10 tips to improve blog design

1. Make your purpose clear.

Your blog banner should have a title and subtitle that make it clear who you are and what you write about. First-time visitors to your blog will leave in a hurry if they can't quickly determine what you're about.

2. Keep it simple.

There are so many different options you can integrate into your blog, from colors to widgets, that it is often tempting to pile on too many. The result is a cluttered blog that is frustrating to navigate and visually chaotic. Review your blog every few months to determine whether any of the elements have become outdated or no longer relevant, and remove them.

3. Discover whitespace.

Graphic designers use the term "whitespace" to describe spacing between elements on a page that adds a sense of refinement to the design. Space out the graphic elements on your blog on your banner, in your posts, in your sidebar and readers will enjoy a heightened sense of readability and lightness as they browse your blog.

4. Use complimentary colors.

Be judicious in choosing your color scheme; too many colors, or colors that are too bright, can turn off readers and cause them to click away sooner than they might otherwise.

5. Place key information "above the fold."

Place important information such as more about you, your e-mail, search functions, RSS feed subscription link, and any calls to action on the top half of your blog page, where readers will be able to see it as soon as the page loads into their browser window.

6. Create a custom banner.

If you are running a small business, or want to promote an existing logo or graphic identity, you'll want to create your own banner to match your brand. TypePad makes it easy for you to upload your own custom banner. Learn how to customize your blog banner.

7. Check your copy size.

Is your copy too large? Too small? Copy that is too large can immediately turn viewers off, while copy that is too small will discourage older viewers from reading your content. Choose a copy size that is easy to read.

8. Add visual interest with photos.

Humans are visually stimulated, and let's face it: reading is much more fun when supplemented with pretty pictures. Even if you don't fancy yourself a photographer, it is a good idea to include images now and then in your blog posts to help up the "good-looking" factor.

9. Do a usability check.

Borrow a trick from the pros and do a usability check by enlisting several friends or colleagues to poke around your blog. This is most effective if you're sitting beside them, listening to their feedback with a notebook in hand. You might be surprised what valuable information you receive when you ask for it.

10. Check your blog in several different browsers.

Every browser has quirks that display pages slightly differently, so it is always a good idea to look at your blog in different browsers to make sure that it looks the way you want it to.