Welcome to the first edition of Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition . Okay okay okay….perhaps the blog makeover was not that extreme, but I could not resist the title. Thank you for all your kind words, shares, and help as I moved from this:
to this:
A couple months ago (how was December already 2 months ago?!) I shared my 2015 blogging goals:
1. Self-Hosting – Complete
I purchased my domain in January and went with Bluehost (thanks to Courtney’s blogger tip Tuesday posts/some email advice). Unfortunately the domain Run Jenny Run was already taken…..more on that in a post next week.
2. Aesthetic Facelift – Work in Progress
You may have noticed the following:
- New Header
- Search Bars
- Easier Comment System
- More Mobile Friendly
- New Sidebar and Picture
- Categories / Recent Posts
- Social Media Sharing Tools
3. Email Subscription Option -Not Started
Any recommendations?
4. Header Updates – Work in Progress
New menu buttons have been added (Marathon Training, 50 States and Reviews), but those pages are still under construction.
5. Content Cleanup – Work in Progress
I tweaked my About Me Page, but that still needs some work. This particular goal is very tedious and will take me awhile. I will be updating content, pictures, and links (in page links will need to be changed from the Tumblr URL to the WordPress URL).
Over the next couple of Wednesdays I am going to share my planning process, how I transitioned from Tumblr to WordPress (including tools), checklists, and lessons learned.
How often do you “freshen” up your blog?
For those with WordPress – any favorite plugins?
Kristina @ Blog About Running
February 25, 2015I haven’t freshened up my blog in a while!
Plugins I use frequently: All in One SEO Pack, Google XML Sitemaps, Simple Backup, Tablepress, Ultimate Google Analytics, What Would Seth Godin Do (to add a welcome message to readers who are first-timers vs. repeat visitors), Send Email Only On My Reply Comment, and Email Subscribers.
I use Email Subscribers to manage email subscriptions, but I don’t think it’s the best. I want to make a change but I’ve been lazy about it!
Kristina @ Blog About Running recently posted…Meet Lauren & Emma!
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks so much Kristina, this list is great. I am going to send an email to you tonight after dinner!
Lindy
February 25, 2015Congratulations on your new blog! It looks great 🙂
I also transitioned from Tumblr into WP and I’m pretty happy with it. A few of WP plugins that I use and love are Akismet (for spam blocking), Jetpack, Tumblr Crosspostr, Statcounter, Facebook Like Box, SEO and Instagram Widget.
Have a great day!
Lindy recently posted…Running Coach
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Lindy! Good to find a fellow Tumblr to WP… not many of us (more Blogger to WP and WP to WP). I implemented Akismet, but will need to look at the remaining plugins you recommended. Would love to re-add my Instagram feed to this page.
Pragati // Simple Medicine
February 25, 2015I feel like I freshen up my blog all the time! I love the changes you’ve made so far. I really like YOAST for SEO, Related posts by Zemanta (to share content at the bottom of each post), Comment Luv, and Recipe Card.
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Daily Eats: What I Ate Wednesday
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thank you Pragati! It was not as painful as I thought it would be! I really like your layout / aesthetic. Thank you for the recommendations, I look forward to using recipe cards soon.
Nathasha
February 25, 2015Love the extreme makeover! It looks great. Love the colors, and I think it’s easy to read and navigate. I also love that you are sharing the planning and migration process. I enjoy playing around with my the blog and keeping it fresh, and try to do it every few months or so. I think one of my blogging goals for this year is to actually blog more (i.e., write more!). Haha. You are fantastic at posting regularly! 🙂
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Nathasha! Glad we’ve been able to reconnect, and I always enjoy reading your posts. See you soon in Philly!!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
February 25, 2015The new blog looks great! I love the simplicity of the design. I can only imagine how tedious going back and updating all of the links for each of your posts can be. Sounds like you need a couple of snow days in order to quickly get it all done!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Blog Networking Tips
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Kathryn! I had a plan to update a months worth of links a day, but now I am a bit behind. Would be nice to have a couple of snow days to get it done, and then all melt the next day for perfect running weather!
