Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com
I have so many new ideas to improve BargainBabe.com it’s ridiculous. Thank you to the 219 readers who commented with a suggestion, thereby entering themselves to win the 10-pound swag bag I lugged home from BlogHer (winner named below). I am taking each idea to heart and have already implemented many of your suggestions.
You wanted custom subject lines in your daily email – you got it! Yesterday I found a way to modify the subject line.
You wanted more coupons and deals – you got it! I am going to post drugstore deals (CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid) on Monday and grocery deals (Ralphs and Safeway) on Wednesday. If you want to see links to additional stores, let me know by commenting on this post.
You wanted a better site design and navigation tabs – it’s in the works! I’ve contacted a web designer/tech geek about making the site easier to use and easier to look at. Realistically, a major change to the site will take at least two months so hang around. I hope it includes a totally new logo, better navigation tabs (those things that say HOME ABOUT TOP POSTS, etc.), and a snazzier sidebar.
You wanted the newsletter earlier – you got it! Thanks to living on East Coast time, the newsletter is out by 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST every day. I motivate myself by taking lunch after I send it.
Additional changes readers wanted:
New design/layout – 43 votes
Ideas for posts, including more recipes, things to do, fashion ideas, long-term savings, crafts, and beauty – 42 votes
No improvements whatsoever – 26 votes
More deals by regional/local deals – 23 votes
Fewer links/full posts in email – 10 votes
Reader deal forum – 6 votes
More personal posts – 5 votes
More video – 5 votes
Email a friend button – 5 votes
More pictures – 4 votes
More national grocery deals – 3 votes
More posts – 2 votes
More guest bloggers – 2 votes
Bring back the Lincoln Lunch – 2 votes
More contests – 1 vote
Create a mobile app – 1 vote
Fewer coupons – 1 vote
And now for the runners up and winner of the $249 swag bag. I especially appreciated Laure’s three concrete, practical suggestions to make the daily email a more pleasant and efficient experience:
I have 3 suggestions:
(1) In the email that subscribers receive, have a few more lines – a full paragraph? – so that we can more fully get a flavor of the article before we decide whether to click to read the full article.
(2) Set up the site so that when you click on one story from the email update, the other full stories from the email follow it, rather than having to separately having to individually go into each post.
(3) Add a button to the site of “Email this to a friend” so we easily can share posts we think are particularly relevant for friends…thereby also spreading the word about your blog!
Kathy Thomas made me chuckle when she asked for:
you could add a shout box
livingoutloud3 at ———this is an awesome prize, so many goodies!
What the heck is a shout box?!? I’d really like to know. 🙂
Estella Miller asked for a keyword search box. Estella, I’m happy to tell you there already is one! Look on the upper right corner of BargainBabe.com for a box that says “Ligit Search.” (Ligit is the name of the company that provides me with the search box and function). Type in a keyword, like kitchen recipes, and all the posts with those words will come up.
I adore Lori A’s suggestion to feature fellow bargain hunters across the country. Shoot me an email if you have a strategy to share!
I think some featured “spotlights” on other cities would be nice…maybe interviews with a fellow frugal as to how they do it and what local resources might be helpful.
Drum roll. The $249 swag contest winner is a reader whose spirited and concise comment echoed the plurality.
Your blog site is a rockin!
I love it!Maybe a little bloggy makeover?
It is missing some BAM!!
Wanda, you are the winner! Email me to claim your prize.
UPDATE: Wanda emailed me her address and I’m putting her prize in the mail this week. Thanks again to everyone who gave me so many great ideas for improving BargainBabe.com.
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
boo ur adding safeway there not in ca how about vons albertsons or find someone local to do this for diffrent areas for local readers
There are Safeways in California, in Berkeley and Albany and el Cerrito, all in the Bay area.
Love the earlier arrival time for your blog…
there not called safeway out here there vons
Are you SERIOUS? AWESOME!
I love it!
I just happened to hop on tonight to see what you were up to.
I almost didn’t click on this post.
NOT KIDDING!
Then I kept scrolling and reading….so funny when I reached the bottom and saw my comment!
You are so flippin cute!
I love it!
THANK YOU!!
For the prize and your blog. I can tell you work really hard keeping it up!
God bless you friend!