As we approach our 15th Anniversary online, there are some changes going on.
First on the list is a NEW LOOK for my blog!
My mastermind has been nagging me for years to update the look of my sites, so I’m starting here. And even I have to agree – it’s a nice change. So thanks everyone for staying on my case about it.
I want to send a special thank you to Armand Morin, my friend and mentor, who personally created the header for me. Thank you, Armand!
I also want to thank Marcus, my webmaster, and the team at iThemes – who answered a LOT of questions for me – and even fixed multiple things I messed up here and there.
Even my good friend Michel Fortin got involved as part of a class I was taking from him, giving me valuable feedback and a list ofย invaluable plugins to use!
As with anything online there are three things that are important here:
1. It takes a TEAM to put together a bigger picture and a bigger business. Sure, you can start alone, but when you want to grow, you need help beyond yourself.
2. It takes TIME to evolve. Not only do you need to learn and get comfortable with new technology and tactics. But you also need to evolve yourself.
3. The most important aspect of any change you make is that it must matter to your CUSTOMERS. If they don’t like it – it won’t matter!
So now it’s YOUR turn. Please take a look and let me know whether or not you like the new look – and what else you’d like to see here! I’ve put up a poll on the right and I’d love your comments below –
Thanks for your help and inspiration!
I really like your new look and feel. It has a wide open feel, doesn’t make you feel cramped, and I personally like lots of white space. The only thing I miss is your smiling mug shot. It just doesn’t seem right not to have your picture somewhere prominent. Just my thoughts. I guess since I know you personally, I like seeing your face…brings up good memories.
I love you, Jeanne! I did add my smiling mugshot to my about page – and it does show on the comments. Can you have too much of a good thing? ๐
Thanks for adding your two cents – really appreciate you!
I miss your picture too Jeanette. I liked seeing you (my friend and mentor) on the home page. I also noticed that you changed the TechTamers page over to a blog, how involved was that. I would love to do that with my site, but don’t want to put the time in.
Changing to the blog at TechTamers wasn’t hard – but I haven’t changed all of the backend information.
I just created the blog at the top level, overwriting the index.htm and it’s done. You can ask Marcus to help, of course.
I’m only moving those pages to the blog format that get regular traffic. Saved me a lot of work that I had put off for years! And it’s so much easier to manage now.
Jeanette,
I love the new look and open feel. The only thing missing is your photo.
Holly
Uh Oh – I may need to go back and add “me” if everyone agrees they miss my smiling face. Thanks for your input!
I think it would be interesting to know WHY others thought it should be changed and specifically WHAT. I like the old header better. The new one seems to antiseptic, less unique. less personable. Perhaps the specific bullets are worded differently but that’s too minor.
No more opt-in? That’s of interest. Why, though?
I can’t really see what else is different except it appears to have fewer clickable menu items, and only one menu. It would be interesting again to hear WHY it was felt less menu choices is better as it runs counter to my thinking.
As a learning experience if you can share what went into the change, it would be interesting.
Great questions, Richard! I’d love to know why others thought it should be changed, too. But so far not many have offered comments.
The new header IS more corporate and less based on me as a person.
The lack of optin is not purposeful – there is a plugin conflict with the tabber widget so I had a choice of optin or tabs. For today I choose tabs – and will keep looking for a new optin option.
Actually the menu is identical to the old menu – except it more clear now. Interesting that it appears to have fewer choices. Contact Us is the only thing I removed – will just rely on the Support link at the bottom.
Thanks for your insights. It’s really helpful!
Missing your picture!! Why the big DR? Perhaps Armand thinks this give authority to the site. I distrust and dislike doctors so for me it is an immediate turn off. If I was a first time visitor, I am sure I would click away in a second from what seems to be a cold impersonal corporate website.
When I figure out what I really think I will let you know ๐
Lauren
But gee, Lauren, what else do you love about it? LOL
Actually, the DR is to emphasize my expertise. For years I tended to downplay my PhD, thinking it would make me seem uppity. But in reality I am an expert in Instructional Design, particularly in the online learning environment. Heck, I was even doing that BEFORE we invented the Internet as we know it. So it’s just to remind ME that I am an expert.
Hope that takes the sting out of the Dr for you. And yes, I’m looking at ways to add my face for all of you adoring fans. (as always, said with a smile on my face).
As a fellow PhD, I too struggle with the issue. Some people say yes – put it out there – and others say it’s a distraction. And I was a college professor for many years. At one conference a speaker said, “We all remember college, don’t we? And we hated our professors.”
Just what I needed to hear. Most of my students didn’t hate me!
Jeanette,
If you took a poll of 100 people and ask them what they think of when they hear the word doctor, I am absolutely sure that a high percentage – over 98% would think of something medical. Dentist, Chiropractor or Medical Doctor. Only perhaps other Doctors of Philosophy or Theology would perhaps think wider.
