Bye-Bye Google Friend Connect/Followers

2.9.12

We just found out that Google has announced the retirement of Google Friend Connect, also know as the Followers gadget for all non-Blogger sites. Which means, WordPress blogs (like our DB blog) and other sites that utilize this feature will no longer be able to. As far as we know the gadget will still be available to those on Blogger, even if you have purchased a domain name to replace the Blogspot address. However, keep in mind that Google may cancel it or phase it out at any time.

So now what??

There are a couple options…

1. Google recommends that in place of a GFC widget that Bloggers create a Google+ page and add a badge to their sidebar. The problem with this is that the features are completely different. Google+ is 100% a social network. It allows you to follow and interact with people and businesses much like Facbook, but its not a way to subscribe to a blog. Google+ does allow bloggers (WordPress, Blogspot..etc) to create “business pages” that act sort of like Facebook fan pages.

2. Set up or really start pushing your RSS feed. This is the closest alternative to the GFC gadget. It allows your readers to actually subscribe to your posts and stream them automatically. See this tutorial on burning your feeds onto a Feedburner account, to make subscribing easier.

3. Facebook. Duh… but really, add a Facebook Fan Box to your sidebar.

4. Twitter. Ditto… add a Twitter widget to your sidebar.

5. Create an account with Bloglovin’. Add all the blogs you want to follow, and then you’ll get notified every time one of your favorite blogs has written a new blog post.

6. The creator of the Linky Tools (you know you like a good Linky party!) has developed a Linky Followers tool and just launched it a few days ago. As far as I can tell it functions similarly to the GFC gadget — you can add and categorize blogs into groups and there is a blog reader function. Please note, with this tool GFC followers will NOT be and can NOT be automatically transferred over.

What about the monthly exclusive giveaways here on the DB blog?

Well we’ve decided that the easiest way to choose a giveaway winner from our “Followers” would be to utilize Google+. So if you want to be included in this month’s giveaway and you haven’t yet, add Designer Blogs to one of your circles. We placed a Google+ badge on our sidebar for easy access. Then you can be entered to win some social media buttons!!

Don’t forget!

We announce everything — updates, tutorials, tips and tricks and new designs on our social networks. See the upper right of your screen to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, RSS and Google+.

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January Exclusive Giveaway Winner

2.1.12

The winner of January’s exclusive giveaway (for blog followers only) is:

Crystal from Delightfully Ordinary!

Crystal has won a blog button!! Congratulations!!
Please email us at info@designerblogs.com by the end of the February to claim your prize!!

For February we will be giving away social networking buttons!

To enter, simply become a follower of this blog (see sidebar) and you’ll be automatically entered to win!

Good Luck!

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Food Label Printable

2.1.12

A few months ago we created some fun labels that Michelle of 4 Men 1 Lady used to add a unique touch to her food table at a recent party (see her post about them here).

We’ve received so many requests for these labels, that we’ve decided to offer them to you as a free printable. If you would like any of the titles changed, we will be happy to make those changes for you at $3 per label. Please email erin@designerblogs.com for information on purchasing additional labels.

Click here to print set 1

Click here to print set 2

Enjoy!

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WordPress.com vs WordPress.org

1.27.12

Many clients have come to us with WordPress.com blogs (blogname.wordpress.com) wanting us to do custom design work for them. While it is possible to do some customization, we are so limited in what we can do with the layouts we have chosen to work only with with self hosted, WordPress.org blogs.

So what is the big deal, what is the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.com is great way for beginners and people who are not interested in earning money from their blog to get a blog online quickly and easily. You can sign up and create a WordPress blog immediately, for free.

PROS

  • Free and easy to set up
  • upgrades, spam and security are all taken care of for you
  • back-ups are done automatically
  • Info is hosted on WordPress.com servers, so you are much less likely to ever have your site crash or go down

CONS

  • Tons of themes are available but you cannot upload a custom theme OR alter the PHP code
  • Can’t use plugins
  • Cannot have ads on your site

 


If you are a professional blogger who is looking to make money, if you want to run a business or you are professional in your field you should consider WordPress.org.

