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My Blog Migration Story: Part 3

My Blog Migration Story - Part 3 - The Big Reveal of My New Site! | The Thinking Closet

Click here to start at the beginning with Part 1 of My Blog Migration Story.

Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, it appears as if all of my subscribers safely made the journey from my old WordPress.com site to the new one…even my WordPress Reader followers!  After having read so much about what to expect and bracing myself for the worst, it appears that I’ve been blessed with the best-case-scenario; the one that I didn’t even know existed.  This blogger‘s heart is overflowing with gratitude tonight…and excitement to show you around the new place!

But before the tour, let me answer the question that I left you hanging with at the end of Part 2:

Q:  So, who are these lovely ladies who are helping you with the migration and redesign?

Rachel from Sincerely Peachy

A:  Well, let me introduce them to you.

First, the woman behind The Thinking Closet’s custom redesign and graphics is Rachel from Sincerely Peachy

It’s hard to find a quality designer who doesn’t break the bank and is sweet to boot…but believe it or not, I found all that and more in Rachel.  What I really loved about working with Rachel was our collaboration.  I counted, and we have sent 49 emails back and forth since early January just sharing ideas and building a new look for The Thinking Closet…together.  She had me complete a questionnaire before getting started, and I shared with her a bunch of links from my Blog Moodboard to give her a sense for what I was envisioning.  Oh, and I described this really abstract and seemingly impossible idea to transfer into a header design.  Here’s what I wrote:

“I’d love to see a door.  A door about to open up (like an invitation) with a sense of magic inside.  Or perhaps it could be light that is escaping?  The door should look very simple and hand-drawn.”

And bam!  She sent me the header you see at the top of my page right now.  Amazing right?  I felt like it brought my blog tagline to life, “a space for letting your creativity splish, splash, and spill.”  And from there, Rachel developed graphics for the sidebar, my nav bar, blog buttons, my welcome photo, and even helped select fonts.  I couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.  The redesign truly encapsulates all the things that I had identified as part of my wish list for a redesign:

  • whimsical feel
  • handmade quality
  • muted colors
  • lots of white space
  • simple two-column layout

Nailed it!

I’m so glad that I found the Rachel in this great big blogland and that she worked with my suggestions and requests so patiently.  She gets 5 gold stars from this blogger, that’s for sure!

Sara from Moonsteam Design

And now, the woman behind the actual migration, installation, and customization who I hereby dub “HTML Wizard & CSS Wrangler:” Sara from Moonsteam Design.

I discovered Sara late one night during my 100th google search.  I happed upon her etsy listing which sounded like exactly what I needed.  WordPress offers a similar package with their Guided Transfer, but Sara gives 30 days of support instead of just 2 weeks.  Plus, I like to know exactly who I’m hiring.  I even contacted one of her former clients who gave Sara received a rave review.  I’ll be giving her the same.

Although we’ve been in contact for a month and a half, the majority of our correspondence has taken place in the last 7 days with (wait for it) 80 emails.  Yes, 80.  If you’re contemplating doing a migration, I recommend clearing your schedule as much as you can in the week before going live.  You’ll need it!  Oh and for sustenance, root beer floats and Tostitos will go a long way, folks.  Especially when you’re up at 2 a.m. trying to think like a lawyer and write a “Policies” page.  (Emphasis on “trying.”)

Now, if you want to know exactly what Sara did behind the scenes…well, I don’t even know all that.  (That’s why she gets paid the big bucks!)  But the gist of it is she downloaded and installed the WordPress software onto my new site, customized and coded it so it would operate and look the way we wanted, installed and wrangled plug-ins when they went wonky, and was on stand-by pretty much all day today as we worked on the migration.  She’s a saint.  And has a great sense of humor, which helps when things get tough…and they did at times.

Without reservation, Sara gets 5 gold stars, too, making this a 10-gold-star-team.  Now, you don’t find that every day, do you?  I, for one, am very thankful.  And can I just say how happy I am that I got help with this phase and didn’t try to d.i.y. my way into a major blog disaster?  Phew.

