Page Layout Updates

Regardless of what any Wizzley authors think, the only reason I can personally see for changing the ads from left to right would be if there is hard and fast data out there that proves this to be more beneficial in a business sense.

Personally, when I'm reading Wizzley pages with the new layout, my eyes just skim naturally over the ads and land on the descriptive text next to them. The way I read a page with the new layout, it doesn't look spammy at all. 

But there, I think we're all going to have different opinions on this.  

On second thought, the ads probably should stay on the left.  If they were moved to the right, they would be directly next to the image ad in the sidebar.  Then you would have a bunch of ads all together.  This way the text breaks up the both sets of ads. 

Our friend pixelrage over at Squidoo has put together a lens on "heat maps" for websites. With such a tool you can check where your visitors click first (and most).

Apparently, the top left is a "hot spot" for ads. That's why we have them there.

If you buy newspaper ads, the ones on the top right are the most expensive page sections. They say that's where the readers' eyes go first. That's why we have our intro there.

Wizzley offers different design options. For instance, if there's an interesting image above the fold, our visitors will probably look at it first, and then let their eyes wander wherever they may fall.

Overall, I think our current design may be the most beneficial no matter which school of thought one subscribes to. However, this doesn't mean we won't continue testing and researching this topic.

Silly question - I've just started a new article and note I can add one hyperlink in the new first section.  Question is, how ?

Use html code, Marisa. You know...<a href= etc.

Btw, we're making wizzles, not "hubs".  

chefkeem: 18. Feb 2012, 18:45

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Use html code, Marisa. You know...<a href= etc.

Btw, we're making wizzles, not "hubs".  

Oops, my bad.  Unfortunately I just can't get my head around Wizzles.  Where I come from that's something you do in a toilet....   I'll try to remember to say "articles" at least.

I was out of town for a few days at a blogging conference, and I come back to some GREAT changes! I love the new look. But now I realize I've got to do some WORK to get my 100 articles up to par. Adding Wizzley to my list.

Question:  Is it okay to simply move the info from my first module into that intro slot? I generally created an intro module for every wizz. It seems to fit nicely in that new place.

Or is writing NEW content important? (I don't want three introductions!)

Just finished the update of 70 pages and I am liking the new look

Jimmie - are you going to share some of your conference insights with us...here or in a wizzle?

Jimmie: 20. Feb 2012, 14:09

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Question:  Is it okay to simply move the info from my first module into that intro slot? I generally created an intro module for every wizz. It seems to fit nicely in that new place.

Or is writing NEW content important? (I don't want three introductions!)

I hope so because that is what I have done!  My pages always had an introductory section so it made perfect sense to do exactly what you mention

Yes, you can transfer your intro text---or a part of it--- to that new intro box if you like. We don't require any brand new content. 

Fantastic! That will make this much easier and faster.

chefkeem: 20. Feb 2012, 15:26

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Yes, you can transfer your intro text---or a part of it--- to that new intro box if you like. We don't require any brand new content. 

Good question Jimmie - and thank you Chef for the answer - this will be helpful as I usually write an intro also.  The 500 characters makes me wonder exactly how much that is, so I'll check out the look on pages done by your experts...

I've changed one of my pages and I do love the way it looks!

Thank you..!

I'm trying to move my intro text into the new intro module, but I'm encountering some problems. 

Of course, layout is an issue sometimes, but I can be creative and work around it. My bigger problem is the fact that we are allowed only one link in that section. Some of my intros have two or even three links.

I really want the links, so I'm forced to leave that intro spot blank and use that linked text in a text module uner the intro. Any chance on getting that limit upped a tad?

And that intro module will not allow bulletted lists and other fancy formatting (headings, for example). I am struggling to make it look like I want it with a simple text box. In other words, I cannot always just copy my intro module up in that new one without losing a lot of my meaningful formatting.

Oh, Jimmie....so sorry if we can't accommodate you this time.  

We've designed that intro text box to display instant, useful content without any distractions from the ad block. Initially, we even considered to disallow any links.

That way, the readers get drawn into the article while the ad block appears to be part of the content.

I hope you'll find a way around this without being too disappointed in us.  

Okay.  Thanks for the explanation. I will be creative and devise solutions.

I missed this info somehow but am LOVING the look of filling that white space! Thanks Wizz Team! 

Hey guys, this is the "calmest" most respectable forum I've ever seen! Hubpages is all about fighting over nothing (so for 3 years I just wouldn't go in there even if I needed help)... :) Just wanted to say that (I'm new and all)...

That said, there is a powerful SEO reason to put the ad block on the right. Visitors to site often look to the right first, it's very common and in all the places I've tested (my sites and my bosses site (one of the big IM gurus)) the click-through rate is higher.

Hubpages puts there's on the right and they do a lot of research on this type of stuff, I'm sure it boils down to individual results in the end but personally based on my own IM experience I find the right side is the power side.  Also A sliver at the top of the page seems to bring in some nice clicks too although it "dirties" up the pages look if not done right (picture ads work best there).

Have you guys played around with using both textual adsense and block images in that spot? I think both that and putting this on the right would increase clicks (the top ad block). One reason off the top of my head I heard mentioned by many was that people are too used to seeing the navigation links on the left so putting the links on the right is counter-intuitive thus makes them more visible.

Just my two cents for what it's worth :)

I am just blown away by this site. I've been here just under 24 hours (straight) and I can't get enough of how well this is built. So many limitations in HP's tools (no image or anything for that matter can go to the left! And that drag drop of the modules- a godsend. (ok too much off topic, my apologies).

Have a great day all, look forward to reading all the forum posts and adding my content!

Jerrico

That's a very good point actually- the first thing I thought when I saw that block on the left was that it felt "spammy", possibly because I've always employed the right side block due to tests and just plain comfort of how it felt. I didn't realize why until now (the reading the content first makes A LOT of sense!)

Perhaps you could make this an option where one could choose which side it get's put on? Perhaps a checkbox that says "right justify first adsense block" and this way nobody would have to retool- (actually they wouldn't anyway as the system would just wrap the same text just around a different side :)

:)

J-

Christene: 18. Feb 2012, 14:31

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chefkeem: 18. Feb 2012, 10:00

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Why would you find it better on the right, Christene?

We read starting from the top left. I'd rather my text to be the first thing visitors see.

When people see add text they might skip over my intro text and move down to the next field. I know I ignore ads, I'm sure I'm not the only one.

We try to create the best possible user experience.

Heat maps indicate that a readers' eyes start off on the top right. THAT's why we've created the intro space - for compelling content that draws readers into the article.

Yes, we want to make money from AdSense, but satisfied readers are our priority. And happy visitors will be much more inclined to click on our ads, than readers who feel overwhelmed by a 'too commercial' first impression. 

Also, we want to signal our intentions (to create a great reader experience) to Google's manual reviewers.

P. S.: Just recently, we ran a test with image ad blocks on the top left, which resulted in a drop of our CTR.