Should Root & Sprout move to a blogger platform?

[Lis Garrett]

Lately, I've been feeling a disconnect between Root & Sprout and the rest of the blogging community. I've blogged on Blogger, TypePad and WordPress, and they all have their merits; however, I left "blogging" to establish an e-zine. I wanted a site that was uniquely mine, separate from the blogosphere, but now I'm not so sure that was the wisest move to make.

There are some real flaws to the current website. For one, readers must scroll down to read each article. Furthermore, there's no place to comment. This was not my design, I assure you, and I certainly understand how frustrating these inconveniences can be.

But what gets me is this feeling I have of being a separate entity altogether. Frankly, I miss my blogging community. I feel like I'm standing outside in this wretched Upstate weather looking in at everyone else dancing and drinking around a roaring fire. More importantly, I feel I'm also missing out on the opportunities afforded to "parent bloggers."

When I was a relatively small "mommy blog," it wasn't uncommon for me to wake up each morning to several offers and opportunities in my inbox. Companies understand the value of a blog, and they seek them out to advertise and help promote relevant products. Rarely does that happen now, and I think it's because Root & Sprout is simply more difficult to find in the search engines.

But I don't doubt that Root & Sprout could work, and quite possibly be a very successful site, if it were placed on a blogging platform. What this means for you is that articles would be more easily accessible and you could comment on your favorite posts. You could also link to your posts without having to worry about the permalink changing with each new issue. The domain name would remain the same - www.RootandSprout.com. You'd have to twist my arm until it breaks or pay me big bucks to give up that name. ;-)

SO . . . I'd really like to know your thoughts. After all, it's the readers who make Root & Sprout successful in the first place.

PS - I should also add that moving Root & Sprout to a blogger platform will NOT diminish the importance of the Grow Together community. Likewise, this blog (right here) will be where I continue to write my personal posts.

[wrongshoes]

I think every e-zine should have an RSS feed. That is the ONLY way I can keep up with my reading because almost all my online reading is in my reader (and I subscribe to about 100 feeds). If going to a blog format is the best way to get an RSS feed I say go for it! You can definitely get a "magazine" feel from some blog templates.

[Lis Garrett]

I just wanted to remind everyone that the site to which I am referring is Root & Sprout. This site, our community, will stay where it is.

[Terri Rawls]

While I don't find this site difficult to navigate at all, I can certainly understand you missing the blogging community feel of things. It is nice to be able to respond to one another via comments on blogs.

I think you should take the site whatever direction you feel it needs to go. I too will follow.

[Mom24]

I think it's a great idea. Blogging formats seem more inviting and approachable to me. Also, it seems like they grow faster.

[theclevermom]

There are several free and several paid magazine style wordpress themes that would serve you well.

I totally support this change.

[Karen Nowicki]

I am nodding my head "yes" as I read everyone's heartfelt and wise responses.

I am happy to learn that the "magazine" feel will be consistent and that the (more personal) blogging activity will remain over here at Grow Together.

If I raise both my hands, do I get two votes? : )

[Nathalie Simmons Jorge]

Hmmm...I am not tech savvy enough to comment upon how things should change, but I can definitely attest to the fact that I have an easier time keeping up with blogs. Interesting.

[Debbie Yost]

I've been reading all the comments and your post and I think there are some very good reasons for going to the blog platform, advertising being one of the biggest. Although I like the concept of comments and would not complain with getting or giving them, I think in some ways that takes away from the magazine feel. I looked at iVillage before commenting and noticed they do not have comments. Sections may have a blog, but each article does not have a comment section. In addition, I know there are some proBloggers out there that don't open the blog up for comments. It may be a way to get things started, but I wonder if eventually you should go back to the no comment set up.

I think Nova and Trish raise some very good points and it seems you are giving this a lot of thought. Anyway, that's my 2 cents for what it's worth. No matter what you do, I'm sticking by you.

[Kelly]

I agree with all of the other comments. I think a blog format with a landing page would be a good move.

[Lis Garrett]

Stephanie ~ the site you mentioned is along the lines of what I would LOVE to do eventually, but that seems a lot more involved than what I'm capable of doing on just a regular blog platform. I can't imagine that site was inexpensive to create and, at this point in the game, money is a big deciding factor in what I can and cannot do.

When I talk about converting Root & Sprout to a blog platform, I mean creating pages within the Blogger, TypePad or WordPress environment.

PS - This site is not at all difficult to use or navigate, so don't be a stranger. :-)