With a multitude of blogs out and just as many free templates to go with them, many blogs are looking alike. However…
You don’t have to blend in.
That’s correct my friends, you can stand out like a Five Legged Steer in Bloggerfieldville.
Some of the obvious ways to customize your blog start with a custom header and tweaked theme.But not all of us have the ability to create something flashy in photoshop and upload it to our website as a customized header. Fret-Not. There are many things that anyone can do to make their blog more unique and individual.
The easiest and strongest way to customize is simply to start with your layout and typeface.
Layout
If you are using a free theme for your blog (read 95% of the blogging community) then the first thing you can do is get into your template and start playing around with the layout. Here’s some ideas:
- Make a list of your ‘noteworthy’ or ‘must read’ posts.
- Put up an Amazon Wish List
- Don’t have a blogroll *gasp*
- Use your imagination
The point of layout is to make your blog look the way you want it to.
Typeface
You want your blog to be as readable and inviting as possible for your guests. Keep it simple.
The art of readability and legibility is simpler than you think. Readability refers to whether an extended amount of text is easy to read. Legibility refers to whether a short burst of text - such as a headline - is instantly recognizable.
The most easily readable typefaces are serifs; such as Georgia, Times New Roman, Calson. The most legible typefaces for headlines are sans-serifs; such as Ariel, Tahoma and Verdana.
(My blog uses Verdana for the headlines, Georgia for the body and Ariel in the sidebar. The font flare in the header is brought to you by Bakerscript)
Own your blog
What are important aspects that you want in your blog? Major on those and build them so they look and work the way you want.
If you don’t have the time or know-how to customize your site with all the extra bells and whistles there are many people out there that can help.
Ben at openswitch will do all the hard work for you and give you a brilliant, customized, WordPress blog, or hook you up with some freebies - including pre-fabbed headers and a WP theme.
Technorati Tags: openswitch.org, Rock Your Blog, WordPress
Ronalfy said:
Don’t have a blogroll? What kind of blogger are you? Just kidding. I like the way you have your links all stashed in a separate page.
One other aspect I think of customizing your blog is attaching a name to it. If you’re willing to put your full name out there, you are willing to do what many bloggers are not.
Posted on December 20, 2006 at 9:59 pm
Shawn said:
@ Ron -
Something I’ve been considering doing with my blogroll is having a rotating featured blogroll. Instead of just listing the 15 or 20 sites I read or are written by friends, pick a small handful of blogs to list and feature and highlight and then pick a few more the next month. Giving a little more importance to the list.
Names deffinately make a blog more personal and ‘legit’. I like pictures of the author as well. It lets people know you’re a real person.
Posted on December 21, 2006 at 1:08 pm
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