Wedding Blog
We recently launched a streamlined layout for the frontpage so that it would load faster for readers!
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.
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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Share this post: The Expanded Frontpage
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! 
Yay - I’m glad the old version is back!
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!!
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!
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!
I’m a photo freak - so I have to admit that I like the expanded site!
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.
Definitely expanded. I also loved the script on the old Weddingbee where you can “read more” and it doesn’t load a new page.
I read streamlined on my blackberry, but prefer expanded. I don’t have a good reason why, maybe its just the old faithful
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!
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!
@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.
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!
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.
I’m more of a streamlined person, but I’m glad there we have a choice between the two options still!
I love the streamlined look! I’m so glad you guys were able to set that up for us :).
I never noticed a difference personally.
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!
Oops! Sorry…thanks for the update to you too. I only looked at the original.
At work I definitely like the expanded format better: fewer links to click makes me feel less guilty. 
It’s also nice to see photos in context instead of off to the side where they don’t always make sense on the main page.
But I liked the streamlined page, too. It was certainly a lot faster to go through!
I like the expanded version better. I’m so glad it’s back!
I read the blog on my Reader page, so I’m not sure it makes a difference. Does it change the way Reader looks?
I know I’m way more likely to read a post if more of the eye candy catches my eye. so expanded version for me.
definitly the expanded version. I can tell more of not if I want to read the post or not. I feel that the streamlined was a little misleading depending on what picture was posted in that little box.
Definitely expanded. Gives me a chance to do a bit more reading before the “jump.”
I also prefer the expanded version! Thank you for all that you do!!
I like both equally! Took a bit to get used to the streamlined version, but now I hardly notice it’s on. I still read all the blogs just as much in either version.
I wonder if it would be possible to have each post automatically expand in the same window when you click on “read more…”.
Having to create another tab every time I want to browse a post is the only thing keeping me from completely adopting the streamlined look.
I ended up going back to the expanded version after trying out streamlined for a bit. Not really sure why, but I prefer the original.
I like the original better too, thanks for being so receptive to your readership and making it an option again. Yet another reason why I <3 WeddingBee so much!
I think I like expanded more only because that is what I had when I first started out on Weddingbee. It’s nice to have the options though.
@Bean: Hey Bean! I just wanted to clarify that Expanded has always been an option… we’re just making it the default again.
I prefer the streamlined since I can quickly and easily find the page I last read without clicking through a ton of pages- then I click on the full entry for the next blog page I haven’t read yet and read until the end and hit “more in blog” for the next one during breaks throughout the day.
I haven’t noticed any change in the site’s content, I am still enthralled by it on a daily basis
I prefer the streamlined version, but then again I read every single post here!
I never connect from anything but a computer but I am so glad to see expanded come back!
I prefer the streamlined version. It loads faster and gives a quick snapshot of posts for the day. Allows me to zoom into those I want to go through and read first. Also means less clicking.
I was bummed to hear that the expanded won out.
I did like the little preview photo that came up with the streamlined view when a post was photoless, but I also felt like the original view was more “true” to how the blog post was written (with the pictures in the right places).
I preferred the streamlined, but as a new-bee Id have preferred the expanded. Honestly, I read many posts in Google Reader then click over to the ones I want to comment on. But I think the expanded view will draw more readers further in and lead to more commenting. Ill stick to compact on my iPhone. Either way, its awesome
I prefer the original because it allows you to do a bit more reading before the jump. Maybe I am just biased because this is what it looked like when I first began reading!
I personally prefer the streamlined so I’m glad it’s an option. The only thing I’ve noticed about that is the images usually show up distorted in the streamlined version.
P.S. The “switch to streamlined” option does not stay. It switches it but then whenever I refresh it’ll go back to expanded.
I prefer the expanded but that’s probably because it’s how it was when I started reading weddingbee. Keep up the great work!
like the streamline for when i refer back to check if i missed any updates. no worries though, as long as both versions available!
I prefer expanded as well. It’s funny - expanded was the default on my work computer, and streamlined was the default on my home computer, though I always changed it back to expanded. The images that showed up in the streamlined version were goofy sometimes. But I think it’s great that readers have the option to choose!
I’ll be switching back to stream-lined. =D
I definitely like the streamlined better. Even though I was reluctant to switch over when it first came out, I gave it a chance and have really come to love it. I don’t really need the expanded version w/ pictures to “draw me in” since I read every post anyway!
I like the expanded view when looking at new posts but the streamlined when researching a specific bee.
I like the streamlined view–it’s easier to scroll through posts and it loads faster.
You know, I never thought about it, but for viewing on my computer, I prefer the expanded (old) version to the new streamlined one.
Woohoo for expanded! Although I really don’t mind that much either way.
I like the expanded but it doesn’t matter much b/c I clcik “more” on all posts! I don’t always comment unless feel i have something important to add but I always read everything!
yay for expanded, definitely more likely for me to read posts!
I was wondering what was different this morning. I’ve become attached to the streamlined version, even though I don’t view Weddingbee on my phone or anything. I think I’ll leave it streamlined for now.
I didn’t even notice until I read this post, but it made a lot of sense! I was thinking how good all the pictures looked today! LOL
Im with Mrs Emerald - I am a fan of the expanded. Thanks for all the hard work Mr and Mrs Bee!
I much prefer the expanded - Thanks for switching it back!
I’m on the expanded bandwagon. I like having more of a preview to read before clicking the ‘more’ link. Also, sometimes the pictures are intended to follow a certain line of text. I was never a fan of streamlined since it follow that pattern.
also… do you ever think there will be an iphone app for weddingbee to make it easier to browse posts
After sleeping on it, I have decided I like the streamlined presentation better. It’s cleaner and I can just scroll through all the post and then click on the ones I really want to read. It’s probably because I always have the site opened at work. I take 2-3 min. breaks and check out the posts.
Personally I like the expanded version much better so I am very happy to see the switch back! I only click and read the posts if I see pretty (and big) pictures
I like the expanded, but I really like the option! Thanks for all of your hard work!
i much prefer expanded, both here and on other blogs i read… i just don’t like having to click on links to keep reading.
I use the expanded for the front page, but I am in love with the streamline for the older post! it’s great!
Hooray for expanded! =)
Though I do agree with a couple other people about recap posts not being as exciting to new viewers. Even to me, a lot of the recaps going on are from Bees that I came in too late to read, so I’m doing a lot of skimming lately.
I agree with heather25. Some of the posts lately just haven’t been great. I do enjoy reading recaps and DIY posts. I really enjoy the site and all of the bees, but like heather25 said, some of the posts just haven’t been really drawing me in. It’s hard to say which version is better b/c they both have their pros/cons…best of luck.
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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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