// The #1 Simple Secret to Make Your Blog Look Good
// Mar 12th, 2008 & filed under Design
Don’t you just love those simple tips, which help make your job so much easier?
This tip is so easy it’s silly, but I see ‘professional’ outfits who obviously don’t know it. Or at least they don’t practice it.
Quit trying to make your blog look good, and just make sure it doesn’t look garbage!
By trying to make your site look good by adding this image, and that widget, you’re often progressing away from your desire to make it better. Granted, images can greatly enhance the look of a site. However, the reality is that they can ruin the look easier than make it better.
If you can just make your site clean, open, and well aligned, you’ll be well on your way to having a purposeful, and functional design.
I can’t tell!
If you’re really stuck, and you’re desperate to get a few pointers to help the look of your design, just leave a comment. As much as I’d love to create something totally unique for you, I’m also more than happy to help you make the most of what you have.
Remember, your site is simply a vessel to channel information. It’s not a scrapbook!
Well said, Armen.
Time and time again I see websites that are so cluttered I don’t know where to begin. It’s a sure-fire way to have me pointing for that little x in the corner.
David - Yip. Many decent designs, and even free themes, are ruined by adding this and that. Agh!
Just trying to do my part to help.
Yeah I am not a fan of those blogs with heaps of ads and flashing banners and widgets that show you who has been there. Just clutters it up. You have a very clean and functional website here
Jacob - Hey man, good to see you around here.
I’m not entirely finished developing this site, but I just had to get it up and start writing, and then make it a work in progress.
Don’t talk to me about MyBlogLog widgets, and ‘award’ images. Ahhhh…what an eyesore!
I love what you’re doing, Jacob. Keep up the good work.
I just came across your site today via your name on the logo love design awards. I suppose that is the way to go, it was the same for me as well, I just tweaked it as I went along. Just 4 months ago I didn’t know one thing about blogging… I thought it was just like a personal diary type thing. Now I’m addicted haha
Thanks, and yes I will
Jacob - Yeah, it’s weird how we get into it (blogging). For me, it was about keeping in touch with family and friends, while we’re over here in Australia. It didn’t stay that way for long though, as I began to realise the power of the medium.
You’re a Sydney guy, right?
Armen, yeah Sydney, I live both in Newcasttle and in Sydney. What about you? I couldn’t find an ‘about’ page you should really think about adding one as it’s what people look for straight away.
Jacob - Yeah, I know. I was going to keep a little more ‘anonymity’ here for a while, but I suppose that’s no good to anyone.
I’m from Northern Ireland, but I’ve been living in South Australia for the past 15 months. I was up in Sydney in January though.
I love simple design. Thus, I hate websites that have a LOT of ads in it. I would simply close it
fair enough.. lol~
The one word that sums up a good design for me is ‘clean’. I like modern, simple design, that makes it easy to work out where everything is. Everything also doesn’t mean ‘everything possible’, but ‘everything necessary’ for the blog (or site) to function in it’s primary purpose of imparting information. The question to ask when looking at adding anything to a site is: Does it NEED this?
I looked at quite a few themes for WP when I first installed the blog, but spent hours looking and didn’t find exactly what I wanted. These included free and paid themes, and while the paid were in some cases better I didn’t find them head and shoulders above the free themes. Every so often now I go in and flick through the themes I have installed, but usually end up more frustrated than when I started.
I wish I had the time to learn exactly how WP works and come up with my own theme design, but life doesn’t lend itself to this at the moment.
Rafie - Thanks for the comment. I don’t have any problem with ads, as long as they’re tastefully positioned.
I read your latest post on your blog. Highly interesting reading. I’ve never come across that teaching before, and never realised such a thing was commanded. Not that it would effect me anyway.
Karl - That’s exactly right my friend. Does this serve a positive purpose?
I don’t know if it’ll be what you’re looking for, but I’ll be releasing a free theme soon enough. However, if you want to put your own design together, we might be able to help you out. Contact us if you’re interested.
Sometimes ads do help to keep your blog/web looks great. (I’ve seen few before)
About the teaching: It’s only small part of it. If you try to look at full picture, you’ll see this is they way of living. There’s a book written by Karen Amstrong titled “Islam - A short History by Karen Amstrong”. It’s a good book and it shows a point of view from Non-Muslims towards Muslim (one who practice Islam). Cheers for visiting my web blog.
Rafie - I’ll keep the book in mind. I could do with knowing a little more about those who practice Islam.
Whats that old saying???
KISS “Keep it Simple Stupid!!”
Do not get me wrong some designs need to be busy, to hide the ugliness…
I like your blog design and i get some nice ideas for my own blog
Ralph
Well, I guess I’d appreciate it if you could take a minute to tell me how much/ what should be changed on my blog to make it more appealing.
I’ve just started it, and there’s not a lot of content/ visitors as yet, but when people do show up, I’d like them to feel like coming back
Thanks a bunch for the offer!
Tony - In brief my friend, choose another theme. That Coconut theme (or whatever it is) is a visual catastrophe.
Well, maybe I exaggerate a little, but there are a host of themes out there which would display your content in a more pleasant manner. For example, the Excel theme I’ve just released, will give you the option of using an image in the header, and will structure your content better.
If you need me to elaborate on why that theme is no good, let me know. I’ll detail why if required.
Okay Armen,
I’ll look around for another theme, but I would appreciate it if you could explain why the one I’m using is terrible, I’m kinda new to all this…
Tony - The background is the worst thing about it. Looks like it comes from the 90’s (not a good thing).
The header image could do with a bit of work. Maybe have one large photograph, and then if you want the map, make it about an eighth of the size of the photo, and inset it in the bottom right corner, just a little bit away from the edge.
In most cases, a light background is a much safer bet than dark.
Maybe check out Chris Pearson’s Neoclassical theme?