Friends friends! Hope you are having a day that is fantastic as you are!! I have a few quick questions for you today.
Vintage Revivals is in the middle of a massive overhaul (it is all VERY exciting) and as we are working through the site design a few things keep coming up (and since they effect you more than anyone) I want to know what you think!
How do you feel about truncated blog posts? If you are unfamiliar it looks like this with each post shortened to a thumbnail image and a blurb. Ps. I stole this screen shot from my BFF Brooke. She is awesome.
Do you love them? Hate them? Are feeling a little like Switzerland?
What are some of your favorite features on other sites? (Functionality, etc.)
How do you normally pin from your favorite blog?
And now for the really fun part… I mentioned on Instagram last week that I was working on a project for Pottery Barn Kids and I wanted to give you a sneak peek! Mind you, this is before it was glamorized and shot, but isnt it so fun?! Its our new summer reading nook! I cant wait to share the tutorial and final shots with you guys!!
If you have any other site feedback I would LOVE to hear it, as long as its not that you hate my guts, cause that might make me cry.
Sometimes a truncated feed can feel super “bloggy,” like in the unprofessional way, but I’m sure you could make it look great. It also can make finding posts easier, especially if you rememberyou saw a post just a few days ago and want to find it again (if you forgot to pin it). So I guess it could be great either way!
I always like project sections (or in your case “Tutorials”). It helps to have them categorized too (DIY, crafts, Kid Projects, Outdoors, etc).
Thanks for blogging 🙂
i use a reader and about 85% of the time i do not read the truncated posts because it’s annoying to click and wait to open when i just want to read it and then only click if i want to comment. that’s my feeling on it- i do not truncate for that very reason. i don’t want to do to people what annoys me.
and can’t wait to see the reading nook! fun!
Absoluitely agree. The title has to be something I really want to read I’ll open a truncated post, but otherwise skip right along.
I agree also! I have unsubscribed from blogs that are truncated because it is quite annoying!
Ditto! Truncated posts in Reader just end up being unsubscribed blogs. There’s enough other FULL stories in Reader to catch my attention.
Ditto.
Agree. Don’t like the truncated posts.
Agree. I don’t like truncated posts.
agree
I’ve stopped reading quite a few blogs that truncate.
I’ve stopped following almost every single blog that started truncating their posts.
Yes, agree. No truncated blogs. I am lazy and it just makes me have to click, click, click.
Also the all white background is very tiring to the eyes.
Like the featured posts in the side bar that helps me find a favorite post or one I might have missed.
What a cool reading nook!
My wordpress automatically trundicates my posts- any ideas on how to make it stop? Had no idea so many people hated, though it makes sense.
I do not like truncated posts, it is always extra steps and that doesn’t thrill me. I like to click on a blog and be able to scroll through several posts, especially when I find a new-to-me blog. Very exciting project for Pottery Barn Kids.
These are exactly my feelings on truncated posts as well.
I also agree. Or when I have been on vacation and am trying to catch up, I hate having to continue to go back to the next post, rather than just scrolling down.
I agree. I find truncated posts to be so annoying.
Another vote against truncated posts. I also use a blog reader and I don’t click on the truncated posts unless the subject line is something of current interest to me. I also hate slide shows and rarely click through them. I realize that clicks are like cash to blogs, but I dislike being manipulated and usually refuse to participate.
I don’t like the truncated posts and I love your blog for not having it. They are annoying and I feel like people only do it to get more clicks. I totally agree with my friend Cassie up there and Lori.
I do love dedicated project sections too.
Your sneak peak looks like another killer project 🙂
Agree, I’m not a big fan, I just wanted to say that truncapted posts are not ALL about clicks for bloggers. There are several reasons, people stealing posts and poor page load time are two of the biggies.
I am not a fan of truncated posts either! Sometimes I only have a few minutes to check out a blog and when I have to click over, I usually don’t.
