Your blog content may be spectacular, but if your blog design is lacking, then I’m not going to keep reading. I’ll be honest: ever since I started my graphic design major, I’ve gotten way snobbier about strong vs weak design. (Sorry ’bout it.) But you don’t have to have a degree in design to have a strong website! Here are five ways to improve your blog design for the better.
Make sure your text is readable.
I know writing in lowercase is cute, but it’s hard to read and your audience will click away from your website fast. Similarly, your text should be left-aligned. It makes your blog just look that much more professional. Along with that, your font needs to be pretty plain. That’ll make your design look a lot cleaner.
A cohesive color scheme is key.
It’s tempting to change color schemes based on what’s trendy or the seasons changing. However, it becomes something to keep up with when your blog design is constantly changing and your audience will get confused when they see a new website every time they click. I created a color palette in my branding graphic that I made for myself, and I use those colors all throughout my blog design, without fail.
Limit your categories.
Eight categories should be the maximum amount that you have on your blog. If I see too many categories on the sidebar, it’s incredibly overwhelming and probably not necessary. Categories are only meant to help direct your reader to related posts and help drive traffic to your blog.
Chill with the fonts.
Only select two-three fonts to focus on. You should have a serif font, a sans serif font and a decorative font. A serif font has the little ‘tails’ off the end of each letter and is good for big blocks of text. A sans serif font is good for standing out and for titles (though these can be alternated if done right). A decorative font is optional, but can be used for titles and emphasizing certain words in a graphic. Definitely don’t use a decorative font for text longer than five-ish words though!
Simplicity is stronger.
This is the number one rule of blog design! I can’t stand seeing a blog with a tiled picture in the background, distracting me from the writing immediately. Your content needs to be the main focus, so stick to a white background (or shades of white/cream). Make sure your logo doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of little images or text pieces as well.
These tips are simple but easy changes to make that can make your design look so much better!
xo, Hannah
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25 Comments
I so agree on the importance of simplicity! I love when a blog is easy to read and has a streamlined design. x
Limiting categories is so important! Helps the readers so much! These are all great ideas!
These are awesome tips! I’m in the middle of a plotted redesign and am totally keeping these things in mind. Content is key – keeping design simple and clear helps showcase a clear brand!
xoxo Kelsey
http://www.blondesandbagels.com
I totally agree! Simplicity is key! I can’t stand websites with crazy colors and fonts and are super stuffed with CTs on the edges!
Rachel | The Confused Millennial
These are all such good tips!A cohesive color scheme is so important!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Agree with all! Awesome basic tips! 🙂
I love these tips! Design is definitely a part of blogging I struggle a bit with so this was so helpful!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Great post! Simplicity is definitely better and makes it easier to read!
x Sarah
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
I am definitely in the process of reducing and streamlining the categories for my blog. It’s been weirdly stressful, however, I think it’s going to make for a much more intuitive design overall.
Yes to all of these! When people use too many fonts it stresses me out.
Simplicity is seriously the best!There are some blogs that are just too much for me to read unless it’s in an email! These are all helpful tips, I quick looked at my blog to see if I checked all of these off!
xoxo
Hi Hannah,
These are great tips and I have to admit I am a little bit snobby too!! I blame my education in fashion and studying at FIT. Being surrounded by some of the most creative graphic designs students will do that to you! My favorite tip was the layout tip. I agree 100%. It’s why I chose a minimalist layout for my blog and keep the whole thing pretty black and white. Xo
glad to know I’m not the only design snob!
Totally agree on keeping it simple. If there is too much going on it’s hard to understand and read!
I have more than 8 categories on my blog but I think they way I have them listed, under four main categories, is very helpful for my readers. I also love centering the writing in my posts. We all have our own ideas about what makes blog design great.
having subheaders is good! You could always try changing to left-centered text for a couple posts–I think you’d be surprised at what a difference it makes!
Yes I love this! It’s so important to have a blog that focuses on the actual content and doesn’t distract a potential reader as soon as they click to your post!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
These are great tips!! Thanks for sharing.
All great tips! I’m thinking about redesigning my blog next year possibly. 🙂
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
These are all great tips! I also think that simplicity is so important!
Kristin
The Blush Blonde
This is such a great post, you’re right about the font issue…some people just go crazy with them!
xoxo, SS
Southern And Style
I agree, simplicity is always best and it makes your content stand out more! Great post!
-Ruya
sweetshortandstylish.com
Very insightful post! I would love if you checked out my blog design and gave feedback
-Kate
Katekoutures.blogspot.com
hey Kate! if you email me at hello@hannahwithacamera.com, I can totally do that!
What great tips! Sometimes I get so caught up in content that I forget to worry about how my actual site looks.