Blogs that are easier on the eyes will most likely be better to read
Blogging can be a great way to pass time, learn new things, entertain yourself or all of the above. Chances are… blogs that are easier on the eyes will most likely be better to read than ones full of ads or use annoying colours. So in order to achieve that “Well-Developed” or “Custom” look, many people will get a free template that appeals to their interest. Although, the only thing that now separates you and 1000′s of other template users is your content.
Which is why you should always try to customize your template to the maximum extent possible. Not only does it impress readers about your technical websites skills, it also shows that you care about how your blog looks.
For instance, today I added a “Whats Your Say” in the comment box below which looks quite appealing to me.
Here is a list of things that you can do to seperate your template from others:
- Add a Feedburner Feedcount Widget.
- Add background images to comment boxes, subscription options.
- Add a list or blog roll.
- CHANGE your footer to something that reflects you…Remove: “Copyright 2008. Powered By WordPress” (A rotating quote for instance?)
- Customized backgrounds or images for posts and titles.
- Changing the colour scheme of the template.
- Try to find an uncommon theme to use so there is not as much competition
So hopefully after reading this you are able to stand out and be different from the rest of the people using a selected free template. What strategies do you use to make your blog template stand out from the rest?
Related posts:
- Spruce Up Your Blog’s Bookmark with A Personal Icon
- Part One: A List Of 20 Unique WordPress Blog Templates To Excel Your Blog From Others
- Bradblogging Custom Theme – Anyone Interested?
- How To Create Your Own Blogger Template Theme *Updated*
4 Comments
Those are cool ideas but unfortunately not all work with the Free WordPress host account
Your right wendy and thats what I forgot to mention.
While wordpress is a great CMS system to use, While being hosted on wordpress.com, it is a NIGHTMARE!! I would have to recommend blogger for ultimate customization. This is because they do not limit you on what you can do and give no restrictions for ads, javascript, etc.
Hmmm… while all visible ideas are taken, I choose to make my theme unique in the eyes of search bots. I add nofollow to links that are not contributing to your rank. Read about it here: http://www.homebiz.bukiki.com/avoid-blog-pagerank-leak-manage-tips/
Hi,
I found your site whilst looking for answers on designing my own blogger theme.
I saw your post on ultimate customization with CSSs and all, but I was wondering if there isn’t a more simple way to implement just my own background designs.
I know some basic html from highschool Web Mastering, but I don’t really know CSS stuff, and I’m not wanting to completely create my own organizational template. I’m creating my first blog on my own and don’t mind using an existing template provided by blogger (or whoever), for the way things work and keep things organized. I’m a Digital Cinema & Graphic Design student, and I just want to create my own visuals for the blog. Like the background/sidebars & heading design. I’m good with photoshop and other abobe creative programs, but I figure there are some beginning specs I need to know, like what page/window measurements to start designing with.
If I create the art for my blog, is it difficult to implement in an existing template? I feel like this really shouldn’t be too difficult to accomplish I just can’t find any information on how to do it.
Any helpful info or details would be much appreciated. Thanks so much and Happy Weekend!
-Krystal
StarGaiz@gmail.com