So, last week I tried to post some clues to see if anyone could guess what the next weekly challenge would be … buuuuut apparently I’m pretty bad at clues, haha! But the hack-challenge ends this week and next week is the start of the new challenge … so instead we’ll just skip to the announcement. :) It’s one that was suggested by one of you when I asked for challenge ideas a while back – and I’m very excited about it!
It’s a DIY blog redesign series! Basically, as a graphic designer I will be demonstrating how to do a complete blog makeove by taking a reader’s blog, overhauling it, and each week showing tips, how-to’s and instructions to also be able to conduct your own blog redesign. We’ll start from scratch on how to establish the look and branding you want to go for on your blog, and work all the way through to setting up or transferring a blog to WordPress, designing your blog to highlight rather than distract from your content, create a layout to encourage reader interaction, tools that can help boost your blog, and more. I’ll be posting each Friday for the 10 part series, Lord willing – it starts July 6th, and I’m so excited! If you’re a blogger, be sure to subscribe so that you won’t miss out on all the blog design tips.
UPDATE: Here are the posts in the series…
Part 1: Discover your branding with “The Drawing Board” Printable
Part 2: WordPress vs. Blogger
Part 3: Design Tips + Design Worksheet
Part 4: Themes, Coding and Stylesheets
Part 5: Making your own graphics
Part 6: 7 Blog Layout Tips to Engage your Reader
Part 7: Blog Page: The Must-haves and the Panache
Part 8: 25 WordPress Tips
Part 9: The Big Reveal
Part 10: 7 Ways to Promote and Market Your Blog
Until then, though, if you haven’t already gotten it, here is my free blog planner printable. I hope you’ll find it useful in organizing your blog posts! Just click the image below to open the PDF file.
Do you have a blog? Tell me a little about your blog in the comments below, and if you have any particular design questions you would like to see covered in the series, I’d love to hear them!
Boring is not on the menu of my life. This is all about making home a more flourishing place - no more ho-hum, let’s do extraordinary! Let’s turn off the tv, and turn on life. Let’s go exploring, let’s experiment in the kitchen, let’s play, let’s flourish!
63 Comments
What a fun and useful series! We can all use tips for making our blogs better :)
Great, I’m so glad to know it is something people will find helpful!! :D
YIPPEE!
I will definitely be working on this with you. I appreciate the tips! I will definitely need the version for “dummies”.
Thanks, Heaher! :D :D I hope it will be helpful, I’m really looking forward to it!!
I’ll be following along as you demonstrate, very interested in your ‘how-to’s’ and tips! Thanks!
Thanks, Trina! :D
Hi! I just started my blog in January and I am finding it exciting but also overwhelming to design my blog. I created a new banner a few weeks ago in Adobe Photoshop but would really love to know how to create buttons and make a good background graphic. Also, I would love to hear about branding and your thoughts on marketing your blog; if you think there is a difference for a Canadian blogger vs an American blogger. Also, how do you feel about Blogger vs something like WordPress? Looking forward to the series!
Great questions, Bekki! Although on the Canadian vs American blogs … I guess I don’t know enough about Canadian blogs to fully know the answer. However, I think it has more to do with your target audience than where you live. For instance, I have an “American” blog, but I also have readers from all over the world – but they’re all a part of my “target audience”. We’ll be talking about that some in the series. :) Thanks for all the questions, I think those are pretty much all things I’ll be addressing in one way or another. :)
i will love it! <3
i never have a blog (i'd like to open one, but not sure i can really take it alive…), but i really like graphic and can't wait to know how to design one!
and well, now that i know what you are going to do, your clues don't look so strange as before! xD
Thanks Fede! :) Yeah, since I knew the answer, it was hard to tell whether my clues were too hard or too easy! I guess I’m just not so good at clues. ;) But hopefully the series itself will be good! :)
Oh so glad to see this feature! P.S. I’m printing off the free printable as we speak. My notes on such things are scattered everywhere. How lovely to have them all in such a beautiful package! Thanks!
Crystal
Oh, yes, I had my blog notes all over the place on random scraps of paper – and that is why I designed this planner! So glad you like it :)
I’m so excited about this! It’s like pulling teeth for me to get anything changed on my blog. I just don’t know what I’m doing. This will be a huge help!
