My guest post today is Allison from Alli-n-Son. She’s the momma of a spunky and energetic two year old boy. She’s also a wanna-be photographer and gourmet chef, a highly creative woman and one-time graphic designer all rolled into one. This post is packed with helpful information with wonderful advice coming from a woman who has seen it all on the design front.
For over 8 wonderful years I spent the majority of my time designing. Logos. Brochures. Direct mail. CD covers. Annual reports. Invitations. Web sites. Anything and everything that I could get my little hands on. I loved it. My creativity was expressed {even under the watchful eye of the customer} and I helped people communicate with other people or businesses. It was heaven.
Until, that is, I had my son and my world was flipped upside down. Design was no longer the main focus of my life. My son was. Which is why 18 months after having him, I quit my job to stay at home.
As I entered the blogging world, my passion for design followed me. Instead of creating for others, I was creating for myself. My blog became an extension of myself, not only through my words and photos, but also through the design and style of it. Me, my personality, had to show through the design as well as my writing.
The more blogs I read and the more that I visited, the more I realized how important blog design is. I mean, I knew good design and style was important before, but good design is important for different reasons. It’s personal.
One of the things you hear over and over in blogging tips is to be you. Write from your heart. Read other bloggers, but don’t try to be them. As the cliché saying goes, just be yourself. This couldn’t be more true for blog design.
So what exactly is good blog design?
Well, it’s subjective to the blogger, that’s for sure. But here are a few tips to help get you on the right track and to find your style.
Don’t use a standard {ahem, generic} blog template. You know the ones, you see them everywhere. The only thing that changes is the title of the blog. There’s no personality, no connection to the blogger. No sense of who the blogger actually is. And let’s face it, you need that connection to grow your blog.
Find your style. Maybe you love things to be ultra simple and clean. Maybe you adore vintage. Perhaps you find inspiration in nature. Or maybe photography defines who you are. Whatever it is, whatever you are passionate about, whatever fits you, pick one style and run with it. Don’t be afraid to find other blogs that you like, but don’t copy. Use them for inspiration and create a version of your own; a version that is just you and exactly as you would in your writing.
Keep it clean, organized and as clutter-free as possible. It happens to everyone, you get a little side bar happy. So many buttons, so little space. But crowding your side bars with buttons, widgets, ads and all sorts of lovely things is actually taking away from your blog. It’s distracting from the content, from your words, photos, stories, recipes, and everything brilliant you have to say. Clean it up and you will find that people will enjoy visiting your site more.
Don’t be afraid to tweak your blog design as you go along. The best things happen over time, but don’t give your blog a complete overhaul very often. It’s so tempting to change your design and style with every new idea you see. Take your time at the beginning and do it right the first time. Make sure your personality is in your blog design and you’ll be happy with it for a long, long time. If you do decide to change it there are two options. Make it a second generation {or third or fourth}, something similar but a little more refined or grown up. Or, if it’s time, give your blog a complete overhaul, something completely different. Then shout it from the tree tops so everyone stops by to see the new you!
Designing a blog can be overwhelming even for me, who’s been in the design business for almost a decade now. There are so many options! Take a deep breath and ask for some help. Just like everyone can’t bake, not everyone can create great blog designs. It’s one of those skills and passions that you either have or don’t. If you are up for the challenge of learning, high fives all around! But if you find it frustrating or you just don’t have the time, patience or energy, there are plenty of resources to help get you going.
Find a friend who is skilled in blog design and ask for their help. Offer a shout out in return, ad space, a batch of your famous cookies or your undying love – whatever it takes. There are design agencies and freelancers who specialize in creating amazing blogs. Hire one. You may be surprised to find out how affordable it can be.
One final thought: Many bloggers don’t like the idea of branding a blogger. But branding shouldn’t be seen as a negative thing. In fact, it can be one of the best ways to promote your blog. By keeping your identity and your style consistent in everything that you do, you are creating a brand. That brand is you. Consistency is the first way to get other bloggers to notice and recognize you. It’s the first way to get your voice heard. It’s one of the best ways to shout “Look at me! I’m unique and I’m worth reading!”
Please send me an email if you are interested in guest posting at Theta Mom® for TMC Network. Full details can be found on the Network page.
I have been thinking about this and branding lately. I’m almost paralyzed with fear that I’ll do the “wrong” thing but you’ve given some great advice here. Thank you, Allison!
Good luck! Start slow and give yourself time. Don’t rush if that puts you under too much pressure. Or if you need the pressure to get motivated, set a deadline! And ask for feedback, it’s always good to have a second (or third) set of eyes.
I need to do some tweeking. I have been nervous about making too many changes. The look of the blog is something that ties so much to my brand.
