Site Update#2: Page Tweaks and New Footer Widgets

1. Page Tweaks

If you noticed (I hope you did), I made a few changes to how the pages dedicated to specific topics look.

Last week, I had organised the posts displayed on the pages into three columns, incorporating featured images and excerpts. While this layout appeared satisfactory in the Editor (Slideshow 1), it resulted in unexpected shifts when viewed on the live page (Slideshow 2).

Experimenting with the number of columns and the excerpt length, I discovered that the primary issue stemmed from the inconsistent dimensions of the featured images. While I considered removing the featured images to address this problem, it ultimately rendered the site rather unappealing. Therefore, I decided to retain the images for a more engaging visual experience.

After reviewing the layout options, I opted for the List view. I examined each layout in the Editor (Slideshow 3) and on the live page (Slideshow 4). Ultimately, I determined that the List view offers a more favourable presentation. While there may still be some discrepancies in spacing between posts and an increased need for vertical scrolling, this option significantly improves upon the column view.

2. New Widgets

New widgets have been integrated into the footer, now featuring four distinct sections that link to essential pages: Privacy Policy, Contact Us, Cookie Policy (EU), and the promotional page for Babal Host.

The footer widgets appear as intended on the desktop version (Slideshow 2.1), but they display in a staggered manner on mobile devices (Slideshow 2.2). This layout seems less than ideal. I would appreciate your feedback on whether you find this arrangement unappealing. Additionally, I welcome any recommendations regarding the optimal placement of the footer widgets. Please note that the sidebar now features a new Babal Host widget (Slideshow 2.3).

3. Fewer Ads

In response to feedback regarding the excessive number of ads on our website, I have made adjustments to AdSense settings. This includes the exclusion of ads from the policy and contact pages as well as different sections of other pages. I hope reducing the number of advertisements will enhance your overall experience on the site.

4. Table of Contents

A few posts, including this one, now feature a table of contents. You’ll find it easier to jump to sections of your interest without going through all of the post, making it more navigable and interactive.