Discussions
So You Think You've Got the Best Blog Layout...
Posted by AppleMan • 9/23/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
My last discussion post on this subject was taken down by the admins because apparently it didn't create enough discussion. So I've reposted this and ask that you:
1. Give your blog URL
2. Tell us what makes your blog layout better than most.
The layouts will be fairly judged by me, and the best layout will recieve a backlink on me Apple Blog, and a 200-word review of your blog. If you posted your blog on the previous discussion, I would like you to resubmit so that your blog will be considered.
To start things off, I will post mine.
User Comments
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I don't think I have the best layout or anywhere close, but you can review mine if you like. It is at :
lifeamongotherthings.blogspot.com -
apple-report.blogspot.com
My blog layout is all black with bright white text. The links of purple show up very well on black, and the adsense ads fit right in without messing up the layout. It is easy to read and looks very professional. I also have a cool flash banner for my blog. Feel free to take a look! -
suburbqueen.blogspot.com/
Better than most...I don't know, but it is organized and easy to read. You can find what you are looking for without having to sort through too much clutter. Plus, it's just pretty ; )-
Love your blog! It is beautiful, well organized and easy to read. A favorite.
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Thank you for such kind words!
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Game over. Mine is the bestest ever.
No sense in anyone else entering. They'll just cry.
http://most fantabulouslybeautifulblogever.com/
Jealous much?-
uh... mike? there seems to be a problem with your link... it only shows the "http://most" part of the address being hyperlinked. i entered the full address into my address bar, but it mysteriously came up empty...
haha, just kidding.
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I not so sure mine is OK, it's kinda fine for me.
www.MyBoxPro.com -
Guys, i am pretty excited because i am going to release my new layout. Hope it will be good, thought with the mosaic, i think the final product will be released soon..
www.etienneteo.com/ -
The best? I don't know... But you can tell me.
meghnaspages.blogspot.com/ -
hello:
1. bromohv.blogspot.com
2. Mu blog's layout it's a combination among scientific aesthetics, basic and minimalist colors, with the aim that a pharmacist writes about arts without feel himself like a sinner
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1. lordlikely.blogspot.com/
2. It has my handsome face all over it. CONTEST OVER. -
Check out noodle-house.blogspot.com
I have managed to get it looking the way it does. And next weekend I have planned to give it some orange highlights. Anyway, I think it looks good even now. -
Aloha.. Well thought I would add mine to the list for the competition..
tomorrows-entertainment.com/
I'm not saying mine is the best looking blog out there, but I think I it's cool, but I guess I am bias.. LOL.. My blog is an entertainment blog which is more to do with movies, than any other entertainment.. Due to this, I wanted my blog to have a movie theater feel to it.. Which I believe I accomplished.. Even though most people hate black and 3 column templates I have used both.. Using title bars, navbars, borders etc I have lifted the dull black template to make a pretty cool looking blog.. Also my side bars are not crowded and are in a orderly fashion.. Even the RSS icon matches the theme to " Tomorrow's Entertainment.."
Good Luck everyone..
Madcrow
tomorrows-entertainment.com/-
Think your blog is cool too!
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Here is my blog :
lifeinthehealthlane.blogspot.com/
I feel my layout is just perfect for the health blog.I do not know if it is the best or not,but I feel it conveys the exact essence of a health blog like mine.
I'd like to hear your word on it. -
Wow. That was fun, cruising through those -- such different styles & taste -- each unique, even the one with the basic blogger template.
I have two, one very simple, but pretty (I think): Watermark - www.sbpoet.com
And a recently refreshed one: Blogging Blog | Tips, Tools & Toys for the Personal Blogger: www.bloggingblog.org-
I like your sbpoet one! Quietly beautiful is what comes to mind.
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Oh, kariknapp -- thank you so much! I've been working hard on this, and it's reassuring to think it might be worth it.
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You can check out mine--------it's simple, yet focused more on content.
dtrant.blogspot.com
Some really great blogs on here! I wonder why admin would dismiss your thread....hmm. -
So when are you making the decision on the winner?
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Hi Appleman,
Mine is definitely not the best but please do a review. Thanks.
myden-myden.blogspot.com -
Mine make me crazy, I guess that mean I have the best layout? I can put how many widgets or ads on my layout, it will never be full
www.kiwipulse.com -
Just wanted everybody to know that after the contest is over, I will go back and leave a comment on everybody's blog about their layout, so don't expect anything until tomorrow.
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Actually, everything has changed from my original plan... read the loooooong post near the bottom of the page.
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I love my own, it took me months on my blog's layout! I have wordpress! Just want it simple! I'm not really techt and I don't know how to pimp mine! ANyone could help?
www.writinerary.com -
I don't think it's the best and any idea's are welcome, but it certainly very funny.
Latest posts include:
Sex Talk- SHUTUP
Why women fake it
Top tips for a pretty Vagina
Men and PMT
www.girltalk-ladiesonly.blogspot.com -
www.coyotethunder.com/RedMonkey/
i think i've got a kind of unusual look ... i like the juxtaposition of tech and old parchment. -
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I wouldn't say 'best' but I would say different. I took the iWeb standard template and tweaked the heck out of it, changed their navigation, etc.
