As bloggers we’re always looking for ways to better our blog. I tweak my own blog design on a nearly weekly basis to improve it, make it more appealing. As I read through many blogs, I notice on going trends that could make them more appealing, easier to navigate, and appear cleaner and more professional overall. These 5 tips are definitely not an end all, be all, but simply a few observations and tips I’ve come across to make my blog better.
So here goes:
- Have a set of social media icons/links. Have them visible and near the top and/or at the bottom of each post. This makes it easier for readers to follow you and share your content.
- Have clear and crisp pictures or graphics. Now I know we’re not all professional or even intermediate photographers, but for the most part many of us are able to take a relatively sharp picture. When it comes to graphics, make sure they’re saved in a format that is high quality. This is usually PNG or JPEG format.
- Utilize Pages. Don’t have your sidebars filled up with a ton of things. Decide what’s most important, i.e. sponsors ads, button swaps, etc. Put the rest on another page. It cleans up your site and makes it look less cluttered and more professional.
- Have a subscribe box. Allow readers to sign up for updates and newsletters from your site and receive them via email. This means they’re getting your content delivered directly to their inbox and they will be more likely to click it and visit your site.
- Make sure you have an About Me page that reflects you and your site. It allows people to get to know the real person behind the blog a little. Readers will feel more connected to you and be apt to want to know more about you. This means they will probably spend more time on your site and subscribe too.
I’ll be featuring more blog tips in the future, as I come across and observe them myself. I want us all to have the best blogs possible, so I’m sharing what I know in hopes that it will be helpful to you!
Happy Blogging!
xxoo,
I implemented a lot of this stuff, but only pretty recently. I guess I had a lot to learn! And I’m sure I still do. I wish I hadn’t blogged alone for so many years. The community is key.
Tamara recently posted…Wherever I May Roam.
Your are so right! The key is community. I’ve recently implemented a few of the tips myself and others over time. I still have a lot to learn myself, as that’s the nature of being a blogger. I don’t think we’re ever done tweaking and improving!
These are definitely some great tips, Tenns. I’ve definitely started to consider these very things on my site recently! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us! xo
Brittnei recently posted…Easy Apple Raisin Oatmeal Recipe
Thanks so much lady! I’m so happy I can offer a have a bit of insight and expertise to share.
I just got around to adding my About me page today! It’s one of those things where I’m never sure what to write but it’s so important for readers to understand the person behind the blog!
Clare recently posted…How to save money on essential twin baby gear… Get crafty!
I slept on my About Page until just a few months ago. I never really thought much doing an About Page until I found myself looking at other bloggers’ pages. I had a lightbulb moment and figured that people probably wanted to know a bit more about me than what they just see in my posts. A good About Page is imperative for sure!
Great Tips!
Tiffany recently posted…Thank You All ! ! !
Thanks so much hun!
Great tips! I just got around to using some pages, and I think they’ve improved the look of my blog
Angela @Little Apple Tree recently posted…Taking stock
Thanks so much! Pages can make a world of a difference. I’m a big fan of maximizing the use of mines. However, sometimes I struggle because I want “everything” on the homepage, lol!
These are some great tips! thanks for sharing.
Alisha recently posted…5 must have items for new mom
Thanks so much!
Great ideas–I could probably edit my About Page better
Thanks so much! I slept on updating mines for the longest. After visiting many other blogs, I realized how crucial it really was to set the tone for my blog overall.
Great tips. I want to add more to my about me page and also add some additional pages to my blog.
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Thanks so much Sonya! I think Pages are awesome. They’re another way to make you blog even more dynamic.
Thanks so much for joining us for this month’s Share the Love blog hop at http://www.serenityyou.com/2014/01/share-love-january.html
Sign up to receive an email reminder of when the next hop goes live at the above link
Natasha @ Serenity You
Absolutely! Always happy to link up and share!
Great tips!
I’ve also been tweaking the look of my page, but have been having some trouble with changing my font on my posts. But I’ll figure it out!
Thanks — #SITSTeam
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Thanks so much!
Most likely its the default font in your theme. You can most likely overwrite it with the Google Fonts plugin if you’re on WP self-hosted. Its a super easy plugin with a lot of nice fonts.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing via Family Fun Friday.
