The more we deal with them, the more we’ve come to realize that designing a blog is tough business. We don’t care how many hours of practice you’ve had in the industry (and we’ve had a ton, trust us) there’s just nothing like having to create a visual front-end for someone else’s baby. It can be a real pain, and if you’re not careful about your design, you’ll likely end up upsetting the client. However, designing a blog isn’t all doom and gloom: With the tips we’ve compiled below, you can turn designing a personal blog into a golden opportunity. Starting with the very first rule:

  1. Keep the Content in Mind: Above all else, when designing a blog be sure to recognize the kind of content that will be appearing on the space. This means you should always be thinking about the genre involved, as well as the audience that’s likely to read it. Doing so helps a lot of the design woes you’re likely to encounter. How should you present the text and photos your client wants to present? If you have a good handle on the content and the audience, this shouldn’t be a problem in the slightest. Craft a tone that perfectly fits the pieces, and always use graphics that mimic this tone. If you’re going for an edgier feel, include lots of edgy graphics. If you’re shooting for something a little more modern and chic, opt for a minimalist approach. The possibilities are endless, but they all start with a little forethought.
  2. Keep the Blog-Based Details in Mind: Next, consider all of the little things that make the site a blog, as opposed to any other sort of website. First and foremost, there’s likely to be a byline somewhere in the works. If there’s not, you’ve done something terribly wrong. Highlight the byline where possible. Additionally, mark up the internet search bar. Readers will want to peruse the site for their favorite pieces of content, and without some sort of archive or easy searching method, you’re making it harder for the viewer to enjoy your website. We’re no experts, but that seems like a pretty terrible way to design. Also, keep the post excerpt crisp, clean and easy to read. Don’t leave any non-essential items in the mix, or the blurb will be difficult to grasp.