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Okay, I need your input.
Today I got an email that said:
"I try to check your site each day, but want to make a request (plea, really!). I honestly just skim your blog because it is so difficult to read due to the black background. It hurts my eyes. I would spend more time reading and clicking links if it did not cause such strain. I am young and have great vision, but I feel sure that others may experience the same difficulty."
Is this blog hard to read? Should I change the color?
What do you think!?!
Thanks in advance!
Denise
The "Cent"sible Sawyer
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Blog Question
Posted by Denise Sawyer at 9:11 PM
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64 Comments:
Denise,
I am no expert in the web world, but my sister is and apparently it is a known fact that type over black or dark background is very difficult to read and "scores low" on effectiveness regarding website usage, etc.
Who knew??
Would you be mad if I said I didn't like the black either? I LOVE your site - just not the black. Sorry!!
Personally, it doesn't bother me. I'll read no matter the color though if everyone else is having issues. :)
I actually really like the black; I think the white words stand out fine, I don't have any trouble reading it, and I like the simplicity of your site! Some people's sites are so cluttered I have a hard time focusing on the posts, but I think yours is great.
I agree - black is hard on the eyes. Good design usually calls for dark lettering on a lighter background. I love your blog, though and still read it anyways! :)
I read your site through Bloglines, so rarely click through.
I read the blog through google reader and rarely click through, but when I do need to click through I cringe...
I'm a web developer and I highly recommend a light background with dark letters, contrast is very good just dark text on light backgrounds :)
It's so hard to read!!! If it weren't such an excellent blog, I wouldn't read it. It's really a great blog. Thanks for all the trouble you go to.
I also read through Bloglines, but after going to the site after this post, I agree. The black/white is hard on the eyes!
Thanks for all you do!
I read your blog everyday but the black is hard on the eyes. I enjoy all the info and will continue to read with or without the black.
I think it looks nice but it is a little hard on the eyes.
:)
I really love the blog as a whole though!
I have never had a problem reading your blog! I read it every day! Sometimes more than once ;)
I've never given it any thought so it must not bother my eyes. Love your blog. I will read no matter what color it is.
Have you thought of just making the font bigger? That would probaby help a lot.
I read you on my Google reader mainly, and would suggest others with eye issues do the same -- it's always white background, black letters.
I have to admit, the black is pretty hard on the eyes. But, having said that, I usually read through Google Reader so it's not really a problem for me. As April said, making the font bigger would solve a large part of the problem, so if you really like how the black looks, that's probably a good solution.
Sorry, yes it is a bit hard to read.
LOVE your blog, tho. Thx for all you do.
I like the black background and don't have difficuly reading it. I have a harder time reading blogs with the blinding white backgrounds. Maybe increase the font size and see how that goes.
Perhaps a dark gray background would be better. I like the dark bg with light wording, but less contrast might be easier on the eyes. Keep up the good work!
The black background isn't the easiest to read, but I don't have a big problem with it. I know when I had my blog set up sort of like yours (I think the background was a dark navy blue) I had relatives complain that it was hard to read.
i think it can be a bit hard on the eyes...but i agree with everyone..it is definitely worth reading regardless of the background...and i will keep reading no matter what!
Since I do most my reading at night and it's dark anyway in my room, this does strain my eyes. I love your site and continue to read anyway. :o)
I read through bloglines as well but when I do click through the black is hard on my eyes. I never thought of writing to tell you though. That was a good idea and very tastefully stated I thought.
Love the blog and will continue to visit whatever you decide. :)
Michelle
Denise, why don'y you put a poll up on the sidebar to calculate the votes easier?
Actually, I love the black, it's different and the white letters stand out enough!
I prefer lighter backgrounds. I'm a stalker of your blog, so the black background won't stop me from stopping by each day to read.
I have no issue and think it looks really sleek and modern. But if you changed it for the ease of others it certainly wouldn't stop me from reading your blog!
I love black backgrounds. White backgrounds emit more light, and tend to cause more eye strain for me.
I have to agree. Please change the color...I'd love something a little easier on the eyes. Thanks!
LOVE your blog! I do find the black background difficult.
who knew?!/! I was quite surprised to hear people thought this was straining... I really like white on black (which is why thats how my blog is set up!!!
I normally read in Bloglines, but when I click through, it's very difficult for me to read. This morning the white letters are just swimming in front of me.