I'm still adjusting things as I gain more info about how people use the site.
web.mac.com/thriftshopromantic/iWeb/ -
I do believe I have a pretty darn good layout. It uses white space liberally, there's a dash of color and it's easy to navigate. Multiple posts are shown on the entry page so there's no need to click around unless you want to. There aren't many ads (a rarity these days) and the subscription and search options are on the upper right hand corner, just where you would expect them to be.
Come visit and see for yourself!
cardiogirl, low tops optional
www.cardiogirl.net -
Hi there...mine is definitely not anywhere near the best. Would like to change things around, but am not confident enough to play around with the template...horror of horrors, just in case I lose everything. There are limited options for a template in blogspot, and though I tried, couldn't put a picture into the blog title etc. Haven't a clue about HTML etc. Just may get there one day...look forwars to your comments. Thanks a ton! :0) -
The winner will be announced tomorrow night at 10:00 p.m. eastern united states time, so be sure to get your blog submitted!
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I commented here yesterday I am sure... saying, well it is not the best by far, but.. www.robsellen.com :o)-
you commented, but it got taken down sadly... i've reposted it, asking for reasons why your blog deserves the best layout award.
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It doesn't deserve it lol. ;o)
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1. wickedwhammy.com
2. It's simplistic, functional, absolutely rockin' and doesn't strain your eyes. Besides it's mostly designed by myself. -
Actually I never thought I had the best layout, but as I am a total goon when it comes to designing and html, css and all that double dutch I just have to be content with the basic template!
See it here... and be amazed... lol
lupideloop.blogspot.com -
(Quick note before the loooong post begins: don't be intimidated by the size. I recommend that you read it so that you will know how the contest is working.)
The first half of the "blog bracket" is complete, because it has been 24 hours. The second half of the bracket will be submitted and judged in the next 24 hours. Then the top four blogs will square off. I know, a bit melodramatic, but i like the idea!
Here's how it went down for the first half. I grouped blogs into groups of three and chose one winner from each group. The eight victorious blogs were paired against each other in 4 matchups. The winners of the 1-on-1 matchups were paired against each other. This bracket was narrowed down to two. These two will meet two more blogs from the second half of the bracket and will face off to get a backlink and a free 200-word review. Here are the details:
FIRST ROUND:
Group 1:
Neobluepanther (Group 1 winner)
Suburbqueen
Izzy69Rocks
Group 2:
Profitline
MeghnaK ( Group 2 winner)
Bromoluz
Group 3:
Lordlikely
Vishnuap
Madcrow (Group 3 winner)
Group 4:
MyDen
Kiwipulse (Group 4 winner)
Xerendipity
Group 5:
CreativeBlogger
Ender (Group 5 Winner)
Morinn
Group 6:
Meghamathur
Sbpoet (Group 6 winner)
Dpasquella
Group 7:
ThriftShopRomantic (Group 7 winner)
Cardiogirl
Vindee
Group 8:
Robsellen
WickedWhammy (Group 8 winner)
Lupideloop
SECOND ROUND:
Neobluepanther vs. WickedWhammy
MeghnaK vs. ThriftShopRomantic
Madcrow vs. Sbpoet
Kiwipulse vs. Ender
THIRD ROUND:
WickedWhammy vs. Ender
MeghnaK vs. Madcrow
FINALISTS:
Ender and Madcrow
Congratulations to Ender and Madcrow, the semifinalists in AppleMan's first ever blog layout contest! I'd also like to thank everybody for submitting over the last 24 hours, and I hope that many more will submit in the next 24 hours and provide a challenge to Ender and Madcrow. The submissions for the second half of the bracket begin now, and end tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time US. At 9:00 p.m. I will post the winners of the semifinal matches. And then at 10:00 p.m., the grand winner of the contest will be announced. The winner will recieve a free backlink and a 200-word review, just for submitting their great blog's template!
As for everybody else who didn't quite make it, you will recieve private personal comments in your shoutboxes over the next week with hints on how to improve your blog's layout. Everybody except Ender, Madcrow, and the two winners of the other half of the bracket will recieve these helpful hints.
Please note that I do not think that any of these designs are bad. When I decide who wins over somebody else, it is not necessarily which template is better, it is just that some templates appeal to me personally more than others. Some bloggers just have an incredible sense of design, so I hope nobody is upset by the judging.
Well, the loooooong post is finally done, so let's let the submitting begin...-
Nice one.
Interesting. :o) -
Hi Appleman,
Great contest. Thanks for taking the time and effort.
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OK here's mine crpitt.blogspot.com/
Its the bestest because it took me ages to work out how to personalise the header with my own pictures -
Well done to Ender and Madcrow
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Nice. Didn't want to post mine before the contest is over because I would obviously win.
WD Enger WD Madcrow WD Appleman !-
Thanks, djumbox!
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Well Ender and Madcrow!!