As far as pinning, I have a ‘Pin It’ button on my bookmark bar that I’ll use if the blogger doesn’t have one on their picturesblog post. But it is a lot easier and I prefer when there is a Pin It button on their site.
not a fan of truncated posts. at all. I love it when I can pin something from a blog by just hovering over the picture and then the little “pin it” icon appears at the top of the picture…it’s the easiest way to do it. as far as ease of use? I don’t like reading blogs that are crowded and busy. LOVE your blog!
I hate truncated posts but I rarely see them anymore because I use an RSS feed reader (Bloglovin’) and it opens the posts for you to read. That said, if a blog has truncated posts I am less likely to read through. I also prefer to pin directly from my browser using the pin-it button.
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Hate them. Usually skip them altogether,
I never comment but I just had to jump in on the truncated post question. I hate them! I use Feedly and if a post is truncated I just skip right over it. I’ve even taken blogs off my reader because of truncated posts…ain’t nobody got time for that extra click ;P And since I’m already here…I prefer to pin directly from the “pin it” button on my toolbar. When a blogger provides a way to pin in the post it’s a major turnoff for me, too promotional. I *do* like when a tutorial post has a good image to pin that includes either the title of the project or a brief description or a before and after.
I feel pretty Switzerland-y on truncated posts since I usually view blogs through BlogLovin. I do really like your hover to pin option though, I think that’s a keeper 🙂
I also do not like truncated posts, but I do understand why bloggers go to them, especially if their content is being ripped off. (I’m a reader of several other blogs that have moved to truncated posts for that reason). That being said, I am no longer a daily reader of those blogs for that reason. I typically only check in a few times a month and my stays are short because that feature annoys me to no end.
Definitely do not like truncated posts! I love to be able to see it all! Love this project!
xo Kerri at HollyMuffin
I can’t stand truncated posts. I’ve actually noticed that some of the blogs I used to read everyday or at least a few times a week, I now read once every few weeks because I don’t like the set up.
I love the tabs on blogs that send directly to B/A posts, tutorials and About (your story is incredible and so inspiring).
Random. I also totally dig the blog list you have of the blogs you read. I hadn’t read a few clicked on them from your site and now they are among my favs.
I really don’t like truncated posts. I am a lot less likely to read the full post. I’ll skim the top or look at the pic and skip right over it. I also think that it makes it harder to search for things…but that’s just me.
I love truncated posts! I find it easier to catch up on the posts I’ve missed or check out a new blog without having to read through topics that don’t interest me. I also love it when you click on a given blog post and it jumps down to where the truncated text ended, so that I don’t have to scroll through what I’ve already read (Simple mom is a good example).
Good luck with the changes!
I love truncated posts. I prefer not to have to scroll through entire posts on a home page to get to what I am looking for. Plus, from a blogging standpoint, I understand why it is helpful too.
If there is a Pin It! button in the post, I will use it. Otherwise I have the pin bookmarklet in my toolbar.
Can’t wait to see the re-design!
The only comment I have is that another blog I read has truncated post but when I go to click on the “continue reading” button a massive “pin it” thing comes up and I can’t click it and then I have to scroll back up and click the title, which isn’t a big deal, it just bugs me:)
HATE truncated posts! I do most of my blog reading through an app on my phone, and it’s a total pain to click through to visit theu blog’s website, which usually opens up in a non-mobile friendly form. I only click through on blogs I really love, because usually it’s just too much of a pain.
One thing that helps is if the blog has a really great opening paragraph and photo that makes me want to read more. The worst is when it’s just the opening sentence of the blog post, all text, no photos. I’m just not inspired to spend the time/effort to keep reading.
I love your blog! Please keep full posts! 🙂
Totally agree with Brynne. I do not mine “click to read more” like you currently have – because I get the gist. But blogs where it’s a teeny preview blurb – hate it. Rarely read. It makes me feel like all the blogger cares about is pageviews. (Danoah is the worst about this – his blog makes me stabby. I don’t need to click FOUR pages to read one post).
