Your Blog Design is your Brand

It’s a person’s first impression…the Design.  So what does that mean?  It means that you really want your design to represent your brand in every way.

For example, I love a clean, crisp look, but I don’t want it to be boring either.  I think I accomplished both.

I mean…really…I am a design blogger.  Although one could argue whether my background image should be changed, but I am happy with it.  But I digress.

The question is…do you hire a designer or do you design it on your own?  Well…can you design one?  Do you have the skill set?  If you do, then fabulous!

If you do not have the skills to design a blog yourself, you should pay someone to do it for you.  A blog designer can be invaluable.

Regardless of whether you hire or do yourself, you will want to make sure you know and do some things to ensure success.

FIRST

Know your blog goals!  This is important as it will help you choose a blog that has the options to meet your goals.  For example, if you want to start small and then grow, then you will want to be able to change your blog as you evolve…have flexibility.  So know your goals!

SECOND

Do your homework.  I won’t spend any time in this post discussing the Do’s and Don’ts. Those will come later.  But you should spend time visiting other blogs and note what you like and don’t like.  Spend some time on the larger blogger sites and notice how their blogs are designed (whether you like them or not).  The end result is you will start to develop an understanding of what is successful and then reference your list of likes and don’t likes to create a winning blog that reflects you.

THIRD

Know your style!  Do you like the crisp, clean look as I do?  Or is whimsical more your style? Whatever it is…the likes and don’t likes will not matter if you don’t have a style that is appealing to you.

The above three items will enable you to create a Requirements List!

Now what do you do?

If you decide to hire, you should:

• Interview multiple designers
• View their portfolio
• Get references

You want to make sure that they have done a blog design before and are knowledgeable of the blog world.

You also NEED to make sure that they understand your requirements that you established above.  If there are any deviations from your original list, it should be because you researched and can intelligently agree.

While you want someone who can fulfill your requirements, they should be creative as well.

Sounds like a lot to consider…doesn’t it?  It is.  But it’s Ok! There isn’t much that can’t be changed or reversed.  You will make some mistakes. And quite frankly, you will grow and evolve.  Your blog and brand can do the same.

Good luck!

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