Custom blog design — a must have for business blogs
There are three main options to choose from when creating your blog design. Though a business can use any of these options, I heartily discourage you from choosing option #1 for a professional blog. This is for the same reason that I don’t advise people to have hotmail accounts for business — the message is that you don’t invest in your business and you don’t care about creating a professional image.
Options to getting the look and feel you want in your blog’s design
- Use free blogging systems and select one of the preformatted templates/themes = your blog looks like many other blogs out there.
- Use a blogging system that allows modifications then thoroughly customize the look (more than just changing a couple of colors) = a fairly unique look that can complement your business brand and make the aesthetic statement you desire. This blog customization is what I do for many of my clients.
- Use a blogging system that allows modifications and hire a very-experienced designer to create a theme just for you = you’ll have a blog built entirely to your specifications.
Reasons to customize the look of your business blog
You’ll stand out from the crowd- You’ll convey professionalism for your business
- You’ll have a consistent, visual brand for your company
- You’ll be more likely to blog (that’s what my clients tell me)
- You’ll have a blog (or blogsite) that you proudly promote
- All these factors combined will help you attract visitors, retain them, and draw them into your circle of satisfied clients!
“If you are using one of those themes [widely available free themes], when new visitors stumble across your blog they are likely to note they have already seen it several times before. The fact that you haven’t taken the time to visually differentiate your blog might well leave your visitors thinking that if your blog design isn’t unique, then what you have to say probably isn’t either.”
~ Unique Blog Designs
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2 comments. Thank you for sharing! »
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What a pleasant surprise to check out your latest posting and find my own recently customized blog www.afasttrackcareer.com displayed as an example! I can vouch for the 6 reasons you gave for going beyond a stock theme. I especially relate to numbers 4 and 5.
After taking your Simple Successful Blogging class this summer I was thrilled to finally get a blog “up and running” all by myself. But I didn’t have the HTML skills to customize my theme the way I wanted and found it a real block to posting. That’s where you came in and helped me to achieve a look that is more representative of my mission. Now it’s more fun to post!
Comment by Jean Ann Franke — September 23, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
Thanks for chiming in Jean Ann. I’m delighted that you’re having fun and applaud you for being so consistent at it! You’re offering some great advice and useful ideas for those with career-related concerns.
Comment by Shonnie Lavender — October 2, 2007 @ 9:21 am