The New Look
links + small things
One of the parts of this job that you don’t see is how often I sit right here working on my computer. If I’m honest, I *much* prefer the physical content creation part of what I do versus sitting here working on copywriting and the never-ending e-mails!
Nonetheless, they work hand in hand, and without this blog, you’re reading right now, I wouldn’t have had a place to share my beauty tips and hair tutorials when I started back in 2011.
This year was significant for The Small Things because it was the 10 year anniversary! I continue to be amazed and humbled that I have the opportunity to do what I love and share it with you.
It’s been a journey unlike anything I could have imagined, and I’m so grateful for your support, interactions, and love over the years.
Despite social media becoming King in a lot of ways, the blog was always the “information hub”. It was where heavy, resource focused posts live, and where most of the tutorials and product demonstrations live as well.
While I loved my old design, it was in need of a bit of a refresh. Users are interacting with blogs differently than they were even just 5 years ago, so I worked with my designer to make the site very user-focused.
We made sure to add an easy-to-locate “search” bar to the top of the site. More often than not, blog readers come to the site in search of a specific topic. My previous search bar wasn’t as much of a focal point, so I hope this search box makes it easy for you to find what you’re looking for.
We also set up the archived posts to display in chronological order. This was a frustration of mine for a long time. If you searched, for example, “pink lipstick” you were served old blog posts from 2011-2021. It wasn’t clear when they were published, and it made it challenging to look for something I may have discussed recently. So, the home page of the site will have the 5 most recent posts, and if you hit any of the main navigation words on the top right of the page (like “style” or “beauty”), you’ll see the posts in order of when they were published.
Another main feature is providing a way to share videos right here on the site that primarily live on Instagram. There isn’t a super beautiful way to do this other than manually uploading to YouTube and providing the link for you here, but I do think there is potential for change here in the future with the importance of social media video.
So, while the Instagram section in the middle of the site will send you over to my Instagram page, the “Video Things” section will send you to my YouTube channel so you can watch those videos that way.
My “Frequently Asked Questions” page will continue to grow, and the promo codes featured toward the bottom of my site will be continually changing as well. Amanda and I will continue to post current promo codes on every Friday’s links + things blog post too, don’t worry!
I’m also very excited about how mobile-friendly this new design is. It should be easier than ever to find what you’re looking for!
As with any major design overhaul, it takes a bit of time and care to iron out any wrinkles. Overall, I’m so thrilled with the design, and I hope you love it too!
comments
Looks great! Congrats!
LOVE your new site! Congrats on bringing your vision to life!
beautiful new site and beautiful office photos!!
Looks great!
LOVE the new look and Happy 10yrs!!
Can you please let me know where you got this sweater??
Love how the new site looks on mobile ✨
So glad to hear that!
Congratulations!! All your hard work has really paid off – I love the new look and functionality! Cheers to you and your team!
Long time follower since 2011. It’s been great following along and watching you evolve with your brand. Love the new look!
Thank you Ashley!
Love the new blog
That wall unit behind you, though😍😍😍😍😍
It looks great. I love the search bar option when you’re scrolling up. 😍
Love your blog and your Instagram.
So mobile friendly!! Your hard work shows!
Love your stuff, Kate! I will love your SEARCH area too. I tried it tonight by putting in “updos”. Nothing about updos popped up. I wanted to give you some feedback so you know what’s happening with the user end of things.
Doesn’t cutting/trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks seem like overkill and very unnecessary?
Amazing! Congrats on 10 years and a fab new design 🙂 I’ve been following since your ear repair surgery. Lol!
The chronological order of the posts is such a huge benefit! Thanks for bringing all the good content in a helpful way!
Love the new look Kate!
Looks great Kate!
I’ve been following your blog since 2011 I believe and I’ve so enjoyed it! So many things I have purchased or utilized due to your recommendation and been so happy with. It’s also been a treat to see your family grow and blossom! Thank you for all that you do! And thank you for being such a positive presence online.
It looks great! Congrats on the refresh!
Your blog looks great Kate & team! I’ve been following since the beginning, and I love seeing the road it’s taken you on.
Where did you get the sweater♥️♥️♥️???
The brand is Sundry, I found it on Amazon.
I know you mentioned that you’d be hiring in 2022, might I kindly suggest bringing on someone to do your proofreading.
I notice in sponsored content across social media platforms and also within the blog posts, there are often quite a few spelling/grammar errors. (Your first paragraph in the new About section, is nearly impossible to comprehend).
I know you’ll probably delete this because you don’t seem to like seeing constructive criticism, but I do think it would elevate the professionalism of your brand.
I do have a proofreader already, thank you!
Oh, dear.
Thank you for making a “video things” section! I don’t have Instagram, so I appreciate it!
You’re welcome!
Love it! I agree it was somewhat frustrating to search for something and get super old posts. It will be so much more user-friendly now.
So glad to hear that!
Kate this looks fantastic. I love that you are thinking of how WE will use this site. You are the first blogger I followed, my sister got me hooked, then Caralyn Mirand and It kept growing. During COVID it gave me a way to feel connected to people- and learn fun stuff💖 thanks
Love Caralyn!
FYI–when I view your site on my tablet, all is well. But on my android phone, there is a space after every single apostrophe, you might want to get your web designer to look into that glitch. It is the same whether I view as mobile or desktop site.
You’re my favorite to follow on Insta! Where is the cute sweater your wearing in the photo from? 😍
It’s from Abercrombie!