Lose Readers by Moving Themes?
by Destry Wion :: published 14 January 07
I have another web site that’s been in existence for going on three years now, which is about the same length of time wion.com has existed as well. The two sites exist for the sole reason they target different audiences. Here at wion.com I primarily talk about Web design and related topics and anyone who is interested in such stuff can take it or leave it, while the other site is aimed at family and friends back home in the states (I live in France now), and it’s where I share details about the daily…er quarterly…grind and practice my fiction writing (heh).
I don’t do anything to advertise the other site (though you could easily find it), and I never intend to, I’ll just let the markup and Google work things out for themselves. Since none of my family and friends give two chicken necks about Web design—nor in the other direction would consumers of design topics care about how my son is doing, for example—this separation of interests makes my respective audiences happier. See how I am?
The other site has been in need of a redesign since the moment is was made live; in other words, it sucks (at the time of this writing) and I know it. The existing design was the result of being way to busy with other things, needing to quickly get something online to simply write, and not having any lightbulb moments for the ooh-ahh aesthetics. That’s a nasty combination for Web design.
So, that’s the setup, now let’s spiral in closer on my title question. In my opinion, the theme design here at wion.com, what I call Maroc, is more suited for the nature of content at the other site, and will be particularly so as time goes by; hence, I’ve been thinking of migrating the Maroc theme to the other site and doing something different here at wion.com. In fact, not to get morbid or anything, a very close relative of mine recently passed away much before his time, and I have some ideas in mind as a dedication theme for him that I think would work nicely here and honor him well in symbology that his family would understand.
The question, then, should be a little more clear under this light: when you’ve been using a theme at one web location, does it overly ruin it for use anywhere else? I suppose affirmative arguments exist if we were talking about corporate branding, but even then it seems it would only matter if the respective audiences of each site happened to visit both sites. On the other hand, if you never knew what the other site looked like to begin with, you would never know a transfered theme from a simple new design. Especially in my case, being unpopular and all, I don’t think I need to worry about it too much; so long as links are not broke in the process I think what few readers I have at each location will adjust in short order.
Any feelings on the matter before I actually follow through with the idea? Can it be harmful if a valued theme just fits another site’s content better, or is it simply better to redesign no matter what?
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Maniquà :: 26 January 07 :: #
Hi Destry!
First, Maroc (nice name!) is one of the most beautiful and simple designs I have ever seen.
I really enjoy looking at it, and the header and the footer are delightful.
I hope you write often here, because your articles are well-written and are very interesting.
About your other site, I used to read it few times long time ago. Don’t worry, I won’t tell its name here… Your secret is safe with me.
Here or there, keep Maroc alive! And, as the sand dunes in the desert, slightly changes could occur mysteriously from time to time to delight us…
About your question: I don’t think you are going to lose any reader by moving the theme.
As you said, in corporate branding using a theme already seen in other site could be seen as something negative.
Although this site may be the face of your small business, your other site isn’t a corporation so I think you don’t have to worry about skinning it with Maroc.
I would like to see what are imagining and preparin to skin Wion.com.
All this topic make me thing about something I used to imagine when I was a kid: Has there ever been someone that looks exactly like me in all the world or even in other galaxy or in other parallel universe?
There are zillions of websites outside there.
PS: You owe me a bigger comment form here in Maroc!
Destry :: 26 January 07 :: #
Hello Maniqui! If I still have you then I didn’t lose anybody. :)
Thanks for the compliments. I still think Maroc needs some tying together somehow, but I haven’t put my thumb on it yet. I’m a usability guy, not a graphic designer, so the aesthetics don’t come quick and easy. One idea I’ve been thinking about is dissolving the box feel a bit and have everything blend with the entire view port more; not a full-screen design exactly, but rather disguising the edges between the action and the stage, as it were. We’ll see.
The other site is no secret (it’s online after all), it just targets a specific (and very small) audience that already knows about it so I don’t wave any flags. Plus I can’t stand how it looks and feels right now so at least until that changes…
I’m still not sure I’ll move Maroc yet, but I think you’re right, if I do it won’t be a big deal.
Oh, and the business…I quietly rolled up the carpet on that, at least as my bread and butter. I now have a challenging new job as a usability lead in a company that hasn't really considered it before. Lots of work to do there. Then there's my sparkling 8-month old son who takes up much of the remaining time I have. What a champion.
Nevertheless, I have some things in the pipeline, and still looking forward to my MacBook Pro, which should be very, very soon.
Maniquà :: 10 February 07 :: #
Ufff! I totally understand what you are saying.
I’m not a graphic designer neither, so I find hard to escape for the box feel.
It’s matter of achiving an equilibrium and regarding Maroc, I think you did it: I don’t feel it too boxy at all.
Hope you are going good with your new job and your little baby.
I also got a new job in a very small business. I’m converting graphic mock-ups into XHTML/CSS. I really enjoy it and I’m learning new things…