#BlogTrends – Designing your blog like a pro – Nov 7

Creating a successful blog can be challenging for even the best writers if you are unsure of the technical side of blogging. One of the most fun parts of being a blogger is your ability to style your blog like you style your own outfits. Here is our latest #BlogTrends chat focused on blog design!

Q1 How did you decide on your current blog design? Does it represent you well? #BlogTrends

@Fashionalities: A1. Honestly my blog design is really basic. I would love to update, but just don’t have the cash to do what I’d like to do… #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: A1 I think my blog represents me ok, I like the simplicity but I am hoping to update my graphics soon #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A1 I kind of fell into through looking at other designs. I wanted something with black and yellow for black +blonde #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @blogtrendschat My design is a mix of what I CAN do with Thesis and what I can’t. If I had the ability, it would be way sexier! #blogtrends

@NYConmymind: A1 I try to keep my blog clutter free like my life. I would love to have a great title design but for now what I have will do. #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A1 I wanted something clean and fun. I also added my own font to keep it more personal and themed.#blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: @BlogTrendsChat I knew that I wanted something clean and simple so I researched and found the perfect layout for me. #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @gritandglamour Do you like Thesis? I’ve heard good things but never actually used it #blogtrends

@NYConmymind: I dont want mine to be times square or vegas like but I do wanna grab attention #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @digitalkaitlyn Thesis is great, with a lot of options, but there is still some complicated coding knowledge required. #blogtrends

@nouvelle: A1 I’m a sucker for clean/simple layouts. I stick w/ a black and white color scheme w/some red for easy reading#blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @nouvelle I like simple too, especially when I am trying to showcase photos and fashion #blogtrends

@nouvelle: @DigitalKaitlyn exactly – you want the images/text to stand out and not get lost in a shuffle of super busy graphics/design. #blogtrends

 Q2 How did you design your blog (yourself, graphic designer, etc)? If you did it yourself, how did you learn?#BlogTrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: A2 I have been designing blogs since I was about 12 using page builders like angelfire until I moved up to wordpress and beyond #blogtrends

@SocialiteColumn: @BlogTrendsChat web designer and I learned some myself #blogtrends

@nouvelle: @blackblondeone @DigitalKaitlyn Tumblr has lots of cool themes to play around with – it’s great when I have the itch to change. #blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: @BlogTrendsChat I did it all by myself! *pats self on back* I took a webdesign course that really helped!#blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: taking the course actually gave me the guts to finally start my blog #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: @BlogTrendsChat A2 I learned simply by the power of google. It was all try and learn. Practice makes perfect. Kind of. #blogtrends

NYConmymind: A2 I think you can tell that an amateur did it, its so basic #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @NYConmymind It still takes a certain amount of skill to even set up a blog and add widgets! #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: @BlogTrendsChat I used a basic template for my blog logo, but then did some photoshop work to make it mine.#blogtrends

@NYConmymind: What I would love is a cool header/ fonts/ widgets #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: A2. I’m self-taught, but I wish I had the funds to just pay someone to create a better design and deal with it.#blogtrends

@PR_Couture: I started out installing WP and coding a theme, since then I have worked with designers and dev. Most recently@QueenCityStudio #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: Bloggers are geeks. In fabulous frocks. You need to learn the techie stuff or hire someone to handle. #blogtrend

@gritandglamour: I have links to Blogger to http://t.co/qLdzuKjX to Thesis tutorials here: http://t.co/ThMwE0Kr #blogtrends

@halliekw: @BlogTrendsChat The @_ifb forum has been *hugely* helpful in teaching design/SEO/technie basics like WordPress v Blogger, etc. #BlogTrends

Q3 How often do you update the look of your blog and why? #BlogTrends

@NYConmymind: A3 could be 2-3 times a year. I know if I am getting bored with it so are my readers, plus I learn new things for blogging. #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @blogtrendschat I wish I could refresh at least twice a year. But that doesn’t happen. #blogtrends

@PR_Couture: Q3 I seem to end up doing either a refresh or a new theme about once a year #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: A3 I change my design up when I fee compelled. Sometimes when I just can’t find a fix for a theme I will change it up #blogtrends

@nouvelle: A3 I fiddle with the layout every so often, but I try to keep a constant design. For me, it’s like branding. #blogtrends

@Fashionalities: #BlogTrends A3.my changes are layout and ads whenever I feel like something needs to be cut, or rearranged.

