I Need Your Help!

By On · 85 Comments · In Blogging

I’ve been working on the new and improved Escaping the 9 to 5 site & design for the last month now. I’m in the last throws of the process but I cannot for the life of me decide on a color scheme! So I’m coming to you – my lovely escapees – to ask for your help & which color scheme you think is best. The comments on Facebook where completely split down the middle so hopefully this will help!

Number 1.

Number 2.

Number 3.

I truly appreciate your input and as a thank you I will be choosing one of you who leave a comment and linking back to you with the anchor text or your choice! Thanks again! Winner: small business marketing


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  • englandrm

    I like number 1.

  • http://twitter.com/rondavis007 Ron Davis

    I like #1 the best

  • Robyn

    green accent is best.

  • http://joelrunyon.com/two3 Joel Runyon | [BIT]

    #2 if you want to stay with your current theme.

    I think #3 is the most appealing.

  • http://www.twitter.com/mdemmick M. Drew Emmick

    Number 3

  • http://joelrunyon.com/two3 Joel Runyon | [BIT]

    I think #1 is almost *too* professional aka 9to5ish

  • http://twitter.com/igobyjared Jared Latigo

    3 for sure.

  • Kirsten

    tan and orange

  • Gabewinslow

    Blue is a calming color, which is what the Escape is about, calming the business part of your life to free up the rest of it.

    So, I vote for design 2.

  • http://twitter.com/GetOutNGo Daniel

    #3. Its refreshing and lively.

  • http://twitter.com/DanielCRamirez Daniel Ramirez

    #3 by far. Its refreshing and lively.

  • http://twitter.com/jeremymillers Jeremy Millers

    Number 1 caught my eye the most.

  • EarlWeldon

    I would definitely go with number 2 … the cool colors! And that's the opinion of a professional Art Director/Designer, so no further opinions are even needed. (Just kidding!) – EW

  • http://twitter.com/AskLorraine Lorraine Tucker

    #1 because it looks different … so many sites all look the same nowadays

  • http://www.my4hrworkweek.com Eric | My 4-Hour Workweek

    Here's how I rank them, with a reason for each:

    Best: #2 – The colors match what I envision when I think of “Escaping the 9 to 5″ – Clear, blue ocean waves while sitting on the beach. If I had to put a color on your “brand,” it would be blue.

    Better: #1 – The yellow/orange-ish tint does catch my eye and also for some reason seems a bit more professional. It still compliments the blue with a sort of “relaxed” feeling, like the sun setting at the end of the day.

    Good: #3 – I have no problem with the green accent, but my initial impression was that it clashes a bit with the rest of the page. On second look, I think it's fine, just not my favorite.

  • http://twitter.com/ARinehartDC Alex Rinehart, MSACN

    I would say number 1 but I'm mixed about the tan….loving the orange though, really crisp & distinct, the blue is nice in #2 but doesn't really distinguish your site for me.

  • stevemontano

    Number 2 looks great because it matches the blue in the header pic and the badge buttons on the upper right. Gives the site a peaceful feel which is what I'd want if I were on a tropical island. :) Number 3 second and Number 1 last.

  • Gianpaolo Pietri

    #2 is my favorite. I feel the other two color schemes are more distracting.

  • Candra

    I like #1 the best. The orange caught my eye!

  • Jeff Rose

    Going with #1 on that one.

  • http://twitter.com/JakeCripe Jake Cripe

    Go with #1. The accent color creates a bolder page that attracts attention in an attractive way. The orange doesn't clash…it highlights. You are a bold entrepreneur that wants to promote a bold idea…so why not go with the bold color? You aren't trying to lull people with a serene blue, you want to capture their attention.

    Keep up the good work :)

  • Ryana Carvalho

    Number 1

  • Doug

    Hi Maren,
    Go with number 3. Green is the color of MONEY !!!
    Doug
    oldproblog.com

  • http://twitter.com/SmartIncomeBlog Kevin Douglas

    I like number 1. It matches your personality! :) The overall design is awesome!

  • Diggy

    I like the Yellow one Maren;)
    Sexy design!

  • http://www.aviewfromtheside.net/ AJWalton

    You often stress the importance of branding. Your current page has a lot of blue, and it's a color I strongly associate with your personal brand. The yellow looks really official, but not necessarily in a good way, more like I'm being sold something, it doesn't seem as “you.” But then again, for new visitors that may be the vibe you're going for.

