Blog layout is super important. It’s the first thing your readers see when they make a visit to your virtual haven. Unfortunately though, you could be the best writer this side of town but if your shop front doesn’t match the contents then you could find your readers very quickly hitting the dreaded back button… something we all want to avoid happening! Having picked up a some tips along my own blogging journey here’s a few of the things that have helped me dress-up my online design skills…
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To some this may seem a bit obvious, but creating an eye catching blog banner is essential to immediately capturing the attention of your reader & portraying what your blog is all about. Can you imagine walking along the high street and none of the stores having signage above their doors? Well, in retrospect that can lead to the same calamity if you don’t get busy with your banner.
Boasting an eye catching blog banner really helps others to immediately suss out your style & personality. It doesn’t have to be perfectly smeared in colour, in fact some of the most successful bloggers have incredibly minimalistic designs but it still gives the audience an idea of what to expect and a basic branding theme that will hopefully correspond with the style throughout your posts.
“So how do I create one of my own?”
Super easy! Get yourself over to a free online editing tool (such as Pic Monkey) and simply hit the design option. Voila… you can start creating sassy looking blog banners & graphics until your heart’s content.
If you prefer, you can upgrade to the premium service for a small monthly fee which entitles you to lots of incredibly useful features with no annoying flashing ads whilst your in the depths of creativity. They have such a huge range of fonts, themes & design features on offer you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you use it half as much as I do it’s worth every penny!
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If you find yourself blogging about multiple topics then organising them neatly into their own individual categories is hugely beneficial; particularly for readers who like to quickly visit the area that peaks their interest. It’s also a great way to help keep you on top of your post organisation too. This is pretty much ideal for those who find themselves blogging about a variety of subjects such as beauty, lifestyle, fashion etc. All your posts will still appear on your blogs initial feed page but can be separated into more specific topics too.
Creating categories is something I get asked about incredibly regularly, so if you’re still working out how to master it don’t fret… we’ve all been left frantically trying to figure this quandary out at some stage or another. The most common misconception many WordPress users tend to make is assuming these are created as ‘new pages’ when in fact they’re actually ‘new categories’. For a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to easily create your own categories *click here* for a handy link to the official WordPress tutorial guide which gives you easy to follow instructions on creating your very own category style pages!
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Okay bloggers, this is where it gets personal. Everyone has their own unique style, vision and concept when it comes to choosing a colour scheme for their blog. However keeping the colours complimentary to each other is super important otherwise your blog page can look like an explosion in a paint factory. I always find that keeping a neutral background on my posts really helps images stand out – if there’s too much going on then it’s just confusing for the reader and begins to look incredibly messy. If you keep your colours complimentary your blog will look super professional, clean and complimentary for the reader.
Just like you would for interior design, creating a mood board of colours you’d like to use for your blog is a great way of determining what colours you might like to stick too:
Pinterest is a huuuuuge source of inspiration when it comes to stuff like the one I found above! So pretty don’t you think? 🙂
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I don’t know about you guys, but I find a screen full of text utterly overwhelming & sometimes feels like a bit of hard work to get through, however there are ways to make larger posts more appealing. A great Image can speak a thousand words by using them wisely to break up huge chunks of texts so your readers won’t feel so swamped in literature. Bullet points also work a treat for keeping your layout reader friendly too as can eye catching titles!
Another great tip is to use your side space to showcase some of your favourite posts. Many bloggers seem to overlook the the fact that their sidebar doesn’t just have to be for social media widgets etc but if you design an eye catching little graphic (again, Pic Monkey is superb for this) and upload it as an image to your WordPress media library you can add it to your sidebar & hyperlink it to your favourite post. Yep, it’s really that easy! Whilst your readers are scrolling down through your blog you’ll soon catch their eye & lead them onto other exciting posts they may have missed out on = great content for your visitors to check out & more traffic for your blog! Win win in my humble opinion.
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People love personality & nothing says it better than a great profile pic to put a friendly face to the person behind the blog. When most people read a post they imagine it in the voice of the creator, of course it’s so much more easier when you can put a face to the words. It’s also a really nice addition to welcome new followers onto your little online haven. Of course this tip won’t be useful for those anonymous bloggers amongst us, however you too can still inject a little bit of personality without giving away your identity by adding a fun gravatar. Okay it’s not the real thing but if your illustration is loosely based on yourself at least it gives readers a more realistic expectation of what you may look like.
When choosing a profile picture try to make it as engaging as possible. Having worked with a number of glossy magazines in the wedding industry I picked up some valuable little tips that help to really make an impact with your images. Looking directly at the camera means that when the reader spots your picture your eyes will already be firmly on them (and hopefully smiling at that!) this is why all pretty much all the shelf filling magazines in your favourite bookstore will usually have their models looking directly into the camera. Eye contact catches attention.
Don’t forget, if you’re wanting to keep everything as professional & consistent as possible it’s worthwhile having the same profile picture in all your other social media sites too. That way you’re more easily identified and very quickly recognised!
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If you fancy procrastinating a little more and checking out some of my other on blogging then *click here* for a mini library of posts that just might help you make sense of all this virtual shenanigans.
