I have switched from a 4 yr old template to a brand new WP blog template, the blog is under a different domain but will be switched in the next day or two as it isn't completed 100%

Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Old Blog

New Version

Thanks!

I think the new one is fine.
You should switch now.

__________________
Dave Barnes
+1.303.744.9024
http://www.marketingtactics.com
sitting in my basement with my iMac

Thanks Dave!

__________________
Defense Systems | Security Products | Crime Information

I noticed on the old blog that I was instantly aware - that there was a lot of stuff to see. I didn't instantly see what the new one was about. That isn't really a critique one way or the other. Just what I saw right off the bat. I put a widget right on top in my Wordpress blog with the title "Topics" because I noticed the same thing when I looked at my own.

Hi, cz-

My first impression of the old one was - too busy. A lot of information, jammed into a small area. The new one, on the contrary, is a lot more comfortable, but as was already said, I needed to really look to find more than what was served up. I think you might want to put up a little more, to give a quicker idea of the topics that have already been posted. Maybe just categories, rather than blog posts. Just my .02 worth. I like the look of the new one a lot, though.

Just noticed...you already HAVE categories!

__________________
If I ever stop learning, let the wolves have my carcass.
http://doccampbell.wordpress.com/
http://cleanstreamwaterconditioning.com
http://carforums-online.com

the new one looks ok but all the links at present seem to go to advertising. I left a comment on the old one about dogs. I think you should put all the old stuff on new blog & have 301 redirect to new page so that any page or sub page go to main page of new blog or correct directory.

__________________
historical information links re uk and usa
http://www.ssrichardmontgomery.com

New version link is not working to me .. ?

I think he has already put the new one up, at the old address, Bdesigner.

__________________
If I ever stop learning, let the wolves have my carcass.
http://doccampbell.wordpress.com/
http://cleanstreamwaterconditioning.com
http://carforums-online.com

Thank you all so much.

I had problems changing domain hosting to the new server for awhile.

I have added recent comments and recent posts.

I put the archives there but they are pretty darn long. Suggestions??

Also, I have been fooling around with the All In One SEO widget and on the bottom of that page he shows how he has it set up on his blog.

Does that look right to your SEO experts? Suggestions??

Plus it's set up to write it's own description and it adds the site's title at the end of each post (up in the blue bar on top) - I don't like that. How about you?

Here is the New Blog now!

Thanks again for all of your help and input!

__________________
Defense Systems | Security Products | Crime Information

Most widgets will have an option for how many lines to show. That might not be the right wording. Same as "show posts per page" 4,5, etc. (maybe there's a "by month" option?) The first or second thing I saw today was a categories list. That let me know right away what the blog was about, which is good.

Design and layout looks ok but I'd change the right hand menu quite a bit.

I'd get rid of the archive and meta links on the right and get some "popular posts" links up instead. I'd also increase the recent posts count and add some more defined categories.

Just M2C though...

__________________
Latest Blog Post: Google Consultant - Should this Job Title be Allowed? - Matt Inertia's SEO Blog - SEOers.org

"Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" - Dead Poets Society

try to do not so 'long' site - set number of enteries on 5
and I would do a link on archive where you can choose needable archive - not putting it in right menu

inertia,

I can do some of that, but I have 3 questions.

1st) What are meta links? (if you mean the "about us" "privacy policy" "contact" - I read that Google puts much more weight on sites that include these pages. It may be another myth?)

2nd) Do you think no link to the archives is wise? I thought they'd get spidered deeper if they were up there and also show the volume and longevity of the blog.

3rd) Do you recommend only 5 pages to the index page like the other folks suggest?

Thanks buddy!

__________________
Defense Systems | Security Products | Crime Information

I didn`t hear that google puts much more weight on site with these pages, but these pages are important because they give more 'weight' to the site in global. I mean that it adds some 'trust' when you making site for people not for search engine. and moreover additional pages give your site additional weight (not a lot but some)

I think that you should orgonize you site space. I don`t like 'long' pages with a lot of information because these long pages disseminate attention. But this is my oppinion

Thats why I said that you should make a bit more shorter site. And what about archive - you can make something interesting with java - some calendar or ajax pop-up window with choosing date or you can simple put the link to the archive page where user would find all the archieve links

These are the * Log in * Entries RSS * Comments RSS * WordPress.org links.

All the posts appear in the categories (which are more keyword targeted) so the archives are just extra low quality duplicate content pages. From a blog usability point of view they have a purpose but from a search engine view theyre crap. So its up to you to decide really. If you do decide to stick with categories then you should add some unique content to each category page. That way you get some unique content on pages that (if you pick the name of each category with keywords in mind) should bring you some decent traffic.

Not sure what you mean. There's nothing wrong with having more than 5 pages. Posts can be turned into pages if they become popular enough that they need to stay prominent and you may need to have way more than five pages.

__________________
Latest Blog Post: Google Consultant - Should this Job Title be Allowed? - Matt Inertia's SEO Blog - SEOers.org

"Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" - Dead Poets Society

Thanks inertia,

My bad - I meant "5 posts on the index page." I have it set on 10 currently. I can do the other things. I appreciate your input!

__________________
Defense Systems | Security Products | Crime Information

I have it set to ten. That way i get more links on the home page.

__________________
Latest Blog Post: Google Consultant - Should this Job Title be Allowed? - Matt Inertia's SEO Blog - SEOers.org

"Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary" - Dead Poets Society

How's it looking now? Any better?

I agree with 10 posts for the PR shot it gives the outbound links for a longer period of time (at least I think that's what happens)

Crime Information

__________________
Defense Systems | Security Products | Crime Information