Code My Own Road’s Big Redesign Project

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Photo by Belvoir Army Engineers

Sometimes when you’re working at things you get the feeling something isn’t quite right.

This blog started out as just a place for me to begin writing about all the little things that were on my mind. A place for things that I wanted to write about. It just happens that entrepreneurship is what it turned into.

Lately though I can’t help but feel the direction behind Code My Own Road as a blog isn’t very strong.

Because this blog was born out of my innate need to spread cool information it’s kind of become about a little of everything. Which, in turn, means it’s inherently about nothing much in particular.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been researching what I really want Code My Own Road to be like a year from now.

First and foremost, before I start discussing the changes I’m planning, I want to realllllly thank the 25 to 30 or so people who are signed up to the RSS feed.

Although our numbers have grown slowly these couple of months, writing for you guys gives me humongous joy. And it’s a constant surprise seeing people clicking and reading and (hopefully) enjoying what I have to say.

A Direction

The main thing that’s been missing on Code My Own Road in my opinion is direction. When you come to my blog, do you know what it’s about?

I don’t, and as a web designer, that bothers me greatly.

It’s a bad case of “do what I say, but not what I do” and I don’t really care for it. Perhaps I’m being hard on myself, but I expect better.

Based on my keyword research, what common problems people are searching for and finding answers for on this site, and where I eventually want to take Code My Own Road I’ve decided I’d like to continue …

“Helping people learn how to design web sites for fun & profit.”

Code My Own Road, at it’s heart, is still a place for people to learn and discuss. We’re in it together and that’s why I started this thing in the first place – it was to help myself as much as you guys.

Where do we go from here?

I’ve tentatively settled on February 1st as the site relaunch date. Which will include a kick ass series on how to design web sites for all manner of tasks and a sexy new design.

I will keep posting in the lead up to the relaunch.

This is going to be a challenge for me to meet because I’m going away for most of December. But hopefully that will give me some clarity and some much needed writing time.

There’s seriously 30-40 (!) posts already planned for this and I plan on adding more and more as time progresses. If you’re still interested, stay signed up to the RSS feed.

Design Changes

While the design I’m using at the moment has been functional and served me well for the few months of growth I think  it’s time to kick out the jams.

I’ve got some great ideas for a new design which will make the site a lot friendlier and more functional. This will all be occurring behind the scenes so you shouldn’t see any disruption to the look and feel just yet.

You Can’t Get Rid Of Me That Easily

When you wake up for too many days in a row knowing something just isn’t working – that’s when you know you have to do something about it.

Code My Own Road is a real passion for me and while I am so grateful for the relationships I’ve formed with my readers thus far, I know it’s got so much more potential. I really want to help this site reach it’s potential.

And now my little secret is off my chest (damn that feels good), I have work to do.