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The New BFT ~ And A SWAG ALERT Bonus!

You may have noticed something has changed. Is it our hair? No. We lost weight? Well, in a way… That’s right! We totally redesigned the website! It was a long time coming!

One of the major new features is our current SWAG ALERT(s) will always be listed at the top of the site. Yeah, that’s right, I did put an “s” in those parenthesis. We will sometimes be running multiple SWAG ALERTS at a time. You’ll be able to come to the site and simply click on the SWAG ALERT of your choice to go directly to its corresponding post, and then you can just enter your little heart out!

We’d like your opinion on the new site! Play around, browse, and then come back to this post and leave a comment telling us what you think.

In leaving us your honest thoughts on the new site, you’ll be entered to win a SWAG ALERT Bonus! The prize will be a Baby’s Baker’s Dozen (that’s 13!) of Bellaziza Barrettes!

This SWAG ALERT will be open for daily entry until Monday, May 11th at midnight PST. Our same fabulous SWAG ALERT rules apply, including EXTRAS, but if you need a refresher on the details just CLICK HERE or visit our “SWAG INFO” page by clicking the tab at the top of this page. Winner will be chosen from the comments posted and our subscription list on Tuesday via random.org.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 9:51 am and is filed under General, Swag, What Do YOU Think?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Florence Bellamy

I love the look and the quality.

Sarita

I second Anita's comment (comment #1)... what about the idea of "highlighting" the title of each post with a rectangled box of a complementary colour? This would look great, and really make the titles "pop"! Just an idea.

Sarita

Hi gals!
Just thought I'd throw in another suggestion, although it may be similar to those I've already made:
While the STRIPES background is lovely in colour, visually-speaking it is very overwhelming! You have A LOT going on on your pages already with trying to highlight, bold, and underline text in your entries (from the center column), not to mention the ads on the edges on the page. I'd really recommend looking into a more calm, serene type of background. The colours are lovely, yet I'm sure there's something more calming in those tones. When I come to your site as a reader and subscriber, I'm inundated with information. While graphics are great (especially for visual learners like me!), they are meant to COMPLEMENT and coincide with the information you're sharing, not COMPETE with it, or subtract from the focus of your entries and topics.
Thanks again, and hats off to your team!
Sincerely,
Sarita N.

Sarita

Oh... LOL... I forgot to mention 1 thing to the post I made... if you are able to S-T-R-E-T-C-H out your layout, a very simple, (maybe colourful) design as an all-around BORDER would be lovely if you wouldn't be able to use your stripes backdrop any longer. I encourage you to look into the option of a simple border instead of, or in conjunction with, a backdrop. Maybe 1" wide around? Thanks again!

Sarita

What a lovely site! While I am a very new subscriber (VIP), I must admit it has been a very addicting site to look through and read. I especially LOVE your contests and giveaways! What a GRREAT way to promote your site and other advertisers products!
Since I'm relatively new to your site and didn't see the previous layout, etc., I can only comment on the new design and what I see now. The soft colours as a backdrop are pleasing to the eye.
I have a fairly average-sized screen (14") and one of the 1st things I notice is how your layout does not occupy the entire width of the screen/page. I really feel strongly that it would be much to your benefit to expand your width layout and spread your page across from end to end, left to right. Does this make any sense? While I realize it would probably mean you wouldn't be able to see your stripes background, it would really benefit your site and readers in that people wouldn't have to scroll DOWN as much. Easier viewing means less effort on the readers part, and probably a longer time spent on your site. While it makes sense to have all your entries and main info in a "centre of the page" column, it feels too narrow.
Compliments to you (not sure if it's more than 1 person!... LOL) on how easy it is to follow and navigate throughout your page. I especially like the top left features of the About Us and search categories option. Very nice!
Hope this has been helpful to you!
Hugs and warmest regards,
Sarita*

Anita

I referred a subscriber to your site: sarita.naidu at gmail dot com

Ryan

Great color scheme. Very pleasing to the eye.

Andrea B

I like that the categories has number of writings next to each type of category.
dearandrea
at sbcglobal. net

Anita

I think that the ads are a little distracting while reading a post... although if that is what you are going for then it's working :)

Brianna

Thank you for doing all of the great reviews on different products. It's great to be able to go to a website that I trust to check out different baby products.

Sarah Camp, Reviewer / Columni

Hi Readers!