Stephanie Kay recently posted…Math and Science Fun :: Family Fun Friday
Thanks so much!
Always happy to sharing!
Great tips! I need to fix up my About page!!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…The Mother of All Meltdowns Brought Us Together #AskAwayFriday
Thanks so much Michelle! I think you have a great About Page! I really gives the reader a good picture of who you are and you have lovely photos on it.
Great tips! Happy SITS Day!
NIcki Lewis recently posted…Product Review: Mia 2
Thanks so much!
I love this. I had a big layout and had pages on it but was tired of it and deleted the whole thing to go back to simple. The pages need to be added back, thanks I had forgot about them.
Found your site from http://www.alittleleighway.com/ bloghop
Thanks so much! Simple is sometimes the best way to go. I like a clean layout, whether big or small, it just makes navigation so much easier. Pages really help to keep the look clean and encourage visitors to spend more time on your site.
All of these are great tips! Thanks so much for sharing, and I love your blog, it’s adorable.
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Thanks so much!
Great tips for bloggers! I pinned it! Thanks for stopping by Friday with friends! Hugs! Linda
Linda Loosli recently posted…Best Valentines Day Red Velvet Cake
Thanks so much! As always, happy to share!
Thanks for the tips!! One of these days I need to take time to clean up my blog (tip # #)
Thanks so much for sharing.…
Have a happy weekend; hugs x, Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
You’re very welcome! Blogs are always works in progress. The cleanup is never-ending.
Great tips! I love to use picmonkey.com to improve my photos. Do you use that site too? Or do you have any suggestions for other great photo editing/sharing sites?
Holly recently posted…5 Fun Ways to Tell Your Gamer Husband/Wife/Partner He or She Has Been Playing for Far Too Long
Love these tips. I really need an about me page and an email subscription!
Mamapotamus recently posted…The Frumpy Hipster
Thanks so much! They really make a difference! You’d be so surprised.
This is good advice,I agree a blog should be simple side bar and interesting posts! Im so so happy you posted this its very useful! Thanks for coming to my party again and will check out your next party as well
Maria (Host)
Simple Nature Decor recently posted…Fabulous Friday Link Party & Adorable DIY
After much procrastinating, I finally did #5. I always look for that first when I visit a new blog. For some reason, I find the About Me page so challenging to write! Visiting from SITS. Have a great weekend!
Valerie @ Momma in Progress recently posted…Weeks Three and Four: Things Are Getting Blurry
Great post with SUCH helpful information! Could not agree with everything you said more…especially the social media links!! So huge. Stopped by the SITS Sharefest!-Ashley
I agree with these tips!! I think the only one I didn’t include so far is the Email Subscription, I did before but removed it. I had to find a way to make it look better on my site. Hehe. But I am totally for the uncluttered sidebar and webpage!
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Great tips Tenns! I’m right there with you on the social media. I like to easily find how I can follow my favorite bloggers. I’m really drawn to blogs with great photos and that is something I am working on. It’ll take some time, but I’m getting there. About pages are really important. This is one of the first places I go to when I meet a new blogger. It’s probably also important to remember to update this page often. Kids get older and so do I………no reason to live in the past.
Christina @ Juggling Real Food and Real Life recently posted…The Real Food Experience ~ Use Natural Sweeteners – Juggling Real Food and Real Life
Thanks so much! I’m really big on photos too and its the one thing I’ve been working on too. I always try to include a graphic or photo in all my posts. Its a small start, but its a start!
I had adding social media buttons to my posts on my “to do” list. When I read this post last week it was just the motivation I needed to get it done! Great tips!
Julie @ Don’t Lick Your Sister recently posted…Gingham & Roses Link Up & Social Medial Hop {4}
Thanks so much! Yes! They are essential for sure. Its one of the first things I look for when I visit someone’s blog.
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Thanks for the tips! I recently ran into a question about a hover it pin button to make it easier for visitors to pin, unfortunately I run a fully hosted wordpress blog making it impossible for me to have this widget installed. What are your thoughts on maintaining my wordpress blog or switching to a new platform ?
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