Your header is gorgeous, Paige! I definitely wouldn’t say you don’t know what you’re doing! :) I’m glad you think it will be helpful, though, I’m excited about! :)
YAY! This is AWESOME April! I just took my latest blog live and its had a modest opening, any tips to help draw in readers and create a brand is going to be amazing! I seriously can not wait. :-)
:D I’m touched you’re so excited!! By the way, I love your Phineas and Ferb party, we definitely like that show in our house. ;)
Hello!
I am so excited about this series and I can definitely use it considering I just started my blog a couple of weeks ago. I don’t have much content yet because I am trying to figure out the layout of my blog. I really want to blog about my diabetes, my family and my faith (and not in that order). I like how you’ve set a schedule for blogging. I’m considering twice a week with the possibility of three times a week. I’ve already downloaded your blog planner to use for future topics. Thanks for sharing that with us.
I would like to see covered in the series your thoughts on how to create a good About Page (I think yours is amazing), widgets (how to use them and when not to), and suggestions on overall themes for different types of blogs (what readers want to see).
I can’t wait for it begin!
Aw, thanks for the compliment on my About page, I appreciate it!! :D Yeah, those are all great questions and topics we’ll be talking about in the series! :)
I can’t wait for this series, I’m still a new blogger and still trying to figure out the whole thing. I don’t have too many followers just yet but do see it growing so that’s good. My blog is primarily on my knitting/crafting and art news but I also try to personalize it and throw in some personal stories as well. I’m open to any and all tips that you have to offer! :)
http://peko1012.wordpress.com/
Great, thanks Melissa! :)
Oh yeah! I started a Word Press blog a long time ago and then let it go because frankly I couldn’t find my way around. I have a blog for a paper crafting hobby that I started several years ago (http://myanthill.blogspot.com/) and so because I was more familiar with Blogger I let my Word Press blog go dormant. I will be thrilled to hear a bit about Word Press and why you think it is a better choice.
My biggest question about blogs is what to do with them!? LOL I have read so many things about not promoting your business on them because that is a turn-off to people that I finally stopped writing to my blog completely.
Will you help with blog content at all? I LOVE your blog and feel I understand the goal of a good blog better as I read yours but I don’t think that I could come up with interesting things to say and do like you do!
Looking forward to your posts AS ALWAYS!! : )
Have a blessed day!
Patti
Aw, thanks Patti!! Great point on the blog content — it’s definitely the “meat and potatoes” of your blog, whereas design is the plating and garnish. :) I hadn’t though TOO much about covering content, but I think that’s a great idea. Maybe I’ll have to do a “bonus” post on content. :) Thanks, Patti!
I’m super excited about this series!! I have wanted to tweak my blog but know nothing about it. I like blogger because I can customize the templates, but I don’t know how to create my own header and just generally make my blog more ‘me’. I blog about everything from motherhood, homeschooling, marriage, and theology and often use humor. So psyched to learn some tools!
Great, Kara, thanks! :) Yeah, I used to be on Blogger, too. I definitely like how much more personalized I can make my blog on WordPress, though, and the series will be based on setting up a blog in WordPress. That being said, though, much of the design and branding information will be applicable whichever blogging platform you are using. :)
Im so glad you are doing this series. I could not have cone at a better time for me. I want to redesign my blog but I’m totally clueless as to what direction I want to go in with it. Uselessly I’m very inspired to design but right now that part of my creative mind is totally blank. I can’t wait to see what’s in store. i hope inspiration will strike.
Oh, nice timing then! I think your blog is lovely, by the way! Hope you’ll find some helpful ideas in the series! :)
Thank you so much! That means a lot coming from you! :)
Sounds great! Can’t wait to read all the tips!
Thanks, Amy! :)
Oh, I’m always interested in free help. I have a rather new blog. I try to post every day, weekends not so much. I do featured sellers, little tidbits on what is going on in my life, favorite items that I have found on Etsy. I don’t know a lot about wordpress, and the tutorials don’t make sense to me. So any help you can give me, I will appreciate and take to heart.
Great, Jen, I hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming series! :)
Thank you for doing this! I just redesigned my blog and am always looking for ways to improve.