I’m with Brynne. Count me in the camp of truncated-post haters. I subscribe to a number of blogs, and am much more likely to read the entirety of a post that comes through my e-mail than to click over from a truncated post. I do understand that for blogs with advertising on their pages, having readers click over means more ad exposure… except for people like me, who don’t click!
I don’t mind truncated for archives or whatever, but I really dislike them for newer posts. http://www.neonfresh.com is a great example. Her latest post if shown in it’s entirety but the rest are little blurbs with a picture. It makes scrolling back to a recent post pretty easy, but doesn’t take away from actually following her blog.
I really don’t like truncated posts – which is one reason I love YHL. If I have to click on the link I will only do so 50% of the time.
not a fan of truncated posts. its a hassel and yes im lazy. but i like to be able to just scroll down and read a full post- because simple is always better!!!!!
I like to come to your blog and see the most recent blog post whole, but past posts are ok truncated, for me. If that doesn’t make sense, check out ourbestbites for what I mean. 🙂 That format works best for me!
Please don’t change too much! A lot of the older blogs have become less personal, more about making money, thus I have stopped reading them. Every second post is “sponsored” I love your ‘personal’ touch!!!
I like it when the latest post is not truncated. I like to be able to read the whole thing without more clicks. I agree with others that I have unsubscribed from blogs that have this setup. It’s annoying and feels like the blogger just wants more clicks. I don’t mind when after the most recent post, previous entries are truncated, but I still would like more than a very brief into there to decide if it’s worth the click to read it. LOVE the ourbestbites set up!!
Thumbs down for truncated posts – new or old….I like to be able to scroll through and see the entirety of the post. Good luck!
I agree with a lot of the posts here – truncated posts are bad. I actually read the blog you talked about, and I have to admit, I’ve stopped reading it entirely since she switched. It is pretty awful.
Erin,
Thank you for your feedback. The truth is, I haven’t heard one negative thing about switching. I wish someone would have told me! I appreciate you being honest about not reading anymore. I thought I was making my posts more organized by truncating.
According to what many bloggers have admitted on their site, most of them do not spend the amount of time reading other blogs like the rest of us non-bloggers do, because they are busy working on projects or preparing their post for the day. That is probably why many of them that are going to the truncated posts (which I hate)for organization purposes or whatever reason do not find it as annoying because they aren’t on the different sites as much as the rest of us. Oh, and it is truncated in the reader, you can bet I skip the post and eventually delete it from my feed if they keep it that way. I’m not playing that game of “I’m forcing you to visit my site”.
Not to pile on, but I have also stopped readying your blog because of the format. But I never said anything, because I hate to be all “oh by the way – I hate your layout!”
I read All Things Thrifty on my iPad and since she changed the format and can’t even read more than a few lines or comment on her blog. I can’t find a read more button and it is frustrating. It has made me stop reading the blog. If I could comment and tell her I would.
I also read from my iPad and can’t figure out how to comment either….it’s annoying :(. However since I read from a reader (feeddler) I can still read the whole post so I’m still following 🙂
I don’t like truncated posts, but I understand why they are done. The biggest prob I find is that the “click to read more” button is usually blocked with the “hover pin-it” button and I end up going to the Pin-it page than the read more page…slightly irritating…sometimes that darn pin-it button covers up the way to enter a contest too…so there is no way to enter it! How to make those 2 live in happy harmony?, no idea.
Love the sneak peak, so fun! Can’t wait to see it cuted up! 🙂
Mandi you are awesome (of course). However, truncated blog posts are super yucky. I have given blogs up that switched to them. Something about them just bugs me. Please don’t do it.
HATE truncated posts. If a blog has them I’ll only read their blog if it’s REALLY good and worth it. Love when people have the pin it buttons on their pics though. I always get so frustrated when they dont. haha.
