Comments on: Putting it to a Vote: Should FWJ Change its Design?

By: Peggy

Peggy — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:22:59 +0000

I never realized those were PJs!

I don’t think it should be too business-like, but I guess it could stand to be less girly if you want more male readers.

By: Meryl K. Evans

Meryl K. Evans — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:25:49 +0000

While many might say “cute” isn’t professional — your site has character! A good one, too. Your concerns about the message the design conveys is a good reason for a redesign — but I think it conveys a casual, let’s meet up for coffee in my house kind of message especially since many of us work from a home office.

By: Carla

Carla — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:18:42 +0000

I normally read your postings through the RSS feed and I always enjoy the quality of your posts.

The first time I visited the site since I subscribed was when you posed the question, and it was actually kind of a surprise to look at the site.

I was expecting to see a more corporate or social 2.0 look.

I don’t think that the design of the site fits well with the voice.

By: RayLynn

RayLynn — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:17:58 +0000

I love the logo and colors, it’s what helped pull me to your site, it’s unique compared to the standard black, white – cold feel of most sights. It may be the mother in me but there’s just a different feel to the site because of the design.

By: Janet

Janet — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:40:54 +0000

I never realized she was in her PJs. I just figured she was somewhere warm and wearing a tank top!

Never had a problem with the site being slow to load, FWIW.

By: Jodee

Jodee — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:26:06 +0000

@ Paul: Thank you for the kind words! I always love to hear that someone has found work from the gigs posted here.

By: Monika Mundell

Monika Mundell — Tue, 06 May 2008 07:58:32 +0000

Hi Deb,

I think a change would be nice. I’m not particular in favor of your current design. It is too “girly” for my taste.

A redesign would be great since you do have a broad spectrum of readers.

In the end, what matters is what YOU really want. I have a feeling that you already toy with the idea since you are asking. Go with your gut feeling and let it rip.

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:16:10 +0000

Deb – I never realized she was wearing pajamas! How perceptive is that?? LOL

I honestly don’t care either way about a redesign, but I would like to echo the slow-loading issue. Since the last time I was here, it takes a LOT longer. And things normally load pretty fast on my iPhone. I get the revenue thing. Totally. But are the ads the problem? I don’t see any new ones since my last visit. (?)

By: madeline

madeline — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:10:29 +0000

I have a high-speed connection but often cannot load the site. I have the same problem as Leigh (with the screen going blank). This is so frustrating that I often don’t visit the site for a week or more even though I would like to visit daily. I am guessing it is because of all the various ads and graphics, which seem to make my computer go crazy.

On the logo, I think it is cute but could benefit from a new look. I’m not sure what your demographic is, but I was initially attracted by the SAHM feel and tone of your site.

By: Jack B

Jack B — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:58:07 +0000

I just took it as some clip-art lady sitting at a desk. Never picked up on the Pyjamas.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:31:09 +0000

I have trouble with the site loading sometimes, too. At our local library, I can almost never access the site. I type in the address and then the whole browser page goes white and then closes out. This happens repeatedly. At home, I have cable Internet, so it loads fairly quickly, but there is still a lag time when compared to other sites.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:16:26 +0000

I’m a hairy old balding writer – 18 years as a full-time freelancer. Found this site during a dry spell and picked up three jobs in a week – a blog, a personal writing project and a children’s education gig. I didn’t notice the cartoon until I read about it in this discussion. What I DID notice is a great daily repository for jobs – better than any of the other sites I visit and free newsletters I get. Keep up the great work!

By: Elle

Elle — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:36:45 +0000

I’m for change. It’s not the girly thing so much as the cartoon…to me it doesn’t relate to the content at all. I think you could take this opportunity to seriously brand.

By: tina

tina — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:31:25 +0000

I agree that I would remove the blogging jobs link but I would keep this as the writing jobs in your pjs that I feel 90% of us are here for, those little gigs that keep us all afloat. I know I’m thankful to you Deb for this site;)

By: Brandi

Brandi — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:55:32 +0000

I’m a mom but not girlie at all. I don’t have a problem with the logo and in fact, like others have said, didn’t even realize that she was wearing PJs. I thought she had on a tank and pin-striped pants.

