I want your input.. DeanHolland.com makeover !!
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Hi guys
As you may of read over the next few weeks I plan on TOTALLY overhauling my blog. But to what extent will be down to you and what you feel would be best.
** I have a new traffic tip for you in this post so stick with me peeps **
I have some thoughts and ideas as I will share with you below but as you are the lifeline of my business I want your input if you wouldnt mind. The theme I currently use is a free one I downloaded but the more I progress I make the more I am realising it is restricting my options.
Now there are 2 options available;
1 – I purchase a premium theme which will cost up to a maximum of $200. I then bring in a graphic designer to produce me a custom header for the theme, with the standard I am looking for I expect this would cost anywhere up to $300.
Option 1 cost would be around $500 in total. The advantage of this choice would be it being cheaper than option 2 saving me money. The disadvantage of this option being that I would be using someone elses theme and therefore would not be unique to me, but with the custom header would that really be an issue ??
2 – I bring in a WordPress theme specialist programmer to build me from scratch my own unique theme. This would include custom header, custom footer, custom layout etc… Everything would be designed by US and built to that specification.
Now I have done a little research and for the level of quality I would be looking for we are looking at a cost of around $1300 for the whole job to be done. The advantages of this option would be my blogs total uniqueness, the fact I could have the theme exactly how we choose to have it. So we have the power ( HA HA ) to build whatever we like on this theme !!
The disadvantages of this option being the cost, as I said above I have looked around and to get the quality of work I want we are looking at around $1300. Yes I know .. Big bucks huh !! But is it worth it ?? Is it a waste ?? Remember over the next few weeks my earnings get paid to me, this is currently over $3300 so the funds are there to plow back into my business should it be the right decision.
Oh yeah!!.. There is one other ADVANTAGE to this option, an advantage that each of you could use to potentially bring in a LOT of long term traffic. If you take a look in the footer of your theme on your blog you will see some links, something along the lines of – Theme designed by…[link]…. For …[link]… Now if you had your own theme designed then that second link would be your blog !! Do you see where Im going with this ??
So lets say I have my own theme created, I then have my theme with a link to my blog in the footer. Now I want to remain unique so I could take the custom theme and have the designer change the colour scheme and offer a few different colours. You then take those new designs of the custom theme and you either sell them on as premier themes for profit or you could take the option to offer it free. Remember your blog lijnk remains in the footer of the theme so you spread accross the internet and have a link on possibly thousands of blogs !!
You could actually have a much cheaper theme created just for this purpose !
Just something else to consider 
So my fellow bloggers and friends.. I turn to you and your fountain of wealthy knowledge for valuable input into the MAKEOVER OF DEANHOLLAND.COM !!
2 column.. 3 column..
Colour schemes …
Header design ideas.. ( I have thought of having an animated graphic version of myself done
In mind of what I just said if we choose option 2 would you be interested in a spin off version of the theme ?? Let me know
The things racing around in my head about this are basically – I would prefer a custom design BUT is it worth the extra $1000 than option 1 ?? Would it be of more benefit to go with option 1 and then take the saved money and outsource some work ?? Man there is so much to consider.. HELP !!
How exciting huh !!
I look forward to your help.. Uh one last thing, something I mentioned I was planning for you all in a previous post has fell through 
**BUT** I have something just as good that WILL happen, you are gunna throw yourself at this blog and tear the server to pieces to grab the stuff im gunna give !!
YEEAAAHHH
Dean 
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About the Author
Dean Holland Is A Successful Internet Marketer, Entrepreneur And Business Mentor. Through his internet marketing expertise, his shear passion to achieve higher levels of success and strong desire to help others Dean Holland can and will help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to get you started making money online or improve your current business to make even more money with the internet.
January 12, 2009
11:36 pm #comment-1
Hello Dean,
Concerning your thoughts. I wouldnt bother too much of being exclusive. The internet is so big that if you take a free template for your site, you will probably never see it again. How often do you see somebody in the same blouse?
Some ideas about your new site:
* you can build with joomla 1.5, open source and has a lot of extensions, including wordpress
* keep it simple, not to flashy, most simple website sell the most i think you have to create a clear picture
* personally i dont like noisy videos like the 1 of Garry, the fact that he has the most visitors doesnt tell me much, how much does he sell, thats what it is about. I think you probably do, where you have a simple setup.
Im way behind in the coaching of Alex, dont have the PPP up yet. I have been far to busy with setting up a website with joomla. Took me ages!!! Can you have a look and leave a message behind? I like to be part of the community as soon as possible. Have tips for me? Is there a way that you can get other students informed about me. Maybe Im the only dutch guy. I dont Ill get to Vegas. Didnt make a penny yet.
Do you already have a clue on how the money should roll in in the future? I mean we cannot live on Alexs his info?
Like to hear from you. If you decide to use joomla let me know. I was planning to put my knowledge in a Ebook (free of course!)
CU Hans
January 13, 2009
10:15 am #comment-2
Hey Dean,
I just wanted to say thanks again for the advice on my blog and the helpful emails you have been sending me.
