You can try putting all your offensive skills on the shape button side (tri, sqr, cir, x) and all your buff /heal/ items on the dpad side. I found that this works well for me. Also pressing R1 to switch hotbars during battle doesn't slow me down because there is a 2.5sec global cooldown... giving you time to switch crossbars.
I also have my crossbars setup custom where only my BATTLE skills show during combat. all my other skills show up when I'm not in combat. This is easily setup in the options. Not many people experimented with it like I have. I posted a video tutorial up on this forum, but here it is if you haven't seen the thread.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lof8nKmlTH4
also lock on is an archer's best friend in combat