Cheerio Chums…
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Catch me on:
Such great tips Karen! Hope you’re doing well x
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Awwh thank you sweetie – I’m doing great thank you lovely lady, hope the very same for yourself!! Lovely to have a quick catch up *hugs* XXX
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Great to hear! ❤
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Great tips as usual Karen! x
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Thank you so much Lara – that’s very encouraging huni 🙂 Hope you’re keeping well *huge hugs* XXXX
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I’m great hun, I was away for a while but I’m back and had to check out your blog’s updates! Missed your blog! 🙂 xx
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Oooh well, I’m so glad to see you back Lara – always good getting a catch up with blog buddies who’ve been MIA for a bit hehe 😀 Thank you, that’s so kind of you to stop by for a chatter! Are you keeping well otherwise huni? Xx
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I’m glad to be back 😀 always lovely to catch up with you hun 🙂 x
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Likewise Lara 🙂 XXXX
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This is so helpful. Great post x
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Hello huni, so glad you found it helpful 🙂 Always enjoy sharing a few little tips that I pick up here and there – the blogging learning curve is always a steep one for me lol Hope all is well with you 🙂 ❤ XXXX
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You are one of the most helpful blog on her Karen! I’ve learned oodles from this post alone! Thank you so much for sharing your tips ❤ I'm in the midst of changing up my own blog layout as well. I'm hoping to upgrade to a premium design soon!
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So helpful! Thank you x
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Thank you so much Amanda for stopping by – really glad you found it helpful huni 🙂 X
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So many great tips. Thankyou so much. Very helpful x
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What a lovely comment – I’m so chuffed you enjoyed it 🙂 Thank YOU for being so encouraging, that’s made my day ❤ X
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I really feel lately like I need to overhaul my blog a bit. I’m not sure I’m 100% happy with the layout and posts and I don’t know if I’m just being overly self-critical or what. Would you have any tips? Please don’t worry about offending me! I totally understand if you’re not comfortable being specific though Xx
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I know exactly what you mean huni, it’s kind of the same for me in all areas of my life – when I feel a bit stagnant I need a change, I think that’s why my furniture always gets an annual shuffle lol A change is great as sometimes we just outgrow our skins and need to evolve into something new. Maybe a re-brand or re-vamp of your blog will do your creativity levels the world of good! 🙂 Of course I’ll take a look, I’d love too – give me a day or so and I will drop you an email with any suggestions re layout! Does that sound okay? XXX
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Thank you so so much. Please don’t feel any pressure though! I know you’re up to your eyes with your own blog, work and family. I do the exact same with furniture rearranging though!! My bedroom has been all sorts of ways. In fact! I plan to rearrange it tomorrow! Heheh. Xxx
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No pressure at all… just struggling a little for time at the moment but I promise I shall be in touch huni so don’t think I have in any way forgotten – it’s in my diary and NOTHING escapes my to do list lol Ahhh you sound like you have a dose of what I have… I’ve just done the same *sigh* Happy rearranging huni hehe Will chat very soon!!! XXXX
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great tips Karen !!! Now I simply have to find the time to actually do something with them… 🙂 I
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Awwh thank you so so much Kay – you’re always so super encouraging!!! 🙂 Fingers crossed you get a few moments free to squeeze in some blog time lol Hope all well with you lovely lady – popping over to your corner of the interweb for a catch up soon 🙂 XXX
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Hey Karen,
Not spoken in a while 🙂 and this post is amazing, especially for blogging newbies 🙂 I remember being clueless on the whole designing and how to make it look presentable haha. And wow remember when we first spoke? Nearly a year ago now how crazy is that :O 🙂 x x
http://millieerosee.blogspot.co.uk
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Millie!!!!!! Oh my gosh how are you? It’s so lovely to hear from you – are you keeping well huni? Gosh I this is so strange as I was just thinking of you the other evening, and thought I must pop onto blog lovin as there is a whole host of blog spot bloggers I miss out on! Thank you for leaving a little link as I can just nip straight over to you now! lol Hope all well lovely, yes I remember our first chat so very well indeed – you were one of my first Behind The Bloggers too… good times & we’re still going strong 😀 lol Huge hugs and thank you sooo much for saying hello… that’s made my day ❤ XXXX
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really want to try out these tips now! such a good post
Alis
https://beingalis.wordpress.com
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Thank you so much Alis, I’m so chuffed you enjoyed the post & the tips! Looking forward to popping over to your blog for a visit 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!! XXX
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Your layout is always eye catching! Not only because I see you post something, but because it does literally catch my eye with the enticing fonts and colors you use! Pinterest, like you mentioned is great for ideas. I look for inspiration on there everyday (not blog related, but home decor styling) 🙂 xoxoxo
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Awwh what a lovely lovely compliment Leah, thank you huni – that really means alot 🙂 Oh yes, I’m sucha a fan of pinterest for pretty much anything – crafts, decor, colour boards, makeup… if I need inspo I’ll pinterest lol XXX
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When in doubt, pin away! Literally spend hours on there like its a second job, haha 🙂 xo
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Yep, it’s so addictive!! Love it 😀 XXX
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Love it love it love it!! The happy Pinterest dance 😀 👯 xoxo
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Great tips! Love your site design!
