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Changing the "top and bottom" of the Mumsnet site

55 replies

NellMumsnet · 07/06/2018 13:41

You may notice that the top and bottom bits of Mumsnet are looking a bit different. Better, we hope.

If you’ve used Mumsnet for a while you’ve probably noticed that some pages, like the homepage, have one header design, while others, like the pregnancy section, have another – with a completely different set of navigation links.

From today we’re launching a new, unified header and footer across the site with the aim of making Mumsnet more consistent and easier to navigate. No matter what page you’re on, the navigation links will be the same. And in the same order.

It’s a big change for us, so we’re rolling it out carefully. For the next few weeks only a small proportion of Mumsnetters will be able to see the new design, so don’t worry if things look the same to you now. Based on the feedback we get and how well it goes technically, we’ll make it available to more and more people.

If you can see the new design, we’d love to know what you think:

• Has the new header and footer made Mumsnet easier to navigate for you?
• Do the navigation links make sense to you?
• What do you think about the mobile vs. the desktop designs?
• What could we do to make them better?

Do add comments below or email [email protected] if you have any thoughts, questions or concerns.

Also, although we’ve thoroughly tested the code, bugs may still slip through, so if you spot anything that looks wonky then we want to know about it. Please tell us which page you’re having problems with and the device you’re viewing it on – and if you can include a screenshot the tech team will love you forever.

OP posts:
PanPanPanPing · 13/06/2018 11:10

It's back to normal for me again too - yippee Grin

PanPanPanPing · 14/06/2018 13:49

How odd, it went back to the 'new layout' on my laptop this morning. But it's still the 'old layout' on my iPad now Confused

PanPanPanPing · 14/06/2018 16:24

And now it's back to normal on my laptop again.

I think that Tech is playing with us Grin

Piperallie · 15/06/2018 16:05

Yea, it's fixed for me. I'm back on my ipad.

MattKMumsnet · 25/06/2018 14:56

Hi everyone thanks for your comments, they're really useful to us.

And thanks especially to @imonaplane and @AristotlesTrousers for your suggestions to add Talk shortcut links to the footer – we've released an update today that does just that.

Please do keep your feedback coming, we appreciate it!

imonaplane · 25/06/2018 14:58

Thank you! That's much better! Smile

HardAsSnails · 25/06/2018 15:16

The menu button won't work, I really don't want to use the bottom toolbar as it's too intrusive.

Changing the "top and bottom" of the Mumsnet site
BringMeTea · 25/06/2018 15:23

Ok. Hate it. I want my old lists of topics back. How do I achieve this please?

HardAsSnails · 25/06/2018 15:37

And there isn't a customise menu on the mobile site now so I can't even add the bloody toolbar that I don't want but can't use the site without if that drop down menu has gone.

MattKMumsnet · 25/06/2018 15:51

Hi @HardAsSnails, thanks for highlighting the menu button problem – the Tech team are sorting it as I type.

@BringMeTea where was your list of topics – maybe I can help?

AttilaTheMusical · 25/06/2018 15:56

Is there anyway you can stop ads continually running a video or changing from one picture to another - my desktop keeps freezing in the middle of either scrolling down or halfway through a word when I'm typing. I have to click on a vacant area of the screen to bring it back to life again. Only started doing it since your update.

BringMeTea · 25/06/2018 16:26

Hi Mattk. I just wondered if I can revert to old style at bottom of page as opposed to new layout, also at bottom. I am finding I have to do more 'taps' to navigate Talk topics. On ipad. I don't find the new top page drop downs as user friendly. Or is this the permanent 'new'? Many thanks.

ScreamingValenta · 25/06/2018 16:42

@NellMumsnet This appeared for me today and early indications are that it's good (on Safari browser, laptop).

One question - would it be possible to customise the topics that appear on the top banner? E.g. I would much rather have a short cut to The Litter Tray (I'm a cat owner) than Conception (I'm post-hysterectomy) - it would be great if we could pick our favourite topics rather than a default list that might include topics that are irrelevant.

ScreamingValenta · 25/06/2018 16:43

Just tagging @MattKMumsnet hopefully to reply to my post above, as I can see Matt is responding to this thread today rather than Nell.

MattKMumsnet · 25/06/2018 16:59

Hi @ScreamingValenta that's a good idea.

Talk topics in the banner are currently ordered by popularity, but I'll discuss with the team about making the list customisable. It's probably not something we can do right away as it will take quite a bit of Tech time, but I'll definitely investigate it.

MattKMumsnet · 25/06/2018 17:13

Hi @BringMeTea, thanks for your reply. Please can you let me know which links are you missing and what adds the extra taps?

The concept of a single, consistent header and footer across the whole of Mumsnet is here to stay. However, we want to make sure it's significantly better than what we had before, so we will be making lots of improvements based on feedback like yours and data on how it's being used.

If there's anything else we can do to make it easier please do let me know.

ScreamingValenta · 25/06/2018 17:17

That would be great @MattKMumsnet. I would like it purely for convenience - but it might also be preferred by people who are hiding certain topics because they feel sensitive about them.

I haven't tried the new format on the app yet, so will report if there are any issues once I have.

ScreamingValenta · 25/06/2018 17:35

Me again, sorry @MattKMumsnet. Just noticed 'Mumsnet Jobs' isn't showing correctly - here's a screenshot. This is Safari 10.1

(Not that I am looking for a job - just happened to notice)

Changing the "top and bottom" of the Mumsnet site
MattKMumsnet · 25/06/2018 17:44

Hi @HardAsSnails the problem with the menu button is now fixed.

HardAsSnails · 25/06/2018 18:18

@MattKMumsnet sadly it is not! I've cleared cookies etc as advised on other thread but it's still not working.

oldsilver · 25/06/2018 21:24

Hi, been trying by clearing cache as advised. It works... rarely sometimes. It's making it really hard to use without being able to press watch a thread. I don't wish to have to keep clearing cache between each thread, and that not even working mostly.

What is all that blue stuff at the bottom - is it needed as well as drop down on menu? Very distracting.

MattKMumsnet · 26/06/2018 12:54

@HardAsSnails and @oldsilver, I've highlighted it to the tech team again so hopefully it'll be sorted soon.

HardAsSnails · 26/06/2018 13:05

Thanks @MattKMumsnet, it is working sporadically at the moment...

MattKMumsnet · 26/06/2018 14:26

Hi everyone, just heard from tech – they've released another fix. Clearing your cache should sort the problem for good, but of course if it sneaks back let me know...

oldsilver · 26/06/2018 17:35

Seems to be working...so far Smile