2 column to 3 column layout

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Having been seriously blogging for about 3 months now that is at least one post a day I have realised that there are limitations to the 2 column layout that most blogger blogs have. Some of the limitations of two column layouts are
  • You have only limited space to tell the reader everything you want to tell. For example if you put labels and archive you don't have very much more prime real estate on top of the screen to put anything else.
  • You have limited space to put ads on your blog. You have to either put it in your post or you need your ad to occupy the prime real estate on top of the screen making it look like all you are interested in is advertising.

I am not sure why blogger has only 2 column layouts as default layouts. They are not really providing variety to the blogger out there other than in colors and styles. If you look at all the bloggers who are serious bloggers like Amit, Darren and Abhinav all have 3 column or more layouts.

What I have realised is that readers basically read a blog in a top down fashion. They first go top down on the main post column and then they move to the other columns looking for more to engage themselves. So you need to have good stuff on the tops of your columns to keep them engaged. If you have only 2 columns then you are limiting yourself in keeping your readers engaged.

As I am moving from a 2 column layout to a 3 column layout you may realise some broken or ugly looking sections so please bear with me. I would like suggestions and criticism as i move from my older layout to the newer one. So feel free to leave your feedback.

Comments

Never Mind!! said…
Sudeep, Thanks for adding me to your network! am struggling to figure out how to add you. Will let you know as soon as I find out.
5:33 AM, March 12, 2008
Waterfox said…
Heyy this layout is real nice. Can you tell me also from where you got it?
8:32 AM, March 12, 2008
Sudeep Dsouza said…
@abhishek : Thanks for the encouraging feedback on the template selection. I got this template from http://www.blogcrowds.com/resources/view_template.php/garland_73. But I have found a lot of good templates here http://mashable.com/2007/09/13/blogger-templates/.

Unfortunately blogger does not provide anyway to move from 2 column to 3 column layout. You will have to edit the html with the 3 column layout that you want. When you edit the html be very careful about your widgets and also about any changes that you did to the original template.
12:27 PM, March 12, 2008
Waterfox said…
Ya man. I lost one of my widgets while trying to edit!
I will surely look at these links. Thanks for the info.
Also, you know what whenever I think I should add more ppl in my Indiblogger network, I look at your network :D
7:04 PM, March 12, 2008
Anonymous said…
Sudeep, new layout looks good.
3:23 AM, March 13, 2008
Anonymous said…
Nice layout, good info, but why is there a scientology add in the middle of the page? If you want to believe that stuff, fine, but please don't push it off on me.

Sorry, I doubt I will be visiting you more.
2:49 PM, May 12, 2008
Anonymous said…
@Anonymous : Not sure which Ad offended you but it was not intentional. I would like to know which specific Ad offended you and the location of the ad. I use google ads and only show ads around blogging, hosting and India so I am not sure what is the specific ad that caused such an averse reaction from you.
2:56 PM, May 12, 2008
Anonymous said…
Hi Sudeep,

this is amit agarwal from mumbai here . i found ur blog very informative and gave me ideas to start my own .

can you suggest a good template for information sharing on .NET , and other topics as well.
1:09 PM, May 17, 2008
Anonymous said…
Amit, Thanks for all the nice things you have to say about my blog. Welcome to blogging and it is a wonderful experience to share your knowledge to the world and see people appreciate it.

Since you are starting out I would advise you to read one of my gues posts on successful blogging http://www.problogger.net/archives/2008/02/28/9-tips-to-start-blogging-successfully/

It does not matter which layout you use you can always change the layout later on. So concentrate on setting up your blog and start blogging. Your layout will evolve slowly into something that you like.

All the best for your blogging and feel free to post your questions on my blog.
1:41 PM, May 17, 2008
Amit Agarwal said…
Hi Sudeep,
this is amit here again
thanks for yr reply

I have set my blog, but i need ur help in this as i am completely new to this.

i have added you as yahoo contact,
can you add it so that i can have a chat with you and ask u more details
1:31 PM, May 25, 2008
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