And for those of you who are contemplating this migration yourself, I’ll just share two steps I took today to help with the migration.  (“It’s Shake ‘n Bake, and I helped!”)  One was that I contacted WordPress.com to transfer over my email subscribers (by leaving a message on a public forum wall).  Sometimes they’re speedy and other times, they’re not.  I had to wait all afternoon and evening for the subscribers to transfer over.  Second, I secured a Site Redirect for $13/year, which you can get at the WordPress.com store.  Why do need that?  This redirects the traffic that might go to the old blog to the new one.  That way, if a user clicks on pin that is linked my old blog url, it seamlessly redirects the traffic to the proper post on my new site.  Pretty nifty, huh?  I thought so.  The redirect was instantaneous, thankfully.

Q: Enough already!  Can you give us a little bloggy tour?

A:  Well, I thought you’d never ask!

First, a “before” migration pic:

My Blog Migration Story Part 3 | The Thinking Closet

And now, an “after” migration pic:

My Blog Migration Story Part 3 | The Thinking Closet

First stop on our tour: truncated posts.  You’ll see that when you arrive on the main homepage of my blog, my posts are truncated so you only see a thumbnail and excerpt and need to click “read more” to be taken to the full post.  I hemmed and hawed over this decision for a long time, but ultimately decided to truncate because I’m all about “painting a clear picture” of myself to my readers, and when you truncate posts, new visitors to your site immediately get a sense for what your blog is about from the home page.  They can see the wide variety of posts instead of just one or two that they scroll through.  (Thanks my bloggy friend Aubrey from Project Lovegood for helping me process this.)

Second, dropdown menus on the nav bar!  To add more sections to my nav bar without adding more clutter, certain sections now drop down into sub-headings.  Check it out:

decision for a long time, but ultimately decided to truncate because I'm all about "painting a clear picture" and when you truncate posts, new visitors to your site get a more whole picture right off the bat.  They can see the wide variety of posts that I share instead of just one or two that they scroll through.  Thanks my bloggy friend Aubrey from Project Lovegood for bringing up this excellent point.

(It’s the little things that make me really excited.)

Thirdly, did you spy my cute lil social media icons on the sidebar.  Now I feel “offish.”

My Blog Migration Story: Part 3 | The Thinking Closet

Next, I took out the “Categories” cloud and replaced it with a few key categories.  Less is more, right?

My Blog Migration Story: Part 3 | The Thinking Closet

Also, a new feature: a pin-it button on my photos!  Thanks to a new plug-in, when you hover over images within post, a “pin it” button automatically appears.  And not just any pin-it button, but one that Rachel designed, just for The Thinking Closet.  {Smile.}

My Blog Migration Story: Part 3 | The Thinking Closet

And this might be one of my favorite new additions: a project gallery!  I installed the Catablog plug-in and followed this handy dandy tutorial by Taryn at Design, Dining, & Diapers to create my very own project gallery.  Believe it or not, this is going to make my life easier more than anything.  I used to always use the search box to find old posts…but now, they’re neatly organized in little thumbnail photos by category.  De-lightful.

My Blog Migration Story: Part 3 | The Thinking Closet

And this concludes my portion of the blog tour.  I’ll leave you to explore the rest on your own.  For you social media mavens, be sure to visit the footer!

We’re of course still tweaking and you may come across a few hiccups in these first few days.  Thanks for your patience, and feel free to shoot me an email if you run across any problems that we might not be aware of at thethinkingcloset {at} gmail.com.

And thank you!

I would be remiss if I didn’t take the time to thank all of you who offered so much support and encouragement to me throughout this process.  I really feel like it was a group effort!  And that I have the best followers in the world.

The story’s not over yet!  Stayed tuned for part 4 of My Blog Migration Story where I answer the question:

Q:  So, you migrated.  Now what?

Click here to find out the answer in Part 4 of My Blog Migration Story.

This is Lauren, signing off.

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59 Comments

  1. Hi! So I just started chatting with Sara about helping me transfer my blog to self hosted. I told her that I got her info because I follow your blog. She said she loved working with you. 🙂 So excited (and terrified!) to make the LEAP!!