As an “outsider,” someone not part of your coaching class i just want to say that i think you should consider the words of Andrew Fox, “For example if you want a Ferrari, it may not be the first sports car you ever buy, you can start smaller.”
So can you see what i am trying to say, instead of the Ferrari maybe just go with a 5 series BMW. Or maybe just go with the cheaper custom designed theme for now using a combination of your 2 options. Design your own custom theme but not with quite all the bells and whistles.
As regards to 2 columns or 3 and all those other options i feel that would probably come more down to your idea of functionality, so what works best for you, how you want to display your content, etc.
I hope my advice or input can be as useful to you as your’s has been to me. And best of luck with the new blog revamp.
Asha
P.S.
Just a thought if you are willing to spend that much money maybe you could use it to invest in some paid advertising to get you loads of pre-qualified traffic.
January 13, 2009
1:10 pm #comment-3
Hi Dean,
Don’t blow it, man. Your blog at present is good enough. Look at the comments. Mark my words, it’s the comments you are getting that you want in long term.
Don’t believe. Look at Gazza Land. The comments. It is how you communicate with your readers and not nice, creative graphics. They are lifeless not you, man. Got it.
Keep the money, bro.
Talk soon.
Jeffrey
http://jeffreyblogonline.com
January 13, 2009
4:26 pm #comment-4
Hey Dean,
If you’re set on changing your theme, then do it! Personally, I don’t think you need to spend that kind of money and some good resources have been provided in the comments above. I did change mine from 2 columns to 3 so I would have more real estate for ads and affiliate products.
We all know that content is king, so whatever you decide, just don’t let that concept slip away.
Debbie
January 13, 2009
7:12 pm #comment-5
Dean,
I’m sorry I didn’t give you my opinion on my last post here.
I’ve always though your blog looked great. I just think that’s a lot of money to spend at this point, because let’s face it. Your in the early building stages of your business and your doing good and getting a lot of responses.
So if anything, just monetize a little more, right?
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Gary
January 13, 2009
11:51 pm #comment-6
Hi Dean
I think you should have a place to comment on each post, WordPress in my opinion leaves to much line spacing, looks week. I overcame the problem by writing in notepad and copying the post into the WordPress editor. Everything else is great.
My blog is hardly off the ground, thanks Brian
Ps: great ebook.
January 14, 2009
9:41 am #comment-7
Hey Dean,
Check out what Gary Simpson has done with his blog if you want some ideas of how you should invest your time/money. Great changes and very effective in terms of SEO.
Hey – get that Blogroll, up mate. Any readers who don’t know who Gary S is (I know that statement sounds amazing when you write it down, LOL!) will have to navigate to another F500 blog (like mine with a full list!!) to find out the link, LOL.
Just thought you’d be interested in what blog changes he’d done for ideas.
Garry Parkes
http://garryparkes.com/
January 14, 2009
11:43 am #comment-8
Hi Dean,
In my oppion i would not spend all that money on your blog.
You are getting a lot of traffic and you are well know by fellow students.
If you want your blog redesigned you can get it done for around $200 on http://WWW.GETAFREELANCER.COM you will own the rights and do what you want with it.
I have just had 10 original wordpress themes made for $50 each which i shall be giving away to any of Alex jeffreys students that wants one.
I think your $1300 would be better spent on outsourcing a new Ebook.
keep up the good work
Mark Terrell
http://www.markterrell.co.uk
January 14, 2009
8:02 pm #comment-9
ALOHA peeps !!
Amazing, absolutely amazing .. Thankyou !!
Ok right i’ll admit, that sneaky little gremlin inside me saw this chunk of internet income coming towards it and got a little too ambitious .. Ohhhhh
So its seems pretty one sided here and I have to know agree with the majority
.. DeanHolland.com will not run before it can walk.. And once again for your guidance I thankyou
**However**
I will still be giving the place a good bit of blog surgery. I plan on getting a new theme to meet my plans and I am going to get a nice old header done ( Just wont be blowing a whole load of dosh on it ! )
You guys have been the best, I suppose I did that much blog hopping and saw that many amazing blogs that I just wanted to Leap a bit too far ahead than needed
Oh well Im back to thinking straight now.. Right back to the drawing board friends, I have something dropping V-soon
Thankyou’s all
Dean
January 17, 2009
8:38 pm #comment-10
Dean, good luck to you for making any money per month. I spent so long getting the “tech stuff” sorted that I can only now concentrate on getting traffic. About your theme, have you got evidence that your current theme is holding you back? If not, I would suggest amending your theme for “free” as much as you can and use any money you want to spend on getting even more traffic. more traffic conversions = more money and whaen you have that you can do what you want. Hope this helps. Jo
January 19, 2009
4:40 am #comment-11
Yes Dean,
I would say wait a bit longer before you change your theme. Focus on more important stuff to bring in the moola. When it is coming in regularly then you can make your decision.
January 27, 2009
7:52 pm #comment-12
I agree with everyone else, leave it as is for now, you can always buy a template later or have a custom one built – just customize this one as best you can and stick to good content.
March 3, 2009
11:37 am #comment-13
Hello webmaster
I would like to share with you a link to your site
write me here preonrelt@mail.ru