Travel blogging has been a blast for me. I’m discovering I actually enjoy writing (not that I claim to be good at it) and all of this social media stuff we do on a daily basis. The hardest part has been making my blog my own.
At the start you can’t afford a designer to make the site look good, so you find the best free/cheap option you can. I picked my trusty old Thrilling Theme up after having looked for weeks and weeks. It had the features I wanted and at the time I had not seen another blog using it. Fast forward 2 weeks after I launched and I found it on over 5 different blogs… so much for being unique.
Still in the beginning it’s not the design that makes you, its you. Time passes and your writing develops (for the better I hope), then a brand emerges and low and behold it’s been over a year since you started dabbling in this travel blogging scene. It was at that moment some 6 months ago when I had to decide, am I serious about this or just having a laugh?
I weighted it up and wanted to take the next step into travel blogging but felt like I had an anchor holding me back, my blog theme. It has served me well as I grew but how can I really find my voice when I look like everybody else (no offence to people using Thrilling Theme I do love it).
So I put down the money my blog was making and enlisted the help of the beautiful girls at Shatterboxx, Jamie and Nicole. My only need, make it awesome. I think they did that and then some to be honest and can’t thank them enough for the result. I was less than helpful with ideas to start with because I didn’t know what I wanted, I just knew it needed to be different. Jamie worked her magic and well while I’d like to take credit for some of the ideas, it was totally all her.
I hope you like the new look of The Aussie Nomad, it’s been a long time coming and I can’t wait to move forward. While you are at it be sure to stop by the Aussie Nomad Facebook Page and checkout the new welcome page. I even gave the old twitter page some loving as well.
Site looks great!! Really nice changes.
I’ve been wanting to switch since New Years but haven’t had the time or energy to search for something new. Seems like everyone has left Thrilling Theme so maybe I will just keep it O:-)
And thanks again for your help the other day!
Thanks Heather. I’m glad I could finally switch over to something new and more me. Well I’m one less using the theme but still think there might just be a few left for you to compete with 🙂
So many prettys! Once my blog starts making a reasonable amount of money, I want to spend it on an overhaul. Love itttt!
Thanks Caroline, it’s been a long time coming but my blog has finally bought something of its own. My wallet feels better already.
Love the changes Chris – it’s a definitely more ‘you’ now =)
Cheers Toni, gotta love the vegemite colors.
Looking spiffy Chris! The crew at Shatterboxx did a great job.
Keep up the great blog/s and look forward to catching up with you for Vegemite on toast soon. 🙂
Nicole we will so be enjoying many slices of vegemite and toast, now just get over here already.
Site looks great Chris. Really sharp and crisp. Yep definitely a fan.
Glad you like it Mike. I’m really happy how it turned out
Looks tip top mate, very impressed. Colours work well and I love the styling.
Thanks Justin. Am happy everyone like the colour scheme, expected some argh it’s too yellow comments.
Wow I love your new look Chris! Real sharp and clean looking!
Cheers Aaron, I’m happy it came out so clean looking, my old design was starting to get too cluttered.
LOVE the new look Chris!! Congrats! And you should try and get Nikon to sponsor you for a suhweet camera … these are their colors! Looking forward to your continuing adventures in this brand new gussied up space.
haha Kirsten oh how I would love a Nikon to match my site. I’ll have to find a way to pitch then 🙂
Love the new look! Super fresh and unique.
Looks great! I’m jealous. Now I want a redesign!
Love the new layout, especially the quick access to the Vegemite Challenge!
Looks beeeeeeeeautiful Chris. Great work 🙂
Cheers Jayne, very happy with the work the girls at shatterboxx did.
OMG, I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!! WHAT A SURPRISE!!!! 🙂
What? Your blog actually makes money? Real-live money? $$$
😀
Nice new design bud.
New look is awesome mate. Really good work. Simple colour scheme yet it works really well.
Chris, it’s gorgeous! Really lovely header design and a tagline that’s echoes the truth. Hawt!