    1. Aw, how sweet of her to say! (I’m glad she didn’t think of me as a pest for the barrage of emails I would send her.) Eek! I’m excited for you to be taking steps in the direction of migration. It’s a big endeavor, but if you take it slowly and have someone helping you out, I think you’ll eliminate a lot of the stress. Blessings on your LEAP!

  2. Your post has been so helpful! Thanks for including your plugins for the Pinterest and Project Gallery! I love your project gallery! I think I am off to make one of my own:)

    1. You are so welcome, friend! I’ve been so impressed with how much you have done on your own with your own migration. I’m sure you’ll be teaching me a thing or two before too long.

      And I just popped over to check your site out again, and I see you’ve already made a whole lot more changes since my last visit. I especially love your new project gallery. So glad it worked for you. All in all, everything is lookin’ gorgeous!

    1. Thanks, Tricia! I’m so glad you like it; it turned out even better than I envisioned it thanks to Rachel. And it seems like a lot of ladies in our WordPress 101 group got help from Sara; she is one busy gal! Happy to have “met” you today. Thanks for stopping by!

  3. I some how missed this post and didn’t see it until I got an email about the fourth installment. These ladies did a fantabulous job! I love the truncated posts, btw. I really wish my site had this. When users click on the home page, I want them to see a collection of recent posts, not just one long-winded, most recent post. The site overall just looks more clean, polished, and you! Wonderful job on the migration! I’m so jealous!

    1. This was one of my first posts published on the new url, so I think it may have fallen through the cracks with my subscribers. I’m glad you found it, though! I love your comments, Bethany.

      There is a sneaky way to truncate posts in WordPress.com, but it’s manual, and might not be worth your time…but when you’re editing a new post, you can click on that “insert more tag” and that will truncate your post wherever you put it. (Though you probably already know about that!)

      1. OMGosh!!! I never knew about the “Insert More Tag!” I am totally going to go back and inserting it into all of my posts.

        I’m sick, so this seems like a task to do while not feeling up to doing anything more meaningful. Haha!

        1. Sorry you’re sick! Yes, it’s totally the perfect task for when you’re not feeling quite up for doing whole posts!

          And even if you just truncated your most recent posts, so your home page would look truncated, that’d probably be enough!

  4. Oh it is PERFECT! Exactly fits what you described, and it feels “you.” Just lovely, my friend! High fives all around! I just liked you on FB and followed you a million different ways. Excited to dig into this new site!

    1. Ha ha, thanks for all of the follows and high fives! I feel the love. And Kelly, it was your “blog tour” post that gave me the idea to do something similar and point out fun new features…so thanks for the inspiration, friend! Hope the BH&G shoot goes swimmingly today. Can’t wait to hear about it.

  5. Somehow I missed this post a few days ago. Such a great summary and tour guide. I really like all the changes so much, but practically speaking, my favorites are the drop down navigation bar and the project gallery. Now I want to move to wordpress except I want someone else to do it for me…hee hee. You’ve done such a lovely job! Hope you’re resting up after a week or more of late nights, Tostitos and root beer floats.
    p.s. I just noticed my smiling face shows up twice on your Facebook plug-in. Not sure what I did, but I obviously like you a lot!

    1. Jessica, your comments always paint a picture in my mind. Like, now I’m picturing myself in one of those “fast-forwarded” film sequences with Charlie Chaplain music where you see me typing, then grabbing for a Tostito, then typing, then sipping a root bear float, then wiping the ice cream off of my face, then typing some more. It’s rather funny in my mind! Thanks for the chuckle. (You never let me down in that regard.)

