For you today, I also have a list of things I came up with to consider when redesigning your blog (if perchance you ever find yourself in the same situation)...
1) Relevance...Over the last few days, I have been scanning the templates and trying to find images I could use. I found many pretty pictures and designs that I loved, but were they relevant to the theme of my blog? NO! Does that mean that the only kinds of images I can use are books and pens? NO. It just means that my template should not distract or mislead followers about the content of my blog. It should work with the content.
2) Clutter...I find this to be an epidemic in the blogging world. So many blogs suffer from clutter, bordering on HOARDING! I do not feel like we should be afraid to clean house every now and then or design our blog in a way (either by adding pages or just by removing some gadgets or buttons) that our home page can be clear of gobblygook that new followers will not understand. Also, the less clutter, the faster your blog will load.
3) Text Font...Text Font is vitally important because that's what your followers have to stare at all the time! I find that San Serif is better than Serif (For those of you who think I just started speaking a different language, that means that type that has straight, clean lines with no small features or end strokes (such as Arial), are better than fancy fonts or fonts that have end strokes (such as Times New Roman). Also, as the number one rule of graphic design states "Only use headline fonts for headlines and text font for text!"
4) Personalize Your Design...A great way to have a successful blog it to have one that looks unique and unlike any of your friends'. This doesn't mean you can't use the templates that Blogger.com or whatever other host website you are in provides. It just means that you should be tweaking it, change the color, the text, the background image, etc.
That's about it. If I think of anything else in my process, I will let you guys know! :)
PS. Don't forget to vote on the most recent poll at the bottom of the page. This poll will end while I am shut down, but when I return, I will be revealing the results, and if I have all your votes, the results will be all the better.
PPS. REMEMBER: I will be shut down MONDAY through FRIDAY! There will be NO POSTS during that time, just a whole lot of CHAOS! I will be changing the blog around all the time, so you can come and check things out, but it will be crazy, crazy, CRAZY!
PPPS. PLEASE return on SATURDAY! (not tomorrow's Saturday, but the Saturday after that) when I start posting again and you can see the complete blog design! (You can come by on tomorrow's Saturday though because I will be posting as usual.)
PPPPS. See you guys tomorrow and Sunday and then it is Adios! for 5 days.
PPPPPS. Is that clear? Are you tired of the post scripts yet?
I can't wait to see the new blog, Aubrie! I'll be waiting in anticipation until your blog comes back in all of its new glory. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so helpful. I have to start thinking about redesigning my blog too. Thanks and looking forward to see your blog again soon.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the new design! Following from Folloe Me Friday.
ReplyDelete~Melissa
http://www.mnmrheinlander.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/MSRheinlander
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keeping-Up-With-The-Rheinlanders/142498255802871
Maybe you didn't win because they felt that your blog is perfect as-is? Regardless, I look forward to the new results.
ReplyDeletePPPPPPS: How was your creative writing class?
Natalie...Thank you. Now that I know I have to do it myself, I actually can't wait. I was thinking of color schemes and images I could use all morning!
ReplyDeleteSuertemom...I'm happy that it was helpful. Let me know if you decide to do a redesin. I'd love to see it.
The Rheinlanders...Thank you and WELCOME! Also, thanks for following! I look forward to seeing you around.
Matt...It is time for change. And I haven't started my creative writing class yet. It starts until Monday.
The only main concern I will have issize of text and color scheme.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you didn't win the design contest, but you are being such a good sport about it, Aubrie... And please, call me Missy. (=
Friends don't call friends by their "stage name". ♥
Oh, sorry. You totally told me that before.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in all that mess next week. Can't wait to see the new look!
ReplyDeleteAubrieAnne, I have a better solution! Go to my blog and at the end of the page you will see 'Cute and Cool Blog stuff'. Got there and you will instantly have the most fabulous blog ever!
ReplyDelete-p.s. Don't worry about that blog makeover. 'Cute and Blog Stuff' will blow you away!
ReplyDeleteRelevance and personalization are my two qualities when I look for blog designs (free ones for now). Text fonts are good too.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait too see the reveal. I am from Fridays' Blog Hop. I am a new follower and hope you can follow bac. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI wish you luck with your new design. I agree with you about blogs that are a bit "cluttered." Take care!!!
ReplyDeleteClay
http://tantrumstroublesandtreasures.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-do-i-know.html
Great tips! All the best for your new design, can't wait to see it ♥
ReplyDeleteHey Aubrie - good luck with the redesign. Just wanted ask if you got the email link I sent you regarding how to make a button with text? I figured you must have as you haven't metioned it again, but your button on your side bar doesn't have text still, for peeps to pick up? I can send it again if you like. Let me know - sure you'll need it for your new blog. I'm gonna miss this one though. Its just so sophisticated. I'm having mine redesigned for me (I tried so many thing s to begin with I don't want to go there again!) Black is delicious but annoyingly impracticle for blogging with. And I'm no fan of pastels - well, not many. Anyway - See you next week for the big reveal. :) Shah. X
ReplyDeleteMissy...Hehe! I love your real name. :) Thank you an the first two things on my list are a change in the font and the size! I promise it will be bigger and easier to read.
ReplyDeleteMatt...No problem. I am sure that by next week I will have a whole post on just the creative writing class. I am sooooo looking forward to it.
Michelle...Thank you. I don't mind getting my hands dirsty and the fact that I am giving myself the five days off will be a lot of help. Just enough time for me to deal with it and make it AWESOME! I already have some great ideas that I hope will pan out.
dtwilight...Thank you for the tip! I could use all the tips and link and help I can get! That sounds like a great site and I'm going to make it my first stop on Monday!
Sarah...Definately sticking to the free for now as well. Just like you said, I want it to be personal. :)
Discovering Montessori...Thank you for following and WELCOME! I look forward to the big reveal too. Hopefully, it will be grand!
Clay...Thank you. I always appreciate some luck! Yes, decluttered is the main look I am going for, perfect ease (although inside I will know that it took a lot of screaming and keyboard pounding to make it so. lol.)
thefancyflea...You're very welcome and thank you!
Shah...Thank you, my dear. And, yes, I did get the email. I'm just waiting for the redesign to use it. :) I figured if I did it before, I would just end up having to move it or mess with it later so I figured I would do it all at the same time. I really appreciate the email and it seems easy to so. Thank you so so so very much! Good luck with your own redesign. I'm glad that you found someone to do it for you. I bet it will look fabulous and as long as you love it! See ya later, my friend!
I can not wait to see it. I am scared to death to do a blog re-design. But I want to! Best wishes, see you next week. Jana www.adoctorandanurse.com
ReplyDeleteJana...I can't wait either. As soon as it hits midnight, I want to get started! I'm a little scared too, but it will be fun.
ReplyDelete