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27
Feb
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Time for a change? |
Every now and then I think about some changes I’d like to make to my blog. The biggest of which would be changing the name. When I came up with Cara’s Cravings a few years ago, I had no idea where my blog would be nowadays and how it would have evolved. Lately I feel like I’d love a name that’s more creative, catchy, and descriptive. It just seems that every new blog I discover gives me blog-name-envy! Why couldn’t I have just been more creative in the first place?
On the other hand, I don’t want to confuse my faithful readers. Of course, it’s hard to know how much of a niche I really have in the food blogging world. With so many wonderful blogs out there, has Cara’s Cravings become at all recognizable? I really don’t know!
With a new name, I think it would be time for a whole new design. Where’s my personal web and graphic designer when I need them? That part has yet to be figured out, but I love to dream about it.
Of course I’d transfer (most of) my to-date content over, but I think a new name and appearance might really give me a chance to define my place in the blogging world.
If you have a blog, have you considered changing the name and appearance? Have you taken the plunge? If so, how did it work out for you? If you read a lot of blogs, how would you feel if one that you followed took on a new name and a new look? Are you likely to continue following if the blog continues to deliver the same type of content?
Just wondering 🙂
Continuing with the theme of trying new things, maybe you’d like to discover a new blog and try some new nut butters. Alright, I know that was not the greatest segue, but I want to thank you if you actually read this far today. So as a reward, perhaps you’ll go check out Love Veggies and Yoga and her awesome nut-butter giveaway going on this weekend. (Not that her blog is so new, but it was new to me until a couple weeks ago!)
Hope you are having a great weekend!
I'm Cara, lover of creative, clean food and healthy living. Pumpkin, goat cheese, and eggplant make me swoon. I have an insatiable sweet tooth and desire to lift heavy things. 
The Local Cook — February 27, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
Hi Cara,I changed my blog name shortly after I started. I changed my design a few months in. I think that most people follow blogs on a reader or feed, so you'd want to make sure you give lots of notice!
Gwyn — February 27, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
Blogs are supposed to be personal so I think you have to go with your gut but I think "Cara's Cravings" IS a catchy name & I know I follow your blog along with several of my non-commenting friends! Just my 2 cents!
Meghan — February 27, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
I think Michelle of Brown Eyed Baker changed her name a few years back. I believe I was a new reader so I just went with it, but she has certainly not had a problem maintaining her readership. I like "Cara's Cravings" as well, but I do understand wanting to change things. As a reader of your blog, it wouldn't bother me if you changed the name, I'd still read! As for the new look, a lot of blogs update their look every so often and it doesn't seem to affect things. Most people don't even notice if they use google reader and don't comment!
Jared Michael — February 27, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
I think a re-design is completely acceptable as your blog has grown and evolved over the few years you have been writing. I bet your readers would like a fresh new look to fit the current content and feel of your blog. Now that you have a "brand" and a loyal following, you might as well change your look to fit!I think your blog name is catchy, recognizable, simple, and cute. It would hard to come up with another name of the same quality, in my opinion. I do think a name change might confuse readers a bit more than the redesign, but I could be wrong. "Cara's Cravings" is all encompassing and covers all aspects of your blog and all types of recipes you include.
Kerstin — February 27, 2010 @ 7:10 pm
I feel like blog designs are like haircuts – I want a new style every once in awhile 🙂 I don't think you'd lose any readers if you changed your blog name, as long as you let everyone know where to resubscribe. I think your blog name is cute, but I know it's such a personal decision. If you do change names, I suggest making sure the .com is available!
Heather — February 27, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
I think Cara's Cravings is a great blog name, but I don't think you'd lose any readers if you changed it to something else.
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) — February 27, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
Hi Cara, thanks for the linky love. Re the blog name. How bout go for your blog layout/bloggie makeover and THEN if you're still meh about the name, change it. It's alot easier to change the layout than the name from a readership perspective.www.theblogfairy.com is cheap and awesome, Emily. Tell her Averie sent you. She hasnt done a makeover for me but did help me immensely with a glitch i was having and i think she rocks.
Maria — February 28, 2010 @ 3:55 am
I left Blogger for WP. I LOVE it. I also did a little redesign. I highly recommend tcdawsondesigns if you are looking for someone. I can give you more info. if you are interested:)
Thinspired — February 28, 2010 @ 5:30 am
Hi Cara!You know, I have considered changing my blog name several times before, and always end up going though the same thought process as you! It's a tough decision but I think if you look at other successful bloggers who have done the same thing, at the end of the day, it's your content and not your name that has your readers hooked. If they like your blog, they will follow you 🙂
Salemlandlord — February 28, 2010 @ 11:17 pm
Dear Cara,The name "Cara's Cravings" is initially what caught my interest. Great name for an outstanding blog. For me good content is what is what is most meaningful. You have it. A big thank's for providing me inspiration in the kitchen.
yumventures — March 1, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
I agree with some of the other comments — why don't you try a complete re-design before you change the name? I personally love the name, and though you may want to change it in the end, if you re-vamp the look, you might feel differently about changing everything? I'm excited to see some new things happening =)
iEatDC — March 12, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
Just make sure to warn everybody so they can change their feeds as necessary–I'm a Google Reader subscriber so I'd have to change the address.I've noticed that your photos have gotten better and better, your blog is looking quite sophisticated–a new layout and stuff would only add to that!I thought about switching to WordPress because it's often prettier but I don't think I will. Yet.
iEatDC — April 5, 2011 @ 1:15 am
Just make sure to warn everybody so they can change their feeds as necessary–I'm a Google Reader subscriber so I'd have to change the address.I've noticed that your photos have gotten better and better, your blog is looking quite sophisticated–a new layout and stuff would only add to that!I thought about switching to WordPress because it's often prettier but I don't think I will. Yet.