I like them. I hated them at first, but now I “get” it. When I go to a new blog I love seeing a bunch of pics and posts at once. It gives me a great idea of the blog and blogger! If it makes sense for your blog then DO IT! You are awesome enough that we will all keep reading!! xoxoxo
Maybe I’m an idiot but all I can find to check out older posts (go to the next page of your blog) besides the one at the bottom of your main page that is a dead link or rather not a link at all. I can’t for the life of me figure out how to view your older posts (besides the non link at the bottom). At least you don’t have pop up ads, dont. ever. have. pop. up. ads.
I don’t get why people hate truncated posts. I think it’s great to be able to visit a blog and see what I’ve missed and what I might be interested in reading right off the bat!
I love you, and I love All Things Thrifty, but I DON’T love truncated posts. 🙁
I don’t really understand why people hate truncated post so much either. I think it makes the site look so much cleaner, and I can find things a lot easier without having to scroll through a large amount of entire posts to find what I’m looking for. I agree that truncated posts in your RSS feed/reader is kind of annoying, but for a blog’s home page I think it’s a great look! I love being able to see at a quick first glance all of the things that a blog has to offer, and truncated posts give me a better idea of what the blog is about vs having to keep scrolling through a ton of content. Just my two cents! 😉
Some bloggers need to truncate because unsavory individuals have set it up to steal content from their site through readers and pass it off as their own. It’s sad and pathetic. I personally don’t like truncated posts so I don’t do them on my site. However if my content was being threatened I’d have to. Ashley from Make It Love It sadly has her content stolen all the time so she has truncated but I like how she does it – in reader she shows you the entire project and explanation and then the click through is for the tutorial part. I feel like you get a full post and then a little bonus if you’re wanting the tutorial. She also has the site itself with the latest post in full view and then the previous ones truncated.
I really don’t like truncated posts and usually don’t click through to read. If there is a photo included and it catches my interest, I might. So if you have to truncate, at least include a picture 🙂 I really like your “pin it, baby” button. I usually just use the pinmarklet but I like that it is faster to pin the image I want with the way you have it. And I love the reading nook so far!
I stopped reading your friend Brooke’s blog when she went to truncated. It’s the worst. I avoid those types of blogs at all costs.
I’m a virgin-blogger so have never seen a truncated post, but from your thumbnail image I am between liking it and feeling like Switzerland…but from layout alone I don’t think it looks bad! Going to check out your friend’s blog now 🙂
Another vote for no truncated posts.I hate clicking through.
I hate them, but I totally understand a lot of it is bc of feeds being ripped off. I read in a reader on my phone and I don’t have a ton of time to keep up! There are a few of my very favorite blogs that I definitely read less of because I have to click more then lose my place in my reader when I return! I read them even less if there is no pic in the short blurb in my reader.
I vote for no truncated feeds. Maybe the most recent couple posts in full on the main page of the blog, then blurbs after. If that’s possible!
Honestly, truncated blogs annoy me. I have the “pin it” button on my dashboard for easy pinning because I’m a Pinterest junky.
DO IT! I love truncated posts on a homepage! It’s SO nice to be able to see so much at once. I truncate my posts but the first one is always a little longer than the older ones.
Truncating your FEED is entirely different then your homepage. Personally I NEVER have time to read posts in my reader anyway. I always open it in a new tab to get to later so truncated feeds don’t effect that either.
The only thing I would say is to make sure you have a good image that will show up in the reader because I almost never click over to sites with just a title and no image (Shanty-2-Chic does that and I hate it. They have a lot of great stuff but I hardly ever click over).
