I hate to begin with a foreboding blog title, since the word “changes” almost always suggests a retreat or downscaling when referencing a business–and this blog is technically a business, since it does require my investment to maintain and support it (time and money), and it does occasionally yield a return on investment, though nearly as much as it would if I pursued it more aggressively.
However, in this case, the “changes” are neutral or (ideally) positive. The site is overdue for a redesign; six years have already passed since I left Google Blogger for WordPress and obtained my own domain name. But the preferred template style to blogs changes rapidly, and what felt fresh in 2014 is already showing signs of age. Besides, the search options (particularly these drop-down menu items) are getting so long and unwieldy that they cause frustration even for me…and I’m the one who created all these dang articles. I can’t imagine how frustrating they are for other people. The subscription options on this template are also lacking, and they don’t really allow good linkages with relevant social media (currently Facebook and Instagram, though I hope to expand to some alt-tech options at some point in the future).
So, while the content, branding, and the general spirit of American Dirt will remain fixed–just like this URL–the appearance and usability are slated to change considerably in the weeks ahead…far more radical changes than the ones six years ago. Though the technical expertise I’m using has assured me that the transition, once launched, will be seamless, I’m fully prepared that a few hiccups may be in order, probably in mid-September, since I do anticipate switching over my domain host. That said, the articles should keep coming, so if there’s an interruption, rest assured we’ll be trying to keep it as brief as possible, and that the template that emerges after this surgery will be stronger, more ductile, and more accessible than before. And I will remain committed to my high response rate for any comments I receive…so keep sending them my way! Thanks as always for your support.