@blackblondeone: @Fashionalities I’m a HUGE believer in rearranging! Instant face lift! #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: I do think you have to be careful not to change too much, too often. Your blog is your brand…it needs to be identifiable. #blogtrends

@ShopHappens: @gritandglamour Agree 100%! I don’t think change is always an improvement. #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A3 Mine is more sporadic changes, like a new page addition. I have yet to change the entire look of it yet.#blogtrends

@ShopHappens: @BlogTrendsChat A3: I’ve only updated twice in my first year. I don’t think I’ll make any major design changes anytime soon #blogtrends

@BlogTrendsChat: @PR_Couture @gritandglamour when you say refresh what changes do you typically make? #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @blogtrendschat Header image change, maybe changes to the sidebars, perhaps social sharing icon changes.#blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: I just feel like there is always a way I can improve on something #blogtrends

 

 

@DigitalKaitlyn: @OhCHICFancyHuh me too! I get bored quickly, but I need to be careful not to spent more time on design than I do on content! #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: I’ve seen a blogs change literally every few weeks. That kills your identity/brand. People can’t associate anything with you. #blogtrends

@PR_Couture: A3 I probably attempt to change my tumblr monthly, because I find it a bit clunky pulling in an RSS feed from PR C#blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @gritandglamour I agree, it’s important to establish specific fonts or a logo that is unchanging even if your theme does #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: Contemplate: @Gucci. @Nike. @Apple. What do you see in your mind? Those are solid brand logos. That’s what you should create. #blogtrends

@Fashionalities: #BlogTrends I also use to do marketing at @saks and liked how they changed their logo through the years…we still always knew who S5A was.

@gritandglamour: When I mention logos, I don’t mean that literally…you want to create a unique identity for your blog. So not too many changes. #blogtrends

Q4 What’s your best advice for keeping your blog new and fresh (look wise)? #BlogTrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: A4 You can change simple things like @gritandglamour and @PR_Couture had mentioned, social share icons,sidebar arrangement,etc.. #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: @BlogTrendsChat A4 Keep up with the technology! Know what’s out there and what your readers will want!#blogtrends

@NYConmymind: A2 keep it clean and decluttered and the font big enough to read . The blog with nice lines like a grid #blogtrends

@nouvelle: Q4 easy navigation, purge dead/irrelevant links, easy-to-fnd contact, bright and vivid graphics or images #blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: @BlogTrendsChat don’t overload with ads and such that make ur blog hard to read or hard to load#blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A4 Your blog should be clean and engaging, always. #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: A4 I agree @blackblondeone, know what is new and be creative with the new technology & widgets but please edit yourself! #blogtrends

@Dawnavette: @Fashionalities Yes! Love @manrepeller site/ Tumblr!! Get lost looking at the content. #blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: My biggest pet peeve with blogs is when I click on it and it takes forever to load because of the random macys pop up! #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: @DigitalKaitlyn Oh yes! And it should be relevant for your blog, not every new widget is for you. #blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: The first couple of seconds is sometimes all you have to keep a reader interested #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: it’s important to be conscious of mobile devices too, the simpler your look the easier it will load on an iphone#blogtrends

@NYConmymind: No automatic music!!!!!!! #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: Remember, people are coming for your content, not ads, so be selective! Your content is the most compelling aspect of your blog. #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @gritandglamour I agree! Your ads should feel like they are part of the content, things readers want to know about#blogtrends

@BlogTrendsChat: The general consensus when it comes to automatically streaming music on your blog is DON’T! #blogtrends

 @ShopHappens: @rxqnaesthetics @OhCHICFancyHuh @BlogTrendsChat How many ads is okay? I don’t mind a lot of organized, non-obnox ads #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: @ShopHappens I feel like it’s personal and based on your blog. I don’t mind as long as they’re out of the way.#blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @shophappens There is no rule. I have one ad. I suppose it depends on whether your blog is your living or just extra cash/fun. #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @ShopHappens I would say as long as your ads are appealing, well organized, and relevant then you are probably doing well #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: Ad advice: run only relevant ads, corral to one general area, insist on hi-res imagery, have a solid contract for payment. #blogtrends

Q5 What are the best tools for those that want to learn better design? #BlogTrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: A5 I would say don’t be afraid to try something new, then when your at a point of uncertainty turn to youtube or a design forum #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A5 Other bloggers! Ask a few that you admire how they designed their blog. It helped me when I started.#blogtrends

@OhCHICFancyHuh: @BlogTrendsChat Research, research, RESEARCH #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: I am designing websites a good part of my week and I google everything or use forums to find answers#blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @blogtrendschat Study Web usability…it informs design. Great blog design follows Web usability best practices.#blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A5 Watch tutorials, read books on basic html and graphic design, just be proactive in general if you can’t afford a designer. #blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: @gritandglamour Totally agree with that, you can’t properly envision a design if you don’t understand the processes it takes #blogtrends

@blackblondeone: A5 I will keep preaching it: Google. You can find anything, seriously. #blogtrends

@ShopHappens: @BlogTrendsChat A5: Webinars/tutorials have helped me… and reading other blogs (not RSS) – you’ll get a feel for what you like #blogtrends

@nouvelle: A5 Problogger, other bloggers/writers you admire, keep up with html & design changes that are relevant to you.#blogtrends

@gritandglamour: When all else fails, Google. It’s all you need to survive in any situation (including learning great blog design)!#blogtrends

@DigitalKaitlyn: If you don’t try something new you can’t reach a point where you don’t understand which has to happen to ask the right questions #blogtrends

@gritandglamour: @blackblondeone Many are fixated on the visual. If your blog isn’t usable (or blasts music) it doesn’t matter how pretty it is. #blogtrends