Oh, and I HATE it when people pin a homepage instead of the post. Truncated posts would eliminate that entirely 🙂
I can tell that I’m going to be in the minority here, but I’ll say that I agree with Courtney @ Ordinary Happily Ever After and Margy June 11, 2013 at 12:59 AM. I like truncated blog posts, it makes it so much easier to see many posts at once. If I need to see a post from 3 days ago, I hate either scrolling forever or clicking through several pages to get to it. Like Courtney said, truncated posts on your blog are different than truncated posts in a Reader, and I think most commenters here are referring to the latter. While I understand that people don’t like to have to click over from their reader to the site to read a post, I’m also under the understanding that a blog doesn’t get credit for blog traffic unless the readers visit their actual sites vs. reading within the blog reader. I’m a loyal blog reader. If I love someone and their blog I will ALWAYS click over to their site to read the post. I use Feedly and prefer the cards view which generally gives me a photo from the post to entice me.
In regards to functionality, I love an organized site. Project Galleries are the best and using thumbnails for those is even better. Putting them in categories is nice also. Basically it’s nice to click a category page at the top and at a glance see everything within that category.
I also love the search box, which you already have. So don’t take that away! 🙂
Pinterest – I have a Pin It button on my browser toolbar that I always use. However, your Pin It Baby buttons are my second favorite.
I love truncated blog posts, when I’m scrolling through, I can find what I need…. Having said that, I don’t love the first post truncated. I like to have the most recent post show in it’s entirety, and then the following, older posts show truncated. When you figure out how to do that, let me know.
And I HATE, with a passion, truncated posts in readers, like feedly or google reader. Yuck.
I like your “pin it baby” button. I love when blogs have those so I can pin directly from their site. But, did you know it’s hard to see on some of your photos? Like the screenshot above? Just FYI.
Good luck. I hope this means you’re switching to WordPress, then I can pick your brain about how you do all the things you do.
I dislike truncated posts because I usually get lost in all that clicking around- if I can just scroll I’m much more likely to continue to browse the site rather than accidentally close the window and move on.
Does the truncated post have to click through to a new page or could it just expand in the current page? That might solve it!
I have to say I usually avoid blogs with truncated posts. I find I rarely visit, and if I do, I never read the rest of the entry.
I read TONS of blogs, connecting through Google Reader (transitioning to Feedly), or through a Facebook post, or just directly from the internet. I’m Switzerland. I just do not understand the hatred of this. How hard is it to click your mouse or touch your finger to the screen one more time?! And God forbid I give my beloved blogger *who gives me free content* my “page view” so she makes a little money… I mean no disrespect to all of you with strong feelings, but I just don’t get it.
That being said, I have a newish little blog, and I just spent the last 20 minutes figuring out how to change the (default setting) truncated posts on my blog page so people who come visit don’t automatically want to hurt me! 😉
I personally love truncated posts. I often go back to blogs to look for something I’ve found before, and find that blogs with truncated posts are easier to navigate.
My only thought/comment is that about your site specifically as it has been the past few months. Often, when I try to click the read more link, I apparently accidentally click the pin it tag you have on the pics. I think it may just be a matter of them being to close together. I personally love both options, but that pic is not often the one I would choose to pin of all the choices in a post.
Ditto!!
Personally I don’t mind truncated posts although I’d prefer the first or most recent post to be shown in it’s entirely. It just makes me feel like bloggers are trying too hard to get more page views.
I reallllly don’t like truncated blog posts. I don’t even like the “read more” things! I just like to see everything on one page without having to open new tabs, go back and forth, etc.
I agree with a previous comment about trying to enlarge a picture or go to a link and accidentally “pinning” instead. However, I do like that even if you’re on the main page of your blog, if you use your pinning function it will pin the actual blog post. I hate seeing something on pinterest that I want to check out but it goes to a random page in history instead of the actual post! Then I have to go find it myself!
Normally when I pin I just use my bookmark button. If it has a functional button that I see right away I might just click on that, but then I end up having to change the tag to what I want anyway if it’s obnoxious.
