I will Hug my Blog and Squeeze it and Call it George

– Posted in: Blogging, Tammy Thinks, Websites

I’m like a little kid on Christmas today. Well, maybe like a little kid on Christmas who’s totally excited about opening presents but also has to get dressed and go sit through church. And then have her presents slowly doled out to her by uptight relatives who make her come and sit down for breakfast in between. And then write thank you cards before she can play…

As you may have noticed, my blog’s design has been made over. That’s the Christmas part. The church/breakfast part comes from the laundry/children/errands that keep dragging me away from getting it completely up and running. Fortunately, I’m not alone in this venture.

Some things are worth the wait If you’ve been with me for awhile, you know this is the third look for World’s Worst Moms. The original was a Blogger template thrown together by newbie me. Then I had a designer move me to WordPress and fancy me up. The blog was really cute, but the template always just bugged the bejesus out of me, and I never felt “comfortable.”

Enter Ms. Vanita Cyril of The Strategic Mama.

Alison Lee, from Writing,Wishing, shared Vanita’s post, Bounce Rate Defined Series: Wrap Your Blog In Honey, and I was hooked. We became fast friends, in part because I think she’s brilliant and she thinks I’m hysterical. She knows so much about weird SEO, google-y stuff that it’s a little creepy.

After about a billion conversations, we decided to redo me. In three months, my blog traffic has doubled, and that’s after me basically not even doing anything but making a few changes based on her seo advice (it frankly makes me feel a little guilty). Now we’re rolling out the new blog design, and I have to say, it’s so light and happy that it makes me smile inside whenever it pops up on the screen.

I honestly can’t say enough about Vanita. I think what makes her different from the other designers I’ve met and worked with is that she really digs in and figures out what your goals are. She evaluates your blog and your traffic — she doesn’t just ask what you think you need — and then she builds your design. My husband says she’s the best decision I’ve ever made. Based on the length of our email threads and how much I bug her, you’d have to ask her if she feels the same way…

Anyway, Vanita is taking on new clients. So if you think this is your time to move, then I’d grab on. She’s got a few deals going for a limited time (20-25% off).

Custom Blog Design

For Entrepreneurs: Leverage Your Blog and Build Your Online Empire.

For BlogHer Bloggers: Get Smart and Sexy for BlogHer ’14.

For Small Businesses: Build Your Web Presence and Increase Your Revenue.

And then there’s always Small Business and Basic Blogger Design.

Anyway, hope you like the new World’s Worst Moms as much as I do. And give Vanita a buzz if you need help. I’m an affiliate of hers too, so I get a cut if you become one of her clients. I’m telling you, this woman is good. There’s no way I’m not hitching my wagon to her train.

The Strategic Mama -- Get SEO smart and sexy for BlogHer 14

 

29 Comments… add one

AlwaysARedhead November 25, 2013, 4:02 pm

I don’t get the SEO stuff at all, each time I sit down and figure it out, I get distracted by housework. Well not really, but the search engine optimaziation just drives me crazy.

I love the new look of your blog.
AlwaysARedhead recently posted..How the girooses came aboutMy Profile

Ginger November 25, 2013, 4:12 pm

I love it…And by the way…..I named my first car “George” because it was a Dodge Ares K and I said, “which way did he go George which way did he go? I will love him and hug him and call him George” even if it is a crappy car and my ultimate favorite Looney Tunes episode was the George one…so, well there is a reason we are kismet…

Vinma November 25, 2013, 4:27 pm

So beautiful Tammy! I love your new look.. Pictures are so pretty 🙂 You are right! our (mutual) designer, Vanita is awesome! She is the best decision I have ever made in my blogging journey too 🙂 Congratulations on this milestone!
Vinma recently posted..Homemade Edible Paint RecipeMy Profile

K.M. O'Sullivan November 25, 2013, 4:48 pm

It looks fantastic! Professional and shows you are taking a huge leap into whatever comes next. I’m excited for you (and a wee bit jealous ;)).
K.M. O’Sullivan recently posted..Sexist or Funny: Battle of the Holiday Underwear CommercialsMy Profile

vanita November 25, 2013, 5:42 pm

well hey now, i think i’m the best decision you ever made too! and now i get to keep you as a girlfriend for years to come. anything you need mama, you know i’m here. thanks for the great mention and kind words.
vanita recently posted..How To Increase Blog TrafficMy Profile

Alison November 25, 2013, 6:00 pm

Well, hello gorgeous! I LOVE IT!!