Primo theme mate, looks fantastic! Glad you finally found the time to finish things up! Two quick things I’ve noticed, 1) in the “Have You Seen” box below, the ‘cheap hotels’ link is partially covered by that base line 2) on your Twitter box, I find the yellow text over the white background somewhat difficult to read. Looks fab though.
Cheers for picking that up Matt. I’ve still got to finish organising the footer area and sort out some other bits and pieces so will look into your suggestions.
I really like the contrasts with the white and yellow man makes people look where they need to look..
I had a look at the Thrilling Theme a while ago as well, nothing wrong with it. But it’s not exactly very unique. Having your own theme does help a lot to make your site stand out. One thing that doesn’t work, at least in Chrome, is the commentluv link. Its black, and black text on a black background doesn’t help to keep the text readable 🙂
Thanks Tijmen I’d have never seen the commentluv issue unless someone pointed it out to me, should be fixed now with a nice yellow link.
The site looks great…clean, contrasty and easy to navigate. Well done.
I love it Chris! Really a great job! Love the simplicity of Yellow and Black.
Bravo! Congrats on your 2.0 launch!
It looks fab!!! I can’t wait to re-design mine as well, I know what you mean it feels like my old theme it’s holding me back!
Glad that you have been able to turn it even more into something you are super proud of! Keep it up!
I love the new colors and the kangaroos. As someone who’s just changed my own template I know it takes so much time and effort.
Love it, mate!
I like the new look better! 🙂
Your redesign is amazing — so snazzy. I’ve loved watching your blog evolve, and your writing, too.
Thanks Abby, developing the new design for the blog has really made me step back and realise how much I love blogging.
Looking sharp.
Hi Dave, great to hear your ‘re making $$ on your blog and even better to hear you’re reinvesting. What better way to reward your readers than with a super new blog design. it makes a huge difference to the readers, to the way you’re preceived and to your confidence.
So I reckon you’ll be going from strength to strength:)
Great to connect with you – I’m in Noosa, Queensland:) Lucky me!
Love the colours and the crisp feel. Loving this comment box too! I can actually read as I type!! 🙂
I’m very impressed, and very jealous! The colour scheme and layout is very clean and eyecatching, and if only I had something interesting to share apart from general waffle, I’d be tracking Shatterboxx down right this moment to do mine
swit swoo…liking the new clean lines and bumblebee colours!
haha Fiona, glad you like it and I prefer to think of it as Vegemite colours 🙂
Looks nice. I am thinking about design change too..
Love this new look. Easy on the eye and simple to navigate. I’m looking at everyone’s site designs at the minute, just in case we make a move soon – which we’re pondering…
Julia
Absolutely beautiful! Seriously. One of the best travel blog designs I’ve seen in a long while.
STUNNING.
It’s definitely unique! No more fears about looking like any other site, that’s for sure. Congrats!! I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying blogging, too. That always shines through in posts, and I think makes bloggers better writers!
I’m looking at making travel blogging more than just a small time hobby as well. Love the new design! Might need to go have a chat with the gals at Shatterboxx too…
Rock and Roll! This is a Unique Design!
I love the white, black yellow! Especially the avatar! It looks a bit like the cranich of Lufthansa. 🙂
I can just recommend everybody to invest money, like you have! Well done!
Your site looks great. Clean and inviting. Really well done.
~vago
Love the new design – it really kicks things up a notch! And I’m a huge fan of the yellow accents with the black and white. Very modern and hip. 🙂
Love it! We have been talking about an overhaul for way too long and I like the sound of 2.0 haha! Maybe there will be a Vagabond3 2.0 soon!
Great new look, and congrats on being able to move forward with developing your blog, writing and brand!
It looks awesome, so clean and slick looking, I love it! 🙂
You must be very very happy 🙂
Hopefully you will keep blogging and keep up the awesome work for a long time to come!
Vegemite color scheme – love it!
ahhh i love the girls at shatterboxx. They do good work!
I like the new design…only suggestion is that some of this yellow is a bit intense on the eyes. Might want to tone it down a bit, esp in the comment section.
i just bumped into your site few mins ago and already glued at ready more of your posts…it all feels like just talking to a good ol friend over coffee…glad i’v bumped into your site..it’s refreshing and totally inspiring me! x =)