I really enjoy creating websites and it is a hobby of mine. So much infact, that I have created a “Web Design” firm over at www.freshneverfrozendesign.com to show a tidbit of what I can create. Have a look if your interested.

Alright time to get to the point, which is asking the readers of the blog if they would be interested in a “free” custom wordpress theme that I would design and release. It would be simple enough to not distract your readers from your content, but elegant enough for them to notice the aspects of the template. I have a couple of good ideas, but it is always great to have more.

If you like the idea and are curious as to what the template would look like, comment below and throw in what makes a well-designed blog template. It’s just another thought that I had to benefit the readers of Bradblogging.com

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Although I still say that blogs should have their own special design created for them, sometimes that simply isn’t an option for most people that start blogs have the following issues:

• They don’t see a long-term commitment to writing blog posts
• Their budget isn’t enough for a designer to create a template
• Are unsure if “Blogging” consistently (With Quality) is what they like to do.

So if you are tired of Wordpress’s default “Kubrick” theme or simply would like to spice up your blog with a new look, I have compiled a list of 100 designs that surely stand out from the others.

Blog Theme That BradBlogging.com Used Before The Custom Design:

A very professional looking template that focuses the reader’s attention on the content.

Wordpress Blog Template Location: Available Here

5 Designs That Excel Your Blog From The Others:

A slick blue and grey design that has a unique look to it.

Wordpress Blog Template Location: Available Here

This Vertigo Blue template is very simple with a interesting colour scheme.

Wordpress Blog Template Location: Available Here

A Newer Wordpress Template that uses a Dark Blue theme to showcase the content. It also blends the sidebar in with the other shades, so it attracts the visitors eye to the post first.

Wordpress Blog Template Location: Available Here

A dark green Wordpress Blog Template that is easy on the eyes. This blog template includes the date of the post as well as a black background for the post title.

Wordpress Blog Template Location: Available Here

Dark Blue Wordpress Template. Simple and to the point.

Wordpress Blog Template Location: Available Here

Subscribe Now For Part Two - Part Four! You will not regret seeing some new Wordpress templates that you can use for your unique blog.

Ever wonder how each website gets their title in the top left of your browser? For example, I set mine to: “Brad Blogging - Daily Blog Tips For The Masses” as thats what I believe this blog helps its readers achieve. I often give tips that you can’t find anywhere else.

Anyhow, enough about me and lets get to the part where you change your title to whatever you would like to say about your blog. If you would kindly log into your wordpress administration area and select “Presentation” (Wordpress 2.3.3 and Under - You Should Really Update Your CMS) or “Design” (Wordpress 2.5).

Then select your theme and locate your “Header.php” file so we can make the changes to your blog.

Simply now look for the <title> </title> tags in your header file and change the words to whatever you like. Alternatively, you could download the “All In One SEO” plugin and change it through that, but this method is faster than installing a plugin. (Although, It could help you be better friends with Google and I do recommend that you download and install it.)

Congratulations, you’ve just changed your title. Don’t forget to include keywords that your blog focuses on for SEO rankings!!

[tags] All in one Seo Plugin, Blog, Change Title, Google, SEO rankings, Title, Title Browser, Wordpress, Wordpress 2.3.3, Wordpress 2.5 [/tags]

No. We really don’t have the same tastes of music. Although mine flexes to just about anything, That doesn’t mean I want to hear it when I am visiting your website or blog. Thats what Winamp, Finetune and Itunes are for.. To listen to music while you are at your computer.

An alternative to having music that auto-starts when you load your webpage is to include a button to start the music like I have above, so that the user has an option to listen to the music while they browse. However, Its completely in their control whether they do or not. It’s definately much better than an invisible link that you cannot turn off.

This bring me up to a completely new and relevant type of advertising that is slowly taking the internet by force.. Anyone heard of Net Audio Ads? Find more about them and the major annoyance they cause tomorrow.

When somebody links to your post on any website, usually being a blog… The Wordpress software will explore that post and provide a little excerpt and store it inside of a comment. What I am questioning is the usefulness of them. I mean sure, they are showing your readers that “#” of people are linking to your content (Not to mention the update in your “Blog Links”  inside of your Wordpress administration area).

There are some pros and cons to allowing trackbacks to frolic in your comment area, and we will explore both today.

Pros:

• Shows Your Content Is Worthy Of Others Linking To You
• Increases Reader Confidence and R.S.S Subscriptions (Remember - The More You Have, The Higher The Chance Of New Subscriptions.)

Cons:

• Some May Be Spam Links, Just Including Your Link For “Filler Content” So They Can Make Money
• Could Decrease Visitor-to-Visitor Comment Conversations
• Makes the Visitor Scroll over more Comments To Leave Their Own Opinion

Ultimately, I will still include them on my blog, because new visitors will see that you have some stuff worth linking to, which might be a reason to return. Perhaps popular blogs that have 100 Trackbacks/post will get rid of them (Such as Problogger, Techcrunch, Etc).

What about you? Do You Enjoy Letting Your Visitors See Who Links To You?

Your sidebar can make or break your blog. If you infest it with useless widgets, random buttons, and links to blog directories.. Whats separating you from a person that doesn’t care how their blog looks? Do you really care about how your sidebar looks?

Most templates now a days, have half of the screen to fill up with their content, with the other 40-50% going to the sidebar. So, If it is taking up that much of a visitors screen and it is filled up with useless information, your limiting your blog to half of your space - The content. If your content sucks, then you can kiss the visitor goodbye. However, If your content is good, but your sidebar is full, it distracts the reader that is coming back to read more. Here is an example of a cluttered sidebar.

The reason behind this is that your R.S.S buttons and top posts will probably near the top or otherwise known as,”Above the fold” (A crucial part of the blog that instantly needs to make an impression on a visitor that loads the blog.. This part is known as Above The Fold because it is the part of the blog that the user doesn’t need to scroll down to see) as then most likely the person will interact with the buttons.

If you fill that up with advertising or annoying little widgets, what does a viewer base their opinion of your site on. How important is the look of your sidebar to you?? Do you regularly clean it up? Or do you fill it up with as much as you can find…

Hello everyone!

As you can obviously see, I’ve finished my custom design for the blog and I think the outcome really reflects the content here on this blog…”Simple, Easy to Read, Content.”

We are currently working out all the “Misc” bugs so please bear with us as we complete that as soon as possible. The main purpose of this post is to actually find out what you think about this re-design. Do you have suggestions or criticisms? We would love to hear it if it means an easier reading experience for you. After all, a blog that is hard to read… Sucks.

Get ready for some interesting posts tomorrow as  there will be some articles you will not want to miss!