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Mrs. Bee, New York Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet Engagement Date: May 7, 2004 Wedding Date: March 5, 2005 Venue: Westside Loft, New York About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
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The Expanded Frontpage

August 25th, 2009 @ 10:18 pm by Mrs. Bee

We recently launched a streamlined layout for the frontpage so that it would load faster for readers!

The Expanded Frontpage :  wedding announcements Expanded2

The feedback was great, so we made it the default.  We told the Bees that we hoped to see an increase in views and comments, but after going over the data… we realized that traffic to the blog has actually gone down.   So we made the painful decision to revert the default back to the expanded frontpage.

But if you prefer the streamlined layout, never fear!   We’re leaving it as an option so you can continue to view Weddingbee in the streamlined version.

Just mouse over the word “expanded” at the top of the page, click “switch to Streamlined”, and Weddingbee will show up in its streamlined version when you visit.

The Expanded Frontpage :  wedding announcements Expanded

I love how fast the streamline view loads on my iPhone, but I also love the big pictures on the expanded view.  I find myself more likely to click into a post though, when I’ve had a chance to sample a bit more from the frontpage.

Which do you prefer — expanded or streamlined?

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67 Responses to “The Expanded Frontpage”

1 2 3 4 

1.
D.Marie
Member
D.Marie (message)  2,575 posts, Sugar bee

For me…I like it either way. But I think for new readers or for someone who just found WeddingBee it might be an easier read with the expanded version. I hope this brings your numbers back up because WeddingBee is awesome and I love it. I actually told two new brides at our taste testing about WeddingBee! :)

 
2.
Guest Icon
Guest
Jenn R

Yay – I’m glad the old version is back!

 
3.
ladybuglove
Member
ladybuglove (message)  740 posts, Busy bee

i prefer streamlined, but this is fine too. i probably prefer streamlined because i’ve stalked weddingbee long enough to know what contents i’ll (usually) gravitate towards.:-) thanks for all the hard work!!

 
4.
august15bride
Hostess
august15bride (message)  1,667 posts, Bumble bee

Depends on how much catching up I have to do! If I’m stalking it all day long at work, I like the expanded view. But I loved having the streamlined view when I got back from my honeymoon!

 
5.
Member Icon
Member
NC Girl (message)  222 posts, Helper bee

I agree that the expanded version is much more likely to pull me in to a post. But it’s nice to still have the streamlined option. Thanks for all the effort you put in to making The Bee such an awesome site!

 
6.
creme_de_violet
Member
creme_de_violet (message)  358 posts, Helper bee

I also prefer the expanded version.

 
7.
TravelBug
Member
TravelBug (message)  68 posts, Worker bee

I’m a photo freak – so I have to admit that I like the expanded site! :)

 
8.
heather25
Member
heather25 (message)  2,350 posts, Buzzing bee

What was the timeline on the streamlined launch? And are you sure the drop in visits is due to the site change? I only ask because recent posts, in my very distinct and humble and quite possibly lonely opinion, have been slightly lack-luster. I don’t know why but I can’t get into a lot of them. Maybe its because there are so many recaps at one time. It can be exhausting to follow so many. But again just my opinion. I like the expanded so that I can see more of what’s what before I commit.

 
9.
Guest Icon
Guest
Jess

Definitely expanded. I also loved the script on the old Weddingbee where you can “read more” and it doesn’t load a new page.

 
10.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Cloud (message)  800 posts, Busy bee

I read streamlined on my blackberry, but prefer expanded. I don’t have a good reason why, maybe its just the old faithful :)

 
11.
thefuturemrsjewell
Member
thefuturemrsjewell (message)  1,829 posts, Buzzing bee

I am definitely a fan of the streamlined layout. I was so excited when it was launched a few months ago! I’ll definitely keep my hive streamlined!

 
12.
JeanL1984
Member
JeanL1984 (message)  381 posts, Helper bee

I like the expanded version! I kind of liked the streamlined at first, but lately I’ve found it harder to follow and get the real gist of a post with the streamlined. Either way, thank you for giving us options!

 
13.
Mr. Bee
Bee
Mr. Bee (message)  4,409 posts, Honey bee

@heather25: You’re right, there are a lot of recaps going on right now. Some readers love recaps though! :-)

The types of posts on Weddingbee at any given time vary a lot at any moment in time. Sometimes we have a lot of DIY, and sometimes we don’t. Either way, we will get complaints that we have too much DIY… or not enough! So people’s response tends to vary, even to the same content.

In any case, we’re sure on the timing of things. :-)

 
14.
kmattso2
Member
kmattso2 (message)  1,046 posts, Bumble bee

I guess I like the streamline better because that’s how it was when I first joined. I can get through the posts quicker without doing so much scrolling. When I come to weddingbee I open each new post in a new tab and then go and read them all. I’m not really a big fan of clicking on something and then going back and then clicking on a new one and then going back..
I am definitely keeping mine switched over to streamlined version!

 
15.
heather25
Member
heather25 (message)  2,350 posts, Buzzing bee

Haha Mrs. Bee…I was definitely going to say that I wish there were more DIY right now. But I am sure its different strokes for different folks. Ms. Poodle is saving me right now. Glad you gave us options! Good luck.

 
16.
Serendipity
Hostess
Serendipity (message)  7,836 posts, Bumble Beekeeper

I’m more of a streamlined person, but I’m glad there we have a choice between the two options still!

 
17.
Mr. Bee
Bee
Mr. Bee (message)  4,409 posts, Honey bee

@heather25: Just to clarify: that was Mister Bee above. :-)

 
18.
Miss Giraffe
Bee
Miss Giraffe (message)  4,241 posts, Honey bee

I love the streamlined look! I’m so glad you guys were able to set that up for us :) .

 
19.
Guest Icon
Guest
Andie

I never noticed a difference personally.

 
20.
marylizbeth
Member
marylizbeth (message)  180 posts, Blushing bee

i like the streamline because i have been reading for a while and it allows me to scan and find the bee blogs I am most interested in…but I can see how this would bring site traffic down.
either way its still great!

 
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Mrs. Bee

Mrs. Bee, New York Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet Engagement Date: May 7, 2004 Wedding Date: March 5, 2005 Venue: Westside Loft, New York About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!

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