Today, #blogging28 suggests we tidy up our sidebars. I did that this summer, and now again today.
Last summer, I captured several pages into a few as an archive since I am now retired [but always learning and connected]. I needed to keep what was important as a record and archive, but update for the new purposes of this blog.
Today, I did several things. First, I checked all the links and corrected a few that had changed. I noticed that the language I used may have been confusing; I’ve been mentoring new bloggers starting Edublogs and created both WordPress Help and Edublogs Help blogs to test out questions and provide some guidance. I clarified that. Although the work I do has changed, I keep those up as reference.
Second, I deleted some sections that are totally not valid anymore.
And third, I rearranged things so the most pertinent to me and my readers is at the top. For instance, for some 30 days, I’m in two challenges with many people, so I kept the link to those at the top. I can move that later.
One thing I thing is important is to have a widget that explains who the author is and a little about them; sometimes people don’t want to go to an About page. I noticed a tweet by my friend Denise who did tidy up her sidebar with some revised some content too. She also added a subscription widget, and that seemed like a good idea, so I did as well. I also added a link to my Twitter in my Welcome note.
I’m thinking I have quite a few links on my sidebar; perhaps I just need a page with those on it. But for me, when I go to a blog, I like to check the About page to get to know the author, but then I like to see what else they’ve got going, which is also in the sidebar. In the new visual themes with all the images, I think we lose some of the context and personalization that explains who we are and why we blog.
I’ve looked at many themes to update, but none resonate with how I feel about looking at a blog. Perhaps I need to consider more of a reader’s outlook… I like that I own the design and layout, but audience is important too.
Still wondering…
WC: 400
Day 28
This post is part of a 30-day challenge to reflectively write and post at least 150 words with the hashtag #modigiwri, which started with Anna here. Join us and here goes!
I’ve also joined the #blogging28 challenge by Edublogs, thanks to Denise’s tweet.
See participants in sidebar.
I love how you titled this, Sheri. As one who often loves to use alliteration for titles, I could relate! I’ve been quiet on social media because I’m away for the weekend but I’m still keeping up with my challenge … and I’m glad I am. Commenting on blogs such as yours inspires me to keep going with my own blogging. Earlier this weekend, I started creating a brand new site (sharing later this long weekend) so I’m definitely in sidebar shuffle mode. This #blogging28 challenge has been a wonderful motivation along with a wonderful way to meet fellow bloggers. And I definitely agree with you about audience consideration as you think about re-design. I tell my students this constantly when they write their papers or their own blogs.
Thank you for sharing!
Theresa
Thank you for this reminder and inspiration. I am going to tidy up my old Blogroll … it is a mess of old links.
Kevin