Like others have said, your content is great so I've put up with it. Other hard-to-read blogs have not fared so well in my book!
Denise,
I love your blog too, and keep coming back in spite of the black background. Yes, it does hurt my eyes and it's difficult to read.
:-/
Sorry.
I do not like to read with the black back ground. It is very hard on my eyes. I do LOVE to read your blog and all of the things you find.
I cannot believe so many people think it's hard to read! I find it SO much easier to read than black on white! Does that make me some kind of anomaly? I thought your blog design was very classy.
I am an avid reader but yes...it is a little hard on the eyes when you are reading late at night. I just found an awesome place to download new backgrounds for free too and it was SUPER EASY!!!! I needed to freshen up my site. Jennifer at Eating It Up Referred me to BestBlogOnTheBlock.blogspot.com Check out and see if you like anything. Can't hurt! Good Luck and we all love your info!!!
Love your blog but not a big fan of the black background on any blog. I usually would not read a blog with the black background but I "have" to read yours :) I don't want to miss out on the good info.
When I first started reading your blog I didn't like the black either. But now I've gotten used to it, and I kind of like it because it sets it apart from other ones that I frequent. I guess maybe it would help for people that are newer to your blog. That's so nice of you to ask!
I love the site too - you are always full of helpful tips ~ but it can be harder to read with the light letters on black.
I'm going to have to agree that the white foreground/black background is difficult to read and straining on the eyes.
I honestly would probably read your site more often if it were colored differently. Personally, I have an aversion towards black background sites. I feel they aren't aesthetically pleasing (I do graphic design on the side).
I would suggest a lighter background with darker words. I feel that that kind of contrast is easier to read when you are reading multiple lines of text. Sure, a heading or title with a dark background, light-fore looks nice but I think it's draining to continue reading that way.
Anyhow, just my 2¢
I've never had trouble reading your blog. It's great. Thanks for everything.
I never realized it, but now that you mentioned it I opened a few others and then came back and forth- yep, go check your site reader - and after you said something I did kind of have a moment of adjustment. But, question is... do you itch? Oh, I feel a sneeze coming on. Anyone yawn lately? Didn't bother me before, but now it is. I will never be able to read white on black again!
I usually read your blog in Google Reader, and I rarely click through, so the black doesn't bother me.
She right but I still love your blog. I have a hard time finding my cursor with the black background. Thanks!
Michaelle
i have POOR vision and prefer the black page b/c i don't have to squint to read. i hope you keep it the same!
Doesn't bother me a bit. I saw a bad one the other day though... it was bright purple on some ridiculous shade of blue... AWFUL.I could not stay on the page and never did figure out what it said. The letters seemed to vibrate. I don't have any kinds of problems like that with the black.
change it!!!
The color combination does make my eyes go a little "buggy"
I normally read in Google Reader, so it's not an issue, but when I have to go to your site to get coupons, etc, the color combination is a bit much!
I recently switched my blog background to dark gray b/c I had the same offensive colors =)
Good luck and thanks for a very helpful blog!
Wow! What a lot of responses! It honestly did bother me a little in the beginning but I then got used to it. Maybe just make the font bigger as suggested then take another poll. We obviously love it how it is!!
Love your site but hate the black backround also.
Frugal Carol
The black background doesn't really bother me. I love reading your blog and will continue no matter what color it is!
Nope- I LIKE the black! Keep it. Clean and simple blog.
I have no problem with the black background. It is also more energy efficient for us readers, along the same line as blackle.com put out by google.
A slightly larger font should help some people though.
You won't lose this reader either way! :)
I agree - but in the most friendly way possible. =-)
I agree. I love your blog, but the background in the black colour is sucks!
It doesn't bother me. :)
Thanks for all the great info!!!
I read in Thunderbird and (the reason I love it compared to Google Reader)you can see the full web page and comments even without clicking over.
Truthfully, I can't stand black backgrounds almost as much as blogs that play music automatically!
I have cataracts and it gives me a problem also. I would prefer Black on white versus white on black but I can deal with it!
I'll add that the black on white is too much contrast for viewing websites for long periods of time. If you were to switch the white to a light grey the readability would greatly improve.
I've never been much of a fan of the black blog. It strains the eyes a bit.
I can read just fine!
Yes, it is hard to read, but I love your blog!
Amen to Jenni, automatic music is much more annoying.
better now, thanks!
wow, what a way to de-lurk your blog! :)
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