  • matthewneedham

    How you make a decision from this, I've no idea! Why don't you do a split test and see which one has more conversions?!

  • Beth

    #3, #3!

  • Daniel

    Number 2. It's contrasty and clean. Easy to focus on.

  • MichaelP

    from a web designer's perspective, i say # 3. they're all good, but to me # 3 is the one that i'd want to look at for a longer period of time and it's very easy on the eyes.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Great idea! I think I may break it down to the two top designs & then split test :) thanks for the input!

  • http://www.brenacurrelly.com Brena

    #3 because blues and greens make me think of the outdoors which means no office and freedom!

    Second choice: #2 for the same reason that AJWalton states below.

  • Lavedon

    I vote #3.

    This is a great opportunity to split test–if your designer is up for building each one. I'd start with:

    1.) Which design shows a lower bounce rate

    2.) Which design leads to more e-mail list opt-ins?

    Make sure you wait long enough so you get a statistically significant number of visits.

    I find surveys are very helpful. However, people rarely don't know what they like.

    The old focus group story:

    Marketer: “Would you buy this product?”
    Cusomer: “Yes! I love it!”
    Marketer: “Great! I happened to bring some to the focus group, cash or credit?”
    Consumer: “Ummmm I have to get going.”

    Also, clever way to get comments going! Thanks for the great blog as always.

    Best, Luke

  • Lavedon

    whoops meant to say, “People rarely know what they like” . Gotta learn to proofread.

  • http://www.thewaythatyouwander.com Nate

    Definitely #1

  • http://o-copy.com/blog KathleenKOConnor

    #3 is nice. It feels light and fun. Makes me want to sit on a beach and read your blog on my laptop.

    Love the new design and love that your pic and a link to your about me page is in the right hand corner! Looks great.

  • http://igniteyouressence.com Justin Popovic

    I also like number 1. I had to look at it a couple of times but then I really warmed up to it!

  • http://www.thesaleslion.com/ Marcus Sheridan,The Sales Lion

    I've enjoyed reading all the comments here. Just goes to show how opinions of others can leave one more confused than ever before. One thing is for sure though MK, and that is they all look great and match your personality– bright, bubbly, energetic, and full of creativity…..look forward to seeing the final product……btw, in case I missed it, who's doing the site? You or are you outsourcing?

  • D L

    Personally, I would either go with #2 or #3.

    #3 is very bright and… gives a happy/light feeling :D
    #2 just seems to fit in though… somewhat of a professional feel I think.

    I'm leaning towards #2 just because I feel it fits into the site a lot better than #2 or #1.

  • D L

    Edit: whoops, that last sentence should say:

    “I'm leaning towards #2 just because I feel it fits into the site a lot better than #3 or #1.”

    My apologies

  • D L

    Edit: whoops, that last sentence should say:

    “I'm leaning towards #2 just because I feel it fits into the site a lot better than #3 or #1.”

    My apologies

  • arsonizta

    2! with the black bg, it's easier to focus on the content.. well, that's for me

  • http://www.socialrockstar.co.uk Brandon

    I really like Number 3, because the beige reminds me of the colour of sand on a beach, which ties really well into the logo.

  • Ricardo Ospino

    #2!

  • http://UnfadingPursuit.com/ AR3

    My vote is for #2

  • http://www.goodfaithinvesting.com/ Shae Bynes

    I vote for #2! All the designs are nice but 2 is the one I like best.

  • Nanna

    I like number 3 – the light green brings forward the palm trees, and that´s what is´t all about right :-) freedom and being able to go where ever you want :-)

  • Ken Gebert

    Without a doubt it's #3 BRIGHT AND CHEERY LIKE YOU !

  • Christopher Tao

    I like the new look Maren Kate. Here are my thoughts. I think it depends on where you want the focus to be.

    #2 has more subtle color changes. The black and white is the most ideal for reading and thus emphasizes the text of your blog.

    #1/3 has the sharper color changes that draw your eye away from the blog text and towards the upper bar and the side. Which is fine if that's where your want your readers to focus. If that's the case I think the orange pops more.

    My preference is #2. I think it is the cleanest and easiest to read. Keep up the great work.

  • http://seanandlauren.com Lauren Lionheart

    #1 all the way. The complimentary blue/orange scheme really pops.

    All the blue in #2 blends together and doesn't let any one thing shine.

    The green in #3 seems too bland. Kinda the same issue as #2

    have fun choosing, and as always, go with your gut!

    Peace,
    Lauren

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