Well, here it is, the final revision (I swear).

[marketingmama]

I have redesigned The Newbie Business Center 3 times now and I think I'm happy with what I've come up with finally.

Some of you are going to be repelled by the "odd" design, but I like it. I'm a sticky note freak.

I'm just happy that it seems to have a sufficient amount of useful content now. Plus, I did it with the "bloggy" design for ease of navigation. It is, after all, geared toward newbies.

When I was a newbie, I had no clue what to do. I had to learn through a lot of trial and error. That's why I created this site. The Newbie Business Center was created to save at least one newbie from the clutches of the "gurus."

So, what do you think?

Sheree

[ayushpant]

OMG - Can't believe I'm seeing this. Your idea is very noble, and kudos for that. However, my personal recommendation is use a better design. The design is like that for 1st graders (Very sorry for my blunt opinion - but its not going to help if I be all goody goody and say nice things about the site)

Sticky notes are simply "great". But, you can use better "quality" sticky notes. The forum "header" image is very bad as well. Rounded fonts are not looking good either.

I suggest that for something like this, you go for a more professional look as you want them to take you seriously.

Ultimately, its your content that'd matter - but All I would say is "Design Does Matter"

[ayushpant]

I hope that you don't find it rude. I didn't mean to be that way. I'd be happy to help anyone with suggestions in their designs. Its just that I am a design freak, and pay very close attention to design.

[marketingmama]

No, I don't think it's rude, I was expecting some revulsion. I can't help it, I really like it.

Here's why I chose it:

• The bloogy navigation is simple, every page is listed right there
• The navigation links are on the right side, so my content will be spidered 1st
• It will be easy to add more content when I get in the mood to write
• I'm addicted to sticky notes

Maybe some people won't like it or think it unprofessional, but if you actually look at it, it's useful content and not just a bunch of 1st grader gibberish.

Thanks for the honesty. I know I'm in for it for being so "unconventional."

Sheree

[ayushpant]

Well, three out of four points you made are possible with every other blog possible. Sticky notes is a different issue altogether.

I am glad that you didn't find it rude. I am happy that you appreciate healthy criticism.

The content is great, my point was why not have a design that reflects your great content. There are thousands of ways to be unconventional - but a bad design is not unconventional - its very conventional indeed.

I can almost guarantee you right now speaking from my experience in design - you should change it. You also have "zero" graphics on the site, including the logo being just plain text.

I don't have much to say anymore. In the end, its your blog of course. I hope that it does well. Good luck.

[marketingmama]

It's not a blog. It's just a blog template. I didn't really find anything else that I wanted except 1 other one. That was very plain too.

Why do I want a lot of graphics anyway? Don't they just slow things down? I'm going to have some video on there and don't want to get too bogged down.

Sheree

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Sheree,

I can see where you are coming from and also think Ayush makes some valid points about the design.

I would really get a WIIFM in your very 1st paragraph. You are writing about YOU and how YOU want to help and who YOU are and why YOU are doing this. It's VERY well written and I totally get you, agree with you and love everything you wrote.

It's important to keep in mind though that you truly only get a couple second to
grab peoples attention and some people skim and won't read alot.
To be blunt they don't care about you or anything else...

they want to know What's In It For Me!

Sometimes its good to just start off with "If you are looking for XYZ or a solution to solving the XYZ problem - you are in the right place. Our mission is to help you do learn to XYZ. (That's pretty elementary, but you get my drift.)

This is especially important in a site like yours that's all text, with no images to help convey your message. And I do agree with Ayush that a couple well placed images would really help the look.

I picture truly is worth 1,000 words. And like I said lots of people won't read a bunch of text. A pic can also evoke emotion and emotion can be used to sell or build trust or whatever the goal is. Adding a pic that conveys concepts like trust or support or making money or wading through the aligators or whatever you need to convey, can help assure people they are in the right place to get the solution they are looking for, before they dig in to read a bunch of text.

My 2 cents.

[jumar112]

Sheree:

Linda does have a good point of the "I" and "You". Place the information on the main page into about the author page and on the main page put what your website will do for your visitor.

As for the design...I also like sticky notes. It is a double edged sword. I have seen many professionally designed websites and the content is well.....worthless..I don't stay long..but hey it looks good! On the other hand I have seen very basic site designs that I will stay on for a long time because they have great content. Trying to find the middle of the road can be difficult and you said this is your third redo.....don't worry about that.

It is very easy to navigate (I like that). The navigation that says "Knowledge" should be "newsletter"?

[marketingmama]

Awesome tips guys. I fixed my "ego problem" although I put a picture of myself on the home page. I guess I just believe that people like to know that a real person is behind the whole thing and it's not just a website.

I added a nice little keyword blurb at the top that gives a taste of what it's about and then a bulleted list of what's inside. I'm all about the bulleted lists.

Again, thanks so much for your advice.

Oh, I also fixed the "knowledge" link and I added a page on SEO that I had completely forgotten to put in the navigation.

Sheree

[Dainis]

I love the domain name and your goals. I think that you have a very promising concept, and I wish you the best of success with it!

I'd have to agree with the design comments. The design makes me think that the site is outdated and the font choice makes me think that the site is unprofessional...so it's hard for me to read the content.

Now, I'm going to get very personal. This is what your picture says to me:

I'm looking away
I'm in pain
I need sleep
Life's really really hard
Why do I keep drinking this stuff...please give me whiskey now!

So, I'm really not "drawn in," do you know what I mean?

You look like a lovely person, I just don't know why you'd choose a picture that communicates so much pain.

This is just my perception, and maybe I'm a bit of a "Joe Optimist."

Blessings to you, and I hope my comments bring you joy, insight and sales!

Sincerely,
Dainis