Thank you all for your great responses to the site. We'll be taking them into consideration as we move forward and you'll see small changes taking effect as we go.

Brianna - Tasha and I are both going to be doing reviews on boy's items. Of course, if you have any suggestions of things you'd like us to review, we always want to hear from our readers!

Anita - We decided to put the archives at the bottom of the site because we've found that they aren't used as much as other features.

Aura - We'll be featuring our favorite bouncer soon, so stay tuned!

Aura

I really like the categories section. Last night I was trying to look up what bouncers you like and was easily able to look through the gear section (although you didn't feature one yet)

Anita

I appreciate that the ads are off to the side of the page rather than mixed up between posts etc. I didn't notice you even had the Archives though until I scrolled down to the bottom to write a comment... you might want to have them in the sidebar too. Just a thought!

Brianna

I love to look at all of your ads, but it seems that most of the stuff is for girls. I have a little girl, but I also have a boy and would love to find fun stuff for him.

Ryan

It's great how fast your website is! Excellent job!

Anita

I like that you guys have a link to SWAG alert info right at the top of the page... very helpful for people who are new to your site!

Ryan

The new site is nice and organized and it's very easy to get to your giveaways! Great job!

Aura

I have to agree with Lori, the site is extremely girly- just look at all the pink!

Brianna

Maybe it's my computer, but out of all the blogs I read, your blog takes the longest to load. I see that many people are saying they love how fast your blog is, but I don't see it. Could definitely be my problem and not yours! :)

Crista, Bellaziza Editor

Hmmm, I'm not sure why that would be Brianna. I will have Sarah check on it though for sure. Thanks!!!

Ryan

While the comment section is nice and easy to fill out, I think it would be better to have the form at the top of the comments and not have to scroll through all the comments to get to it. Otherwise, the new sight looks great.

Brianna

I love the soft look of the new site. The colors are so soothing. It makes me want to buy baby stuff!

Pam W

I love that you can click on the swags at the top of the page...fast, easy, and eye catching!

Steven

I quite like the new design. It seems easier to get around and the website is loading much faster than it was...although it's been a good speed for a few weeks now. I somehow miss the pink background though....not sure why.

I thought I'd just put my two cents in. I'm not looking at winning the barrettes, so if you pick this entry feel free to pick a second one and I won't be devastated. :)

Chantel

I absolutely love the new site! It has a lot more room on the sides and the Archives at the bottom are great! It's my favorite go to site when I'm looking for the perfect item that's best for me! Thank you for doing on the work!

Anita

I like how everything looks clean, with the white background, and having the add's to the site... it makes it easy to navigate.

Sylvia

Love the stripes and buttons--everything is organized!
sylviarj at yahoo dot com

Lori Z.

I am big fan of how orderly the category bar looks. I'm also a big fan of your barrettes so the button in the header is very cute and practical.

This isn't so much a look thing, but a general topic comment, but I wish more stuff was here for boys. I love dressing up my daughter, but I don't feel like there's too much here apparel-wise for my son. Sparkly boy hair clips, perhaps? haha...

Tasha, Bellaziza Columnist

Lori - I agree that we need more for boys! Isn't it harder to find great stuff for boys than girls?! That's why I am here to help Crista bring the "blue" side of life to BFT!! So stay tuned...we are on the lookout for the Best of the Best for boys too!! And, of course, we'd love our readers' advice on the matter!!

Brianna

Having a swag alerts button at the top of the page is ingenious. That way it's easy to continue reading your posts and also easy to jump right to a swag. Brilliant!

Andrea B

I like that the Categories is easy to find on the top left instead of the right like most blogs have it.
dearandrea
at sbcglobal. net

HILLARY

I love the new colors -- very soothing and baby inspired! Seems easier to navigate now & find all old postings. I tend to agree with some of the others about the flashing ads...while it won't discourage me from coming to the site, it doesn't make me want to click to find out more about those products. You probably get paid to advertise for them though, so I don't fault you for having them.

Catherine

I love the new site and how easy it is to navigate (great job on the sidebar)! Also, it loads up so much faster (yay)! Additionally, the fabulous new colors are so soft and inviting.

And thanks for asking :)

Crista, Bellaziza Editor

Hi Catherine:)! We ALWAYSSSS want your opinions! Please do feel free to comment or email us directly with your thoughts on anything anytime. We really do value your feedback!!!

