I am agonizing over a decision... I shouldn't be, but I am.
I feel like my blog need a giant make-over. And so I have two options.
- I can work with the current theme... Shifter... It has been very good for me for quite a while. I know that it is quite flexible, and I can make it do a lot of things. But, I would basically need to re-work all of the widgets and elements...
- There is a theme I really want to play with. I actually wrote about it a couple of days ago, and I have been playing with it on another WP installation. It would also require a LOT of work.
The good part is that if I wanted to switch back, the settings would remain... I would be able to move back to the current theme easily.
Re-working the current theme would probably be 6-8 hours... and would hardly be noticeable to the casual reader/viewer. It would be cleaner, but it would not be dramatic at all.
Setting up the new theme would probably be 10-12 hours... but it would be a dramatic difference. It would not look like a tweak at all, but would look almost like a new website. And to get the old posts in shape for the new theme will take weeks...
Take a look...
Here is the current site. Here is the possibility...
What do you think?
***Update*** I have made a couple of changes. To start with, the themes for the two sites are swapped. I am now running Ikarus on LaneBailey.com and Shifter on BaileyServices.com. BaileyServices should be loaded out with content soon. Also, I am using Shifter in its "Portal" mode as opposed to "Blog" as it was on LaneBailey.com. Also, when I started having to move widgets, it became MUCH less reversible. I did save the file set-up so I could switch back in an hour or so.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
Man, I feel your pain. I have ONE thing in common with Pat Kitano - we both started our first blogs on godaddy.com blog templates. I hate that ugly little blog, but the time to move it all over to a WP blog is daunting and the ugly little thing ranks in the top 10 for my "city, state real estate".
I am loving my new magazine theme on my latest WP blog so much that I really want to rework the other one. Maybe next winter....
That said your current one looks great, but I really dig the magazine format ones.
Lane
Thanks for the input. I have been putting off using my WP blog more effectively, and I am so guilty of not keeping up on pro-active change. I think you really make change work for you very creatively.
All my best
Tom
The new template you are thinking of looks like it has possibilities. Best of luck.
Lane - I'm biased :) when I saw the new template on your blog a couple of days ago I just fell for it. Super cool. I know the work would/will be a pain in the behind. I downloaded the template :) so what can I say!!! Except that I can't get it to come up on my WP themes. I probably did something wrong. ~Rita
Wow, Lane, that new theme is kicking! The colors suit your niche better and it's very polished looking. That said, the thought of changing themes and doing all of the work again would make me hide under the bed.
thanks for letting us watch you twist in the wind... I'll be watching you...
Michelle - When I switched from Blogger to my WP blog it was a snap getting the content. If I wasn't changing domains it would have been over in minutes. There is a utility in WP to migrate content. It is all of the widgets and crap that take the time.
Tom - I know that my blog could be more effective... I need to make it so.
Bob & Carol - I think it does... and I really want to play with the new toy.
Rita - It wasn't you. I have the solution and I will give you a call...
Lisa - I would tweak it a little... And there would be a lot of work. But, like I keep telling my wife, if she gets me a groovy new tool, I will work in the yard with it... and I hate yardwork.
Maureen - Just gonna watch? I'd love to know what you think. ;^ )
I did like the new version it loaded quicker maybe it doesn't have all the add ons. Good luck.
I would go for the new look. It is sharper and looks better. Just put in the work and before you know it you will be done.
I have to say I like the new one a little better.
I'm not sure, trying to look past the images and just look at the design. I forgot about your intro video, love it!
So, why in the world is it not on the Map? http://areweconnected.com/say-hello/
Terry - It is the junk that slows it down...
Evelyn - Thanks. I have made the change...
Mike - I gotta figure it out... And thanks. I like the look too... and now I am working on chaning it.