brittney @ corral b
February 25, 2015i have freshened up my blog once since i started it, and it wasn’t even that hefty of a facelift! if i ever became more consistent with posts, i would probably dedicate more time to it, but i think it’s fine for now. i love what you’ve done though! so sad your domain name was already taken.
brittney @ corral b recently posted…spring half training: the plan
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Brittney! I’ve been enjoying the posts you’ve had as of late. Tough to maintain the balance! The past month my blogging has lighten up due to other commitments. Hope you have a good weekend!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC
February 25, 2015as you know, i love the new site. i need a new header as well – if you find someone good, let me know! i don’t think i’m creative enough to do it myself… 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Analyzing Pinterest Analytics, Part One
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks friend! Will definitely let you know if I find someone good.
Chaitali
February 25, 2015That’s great that you’ve gone self hosted. I’m definitely interested in reading about the process as you go through the steps. I haven’t freshened up my blog since I started it but now that I’ve past the one year mark I really need to do that as well.
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly Review RnR DC – Week 10
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015One year is when I started having the itch to freshen it up 🙂 Hope my posts will help you out!
Tara @ Running 'N' Reading
February 25, 2015Jenny, I think the new blog site looks fantastic! I started out with WordPress, so I haven’t had to go through any MAJOR changes; I did purchase a new template/theme last year (about six months after my blog went live on a free theme) and made some changes then. I’m pretty happy with the look of it now, so I don’t imagine I’ll change too much (maybe colors, etc, at some point). I think I’m too lazy to have to go back and do a lot of extra work – ha! I think you’ll really be happy with WordPress; isn’t there some kind of WordPress option to add a widget for an email subscription? I remember this being really easy. You’re doing great!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Carla Snyder’s Braised Chicken Thighs with Wild Rice, Walnuts & Grapes
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Tara – thank you for pointing me to the WordPress widget for email subscriptions. After a week of using WordPress, I am definitely get use to it. Pretty easy to use. Following you online now! Go Tara Go!
Betsy
February 25, 2015Congrats, it looks great! I feel like I am always tweaking things on my blog although some of that tweaking is behind the scenes stuff that people wouldn’t really notice.
Betsy recently posted…DailyLook Elite Box Review: February 2015
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Betsy! Since I’ve been making updates, I definitely notice more details in other blogs. I just realized you separate your posts with different colors – very creative 🙂
Sharon
February 25, 2015So great that you’ve gone self hosted! I like the new look and just read your about me section. Looks great!! For email subscribers, I use mailchimp as it was recommended when I did research a while back. It seems to work well but then again I haven’t tried anything else since then.
Sharon recently posted…Five Movies Scenes That Inspire Fitness
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thank you Sharon! A few people have recommended mailchimp so far, I may go with that. Hope you have a great weekend!
Anonymous
February 25, 2015The new blog looks much cleaner and more streamlined than Tumblr! Congrats on the move!
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thank you!!
Ali @ Hit the Ground Running
February 25, 2015Your new blog is so much cleaner looking than Tumblr! Congrats on the move!
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Ali!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
February 26, 2015I need to freshen mine up and update the tabs at the top, I am bad about remembering. I am loving how user friendly and sleek yours is.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Is it Winter in Charleston?
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Abby! So much I want to do, so little time!
Mar @ Mar on the Run
February 26, 2015looks good!! I freshened mine up a couple months ago after being self hosted a year and a half. Just minor tweaks but I love it! I just use the blog subscription widget through Jetpack! And oh yeah, install Jetpack! 😉
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Shamrock Half Training Week 9
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Good to know about Jetpack! I’ve noticed a few of your tweaks – looking good.
Pam and Christine
February 26, 2015Congrats on self hosting and the new blog look. I have no clue about how to do any of the blog stuff, and thankfully Christine does, so I totally rely on her. Too bad your name was already taken.
Pam and Christine recently posted…Princess half marathon 2015, Pam’s version
Run Jenny Run
March 1, 2015Thanks Pam! Perks of a blogging team