The Benefits of Custom Blog Design
Apr 05
So why do you need a custom blog design?
Firstly, if you have no idea what a blog is, you need to go and read this. It’s a wikipedia article that explains the concept.
So blogs have been mainstream media for sometime now, and I myself have been blogging since 2004 on various platforms. Many people start out on one of the free services, of which there are many out there, e.g. Blogger, WordPress, Vox etc
Ultimately, blogging has joined the ranks of professions out there either as a full time pursuit, or as something which supplements, or complements an existing business or job position.
It has become commonplace, and even expected that professional blogs make use of their own domain name and WordPress (the open source publishing platform, not the free service) has become the go to content management system of choice. One of the reasons being, it is so easy to use, and has a myriad of personalisation options.
Now, while there are a multitude of free themes available for users of WordPress (installed on their own domains), and yes one can really whittle away hours and hours searching for the perfect one, according to ones mood, the absolute best solution for all those people who take their blogging seriously, is a custom designed theme, made for them from scratch.
So, why?
1. Branding
Branding is so much more than just a logo, and a set of colours that one sticks to. Branding encompasses the realm of the complete look and feel. Branding is defined by colours, and use of texture, and the feeling that it gives the user when they navigate its interface. When you see a website that you like, what does it feel like? Is it metal and modern? Cold and blue steel? Hot and shiny reds and lavas? How about warm rich velvets and plums? All of these elements bring about a sense of branding, and putting your own personal stamp on your blog is essential if you want to stand out from the rest.
2. Authority
If one takes the time and money to invest in a proper blog design, it shows readers that you are serious about what you do, intend to build a sense of community and intend sticking to your blog for the long haul. It is unlikely that someone invests in a custom blog design, and then simply allows the blog to languish without quality content keeping it alive and visited regularly.
3. Authenticity
When your blog looks good, you feel good engaging with it, both as the writer, and as the reader. As the writer it also makes you up your game in terms of sounding good and providing your readers with a solid experience, whether that be based solely on your writing, or in the way you choose to present your photographs, their borders, the gallery etc.
4. Functionality
A good blog design should allow for a greater functionality than just a mainstream template, and a good designer will incorporate the appearance of elements that they anticipate will become part of the blog (i.e. a sidebar widget/gallery/button etc), it’s a little like gazing into a crystal ball, but a quick look around the professional members of the blogosphere should help you out with deciding what to prepare for, in the incorporation of the latest widgets and functions.
5. Traffic
If your blog looks good, it stands a much better chance of being re-visited, and recommended/retweeted by readers. If your design is outstanding, it may even be featured on several sites that promote good design, drawing additional readers and commenters, and ultimately traffic to your site. In blog world traffic = money, either through the sale of your own services or products or through the additional revenue that advertisers will provide owing to increased readership.
I will be show casing a custom blog design that I recently did for an Athletic Club in Rochester, New York, USA tomorrow, so please feel free to stop by and comment on the design.
As for this blog itself, a brand new design is currently in development, but I’m really pleased to be able to say that it is taking me forever to get to my own designs, since I have great projects underway, for wonderful clients.
Updated to add:
Here is the finished blog over at Meet Me at Midtown. It is beautifully written by professional writer, and corporate blogger Kristi Gaylord, who is also a member of the club, who has three kids under the age of 4 and is training for her first half marathon!
If you are interested in having your own domain name, web hosting, blog or website for personal use or business, then please contact me for a quotation.