I actually really like the truncated blog posts! I like how you can see a ton of past blog posts on the home page. Seems a little easier to navigate for me:) Cannot wait to see the overhaul of your site! Already love visiting, so I can’t imagine it getting better!!
xo
amy
http://www.theblissfulbee.com
Truncated posts are hit and miss for me. I feel like a lot of the times the little tiny thumbnail image isn’t enticing enough for me to actually want to click on the post. A lot of times, when a blog truncates posts, I find myself not reading it as often as the blogs that don’t. I also agree with the pin it feature on your blog. Lots of times I’ve been trying to ‘read more’ and the pin it screen pops up. I do enjoy the simplicity of your blog, it’s one of my favorites because of that!!!!
I don’t like the truncated posts! I like scrolling through blog posts and seeing the whole thing right there! As for pinning, I have the ‘pin it’ button on my toolbar or I use the hover over pin it thing that some blogs have! I love visiting your blog! Can’t wait to see your redo 😀
I don’t mind truncated posts on the blog site. Hate them on my reader where I have to click over and wait for everything to load. If they are truncated in my reader then I just stop reading them…I obviously subscribe to too many and convenience is a real factor. For example, I’ve stopped reading Thrifty Decor Chick for just this reason…
Truncated posts are annoying in any form. Just sayin’
I HATE truncated posts. Umm…yeah…that was a really bold opinion. I don’t like it because I want to be able to read through a post and then read the next one, etc. I don’t having to click and click back, etc. It annoys me. I guess I get why some people like them, but I think it makes it easy for someone NOT to read a post. ::shrugs::
As far as pinning…I generally click the “pin it” button in my toolbar to pin something. Although I do like some of the do-dads that you can add to posts. I just don’t like it when there is a “pin it” button under every picture – it feels a little forced.
I’m with the majority. hate them.
I don’t use a reader at all, but I still dislike truncated blog posts. If a blog switches to them, I find myself visiting less and less (All Things Thrifty is one example, even though I like the rest of her site redesign and still check in from time to time). I really like to READ, so I like having all the text available on one page. I use the pinkmarklet in my bookmark bar to pin, but do use the hover option when it’s available.
Can’t wait to see your redesign.
I don’t mind truncated posts on the actual blog, but in my reader it drives me crazy. I tend to skip over 95% of those posts unless it looks really interesting to me. And if in the reader there is no picture – forget it! I have actually unsubscribed to a few for that reason. Being a blogger myself I know why some have to do it, but if you are losing readers I am not sure it is worth it!
I really don’t like truncated posts. Actually, I dislike them so much that if I go to a blog the first time and the posts are truncated, I usually won’t continue to read the blog even if it has good content, and sometimes I’ll stop reading a blog if it switches to them. I simply have trouble telling if I want to read a specific post unless I can quickly scroll through it, which is much harder when they are truncated. I find it much more complicated and time-consuming. I really like when a blog has separate pages that you can go to, for example, one page where all of the tutorials are located.
I’m not a fan of truncated posts. I often find myself skipping over those blogs because I don’t like the hassle of having to click through to see what the post is about.
Don’t do what Shanty 2 Chic did. I hate it. I like to be able to read the whole post and just scroll chronologically through all the posts. I hate to have to back click to go to the next post and remember where I was. I want to read occassionally and not miss anything.
Since you asked… I would like a function at the bottom of the page that lets me easily navigate your previous posts or newer posts (you know, page 1 of XX, last).
not a huge fan of truncated posts because it makes it SO hard when i find a new blog and read a ton of archived pages (like when i found yours)! thanks for asking us! 🙂 that summer reading nook is going to be un-freaking-believable! 🙂
Do not like truncated posts! I have to REALLY want to read it 🙂 also I like when the pin it button is in the actual post cause its easier from my ipad!
I can go either way on truncated posts. When I’m going back to a blog to look for something specific, scrolling through allthetext on everysingleblogpost is kind of a pain. If you’re going to truncated posts, though, what would you think about designing it so that the full post opens in a new tab? That way, I could just go back to the main page when I’m done reading a particular post (closing that particular tab) and not have to click back and forth.
What Taylor said about the pin-it button being in the post is true: easier on ipads and ipods.