Perfectly said! There’s nothing wrong with tweaking and making this easier for your readers.
Hey Heather & Allison,
Great points here! I’m getting revved up for a blog makeover and I’ve been contemplating all these issues. I’m in desperate need of a new look and I’m exploring lots of options. I appreciate your help!
Amy
Good luck with the redesign Amy! It can be overwhelming when you first start, can’t it?
What a great post! I recently did a huge redesign on my blog and now its a space I really want to spend time “in”!
That’s awesome! I’m so glad that you found a place to call home.
Great post about what matters on your blog, but also what matters to you.
Being home, enjoying your son – congrats on that focus!
… and you design? Hmmm …
Always changing things up, can never make up my mind!
Love what you say about branding.
Now I’m so inspired to get organized and update my design!!
Wahoo! Glad I could help inspire you.
Great post, I am forever tweaking and never quite happy with the results, sort of like putting together an outfit for a really important event.
I have to say, I’m never officially done with my blog either. There are always tweaks and improvements to be made.
Great tips!
I’ve been thinking about redoing the design on my blog, but I’m not sure what I want to do yet! I recently changed theme’s so I should probably read more about what I can and can’t do with my theme!
My suggestion is to get out and find other blogs with designs that you like. Don’t copy, but use them for inspiration. Good luck!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with all of your points, but I have an addiction of sorts with changing my blog design. I just haven’t found one that feels right.
Great post! I wanted a new look for my blog and couldn’t afford some of the options out there (blogger or wordpress) so I googled how to do everything I wanted changed. I did my blog myself (many times LOL) and now I offer full blog designs to my readers for $60. I want it to be affordable and accessible. Especially to those who do not have much money or time to DIY.
Really-SUCH a great post!
That’s awesome Kristi! That’s how I did it too. I knew how to design, but the programming was tricky. Eventually with the help of Google I figured out to do exactly what I wanted to do.
Agree, agree, agree. . . with all of it, but especially the sidebar/clutter point!!! Not only is it distracting from your content and blog’s personality, but all of those extra widgets, badges, awards, etc., DO slow down your site’s load time. Not good for busy readers who may not patiently wait for your site to load.
Confession: I’m addicted to changing my blog look . . . it’s sad; it probably changes once a month. Sigh.
Good point about slowing down the site. I know I get impatient if it takes too long for a blog to load.
i completely agree.
it took me a long time to settle on a blog design, and i’m very happy with what i have now. the only changes i’ve made in the past year are adding a google friends app when they finally came out with one for wordpress, and a good reads widget.
Absolutely right what you are saying. But it also depends where you are located, what you can do yourself and what you want to spend on it (time and/or money). Your resources so to speek. You can always do some improvement, but what you end up with is not always what’s on your mind. Good post though.
Yep, I agree. That’s why it’s important to ask for help when your skill set or knowledge level can’t get you there.
100% agree here. Get ideas/inspiration from several places & don’t be afraid to make them work for yourself.
Great tips!!
Thanks.
Definitely agree with the need for a good design. My blog is on hiatus right now, because it’s mission had been accomplished. Along with design, purpose is another thing to be sure about, and change as needed. It’s also another thing to “shour out”.
I build more websites than blogs these days, but I’d love to design blogs for authentic moms
It has been difficult to balance (ha!) the things I need and want to have on my blog with what is visually appealing and will attract people instead of pushing them away. A constant challenge. Thanks for your tips here!
Bernice
4 ways to be like the energizer bunny
Good point. Sometimes you have to add things, then step back and assess. Is the really adding something valuable to my blog, or is it just clutter. Sometimes it’s hard to decide.
As a total do-it-yourself blogging newbie, I appreciate this post. Frankly, my blog design and layout haunts me regularly, so I like your tip of making minor tweaks here and there and not jumping into regular overhauls. Your blog is, of course, just lovely!
Awww, thank you Melanie!
Great post. I just finished a pricey redesign and think the $$ and time was well worth it. Our blog is our brand–and as a style writer, I’ve got to stay trendy and cool!
I’m so glad that you had a good experience redesigning your blog. It sounds like you got exactly what you were looking for.
Yes, Yes, Yes…I need a blog makeover! So, being to do-it-yourself-er I am, I tried.
Whomp, whomp, whomp.
Apparently I am using the free version of WordPress.com and I need to switch to WordPress.org. To do that I have to find a host (what’s that). I love writing and I am really starting to love my blog, but (as with all things) I need to be more patient and figure this whole “blogosphere” out.
Like Rome, blogs weren’t built in a day either. Thanks for the tips! I’ll be able to implement…eventually.