:)Crista

Aura

Hurray! Your page finally loads when I start it up, even on IE7!!! I used to open your site then read two emails and by that time it was usually ready to read, unless of course I opened it in IE7. Not anymore! The oohlala is quite interesting.

gracieo

I love the new layout. It's easier to navigate and it's much faster, even with the flashing ads (like those too). Overall great job :o)

Crista, Bellaziza Editor

Ooh! I know! I love how it's so much faster too!!! THanks everyone for your comments!!!!

:)Crista

Brianna

I'm with a lot of the other gals who have said that they don't like the flashing ads on the side. The ads are eye-catching, but not in a good way. I understand the need to make revenue, but when ads are taking away from the main content of your blog, it's not a good thing.

GWEN

I love the faster website! It is easier to make comments as well.

Genevieve Larson

Your button is on my blog

Genevieve Larson

Love the new look. You have my two favorite colors purple and pink which makes the page look soft and its easy on the eyes.

Anita

Oh yes, and I have your button too! (if you want an invite to my blog to see it... just email me!)

Cortney

I just love the new site and can't wait to see everything coming up! I actually like the changing ads on the sides. I think they're very effective and are always linked to some great new thing you found for us!

Amber G

The organization is much improved - I like the layout, colors and design better. Everything just fits and the entire site is more cohesive.

melanie

i have your button

=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com

melanie

Love the new look!! Very clean looking.

sarah b

i do love the colors and how soft they are. my only neg. is the ads that flash. they are kind of annoying. you try to read a post but the flashing is distracting.

Andrea B

I like the colors still. The look seems a little busier, though.
dearandrea
at sbcglobal. net

Pam

I love the soft colors, striped look, and it is easier to navigate around! A calm, fun place to catch up on great things and win goodies for moms!

zmama

I love how easy it is to navigate now! The older posts are easier to find with the index and the colors are so soothing!! Just what mamas need!! :)Happy Mothers Day all!

Julia

i love it!!! easier to read! and on the old site, sometimes you had to scroll wwwwaaaayyyyy down to get to the post. this is beautiful! i love the topics on the left side bar!!

Jennifer M

I love it. It's easy to navigate around and find the things you're interested in. I like the soft stripes and light text.

Tammy

Love the new layout. It is nice and neat. Easy to read and navigate.

Leah

I love the striped background -- much easier on the eyes than the dark.
Also when you fixed your website to make it go faster, that was a definite plus!
I can't remember if the comment textboxes always had such a big font, but it's really one of the easiest websites for me to comment on since I can see what I'm typing :)
I don't care too much for flashing gifs, but I understand the need to get revenue.
The Ooh Lah La on the right is adorable :)
And in general, I find this layout with the sidebar a much easier to browse site.
Kudos on the redesign!

Sylvia

I like the soft colors, but they aren't as easy to read. Maybe they could be a little bolder. Also, the flashing ads are really distracting--in a bad way.
But the organization and giveaways are WONDERFUL!!!
sylviarj at yahoo dot com

Rose

A much fresher format :D

Gina Rich

I really like the new website, it's very easy to look around!

Jeana

hi! Love the site - but I am having to scroll all the to the bottom ads to see the posts. I have come in 3 times today checking for updates & didn't realize that I had to scroll all they way to the end to see what you had going on.

Other than that bring on the good stuff.

Katrina

I like it a lot. It's much easier to navigate and looks nice & organized!

JenT

I like it. It doesn't look as cluttered and things are easier to find/see.

Kathleen

I think it looks great! The only thing that drives me nuts about your site is the flashing button for your giveaways. I used to have it on my blog, but couldn't take the flashing. Sorry! I hate to be critical.

But I love everything else about your site, especially the easy to find categories.

Crista, Bellaziza Editor

Thanks everyone for your comments!!! Your encouragement, compliments and critical feedback are all very much appreciated:)!!!!!!!

:)Crista

Brianna

I love the new sidebar showing all of the subjects/categories that have been discussed on bellaziza's favorites. Maybe it was there before, but I never noticed it. Today, the categories caught my eye even before I noticed that the website had been changed.

Anita

I like the soft colors in your new layout. One thing I would suggest is somehow making more of a distinct line between posts to make it easier to tell where the beginning of the last one is... and where the next one starts!

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