DO NOT LIKE TRUNCATED either.
I REALLY don’t like truncated posts. I actually stop reading a blog on a regular basis whenever they switch to truncated posts, I hate them that much. Other than that, pretty much anything else is fine. Good luck with your redesign!
Also not a fan of truncated posts
Love your blog, would probably still love it with the switch to the truncated posts, however, it bugs me that I have to click, wait for load of the main page, then click again to read the post, not that it takes long to load, just is longer than it would be… And with kids time on the Internet is interrupted pretty quickly, so the time does matter to me.
For some reason I hate truncated blog posts. I know hate is a strong word, but seriously I am not fussed about many things but for some reason I never go back to blogs with truncated posts. Love your site!
Another one on the “I really don’t like truncated posts” wagon. I somewhat tolerate them when they are scripted to open into a new tab or window, but that’s about it.
Keep up the good work, I’m enjoying your efforts and you’ve inspired me to do lots in my humble abode 🙂
Boo on truncated posts! If I click over to a blog for the first time and see truncated posts I am immediately turned off. That being said, if a blog I already read truncates posts after I’ve been a follower I will tolerate it because I love the blog already.
Love reading along with these comments. I am actually one that LOVES truncated posts with one caveat: put a good intro and picture before the break. That way, I know what I am going to be reading about and whether I want to click. I tend to dislike the ones that have like two sentences and then a break.
I was never a fan of truncated posts when I used google reader. However, since it will cease to exist in a short while, I switched to bloglovin.com, it’s fantastic. It displays each blog fully (including ads, pictures, the website, etc.) so a truncated post no longer matters to me. The bonus of using bloglovin is that it’s real easy to pin things without clicking over (which I always do, to give credit where it is due!). So I’m cool either way, but I do think you should share bloglovin and its wonderful features if you do decide to truncate, so that all your other BFFs can cope as well as I will!
I don’t mind truncated posts if they get to the point.
However, if it reads: “Hi! [insert 10 lines apologizing for not posting] [insert junk about ‘you remember when I’] getting to [I’m so excited. I saw xxxx on so-and-so’s site, so]. Get the point?
Now, I like the idea of the most recent post being in full, then on the home page the previous posts truncated, IF IF IF they GET TO THE POINT as to what you’re sharing in the 1st place. All that dithering, disclaimers, explaining the dangers of paint and proper chemical handling? Oh, come on. Let the truncated blurb reflect what it’s about.
I avidly read blogs because of great ideas. If the blurb doesn’t tell me what someone’s talking about, I skip. Frankly, I care little for someone’s kids, online get-togethers (BTDT in the 80s and early 90s), recipes or personal lives. I think that’s why God made Facebook, anyway, isn’t it? Hmm. Recipes at least say what they are in the post’s title!!!
Anyway, I look for creativity. I soak it up and love the results of people’s work. I realize I’m not the norm, these days, a blogging SAHM, but I use advertizing links and links to others’ blogs. I’m one who makes bloggers the “little money” they seem do dislike admitting they might earn.
BTW. I’m relatively new to your blog and I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read. I love your little reading nook! What a great idea for some sheltered space. Great job!
I love Miss Mustard Seed’s blog format. Super easy to navigate, and she even has those arrows on the side so you can easily get to the next or previous post through the entire site. I love having a convenient pin it button because I read blogs on my iPad so I don’t have a pin it button I can just push (or maybe I am just challenged?). As long as it is easy to navigate and user friendly for the challenged folks, I will keep reading!
I prefer truncated posts (that have the first one or two paragraphs) because they are easier to sort through, and you don’t have to keep scrolling past a really long post, or wait for lots of pictures to load on a post that you’re not reading. That being said, I only use my computer and so don’t have to worry about the time it takes to load a new window. Honestly if there is something like an archive where I can read through the titles of all previous posts (by date), I use that instead.