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Thank you sooo much Cos, that means so much – really chuffed you like both the post & my blog… what a compliment 😉 hehe Hope you’re keeping well lovely lady ❤ XXXX
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Love it, some great tips for sure! Xx ❤ 🙂
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You’re a doll 🙂 Thank you chummy XXXX
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Number 4 is a brilliant tip!
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Thank you so much lovely!! Certainly works a treat for me 😀 hehe xo
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Or you could get your web designer boyfriend to do it for you, which is what I’m doing 😂 great post chummy! 😘
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Ahhhh you’re just so darn lucky huni hehe Go you… what a handy fella to have around 😀 Thank you sweetie *hugs* XXXX
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Haha handy when he finally gets round to it!
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This is really helpful, will get straight on my blog now! Thanks so much!
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Thank you so much huni, delighted you find it helpful 🙂 Good luck with your layout designing, thanks for stopping by! XX
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Thanks again, I really like your blog! Come check mine out at http://funkygurl3.wordpress.com please, I would welcome some helpful feedback!
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Thanks so much for the link!! Have just popped over for a quick peek and you’ve a lot of posts I’m really looking forward to reading – just followed huni 🙂 Great to meet you & now able to keep up with your features X
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Thanks so much, that’s so nice of you!
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Very welcome indeed huni 🙂 X
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Karen, your blogging tip posts are the best. I’m actually planning on going back and taking a peak at the lighting one you posted a few months ago in the hopes that I can recreate one for myself! Also, MOOD BORED! How did I never think of this!? Pinterest, here I come! Hehe 🙂 Great post, as always, lady 🙂
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Awwwwwwwwh Kaily – I swear you NEVER EVERY fail to make me grin like a Cheshire cat with your comments hehe 😀 Oooh do you mean the DIY photo studio? If so here’s the link huni:
http://confettiandcurves.com/2014/11/21/create-your-own-mini-photo-studio/
(hope I got the right post)
Honestly Kaily I’m flipping addicted to mood boards…. they are crazily good for blog colours/design inspiration – my problem is I love far too many and end up confuddling myself to the brink of torture haha Thank you SO SO SO much for such a great comment that has made my entire week – so encouraging huni XXXX
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Awe thanks for the link, you’re too awesome 🙂 Yeah I can see how too many mood boards could result in a desire to decorate multiple blogs. Maybe you should be a graphic designer for blogs 😉 Then you could have your cake and eat it too!
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Haaaa wouldn’t that be fun… could be another career change ahead of me yet 😉 hehe Always a fan of eating cake so that’d suit me well lol XXXXXX
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Your tips are always very helpful 🙂
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Awwh thank you very much 🙂 Glad you think so, that’s very encouraging to read!! XX
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These are all really great tips! I should really do categories on my blog too. Oh well something to work on when I get back. I do agree that having a more minimalist type of layout works really well. I also don’t like too much text together and I think it’s great to have pictures to break everything up as well. Such a great read Karen!! 😀 XXXXX
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Asbolutely – always a future project 😉 hehe Yes, I think too much going on in a blog just distracts – lots of bits n bobs everywhere can be so messy! Simple & chic 😉 You have that nailed huni – your blog is beeeeautiful ❤ Thank you again for such a supportive comment – you always know how to make my day XXXXX
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Awe thanks Karen!! I try to keep things as simple as I can. I haven’t really had a chance to think much about my blog lately and that saddens me. I just have so much work to do though. I love your blog layout! It’s gorgeous and so perfect!!! 😀
I am glad that I’m taking a break while packing and moving. Today I have been kind of procrastinating. I just have more energy toward the evening lol. I hope all is well with you!! ❤ ❤ ❤ XXXXX
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You sound like a little night owl Katie – oddly enough I’m like that too! lol I’ve been known to be washing my windows at 11pm – if I could I’d have the hoover out too but I’m sure the others tucked up in bed wouldn’t be too keen on the idea 😀 lol Enjoy your rest, you need to make sure you don’t burn yourself out huni. Thanks as always for the lovely compliments chum – you’re a gem in every way *huge hugs* XXXXXX
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Yeah I am more of a night owl really. Luckily though it seems like ever since I went to Michigan, I have been sleeping all night which is wonderful! 🙂 Since getting a lot accomplished today I feel more motivated to get more done and will do what I can each day. You’re a gem as well dear Karen! *huge hugs!* XXXXXXX
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Ooooh wow that is fab! Would it have anything to do with a more bearable temperature? Or maybe it’s just because you’re home and much more settled!! So glad you’re feeling more motivated huni 🙂 xxxx
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Thank you Karen!! 🙂 xxxx
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Absolutely wonderful and helpful tips for all kinds of bloggers hun, loved it 🙂 I love reading your posts and get inspired by them 😍
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Awwh thank you sooooo so so much Galit – you are so darn supportive huni ❤ I'm thrilled to bits you enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them hehe 😀 XXX
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Awww ♡♡♡
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