      Ha ha, and I noticed that sometimes the plug-in likes to show doubles…perhaps it’s playing favorites? Ha ha. Or that you like me doubly much! 😉

  6. Hi Lauren! I’m impressed! I love it! it’s beautiful! 🙂 Congratulations on your new look! don’t you feel like you just got a new wardrobe and you get to play with different accessories “plugins”? I am so happy you wrote all these 3 posts about it, can’t wait for the 4th one! unfortunately, I had to do mine alone (should’ve hire a team! ha!ha!) but seriously WOW! yours is so beautiful and love the calm colours you choose! so happy for you! glad you truncated your posts too; cleaner look, I did the same on mine, so much easier when readers browse through your blog. Again, Congrats!

    1. Maybe you can help me write the 4th one (ha ha) because I’m still figuring out what the next steps are now that I’m up and running. Getting my Google Analytics plug-in set-up is one of them for sure (SO nice to be able to install plug-ins now…that’s for sure). And thanks for your feedback and affirmation on my new “wardrobe.” (Love that metaphor. So fitting.) Yes, the truncated posts was a tough decision, but I’m really glad I did it. I’m sure your blog had an influence on me in that regard…even if subconsciously!

      1. 🙂 Oh! no Google analytics; it took me a while for that one! ah! & yes; love the plugins! 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration Lauren; just changed the colour of mine again for the 100th time ha!ha! & love your gallery; looks great! just looked at all your projects (so creative) … I need to update mine! 🙂

  7. Love it, love it, love it!!! You have done a fantastic job, and this blog looks so fun and simple in the most wonderful sense of the word. I can really see how your vision came to life and I’m SUPER happy for you!!!!

    1. Thank you, my dear. It has been great to have a buddy like you who “paved the way” for me and let me know that the view from the other side was WORTH it. Thanks, Thalita! You’re awesome.

  8. Oh Lauren!
    Congratulations to your succesfull migration!

    Your new blog looks great!!
    It’s really a great design – and it’s so user-friendly.

    And how funny, that you now have those watercolor-buttons and -header. I was thinking of a watercolor-style for my blog as well…

    Love, Midsommarflicka

    1. Thanks, Midsommarflicka! Your compliments mean a lot coming from a graphic designer. And that’s funny that you were thinking of going down the watercolor route. It’s so soothing to me. Can’t wait to see what redesign you do for your blog! If the work on your “About” page is any indication, I know it will be fabulous.

      1. Aww, you’re welcome!

        I started now redesigning (and decided a bit longer on the .com side, but with some upgrades). I already uploaded the third version of a new header – I can’t decide on it, if I don’t see it for real. So everybody visiting my blog these days has to live with a changed design every few minutes 😉 We’ll see, how long this header will stay! …and when I finally make it to create new buttons and everything. 🙂

        And thanks for your compliment again.

        Oh, and I hope you don’t get bored of me on twitter, I write mainly in german. But I thought, I could follow you any way. But my updates may be hard to understand for you!

        Love, Midsommarflicka

        1. I really like your redesign! From the header to the welcome blurb to the categories…so much fun and so unified, clean, and easy-to-navigate. Excellent work, girl! You’ve got skills.

          1. Aww, thanks!
            That’s good to hear, that it’s easy to navigate! I’m still playing around with all the buttons… We’ll see, where it ends up!

            (blurb! New word in my vocabulary! 😉 )

            Love, Midsommarflicka

  9. I’m loving that new header, simple, relevant and meaningful to your title. I agree with Vanessa that your new design is both free and clean. I hope you are loving the heck out of it. Also welcome to Twitter. 😉

    1. Thanks, Aubrey! It feels like such an extension of my own aesthetic…and yet, is more than I could have created on my own. I was so glad to have someone with design skills like Rachel who would take my wild imaginings and manifest it on the screen. Love the heck out of it would be a very accurate statement. And thanks for the welcome to Twitter! Still learning the ropes…will have to start following you and learning your Twitter ways. Ha ha.

      1. Haha, I think it’s beautiful and I’m so happy for you. On the Twitter front, I can’t really say I have “ways” with Twitter. I really don’t know what I’m doing on there and rarely use.

          1. At a glance I can say that is a super well organized post on Twitter. I love that the whole website is in HTML. I have it saved and once I get a moment will read it. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thanks, London. (Girl with the coolest-name-ever.) I, too, have always loved paint (though I love that you describe it for you as an obsession). I think I might be a little obsessed with burlap these days.

