If I were you, I'd max it out. You get the newer layout that everyone is using, plus centered content and better search listings.

Max That Lens Out!

Probably the most important aspect of any lens is what are you trying to do with it? Are you promoting a product, educating somebody, or just doing whatever you please? This is important because it will dictate the modules you use in your lens.

And the modules you use will dictate the look of your lens. So to be blunt: Your lens better be stacked or it's going to get whacked. (Don't ask me what that means, just think about your lens content.)

Second to knowing what you're going to do with a lens is actually sitting down and writing it! Now, not everyone is going to do this step in order and you know what? That's fine. Sometimes you have to have the images in place before you get started on the written part. But when you write, keep in mind what you're trying to do.

Perspective in writing is helpful to think about when you're writing. Sometimes you need to be personable, sometimes you'll write in 1st person, sometimes, you'll be required to write like a textbook writer.

Do your best, then re-read it and ask yourself: "Would I Inflict This On Somebody Else?" The answer to that question determines if you are indeed, done with this step.

P.S.: Proofread once in a while too, K?

Part of formatting these modules depends on your use or mastery of basic HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). The HTML tags in Squidoo are limited, but effective for both text formatting as well as a bit of alignment setting.

Here are the tags you can use:

<strong>: Strong Tag, Bolds Text
<b>: Bold Tag, Also Bolds Text
<em>: Emphasis Tag, Italicizes Text
<i>: Italics Tag, Also Italicizes Text
<a>: Anchor Tag, Makes Links
<p>: Paragraph Tag, Good For Formatting, Positioning, Etc.
<br />: Break Tag, Cuts To The Next Line
<img />: Image Tag, Inserts Images
<ul>: Unordered List Tag, Starts A Bullet List
<ol>: Ordered List, Starts A Numbered List
<li>: List Element Tag, Starts A List Element

For more information on the subject of what you can use these tags to accomplish please direct your attention to the following lenses:

1. Basic HTML For Squidoo
2. Advanced HTML For Squidoo

Adding pictures to any lens helps to spice things up. It's like adding fresh cut daisy's to the vase on the table or playing some Barry White in the bedro... Nevermind. In any case, you'll want to have some kind of graphic on your lens in an appropriate place to help break up the text monotony.

It can be as simple as adding an image to the side of the write module like on this lens or using the image tag to add in an image from an external source.

By the way, here are a few sizes to keep in mind:

128x128 Lens Introduction Pic. Yes, the height can be bigger, but the width is 128px.

120x120 Text Module Pic. Again, height is variable, but it will scale to a 120px width.

450x200 Larger External Pics. It's nothing official, but this is the size I like to use for centered content pics that use up a whole module. Great for breaking up major sections of a lens.

Now, here's a tip: Using an external source for pictures is great as long as you don't:

A.) Direct Link From Someone Else's Site.
B.) Use A Slow Server For Your Pics.

If you're serious about Squidoo or have another website already being hosted, use a cheap hosting account somewhere. Yes, it will cost money, but the effects are worth it if you are suing Squidoo seriously or just happen to host your own site.

Hosting Your Own Pictures Is Pimp.

But Only If You Need To Be That Pimp With Your Pictures.

Code:
<p align="center">
<img src="http://www.seernet.net/Squidoo/LensPimp/BigPicPIMP.jpg" />
</p>

To Add A Link: Just throw an <a> tag around the <img> tag and the whole image can be a big link. And also, you don't have to use this size, but 450px width does seem to be a decent banner size for maxed out lenses. ;)

There are a number of other image manipulation programs out there that can allow you to make your own graphics more professional looking. Barring that, you could have someone else do it for you (there are a couple groups on Squidoo dedicated to stuff like that) or roll up your sleeves and find a decent program.

Probably the best free equivalent to Photoshop out there is GIMP. It's got a little bit of a learning curve, but it can do just about the same stuff as Photoshop and is well... Free.

Part of making a nice lens look stellar is the design. Make sure your modules are in an order that keep the lens interesting. Break up monotonous content with pictures or other modules. Keep an eye on your overall composition and remember that you can always go back and fiddle with it. In fact, that's encouraged. Why?

Cause Pimpin Ain't Easy. That's Why.

While this isn't everything, I hope it's a decent introduction on making your lens look a lot better and hopefully presenting it a lot better to the rest of the world.

Stay tuned, there are more tips and tricks coming.