As for pins it’s really convenient for each picture to have a pin it button, and if there is a pin it button on the post I will use that- it is nice to have it at both the beginning and end for convenience though, otherwise I just use the book mark. It is always nice to have at least one picture that has to do with the actual post, and when the post is a before and after, it is nice to be able to post a picture that shows both.
HATE truncated. I would probably not read your blog if it were like that, because I hate having to click again to read something. I also like the pin it button right on the post, so it doesn’t have to load.
I love truncated posts on blogs, it makes it so much easier if I’m scrolling down looking for a specific post which is typically the only time I go to the actual site. I only have to scan through a couple pages instead of entire posts that take up a ton more space. But as I usually read through Google reader, awe so sad it’s dying, I really dislike truncated feeds. Although I love your blog and I just click over anyway to read everything because your super cool and I love reading your stuff and I’m not going to quit just because I have to click an extra button. Oh and I also always click over to your site so I can pin your awesome stuff because I can’t pin through reader… I totally can’t wait to see that reading nook!! I’m sure it is to die for!!
First of all- I love your guts! I have never commented, but I have to comment on this one (and thank you for asking!) I hate truncated posts. Mostly because I’m lazy and I would say never click over to see the actual post. Also, I think that I avoid those blogs for the most part because I do not like the way that they look (maybe they are too busy looking or something). Plus I mostly keep up with reading my favorites (which you are one!) by checking in everyday during nap time with my cup of coffee so I don’t need a bunch of old posts listed like news because chances are I have already read them. Does that make sense?
I hope that this encourages you and helps you with future blogging!!!
xo,
Kristine
I do not like truncated blog posts because I can be a bit lazy. I pin by going to the original post and using my “pin it” favorite. Sometimes if a website has a pin button i will use that. I have no preference.
I hate truncated posts. It’s such a pain to read on blogs that use them that half the time I stop following that particular blog.
I don’t like truncated. I like to read all the fun stuff right away. Also, blogs always look messy to me because of all the stuff on the side and all over. The about me, the blog archive, blog roll. ie, the “Links to this post”” is huge on the bottom, and then there is a button:”Subscribe by email”. And another one: create a link.” That is so much info that is not aligned, has random sizes. It creates a lot of clutter because there is no cohesion between the elements. They seem to be stuck in random places with no alignment or attention to size. And that is the way all blogs are because those are automatic, right?
Also, I would make the running title on top with the navigation bigger. It’s hard to find as of now. Ad on top is annoying and it’s hard to find your logo.
Love love love your blog though!
Agree with the running title on top and the navigation links are hard to find. I read your blog all the time and still have to stop and think where the logo is.
gor-geee-ousse for its makeover!!
excited for*
I full on HATE truncated. I actually don’t look at any blogs that are set up that way. I like to look at full posts. The way yours are set up now entice me in, but I’ll be honest, I don’t read all of your posts when I have to click to read the full thing.
I am really not a fan of the truncated blog set up, I don’t like having to click through to each separate post, I’m not even really a fan of having to click to read the rest of the post…I would probably click through if you changed because I’ve read your blog for so long, but when I just stumble across a blog that has the truncated set up, I usually just by-pass it.
When I see truncated blog posts, I instantly feel like reading that particular blog is going to be tedious, and no fun. It is difficult to tell at first glance if the post is something I am interested in reading, or if something I’m looking for is even in that particular post. I hate having to click into a post, find out it’s not what I want, and click out over and over again.
I really like being able to scroll through several posts at a time, and also as Young House Love is set up, to be able to click into a blog post, read it, and have links at the bottom to the next and previous posts (titles included for better clarity). It is very handy when I’m catching up on my reading.
When I’m pinning from blogs, I appreciate a separate page/tab for tutorials, arranged by single photos of each project, with titles (like Kara Paslay Designs), and I won’t bother pinning from a blog if I can’t easily access the project and see at least the final photo (which is usually the case if a truncated blog post begins with a photo of, say, supplies or a “before” shot).