I need a change!

[Topaz044]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about changing the layout/look of my blog. Although I've gotten mostly positive reviews of my blog, it doesn't quite work so I'm hoping to upgrade it. I would love to hear ideas as to how to improve it (including a name change).

http://www.tashabennett.blogspot.com

Cheers,
Natasha

[JennieRose8]

Well, seeing as you're already a published author, I feel a little odd commenting at all. lol The site looks pretty manageable to me, but I think it needs just a touch of brightening up. The black is a bit overwhelming, but I see that hasn't stopped you from grabbing followers. :)

As for a name change...I'll have to think on that one. :)

Jen

[garnerdavis]

Your blog's look is a bit vanilla. If you review the same genre of movies and games, you might want your background color and images to fit that genre (blood red for horror, e.g.).

As for a name, how about "Look at This!"?

[Guardian]

The solid black background and blue-purple links really don't go together, especially when the color of text is on top of the black. It actually hurts the eyes in that case.

You could keep it grungy, but add in shades of grey, for example. I'd recommend shopping around for a free blogger template to add. Just be aware that those templates often break your comments in some way or another, so you might have to fix it. (I've had to fix the HTML each time I changed a template)

http://btemplates.com/tag/dark/ <<<-- something in these categories could be up your alley.
http://btemplates.com/tag/games/
http://btemplates.com/tag/movie/

[veinglory]

I think your overall appearance isn't bad. My thoughts would be:

Go a bit wider, it looks to be a bit under 800 pixels wide and I think with screen sizes these days a width of at least 900 looks better.

I think a nice strong banner with a mash up of your favorite genres that is more dynamic and has some strong colors--like black, electric blue, red?

I would suggest focusing on review and maybe dropping writing stuff, but blending in ads for you books. There should be some good crossover given the movies etc you review.

Names, hmmm. Random suggestions:
Saw it, Bennett, Dun it.
Dark Blue Reviews
Soul Reviewer

[pyrosama]

I agree with the others about lightening it up, especially the text.

One thing I noticed is that you have page tabs but no existing pages for your other reviews and your contact page. Did you save them as drafts and forget to publish them?

I fancy darker blogs with light text because it gives a feeling of immersion which I like.

Nice job.

[Topaz044]

Hi pyrosama,

You're probably looking at my new blog, which is still under construction. I definitely agree with the text-I've changed it all from blue to white.

As I said I'm still building up the site but I would appreciate any more critique on the new blog! :)

Cheers,
Natasha

[Horseflye]

I like the white font color--it jumps off the page. I wasn't crazy about the placement of the Blog Archive; cluttered up your right-hand side. I'd also update your banner. Perhaps something a little more...bloody? Great content, though! That's what really matters.

[davem]

I think it works well.