plainbeta

The New Design and an Analysis of it’s Neat Features

As you can tell, plainbeta has a new layout.
The layout is a variation of Specky Boy’s The Azure Hut.
I took his layout and widened it, added a third column, and added a few touches of my own.
I like it a lot and think it’s an improvement from the old one.

Ok, so what’s so special about this?
Well, there are three main ’special’ components that we should look at.

1: Three Columns

Like I said, and you can tell, there’re three columns.
What’s so special about it?
It de-clutters the blog and allows me to space out the content in the sidebar.

Through that I added the ‘popular posts’ over to the right, the blog topics - also to the right, and the two 170×125px ads to the left. (One of which, is for sale. Contact me if you’re interested)

2: I Removed AdSense

There has been some talk on the web that AdSense detracts from the professionalism of the site/blog.
I agree.
So I removed AdSense.

While Google AdSense isn’t bad, it’s just not for me. After having it for months I only made $5.95.
That’s part of the reason why I added the 170×125px ads on the left.

I Customized My 404 Page

404 Error pages are often confusing and not helpful. That shouldn’t be the case. You should jazz up your 404 page. It’s helpful to your visitors, professional, and helps keep your visitors.

If you take a look at a 404 error page on my blog, you’ll notice two things.

1: I have a humorous image.
2: I suggest a that the visitor try something else.

Both will help keep your visitors from getting frustrated as well as keep them browsing your site.

If you’re using the ever popular Wordpress.org service than you can customize your 404 Error page in your theme directory under 404.php.
You can get there two ways.
1: Through your Wordpress Dashboard. Presentation > Theme Editor > 404.php
2: Through FTP. root > wp-content > themes > ‘theme name’ > 404.php

I Customized the ‘No Search Results’ Page

This is very similar to customizing the 404 error page, but seems to be less common.
If someone searches your site and is greeted with a page that says “No search results were found.” - and that’s it - then they may not stick around.
However, if you customize that page and encourage your visitors to keep searching and thus, stay on your site.

Here’s what I did.

Other than the over all look, that’s the gist of the re-design.
Hope you enjoy it.
I believe I’ve worked out all the kinks but if you find any or have any suggestions let me know.