With WordPress.org you are required to buy your own web hosting and download the WordPress software to your host. I think this is where people get confused… WordPress.org software is free. Web hosting is not.

PROS

  • SEO friendly
  • Upload Themes
  • Upload Plugins
  • Complete control over coding
  • Freedom with Adsense and other ads

CONS

  • Hosting costs money. Anywhere from $7 a month to thousands of dollars for a high traffic site (I’ll address this in another post)
  • You have to be tech savvy or be willing to hire someone who is
  • You are responsible for spam control
  • You have to do your own back-ups and upgrades

 

In my mind, I find WordPress.com to be very similar to Blogger. You have a nice, simple, budget-friendly set up. But if you are a serious blogger and want to own your content and have complete control of your design, self hosted is going to be the route you want to go.

If you are currently using a domain on WordPress.com and would like a custom design done by us, check out this tutorial on how to move your domain to WordPress.org.

And for those of you who are visual like me — here is a visual breakdown.

 

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New Girls in the Shop

1.27.12

Check out the new girls in the Blogger premade shop!

Meet Brooklyn Paige and


Alexa Jane

We’re constantly adding and updating our premade shops, so check back often for the latest styles!

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Giveaway Winners Announced!

1.17.12

I’m so excited to announce the winners of our THREE gift certificates!!!

Are you ready for this?? Drum roll…….

and the winners are

 Amanda from Serenity Now
Stacey Pfaff from Sunday Afternoons
Trish and Bonnie from Uncommon

Congrats ladies!! Please email info@designerblogs.com to claim your prize!

Thank you to everyone who entered. We appreciate every one of you!

As a consolation prize we want to offer these free Valentine’s Day printable tags.
Just right click and save and print!

also check out our latest premade Piper and Paige!

Our regular exclusive monthly giveaways will commence in February.
All you have to do is become a follower for an automatic entry.

Thanks again everyone and good luck!!!

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More New Premades

1.12.12

Looking for the gift certificate giveaway??

Click HERE!

Giveaway ends January 16th at 11:59 MST.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, January 17th.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With the launch of our new site we offered you guys lots and lots of fun and stylish new premades. And guess what??! Our designers are still pumping out more awesomeness! Here are two of the newest premades in our Blogger shop, Berkeley and Gail!!

Premades are the perfect way to give your blog a great new look if you are not quite ready to make the leap to a completely custom design.  Plus, they can be installed for you in just a few days!

Now what are you waiting for?? Check out our premade shops for Blogger and WordPress and give your blog a Designer look today!

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Featured Client: Mrs. H

1.9.12

Looking for the gift certificate giveaway??

Click HERE!

Giveaway ends January 16th at 11:59 MST.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, January 17th.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello friends! Let me introduce you to our latest featured client, Janine, from the blog Mrs. H.

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging for 2yrs now but for most of my first year my blog was private. So its been open to the public for about a little over one year.

 

What made you decide to start a blog/site?

I began blogging to document my wedding planning, sort of like an online journal where I kept track of pictures and ideas that inspired me during the planning process.

 

 

What was the biggest unexpected perk or bonus of your site and being online?

The biggest perk so far about blogging and being online definitely has to be the connections I have made. I’ve met some of my readers/fellow bloggers in real life and I have found a wonderful community where I truly care about and have made friends with people from so many different walks of life. I follow some great bloggers and there is always something to be learned from my readers and fellow bloggers. That sense of community is priceless.

 

What other blogs or sites inspire you?

A few of the other blogs that inspire me are:
Torsha at Life is Hard Laugh Anyway she always seems to find a way to find the humor in everything. Something we all need.
Cynthia at Adventures of Team Pancakes! she is deeply devoted to her faith and I love the series she sometimes features on her blog called “Living Our Vows” she is always doing novel and unique things to honor marriage.
Faith who is the second blogger/reader I met in person keeps a spirited, funny corner where she talks unabashedly about her love for her husband Life.Love&Marriage.
I truly could name a ton more but I think I’ll stop at 3….cause my google reader list is looooong….lol!