Yes, you are pretty limited as far as design, with WordPress.com. I believe that WordPress.ORG has some pages dedicated to helping you finding hosting and purchasing a domain name. It really is worth it to host your own site.
Feel free to email me with any questions. I’d love to help you out.
I am so with thoughtsfromher– started my blog on word press.com as a completely inexperienced blogger. I’ve been putting off switch to word press.org for 2 reasons: 1. Concerned I’ll spend all my time on tech stuff (like I did first month at wp.com and figured 2. I’d develop my content before going self published, while I’m getting my legs, enjoy the support of wp.com. Wp.org recently began offering service to switch over for $99. when I’m ready, sounds worth it!
@allthingsfadra was right— we’d get along great! I’ve done graphic design off and on for 10 years now and did my own blog design too. I agree with everything you said! When someone visits your site, you only have a few secs to capture their attention so blog design becomes critical!
Exactly! I think we are long lost friends.
Great advice! I have been slowly changing mine- I was actually planning on rebranding, but life gets in the way, huh? Anyway, I started with the general look & header and am slowly making tweaks elsewhere as I have time. That way I still have my blog and general feel, but I can add a little “frosting” as I get a chance! I think sometimes it’s harder to commit to a design idea than a blog post!
Thanks for the great advice!
So very true. It sounds like you are on the right track. There’s always time to make improvements as you go along.
Great advice! Loved reading this….I think blog “design” is one of the biggest areas people [myself included] struggle with. Not all of us can afford to hire a fantastic designer, and finding the right brand style and the right design to send the kind of message is hard.
I think you are right. That’s why I decided to learn how to do it myself. Plus, I’m super picky and didn’t want to bug anyone with my indecisiveness!
I’ve seen a number of bloggers around who offer banner/blog design services for really reasonable. It may be worth while looking into.
Good food for thought, Allison. I know what I want in a design but also know I don’t have the energy to do it all myself (I am a dyed-in-the-wool do-it-myselfer) because it would take time from all the other things I want to do. Finding and hiring a designer has been really challenging, though. I thought there would be lots of folks out there looking for work, but if that’s true, they aren’t easy to find. I need someone who understands branding and who is a professional, not a dabbler. Any suggestions for where to find designers? I blog on Typepad. I have considered moving to WordPress, and since I own my domain I would just build a new blog then redirect the domain to the new one.
All great things to keep in mind. I love her- she always inspires me to do things I have been putting off- like those donuts she has on there today
Hi! Great post. So . . . I’m WAY too nervous to self-host so I’m using a wordpress.com template that is FOR SURE generic. I hope I’ve made it a little more ME by having a custom header, photo of me near the top, and my own button in the sidebar. It may still be too generic though. Would love a second opinion! (An honest one!)
Sounds good I am looking for nice inexpensive way to redesign my blog. Does anyone have any ideas.
Such great points in this post and in the comments! Thanks for sharing your wisdom…I know I have to get rid of some of my clutter:)
Thanks for the great post! I am getting ready to buy my URL so I will be sure to take your advice when designing my page. By the way, I love yours, super cute but simple!
I am a total newbie to blog and web design. I’ve kept a personal blog for family for a long time now, but never cared about the design of that one since it wasn’t meant for public viewing. But now that I started my Blaggie Plaggie blog, I’ve realized that I just don’t know enough. You mentioned not using generic templates. Other than the templates available already through the blog site, what are other ways to find unique templates or designs? Do you have any good straightforward resources? Any suggestions would be so SO very appreciated!
It’s so true – personalizing your blog can help with developing your brand etc. Great advice!!
Great advice! I like redesigning my blog, it’s fun to try out different things and see what looks best. For me the hard part is the sidebar thing- there’s so many things I feel “should” be there, but I also don’t want it to get too cluttered and confusing. It’s important to find the balance, I’m working on mine right now
Great post and tips! I’ve been blogging for over four years and always use my go to blog design person to make all the changes I want for my blog. I’m so NOT tech savvy to make any changes myself!
I totally agree! My design right now is a standard theme and very poor! The hubs is giving me a makeover as we speak & I can’t wait! I don’t use a reader because I like to go to the actual pages because I like to see the design. Great tips!
Wonderful post, I’ve been thinking of making a change. Thanks for always posting exactly what I need to read Heather!
Thanks for the tips! I hope my blog design is pleasing to others. I absolutely love it, if I do say so myself!
Great tips! I felt I was losing the “me” on my blog lately and did seek help as you suggested. I am cleaning up the clutter and getting an overhaul. I am excited to reveal the new design that feels very “me” and makes me breath a sigh of relief.
I hope, and think, that a header can do a lot to add some personality to your blog, without breaking the bank. I certainly hope mine does!