Whether you’re starting a new blog or have been blogging for a while, hopefully you’re goal is to have a great blog. Because having a blog just isn’t enough. There are hundreds of millions of blogs on the internet, so having a great blog site that appeals to readers and is easy to navigate is so crucial. Otherwise, people will leave and probably never come back. Seriously.
Here are seven things that every great blog should have – so if you don’t have these, get on it already!!!
A well-designed blog header. Your blog header is the very first thing people see when they come to your site, so it should really speak to your brand. Let your blog header set the stage for what readers can expect from the rest of your site. If you don’t have an eye for graphic design (be honest with yourself) then consider having a professional design your blog header. I love the blog header over at my girl Ty’s site GorgeousinGrey.com!
A clean background. We’re in the 21st century, and our site backgrounds should represent that. No more tiled background images, that are so covered by your site content that readers can’t make out what the image is anyway. You know exactly what I’m talking about. If I’m talking about you, sorry – not sorry. It just looks cluttered, which makes readers want to exist asap – even if the content is great. A white background is always a winner. If you must insist on not having a white background, go with a color that your text will still be readable against.
A consistent color scheme. Pick 3-4 colors that you want to use, down to the 6 digit number if you can, and use them consistently. Here’s the Naturally Glam brand board that was created by web/graphic designer Toni of Skye Media Group. The colors shown each have their own 6 digit number that I can enter whenever I want to use that color. It ensures that each time, the exact same color is used regardless of where I use it.
An ‘about me’ section with contact info. What makes blogs different from other websites is that readers feel there’s a ‘real’ person behind it. Your ‘about me’ section gives a brief bio that tells who you are, what you do, and why you write your blog. This is also a great place to share where you are geographically as well or at least link to your full about me/bio page where those details are included, along with an email address to contact you. A great headshot and 2-3 sentences is all you need. I suggest placing this above the fold, and in the footer as well if it fits your blog theme. Here’s my ‘about me’ graphic, which links to my full ‘about me’ page.
Links to your social media. While I might not read a ton of blogs, I do like to follow my favorite blogs and bloggers on social media. A reader should easily be able to follow you on their favorite social media platform right from your blog. Notice I said ‘their’ favorite – don’t just list your favorite. It’s all about your readers, and what they like – so make sure they can easily find and follow you on social media with just a click. I suggest placing these above the fold as well – min is above my header in the right hand corner of my blog.
Links to popular posts and/or related posts. Using these options helps draw readers to more of your amazing content instead of just leaving after reading the one post they came from. You can use a plugin or widget to display your most popular posts or related within other posts, in your footer or sidebar. Another option is to create graphics for a couple of your most popular posts and place those in the side bar with links that will take readers to those posts. Another option is to link to related posts within your blog posts.
A search button. Listen, people are busy. Don’t make them have to click on ‘older posts’ trying to find the content they are interested in. They probably won’t. Having the ability to easily navigate you blog and find exactly what they are looking for will make them happy. It will likely also increase the time that readers spending on your site.
With these seven things on your blog site, you’re on your way to more readers and more engagement. Are you making use of all of these elements on your blog? Is there another element that you’d add to this list? We’d love to hear about it!
Hi, I’m Jonna. Welcome to naturally-glam.com where I share how I balance my life as a mother, wife, and influencer.
I think I need to add my contact information to the about me section. Thank you for these tips 🙂
All great tips. Two things that frustrate me when I am on a blog is a busy background and no search feature.
Awesome tips to incorporate in my blog revamp. Thanks Jonna!
Very good tips. I don’t think any site should have a tiled background, blog or not lol.
Clean websites are the best. I am not even keen on all that stuff on the side because I don’t even see the side anymore when I come on a website. Great list!
Great tips. I agree with everything you said.
I completely agree with all of these! I would add an easy to locate way for readers to leave comments. I’ve been to quite a few blogs and wanted to leave a comment. When I can’t find the place to do so with ease, I just move on. Great post 🙂
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Great tips. I agree with them all. Working on changing my theme soon.
I agree with all of these tips! Clean websites make it so much easier to read the content!
Time to update my about me section. My redesign may be around the corner…I qualified for that study I told you about. ☺️
This helps so much because I sure as heck do not have an About Me section :-/. Great post!
A consistent color scheme is my favorite tip. I try to do that as much as possible, but could definitely do more.
Thanks for the great tips! I will definitely be taking your advice….starting with an “about me” section. Great Post as usual
I agree with your 7. I like the consistent color scheme also.
I still can’t believe when I see sites with tiled backgrounds and patterns and flowers and teddy bears, oh God. Stop, please stop!
Great tips girl! I love that you covered the big ones here. But teddy bears on a background is pretty cute… 😉
Thanks for sharing, great tips! Thankfully I’m utilizing most of them, but I do need to make my social media links more prominent though!
This is all spot on! I cannot stand when I find a new blog and there is no “about me” section! Not only is it helpful for brands to find you, but I personally love to “know” who the blogger is. It makes things so much more personable! Great post Jonna! 🙂
You got everything right, these 7 I would say are the most important…I love it!
I watched the scope on this with eagerness like, “uh-oh… lemme see what I’m missing”. Was happy to find that I had everything on the list. 😉 Great tips!
I’m glad you mentioned the 6 digit number, I keep telling myself I have to write it down. This is a great list!