Have you done a demographic study of your readers? Several people mention a wider audience, but how wide? I know James posts here a good bit, but I’d still wager on the vast majority of your readers being women. For that reason, I wouldn’t change the logo to have a man in it just for 5% (or whatever you determine the number to be) of your readers. If you’re going to do away with a person, then that’s a different issue entirely.

I’m a big (venti skinny vanilla) latte drinker (oh yes they know my order at Starbucks). I don’t know how much that’s just a stereotype of writers, but that’s something to consider. How many writers actually relate to that image or ideal? Is that how *you* want to represent writing?

On the download time, we have cable internet, and this site takes about 10 seconds to load, so no slow loading for me either.

My biggest suggestion would be to remove the “blogging jobs” link because you don’t do them w/ About anymore, and they’re not separate.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:10:57 +0000

A few constructive suggestions, since you’ve invited them. To me the site seems a little busy, not that I’d ever begrudge anyone the opportunity to bring in a few extra bucks from advertising. The balloons that pop up when I mouse over certain things also get to be rather distracting. I only view the page in the Opera browser, so I’m not sure if the latter feature might work differently in other browsers.

By: RLD: Taekwondo Happiness

RLD: Taekwondo Happiness — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:01:54 +0000

I support a change. I enjoy the fun feel of your site, but I feel that an updated look would be more representative of your audience I can’t relate to a WAHM-lifestyle, but I do haunt the coffee shops around campus. Personally, I would like to see that coffee shop feeling reflected here I’m sure that you have a ton of great ideas and I know that whatever decision you make will be a good one!

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:35:20 +0000

I like things the way they are but this site does appeal to a broad audience so could be cartoon Deb in her pj’s and cartoon Deb in a business suit in a coffee shop or cartoon Men with Pen types under a tree with their laptops too. This site does appeal to the freelancer who can work anywhere.
I don’t think the site needs a redesign but I think the idea of a fresh design is fun. Your site should evolve as you do.

Cheers,
Dana

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:33:43 +0000

Laurel – I didn’t realize they were PJs either. Looks like a smart casual top and pants to me.

By: Laurel - Freelance Marketing Jobs

Laurel - Freelance Marketing Jobs — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:31:11 +0000

I’m honestly surprised there are so many strong opinions!

Even though I come here day after day I’m not tired of the site’s look at all. I love the format and I think the design is nice and not overwhelming. I actually had never noticed that she was wearing pjs, I thought it was just a tank top and pants.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:26:35 +0000

I personally adore the cartoon, but completely understand what the guys are saying. Pink girl in pajamas all cutesy and sweet isn’t very appealing to men writers and probably even women writers who don’t care for pastels and feminine designs. I also agree that the content is so stellar the cute cartoon can’t be that big of a turn off.

My favorite color is pink, but I went with a design on my blog that hopefully appeals to men and women. I’ve had several men and women e-mail me to tell me they love my site design so *fingers crossed* I think I chose wisely. My wee blog is nowhere near the status of yours but I did want to appeal to a broad audience.

Oh, and I’m on DSL so I’ve never had a problem with loading your site.

Whatever you decide, Deb, you’re doing a great job and I’m a happy reader!

-Michele

By: bleeding espresso

bleeding espresso — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:03:41 +0000

When I redesigned my site, I was most worried about ease of navigation and not losing the casual, welcoming feel; this would be the same advice I’d give to you. I say go for it

By: Maria E.

Maria E. — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:57:28 +0000

@ Graham – You’re absolutely right on two counts. Change for change sake is a worthless expenditure of effort, and the speed of the Internet overtakes us all at times.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:43:50 +0000

I didn’t realize those were pajamas. It is a rather “girly” image, but I just took it as a representation of how you see yourself, or what you like to see.

So I vote for change only if you feel the image doesn’t represent you well.

(I’ve been keeping up with the blog for several months but haven’t said much, so hello everybody!)

By: Graham Strong

Graham Strong — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:37:04 +0000

@Maria – Point taken. I agree 100% that evolution and growth are usually a good thing. On the other hand, change for the sake of change (not to mention change made without planning ahead) isn’t always the route to go — that was my main thought.

However it is becoming clear that many of Deb’s readers have some great ideas for change. I guess my own comment posted not 2 hours ago is already dated (don’t you just love the Speed of Life on the ‘Net?)

~Graham