 

 

Tell us about the design makeover process? How did you choose the colors, fonts and ideas that inspire your personal brand?

I really can’t take much of the credit for my blog. I’ll tell you I had a basic idea stuck in my head and Erin worked her magic to pull it out of my head and bring it to life. Don’t ask me how she did it cause whenever someone compliments me on my blog I always wonder off into though as to just how she was able to do it. It was like magic I tell you. I told her I liked something feminine and soft, I like cursive fonts and I love pink and purple…..viola!

 

How did you find / hear about Designer Blogs?

I did a google search and came across another blog that I really liked the design of that used designer blogs. I had to have mine done too!

 

 

Anything else you want people to know about you or your blog?

Well if they do stop by expect randomness. I blog about my life which at times can be very random. I love to travel so I fit that in, I’m starting school for nursing, and I love writing inspirational posts. Then of course there is that whole IVF thing we’re dealing with right now but everything in stride. I’m sort of a wear you heart on your sleeve kinda girl, some days I’m serious others I’m not. When visiting my blog word of advice: leave your expectations at the door and don’t be ashamed to share what you know. Ciao!

 

Thank you Janine!!
It was such a pleasure working with you and getting to know you better.

You can visit Janine on her blog, Mrs. H and
you can also follow her on Twitter!

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Welcome 2012!

1.1.12

As you may have noticed the Designer Blogs site has a whole new and fun look for the New Year! We are very excited for not only the new feel of our design but also the simplified navigation of our site. We hope the new layout will make your ordering and design process that much easier when working with us this year. In addition to our new site we have even more exciting news!

We have tons of new premades and $10 templates up in the shop.

AND

We are now offering premades for WordPress!

And if that isn’t enough to get you excited then here is some more news! We’ve hired a new team member. Please help us give a warm welcome to Lindsey, our newest designer!!

Lindsey is a Midwestern girl who met her husband while studying Early Childhood Education at Michigan State University. Mom to two blue-eyed boys. Passionate about motherhood, yoga, photography, writing, and design. Loves the feeling of a completed to-do list. You can learn more about her and leave her some love over on her personal blog here.

We hope you’ll take some time to click around the site to see what else is new! To thank you, our amazing customers, we want to give away three $30 gift certificates!!

The winners can apply these babies to any custom or premade design!

You can earn up to seven entries!

Here’s what to do:
Note: each entry must be made as a new comment

For ONE entry, leave your full name and a link to your blog.

For a SECOND entry, leave your full name and list your favorite design from our portfolio (see top menu bar).

For a THIRD entry, post about this giveaway on your blog (be sure to include a link to Designer Blogs or one of our buttons). Come back and leave a comment with your full name and the word “blog.“

For a FOURTH entry, become a follower of our blog (see sidebar). Leave a comment with your full name and the word “follow.”

For a FIFTH entry, become a fan of Designer Blogs on Facebook. Come back and leave a comment with your full name and the word “Facebook.”

For a SIXTH entry, follow Designer Blogs on Twitter. Come back and leave a comment with your full name and the word “Twitter.”

For a SEVENTH entry, join Designer Blogs on Google+. Come back and leave a comment with your full name and the word “Plus.”

Giveaway ends January 16th at 11:59 MST.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, January 17th.

 

Also don’t forget to become a follower of our blog for an automatic entry to our monthly exclusive giveaway! Winners are announced the first day of each month.

Good luck!

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The Big Move!

12.27.11

Hi friends!

We have been working hard behind the scenes to get our new site put together in WordPress. Yes, you heard that right–we’re packing up and moving to WordPress! We are so excited to make the big switch and hope you’ll bear with us as we make this transition and work out any kinks that may arise.

We have tons of new pre-mades and $10 templates that we are excited to share with you, so please check back in a few days to view our new site and see all that’s new! We’ll also be holding a huge giveaway that you won’t want to miss.

Until then!

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