  10. Looks amazing Lauren! Congrats on your move! You’ve motivated me to finally finish up my project gallery. I’ve been on it for a long time and can never seem to find the time to get it done. Maybe I should hire someone…hmmm… 😉

    1. Thanks, Alex! And I’ll warn you that the Project Gallery was more time consuming than I expected. It’s too difficult, but the most tedious step is uploading the photos, adding titles and links to each. It definitely took me a few hours. Some snacks and a good Pandora station are key. But I know it’s worth it in the end. Ha ha, and if you’re implying you would hire me, I’m on it! Any excuse to fly out to Canada, meet you, see your beautiful IKEA home, and clink some wine glasses together sounds great to me!

    1. Ha ha! Thanks, MainerChick. Yeah, I was said to lose that WordPress.com “like” button. I think there’s a plug-in where I can add a “Love it” heart that folks can click…will have to look into that! Just don’t want to get to plug-in heavy because that can really slow down your site.

  11. Ooh, I love it! It’s so simple, fresh, and easy to navigate! Well done! I’m excited for you 🙂

  12. This looks simply amazing. What a wonderfully successful collaboration. You ‘water color’ feel is soothing and calm, much like you, my dear. I am so proud and impressed (and a smidge jealous). 😉 As an aside, I am way behind technology and do not even own a smart phone. I have no dealings with twitter, instagram, google+, etc…, so I’ll be staying tuned solely through your blog (.com, that is) and facebook.

    Congratulations, you’ve given birth to a bouncy, baby, blog!

    1. Aw. Thanks, Christine! I’m glad you’re digging the watercolor feel. And know that if you ever decide to take the plunge and migrate, I’ll be your go-to girl to offer advice and pointers. Not that I’m an expert, but I certainly learned a thing or two…and I can direct you to an expert (Sara!) who will take the reigns and make it happen.

      Ha ha, and although I’ve never given birth to children before, last night, I did feel akin to what I imagine new mothers feeling. Utterly exhausted after a long day of waiting and working to bring this blog into the world…and then now that she’s here, I can hardly keep my eyes off of her! (Even though my eyelids are heavy.) Ha ha. Love the metaphor!

  13. Absolutely lovely, Lauren! Totally captures your free and clean spirit. (clean as in minimal, of course. I’m pretty sure your spirit isn’t dirty!)

    1. Erika, thanks for your support, bloggy buddy! Just hopped over to your blog and had a grand time checking out your space. You have such a fun and conversational writing style! (I got a kick out of your Quaker Oatmeal post.) And mess and d.i.y. go together in my mind…I can’t seem to tackle a d.i.y. project without making a HUGE mess. Ha ha!

      1. I am so very flattered that you took the time to visit 🙂 If I ever manage to finish the “menu planner to rule them all” – we’ve only been working on it since before Itty Bitty came to be….lol….I’ll make sure to post a picture for you 🙂 I’ve also been crushing on your bird pincushion forever – I actually was sad to the birds go from the top of the page, but then breathed a sigh of relief, because there my little friends were over on the side bar! Looking forward to great things for you from this blog! Before I had a blog, I would never comment just read – but now I totally get why comments are so awesome for a blogger!!! so…..From a reader who was following you long before I had a blog – albeit quietly – I think you’re pretty talented! good luck!

        1. Way to make my day with this comment, Erika! I didn’t know that you’ve been following along since the early days of the “Just Leave It” bird pincushions. Wow, I feel honored. Well, I can tell that we’d be fast friends in real life and certainly laugh up a storm creating slightly deformed bird pincushions together. (They are so cute, though, aren’t they?) Glad that you found your birdie friends on the sidebar. And thanks for being such a loyal follower and for leaving me these oh-so-encouraging comments. Happy weekend to you, Erika!

    1. Thanks, Alastair! Your comment (evidence that my post reached you) furthers that success. Now…to get some sleep! Today was a lonnnnnng day as you can imagine. Long, but good.

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