Just adding the abbreviation of DR to your name does not invite the reader to think of you as an expert in the internet, online learning or instructional design. I showed it to a friend and asked her first impression – her comment was “must have failed at medicine and now trying out the internet”.
I absolutely agree it is important to let your reader know about your expertise and incredible resource of knowledge in this area, and imho there has to be a more direct way of communicating that.
After all, aren’t you are teaching people how to communicate and reach audiences with their individual expertise via the internet?
You must be regretting asking for our opinions now!
Lauren
Hi Jeannette,
Congratulations on being brave enough to request crowd feedback ๐ There are things I liked about the old site (that are not part of this one) and things I like about this one.
I too find the DR a bit too much (too big of an emphasis.) If you want to highlight the fact that you’re an expert, I’d do it in a much subtler way. (This way is like hitting us over the head with a hammer — it doesn’t feel good, which takes away the purpose of the KLT factor.) Personally I;d love to see you play with the Dr. metaphor a bit — something along the lines of “our shots don’t hurt a bit but we can make your web presence get well fast” — that’s just top of mind stuff there but I think you see where I’m going with that. That kind of approach is one I’m sure would work for your audience. The header doesn’t. (Sorry. Just want to be honest about that.)
I miss your photo, too, and I would like it up front on the home page. Right along with the other creds.
And while we’re talking about image(s) I would certainly play with images of “doctor/medical” stuff — like stethoscopes for finding out what’s wrong with your copy or web site; syringes for fixing stuff fast; bottles of pills for step-by-step programs; etc. I mean golly, you could get a LOT of fun out of that — and tap into Pinterest fans at the same time.
OK that’s enough free advice. Hire me if you want more ideas LOL.
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy. You always have good ideas! I appreciate that perspective and the pills, etc would be fun, but I would hesitate doing it because I’m not a medical doctor. (And their rules probably prohibit them from doing it – so it could be a great idea for SOMEone)
This has been really good to get feedback from everyone – thanks!
Hello, Jeanette,
As a newcomer to your site – it’s the first design of your blog I’ve seen and as the others have said – I miss a photo or picture of some sort to give me a visual of who is running the site. I had to go research via search engine.
In addition, as Nancy says, I came looking for solutions and if I hadn’t already signed up the the IM Quick Start elsewhere, I would have been put off by the officious-ness of the header.
Having said that – if you are in the process of getting a more “corporate” image, then it sure does that!
All the best
Jennifer
Welcome, Jennifer! Glad you stopped by – and hope you’ll be back. I’m hearing y’all loud and clear and am working on some re-do of the header. I’ll send a note to everyone when it’s ready.
Jeanette
Well Jeanette, I have to 110% agree on the DR!
It overshadows everything – attracts your eye immediately to this very oversized abreviation and frankly DETRACTS from your site.
DR in way oversized letters does not, in my opinion, give you credibility or reflect your expertise in any field of internet marketing or design. It almost does the exact opposite of what I believe you intended…by making one think you want to emphasize your “book learning” to try to convince us you are credible or have expertise simply because you have a degree or advanced degree. Lots of folks have “book leaning or degrees” and not one bit of common sense or the ability to convert that education into useable and meaningful information that would help us in internet marketing, etc.
It is the first thing that jumps out at me and when I feel someone is trying to “make me believe” they have value….if they can not convey their experience and expertise in a better way…well it is an instant turnoff.
Plus as others have mentioned often DR brings to mind the medical field in one speciality or another and doe snot lend to your particular expertise. You have the advanced degree, you know you are an expert…please convey that to site visitors in a much more positive way that is less for lack of a better way “forceful”.
Personally I do not know why there was the sudden need to change the appearance. I am a member on several of your courses/sites and it is so easy to identify that you are YOU with the same style on each related yet stand alone site…and personally I do not think this new version conveys YOU as well as the old one.
Also Jeanette I have to agree with you regarding the use of medical items such as pills, scopes, etc as that would be way too far out in left field sinc eyou are not a medical doctor and I believe if you did use those instruments it would come off as deception. If you were a medical doctor with a medical site it would work…but that is not the case.
Hmmmm by now you may be wondering why you ask for opinions. Hey, if you don’t want my opinion…then don’t ask for it. Never have I said the words shy, quiet, or bashful were in my vocabulary! Love you and your products Jeanette, not a fan of this New Version.
Thanks, Jude. I’m definitely getting the message – change the header! ๐ I’m currently working on the 15 Year Celebration, so will put that on the list next.
Thanks, as always, for your opinion. You’re right – I don’t ask if I don’t want to know!
Jeanette,
I loved the “old site” but I do like the look of the new site. I like the header but I agree that thr Dr. is way to large. What about using Jeanette Cates, PhD? You earned it so you deserve to use it. My two cents.
Judy
Thanks for your support, Judy. Appreciate it. I’ll definitely be changing the header – just not sure which direction yet. But naturally I’ll keep you posted.