Although an Ender vs Mikster final would have created great interest (just watch em spar at each other with words in normal situations here lol)-
Well, it seems I forgot to include Mikster in the first half of the bracket... he will be entered into Group 1 of the second half.
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Ender and I don't "need no 'stinkin blog face off" to verbally spar....lol
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Oh....and definitely not necessary to enter my site in any bracket/round. My template doesn't really care about competitions like this. No sense in angering it.
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Feel like I am in Street Fighter.. LOL.. * Uses sonic boom against Ender *.. Well done everyone who entered, and good luck Ender.. I like how you have done these rounds Appleman..
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Thanks, Madcrow! It should be an interesting battle tomorrow night between the blogs.
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Ah.. The Battle of the Blogs.. My grandfather fought there in WWII.. Oh no that was the " battle of the bulge.." Ah I know.. Two blogs enter, one blog leaves.. Get ready for " BloggerDome.." LOL..
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oh wow ... i log off the computer for a while and things go all wonky on me and i am apparently some sort of semi-finalist and then MadCrow sonic booms me. :O
oh my ... really really nice design MadCrow. wow ... nice stuff here.
*goes into shock* -
LOL.. Thanx Ender..
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I plan to do this every 3 months, so I'm hoping that this will encourage people to do their best to make amazing layouts and make my picking job harder (not that it isn't hard already).
I might add another prize in the next Battle of the Blogs. Keep submitting everybody... you have until 8 p.m. eastern us time tomorrow night! -
This is such a good idea -- & a great way to find blogs to look to for inspiration.
Thank you, AppleMan, for the time and energy devoted to this.
Oh -- & I really look forward to your comments!-
You are very welcome, sbpoet.
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Congrats Ender and Madcrow!!
Now leave me alone...(cry) -
you won't be crying when you get the layout advice for your blog
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Thank you AppleMan,
It was an interesting contest. I'm really thankful to you for the time & efforts.
I'm glad that I could make it upto Semi Finals in the First Round! but feel sorry that had to lose to better ones.... Waiting for some tips for improvement....
Congrats Ender & Madcrow! and Thanks again, AppleMan for the interesting contest!! -
hehe, congrats Ender and Madcrow! way to go buddies!
Good luck for the finals. -
Yay! Congrats, guys! And kudos to you AppleMan for offering quite a lot of your time for this.
(I am still chuckling over Madcrow's Street Fighter reference... Yes, that sorta crossed my mind, too. Too funny. -
Okay, Bloggers, I still need submissions for the second half of the bracket... entering can only help and takes about ten seconds!
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www.sushiordeath.com
Working on a redesign at the moment, but it is not far from the current. I think my blog is great because sushi is yummy, the swedish chef is currently on the front page and my boyfriend made me a fantastic logo! -
www.guitarnoize.com
I'm pretty happy with mine.-
Very, very good information hierarchy! Good weighting and nice image treatment. Well done. Also like your header image!
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Bah, why not
www.importjap.com/blog
It's really only a temporary setup till I get WP2.3 finalized
Thanks mate-
Cool blog! Inline with the content and keeps it "design promise". Communicates well. Good job!
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Thankyou
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(Claps politely like the losers on the Emmy's do when the camera shows their smiling faces trying to hide the disappointment) Congratulations to Ender and Madcrow.
It's an honor just being nominated.
(shuffles away, head hanging down, ego bruised)-
*(Claps politely like the losers on the Emmy's do when the camera shows their smiling faces trying to hide the disappointment) *
Hahahahaha -
That's exactly what they do... I find it hilarious!
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it was a interesting contest concept, which we should use ain't? hahaha!
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There are 3 hours left to submit your blog in the layout contest, so I urge anybody who reads this to submit. It can't hurt, can it?
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I think mine is nice. I'm happy with the layout. I'm not sure anyone will care for the background though.
www.yourekillingmyserver.com/-
love the tabs and drop down menu's
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15 minutes left people! come on!
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5 minutes left, and i only have 7 submissions for the second half of the bracket.
Even if you don't think you have the best layout, still submit. You may be surprised! -
1 minute left... i'm losing hope... i might prolong the time i allow for submission...
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Okay, I guess I'll have to work with what I've got... sadly, the submitting is closed now. in 1 hour (9:00 p.m. eastern us time) for the announcement of the second half bracket winners. Then at 9:30, the semifinal winners will be announced. Between 9:30 and 10:00, i will look very closely at the two remaining layouts. the winner will receive a conspicuous backlink on my blog and a free 200-word review. after that, everybody who submitted will get comments on how to improve their layouts.
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I will accept one last, final last submission, however, for anybody who came in late.
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Oh, WTH -- here's my third blog, currently in design transition:
Abide| living with chronic illness | resources & reflections -- abide.sbpoet.com
Or, I don't know which of the other two you chose (I think Watermark) -- but you could look at the other one again:
Watermark| A Poet's Notebook -- www.sbpoet.com
Blogging Blog| Tips, Tools & Toys for the Personal Blogger -- www.bloggingblog.org
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