Understanding WordPress » Design http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog Offering inexpensive online classes for all levels Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:16:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Offering inexpensive online classes for all levels Understanding WordPress no Understanding WordPress frank@javascriptworkshop.com frank@javascriptworkshop.com (Understanding WordPress) Offering inexpensive online classes for all levels Understanding WordPress » Design http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog/category/design Blog Design Considerations http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog/blog-design-considerations.html http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog/blog-design-considerations.html#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:44:39 +0000 Frank http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog/?p=43 A good design can really set off your content, make your blog appear more cared-for and professional, and help you get those valuable subscribers.

Before selecting a design for a blog you need to decide some things:

  • What is your blog goal? Are you aiming for AdSense profit, to sell products, fame? AdSense templates tend to free up more space for advertising, whereas if fame is your goal you will want a nice big sidebar area for your “About Me” box.
  • Who is your audience? Funky? Straight-laced? Cutting-edge? If your target audience is the boardroom, you will need a more conventional design than if your audience is mostly made up of designers.  This will influence your graphic and color choices.
  • What specific functions does the site need? Certain templates have more abilities than others. Some are created to fulfill a certain purpose, such as templates for photo bloggers. Do you need header tabs? Randomized masthead images? Flexible block quotes?

Here are some standard features you need to consider and allow space for:

  • Contact details
  • About or bio details/photo
  • Advertising
  • Archives by categories
  • Archives by date
  • Logo
  • Subscription buttons
  • Newsletter signup
  • Search feature
  • Blog roll
  • Recent posts list
  • Links to older key posts

For blog design ideas, check out some of my BlogRoll links on this site. Lots of good examples.

No related posts.

]]> http://www.understandingwordpress.com/blog/blog-design-considerations.html/feed 0