Love the big DR. really pops and make me pay attention, kind of whats going on here I want to find out. Like the open feel, maybe a bit too much red with the header and menu together. I see a tiny white line separating them maybe if it was a bit wider or a different color, even grey! But it is just fine the way it is too, so enjoy and you earned the DR. I believe it adds credibility and distinction to your site.
Dale
Gee, Dale, maybe it’s a guy thing (grinning). You liked it and all of my male mastermind group liked it, too. So maybe we ladies just feel it’s a bit overwhelming. So thanks for weighing in on that. I’ll definitely be changing the header but not sure how yet.
I agree – it felt a little red to me too. But I have some additional elements I’m going to add that will help, I think. Besides I never get tired of red!
Thanks again for stopping by and lending your opinion.
I haven’t read all the comments but I do not like the BIG DR – it’s almost as if either a) that was the name of your company (for someone who doesn’t know you and just stumbled on your page) or like Armand’s GS for generator software or b) you forgot to finish the line. Just my half a cent.
I DO love the look though but I also loved the other look (can you tell I am a libra).
I didn’t really miss the photo because I understand the corporate look. I just don’t think of you as the corporate person (and I don’t mean that badly). People don’t get the friendly “I really will help you and want to help you, not just take your money” feel of this site (a corporate site) as I did with the other. Perhaps there’s a real “Jeanette Cates” site which is a happy medium showing the real Jeanette?
You don’t have your address on this site any more. Is that something we should be removing?
Great work – are you going to tell us what theme this is or did i miss that along the way.
You are still a person (not a corporation) and that’s what I think makes you stand out among many. And as you can see, everyone thinks that you are great!
Terrie
Thanks, Terrie – I felt like email wasn’t going through when you weren’t the first one here! ๐ I will definitely dial it back a notch and appreciate your input.
Good call on the address – it got lost in the move apparently. So I’ll have to figure out where to put it in the new design. Definitely want to include it for FTC purposes.
I’ll share all the inside story of the site and plugins in the Incubator’s monthly webinar. So remind me if I forget to cover it all.
Thanks again – your opinion is always valued.
I like the simplicity of the sight, which makes it easy to read, and I like the color combination. However, I think the DR. is very distracting, and almost gives a feeling that there is a barrier between you and us, the REAL people.
I think people relate better to who you are, and what you offer, than to your title. You earned the title, yes, but it seems to separate you
from the helpful, giving person you are. I think it may give that ‘uppity’ sense that you mentioned.
I also miss your picture. I like the one of you without the hat best.
Isn’t it something how things that seems so simple, turn out to be a big deal.
Good luck with your decision.
Jan – you know I would never want a barrier between us. So appreciate your sharing your ideas on the header. I’ll definitely be changing it – at the end of the 15 Year Celebration, probably.
Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas.
Jeanette, I just love how involved and engaged you have got everyone! Cool!!
I was a the meeting about the changes for your site and I bet you are feeling a bit in the middle right now.
You are personable, your are a successful woman with a great deal of technology information and you have a BIG heart!! I feel like your new site is lacking YOUR personality. I know what you are going for, but a mix of the old and new seems more your style than a full on new makeover.
It does need your photo, because you are a person before you are a company. I would also put Dr. smaller and maybe in a different color. Or, all the same size, but together side by side with DR being a much lighter or softer color.
I will keep my mind and eye open for ideas that may inspire you. You are much, MUCH, more than your page vibe is sending. It is a great work in progress and I think what matters more than what any of us think is that #1 you relate to the page (personally & professionally) and that #2 you are proud of it no matter what anyone else says. Let it express YOU Jeanette!
Keep up the great work.. it is unfolding just perfectly!!
xoxox
Helen
Thank you, Helen. You are always so supportive online and in person. Truly appreciate you!
I’ll look forward to any inspiring ideas you send – we’ll have fun with the redesign.
Hi Jeanette,
I was going to say what Helen said, but she said it really well so I won’t even add anything to it!
Congrats on moving forward with change. It’s got to be inspiring that you’ve finally gone ahead on something that’s been nagging at you. ๐
Peggy
Peggy, thank you!! ;o) xoxo
Thanks for your support, Peggy! Good to see you over here and appreciate your ideas and ongoing input.
The Big Dr? Not a million percent brilliant? I’ll have to concur.
However, what’s wrong with “Dr. Jeanette” in small type …
… just above “Cates” – in the same size typeface you’ve currently got “Dr.” in?
Additional same-sized “PhD” beneath – optional.
There’s also the full-stop after “Dr” that tends to stop people in their tracks.
However, happy 15th, and may there be many more!
Thanks for everything, and all the best to you …
Good input. Thanks, Sandman! I’ll definitely keep those things in mind as I do the redesign.
And thanks for the good wishes on 15 years. Looking forward to the next 15!