New Blog Design For Canadian Budget Binder

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Transform your blog design into a bright, inviting space for your fans. Learn how Canadian Budget Binder revamped their blog design for a better reader experience.

I started the journey to change the blog design of Canadian Budget Binder in late 2012 because I wanted to have a brighter, cleaner blog for my fans.

Changing CBB With A New Blog Design

I love getting feedback from the fans, but one particular fan told me how much she loved reading my blog, but hated how dark and cold it was, like she was in a cave.

At first, I thought, no, it’s not that way, but the more I kept looking at it, I realized you get what you pay for, and my blog design was free on WordPress.com.

Many fans and personal finance bloggers have emailed me about the new blog design reveal and some of you are anxious and frustrated that it took so long.

I apologize for that. I had to hire a new designer, which was out of my control, and with that came a new beginning.

It was the start of a new relationship with a designer who stopped short of nothing to ensure I understood every detail.

He had a plan in place, ensured I understood how the plan worked, and shared this information with me.

Hiring A Blogger

One thing you need to know about Greg is that he is a fellow blogger himself at Tellingdad.com.

What I loved about reading his blog was that I was able to understand his personality better and what I was getting myself into.

New Blog Design By Greg

I’d like you to meet Greg above, a work-from-home blog designer, but you only have to look at that photo, which will tell you the type of guy Greg is.

He loves to laugh and enjoys life to the fullest as a father and husband.

Greg shares some questions and answers about himself on his Telling Dad website that I hope you get a chance to read, but the question about what kind of guy Greg is intrigued me the most.

Greg is a community man and supports many local organizations in his city.

You must read the story behind Perry Engine 1 and how it came to be.

What kind of guy are you?

Let’s just sum it all up by saying that I have never, and will never, be a “Something Guy”. I wracked my brain trying to label myself as a “______ Guy” and couldn’t. I suppose you can just refer to me as a Nothing Guy.

Car Guys talk about cars. Tool Guys talk about tools. Nothing Guys like me talk about nothing. I don’t know jack about cars, and this includes jacks. I’m a walking hazard around tools.

I don’t hunt. I don’t drink. I don’t ogle women at strip clubs. I don’t like getting dirty. And I wipe sauce off chicken wings one napkin at a time.

What I am is a Dad. I love my family, I love what I do, and I love interacting with people. I suppose, in reflection, I’m a “Family Guy”.

But that moniker is already taken by a fat slob with a talking dog. I’ll have to keep thinking.

Understanding Blog Design Vision

Greg wanted to get to know my style, my personality, and what my vision was for Canadian Budget Binder, and what he did was so Disney in my eyes.

He brought my vision to life, but not in a day, not in a week, not in a month; it took time. The great thing about Greg is that he never complained, not once.

Any changes I needed or wanted, he was on it right away and went above and beyond for me. Greg re-designed the Canadian Budget Binder and had to move my site to self-hosted, and this guy did it all.

He blew me away with his take-charge attitude, especially at the end when we were getting ready for the reveal. He was on top of everything.

You can’t rush perfection, and Greg promised me from the start that he would do whatever it takes to make me happy, and he sure did deliver that promise from beginning to end.

Understanding The Blog Design Process

Greg will show you right from the start how his design process works and has it all laid out on his website.

1. Send Inquiry
2. Share Ideas
3. Questionnaire
4. Mock design
5. Collaboration
6. Splice and code
7. Fine-tuning
8. The reveal

You only have to go to his website at Engine1Media, and the first thing you will see staring you in the face is his truth to you, and you know what?

This guy knows what he’s doing and sugarcoats nothing because his expertise speaks for itself.

If you’ve spent any amount of time searching for a web designer to work with, you’ve probably noticed that the majority spend an awful lot of time talking about themselves.

As for me? I’d rather talk about you. I’d rather talk about your business, your target audience, and your underlying goals. Only then can I do your project justice.

Designing pretty pixels is one thing. Providing technical expertise is another. And combining these two disciplines into one comprehensive solution is what I do best.

How I Found A Blog Design Specialist

Let’s just say that when you do an excellent job, word of mouth travels fast, as well as simply having people see how amazing your work is, and advertising your business.

After having to start my blog designer search once again in 2013, I did a guest post about budgeting for my friend Taya at Simply Frugal in early 2013, and that is where I found Greg from Engine1Media.

A simple logo like you will find at the bottom of the Canadian Budget Binder is how I found Greg, and I’m glad I did.

The moment you click on the link to Greg’s website, you will probably jump back in your seat because his site is so vibrant and full of colour and character.

His website certainly does reflect his personality from all aspects, and the way you read what he says to his customers is precisely the way Greg will talk to you and treat you like a professional.

You won’t hear any negativity from this guy; he will always offer you his opinion and options.

If anything, I’ve learned that when it comes to re-designing your blog, or if I can offer you a blog design tip, it’s to research your designer, talk to other bloggers whose site was created by the designer, and get feedback on their services.

I know that since hiring Greg at Engine1Media, I have had many personal finance bloggers email me wanting to know more about him, and I’ll tell them the truth.

Detail Is Everything For Bloggers

Like any other online relationship, we had our ups and downs.

As a dad who works from home, Greg had to deal with things that came up in his life, as did I, especially with my wife during the last few months of being ill.

I appreciated his honesty and the fact that he didn’t try to sugarcoat anything.

He would tell me how it was and the way it was going to go down.

Greg and I worked together every chance we could, as we were both very busy.

Even though frustration set in, Greg stopped short of nothing to impress me with his professionalism and his genuine interest in making Canadian Budget Binder very welcoming.

Greg went above and beyond, and if you can accept that not everything is going to go as planned in life, and that to get the best, it takes time because it won’t be thrown together in a day or two or even a few weeks.

Every detail was taken care of by Greg and all I did was sit back and watch him go to work for my fans and I.

I’m sure on behalf of my fans and myself, I wish you all the success with your design and print business.

I encourage readers of Canadian Budget Binder who are thinking of a fresh blog design or to chat with Greg.

CBB Blog Posts This Week

• PF Weekly Grab a brew #39: Forget the land-line, stick with the cell phone
• Paying rent: Am I really wasting my money?
• Living on a budget is for losers
• The Grocery Game Challenge #4 September 23-29 Does size really matter?
• Budgeting help for families who want out of debt

Google Search Terms

Every week, thousands of people visit Canadian Budget Binder because they searched online and found my blog.

Here are a few of my favorite searches that may have brought you here, and you’re reading this right now.

That’s all for this week’s edition of The Saturday Weekend Review: Join me next week at the same time, in the same place, to see what trouble I can get myself into.

• I don’t say much– I can’t say that myself
• Great budget for chocolate chip cookies– I’m still not sure how the budget and chocolate chip cookies go together here, but oh well
• Children have a kung fu dream– I guess that’s not so bad, I dunno
• Crispy fresh– I guess that’s better than flimsy rotten
• CBB budget law– I have no law except “It’s not about how much money you make. It’s how you save it.“

• What Does Affordable Housing Really Mean?
• What Are Your Sources of Financial Stress?
• Mom Dresses Child in Designer Baby Clothes to Show Wealth
• How We Renovated Our First House For Under $25,000
• Bust Our Budget- April 2013 CBB Budget Update #4