Redesigning Your Blog
I just finished this site’s redesign a few days ago, and figured now would be a good time to throw up a quick post about it. I had been looking for a new theme for IBD for a few weeks now, and I finally came across one that I liked. There were a few common elements that I wanted to keep from the old design, and some new elements which I really wanted for the new design.
- Header Image – One element from the previous design that I wanted to keep was the header image. I absolutely loved displaying a beautiful picture of Santa Cruz, Ca at the top of my blog, sort of as a goal for myself (and others) to want to live in a place like that through making money online. The new design allows for a header image, but I decided to use a different image I took a few years ago. The picture is still of Santa Cruz, but it is one of the beautiful valleys rather than the beach. Do you like the image?
- 125×125 Buttons – One of the main reasons for wanting to change my blog design was that I desperately wanted to accommodate for 125×125 ad buttons. You see these buttons on most business/money making blogs, and there’s a simple reason for that: they work! When someone clicks on one of my buttons and signs up, I get a referral commission. Now I get to display these buttons to everyone who comes to my site.
- Easier to Contact Me – Something I really appreciate when visiting other people’s blogs is the ability to easily find/contact the webmaster. With the new design it is now very easy (and obvious) where and how to contact me. I have used visuals to draw reader’s eyes towards that section, so hopefully more people will feel free to contact me. I listed Twitter, Facebook, FriendFeed, and LinkedIn.
- RSS Readership – Another thing I wanted to improve with this blog is the RSS readership. On the old design I only had a small RSS button, that no one seemed to see. Now I have a great big RSS button that probably everyone will see:).
- Wider Margins – Lastly, I wanted my blog to have wider margins to allow for more content. I really think the new blog design looks much better, and is easier to use.
These are all very important features to me to have on my blog. Although it took me weeks to find a decent theme to hack up and make my own, it was definitely worth the wait. When you decide to redesign your own blog, you should make a list of features that are most important to you before you start looking for a theme. There are enough WordPress themes out there where you don’t have to sacrifice any feature for another. If you need help finding the right theme for your needs, feel free to contact me.
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I also plan on redesigning my blog soon too, I don’t like it right now and want a more smother and light theme. Good choice with this one, looks smooth.
@Bryn
Thanks! Yea, a redesign really helps in many areas. I’m already getting more RSS readers, and more clicks on my ads. And i’ve only had the new design for a few days. Hopefully this keeps up.
Good luck with finding your design, take your time:)
I’m trying to make my own WP template also, but I’m having some problems with it. I found an easy and great solution right here on this blog. I just forgot that template should be simple and useful.
@Justin Case
Glad you found my site useful. What problems were you having?
Looks good. When I first started my webblog, I was reading through your site almost everyday. You had to notice my Wolf’s Head avatar in your mybloglog window.I was ravenous for info and your site supplied it, morphing my site into what it is now. I’ve still got to work on the 125×125 buttons and some of the side bar elements but its getting there. Chow has been helpful too by specifically answering my emails (which was very cool and surprised the hell out of me). Anyway, keep up the good work. I’ll be reading.
thanks Reginald, i surely remember speaking with you not too long ago. appreciate the nice words. shoot me an email if you need any advice.
My only problem is to make a template that I would like. I make many templates, but this one for my personal blog gives me headache. But after seeing your blog I may be on the right way again.
do you make the templates yourself? or edit themes?
do you have some examples of new templates you like?
is it availible in German?
There is not doubt that every blog needs a new look after some point of time.
Your ideas are really good! Need to make use of some of them.
thanks, appreciate the comment.