And I love V. She is absolutely the best.
Alison recently posted..Blogging ResourcesMy Profile

Cher November 25, 2013, 6:05 pm

Well said, Tammy!! I felt the same way when Vanita was working on my blog… She is the shizz – I will forever be indebted to her and her infinite wisdom! Oh, and your new design looks great!!
Cher recently posted..Build a Vintage Cartographer’s DeskMy Profile

Andrea November 25, 2013, 6:49 pm

Oh my gosh! I love it (even though I don’t even know what an SEO is)

Poppy November 25, 2013, 7:11 pm

My blog design evolution is similar to yours. Even had the same designers. Vanita has totally changed my blogging life.
Poppy recently posted..Monday Healthy Menu Plan – Week 3 (Free Printable)My Profile

Vidya Sury November 25, 2013, 9:44 pm

Overall sexy! I know the feeling about wanting to squeeze my blog and call it…. ahem! never mind.

I love that Vanita like a sister. Oh wait, she IS my sister!

Who’s George? 😀
Vidya Sury recently posted..Easy Exercises to Lose WeightMy Profile

Verity November 25, 2013, 9:44 pm

Fabulously wonderfully you! Perfect….

Polly November 25, 2013, 10:32 pm

This is gorgeous.
And how funny–my dad’s sister, who died in September, was also Vanitta (but yes, two T’s). I’d never heard of another one before.

Andrea November 26, 2013, 4:39 am

OMG OMG OMG. Your new blog design is hitting me in all the good places.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make that sound so dirty. This is FABULOUS!!!
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Cheryl S. November 26, 2013, 5:35 am

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!! It is so absolutely you!! You are home!

Now, what the hell is SEO?

Cheryl S. November 26, 2013, 5:35 am

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!! It is so absolutely you!! You are home!

Now, what the hell is SEO?

Fran Sorin November 26, 2013, 7:33 am

I can only use superlatives when describing Vanita’s work and Vanita as a human being. She’s the real deal!
Fran Sorin recently posted..Q and A with Tess Marshall About Her New Course – THRIVE: Living Life FullyMy Profile

Rae Buchanan November 26, 2013, 8:51 am

Tammy, we are so lucky to have Vanita on our team! Your re-design is gorgeous, easy to navigate and downright funny! Kudos to you both!!
Rae Buchanan recently posted..Spelling Bee Napkin Holders Thanksgiving Activities for KidsMy Profile

The Animated Woman November 26, 2013, 9:45 am

I feel like I can breathe here!
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Tarana November 28, 2013, 3:21 am

Congratulations, love the new look!
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Xae November 30, 2013, 12:58 am

This is my first time here and I got to say…your blog looks absolutely fantastic!!

My blog is currently being kept by newbie me and I’ve been craving for a change forever! I’m going to keep Ms Cyril in my mind for when I am ready 🙂

Happy SITSSharefest!
Xae recently posted..Do You Take Your Morning Coffee with Sugar? Creamer?…Fruit Fly?My Profile

Tracie November 30, 2013, 3:06 am

I love your new look. It is perfect!
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Elaine Schoch November 30, 2013, 8:10 am

Love the new design! Looks great.
Elaine Schoch recently posted..Is Your Passport Ready? It’s time for Passports with Purpose!My Profile

Kim November 30, 2013, 8:31 am

This is my first time on your blog so I have no idea how it looked before. It does look wonderful now though!

I would eventually like to do a re-design and get some help with SEO (my traffic is horrible) but I just can’t afford it right now. Kinda drives me nuts but at least, in my opinion, my blog looks decent enough now to keep me feeling okay with it.
Kim recently posted..Last Day of November: Wrapping Up a Busy MonthMy Profile

Vicki November 30, 2013, 9:20 am

Great blog design. I love your title. I have the Looney Tunes on DVD. That one is a particular favorite of mine. I would love some help on design and SEO tips. Could you look at my blog and make a suggestion? Thanks. Have a blessed day.

AwesomelyOZ November 30, 2013, 4:34 pm

I’m a newbie blogger too and cannot understand squat about SEO. Your blog looks beautiful! I just revamped my website on my own and for now its working great but I should learn more about SEO it’s just all gibberish >.< Have a great weekend Tammy! -Iva
AwesomelyOZ recently posted..Happy Thanksgiving: 7 Cross-Cultural Variations of Giving ThanksMy Profile

Rachel G November 30, 2013, 4:42 pm

Oh, it’s so fun to finally have a blog look and template that works really well AND that you love!
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Adrian November 30, 2013, 8:11 pm

Nice design! I’ve had mine done twice, but I’m too chicken to make the move to Word Press. It looks like there are lots of cool options on Word Press, but it is possible to break it. I’ve even broken Blogger a few times, I’m terrified of anything more complicated than that. #SITSSharefest
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Herchel S December 1, 2013, 4:56 pm

Your blog looks beautiful! I went and added Vanita’s services to my amazon wishlist. This is by far the sleekest “George” I’ve ever seen.
Herchel S recently posted..Doh! A Deer a FEMALE Deer!My Profile

Patent Solicitor November 19, 2014, 3:34 am

Is this my favourite blog post title ever? Yes, I believe it is.

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