You might have noticed that WellnessMama.com got a bit of a makeover recently. I’m not a fan of updating and redesigning because it’s always more time-consuming, expensive, and stressful than I expect. Since I started blogging in 2006, I’ve learned that I’d almost prefer going through labor over redesigning the site, but sometimes it has to be done, and this time was no exception. We’ve been planning this redesign for over a year!
Even though I liked the old look, I wanted to make some changes for a better experience for you. One update is the resources page, where I’ve always listed my favorite companies, products, and ingredients that I personally use and recommend. It’s been popular with readers since you can find everything in one place. However, it was getting a bit messy, so we’ve revamped it to make it easier to sort and search through my recommendations. It’s still a work in progress, but you can already check out the new design and functionality.
We’ve also set up a medical review board of doctors, researchers, and experts to review all the articles on Wellness Mama. This helps ensure the information is accurate, balanced, and science-backed. My goal is to break down complex topics into easy-to-understand articles that enhance your family’s life. With the experts’ help, you can be confident that the content is reliable. Each reviewed article will display the reviewer’s name, which you can click to learn more about them and see other articles they’ve contributed to.
Previously, there was a right-hand sidebar on the computer view with links to other posts, social media, and more. While some found it useful, I really want the main focus to be on the articles, not distractions. So, we’ve removed the sidebar and some ads to ensure you can concentrate on the content.
Most Wellness Mama visitors use mobile devices, so it’s crucial the site loads quickly and is easy to navigate on phones, tablets, and other devices. We’ve simplified the design and removed distractions that slowed it down, making the site faster and more user-friendly.
Behind the scenes, there were also several coding updates to enhance performance, thanks to the great work of the tech teams at WP Engine, Powder Design, and Spears Marketing. Although we still have a few tweaks to make, this transition went smoothly.
Looking back at past designs since 2006, each version has improved over time. If you’ve been following for a while, do you remember any of these former designs? There were several different phases: the original blogspot.com site, early WordPress designs, and eventually, custom layouts.
I often get asked for blogging tips, and honestly, I don’t always feel qualified to give advice. When I began, my goal was to help other moms create a natural, healthy lifestyle for their families. Over time, I’ve learned about formatting and social media, but my biggest tip is to focus on helping others. If you genuinely care about your readers, it will come through in your writing, and people will be drawn to it.
These are some blogging resources I use, which might be helpful if you’re thinking of starting a blog. So, what do you think of the new design changes? Is there anything you’d change or spots that still need fixing?
