thank you for reading, I seriously cannot believe it’s been 12 years . . .
* You know you’re old when the expression you use to mean ‘dated’ is dated. Ahh well.
** If anyone is curious, according to Blogger’s stats, this site usually receives around 1500 pageviews/day, or ~45,000/month.
They do add up – to 3.3 million since 2010 and Blogger began tracking! Also apparently I’ve written 2725 posts. Which is . . . many.
12 Comments
I love your blog and would definitely follow it to a new url. I don’t have any ideas for a new name but I’ll keep thinking.
I have been considering the same. My original blog is on Blogger, but I just started a second blog on WordPress, and I like it SO much better. I’m torn about switching. I don’t even know how to start. Good luck!
Is there a reason why you couldn’t just buy/install a more modern and responsive (I.e, mobile friendly) blogger template? Changing domains and platforms seems like a hell of a lot of work.
I was going to suggest buying a theme from someone, but someone already did! That’s what I did for mine and I still don’t think it looks super professional, but way better than a few years ago. Some people will let you upgrade for more personalization, etc.
I second Charlotte’s comment, there are many responsive blogger templates that you can find on etsy. Let me know if you need any help! Either way, I will always be your blog follower.
1,500 page views a day! That’s amazing!
And as someone who is terrible at keeping journals/photos/anything to have some kind of record of life, how awesome that you can look back on the past 12 years!
WordPress is so much better for design, ease of use, and monetizing. It truly is the way to go to get your own hosting, etc. you can get this blog migrated over. Please research it!
I loved the woman I hired to do my last update and she was incredibly reasonable ($150 for a full transfer and custom design, would likely be half that if you just want a design). Let me know if you want her details!
Looking forward to it! (I have no problem with your blog design, but I’m a sucker for shiny & modern)
I have the exact same thoughts about my blog!! I’m so tired of the interface, it’s been the same forever, and I have no idea how to update anything. It’s unthinkable to lose my comments, and while blogger isn’t particularly user friendly I do generally know how to use it and don’t really want to start over. I googled etsy blog templates as your commenter suggested but even that seems more than my skill set will allow. I’m so interested to see what you decide to do!
(and for what it’s worth, I find your blog design soothing and simple which is totally what I’m going to go for should I actually get to — or get someone else to — redo mine!)
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