Thanks,Tara! Your blog is beautiful.:)
What a great idea! I have a blog that you may use for demonstration purposes! I learned to design websites back when they were simple. Now, they’re beyond my expertise. I’ve resorted to using templates and leaving it at that. I’d love to gain more confidence in personalizing it and making it mine.
Hi Diana! Thanks for the offer, but I’ve already lined up a person’s blog to redesign – it is the person who suggested the whole idea, and some one who I know personally, since I need to have access to their account to be able to do the behind the scenes stuff. But my goal is that by showing the process and giving tips throughout the process it can help anyone who wants to work on their own redesign. :)
I figured as much. It never hurts to ask though. :)
Yes! I’m really excited about this! :)
Thanks, Steph! :)
My blog is 2 weeks old – I can use all the help I can get! July 6th is penciled on my calendar – thank you!
(Found you on Etsy, Success Team!)
-Chelsea
L W P
Oh, exciting! Congrats on your new blog, I hope the series will be helpful for you as you move forward with it. :) By the way, I saw you had a picture of yourself in Prague … I used to live there. Beautiful city!!
Yippee Skippee! Your blog inspires me to incorporate posts about family life, humor, and creative home decor in a grace-filled way. I’m changing my blog from Braintree to http://www.plentyplace.com to reflect the overflow of God’s goodness in every aspect of my life.
I’d love to learn how you turned your own graphics into category tabs. It would also be fantastic to hear how you linked your Etsy shop to your blog.
Thanks for going the extra mile…and being generous enough to share your “secrets”!
Thanks, Kerry! :) I’m curious, when you’re talking about how to link an Etsy shop on a blog, are you talking about the button on the menu that links to my site, or the Etsy widget in the sidebar?
I guess both. I’m a little confused as to whether “Flourish Cafe” is the same as your Etsy shop, or are they separate entities?
Yes, FlourishCafe is my shop. The link in the menu just leads to my website of the same name that is kind of the “base” that leads into both my Etsy shop and my blog. I’ll explain how to direct menu options to outside sites in the series.
As for the shop preview in the sidebar … Do you have an Etsy shop? If so, the code snippet to create an “Etsy Mini” for your own shop is provided by Etsy under >> your shop account >> promote >> etsy mini.
Great idea!!! I really need your series and tips. I started my blog last year, it was supposed to be all about my activity but then it became more about my everyday life in Tuscany. I like it but i do not have a lot of time to work on it and understand how i can make it better. i look forward to read your tutorials and series !!!
Thanks, Giovanna! Yes, your “voice” and focus for your blog can sometimes change over time .. I originally started a blog on blogger largely about vintage clothing, and it has morphed over time until I feel like I’ve finally really found my niche. But it is a fun process! I’ll be talking some about topic/audience in the series too. :)
I’m so excited about this series! I’ve shared it with my fiber friends so they can learn too! :)
Aw, thanks, Ashley, I appreciate it!! :D
Thank you, Ashley, for posting this blog link on facebook! This workshop is coming just in the nick of time for me. Yay! I need help with everything :D
Hi Jill! I’m so tickled Ashley shared this with you all – thanks for stopping by my blog! I’m so excited about the new series! :D
I’ve been interested in working on wordpress, but didn’t think I had the time to learn it all. Will you be covering how to import current blogger posts onto a newly designed wordpress blog? Looking forward to learning more about it. Your family sounds wonderful and so sweet!
Hi Laurie! Yes, we will certainly we covering how to import your blogger blog into your new WordPress design! Thanks for stopping by, I’ll look forward to seeing you around for the blogging series! :)
I’m looking forward to this tutorial. I started my blog a few years back and have only used it to show the projects I’ve worked on.(and fiber related things) I’d like to find a way to let people know that I do sell my items. Also, I’ve seen some blogs that have the items listed for sale and a Paypal button. I’ve often wondered how to do that, and all the ins and outs of some of the technical “stuff”. Thanks for sharing.
Hi April!
Thank you so much for thinking of doing this series–it’s going to be such a blessing! I literally started my blog four days ago and, while I’m really excited about it, I have little idea what I’m doing. :)
As you might see, it’s really simple… {I have a small(ish) computer screen and sometimes feel claustrophobic if there are too many things going on on a page, but for everyone else’s sake, I don’t want my blog to seem boring either, so…} regarding your blog-decorating ideas, I am really looking forward to your suggestions for the rest of us! Also, since I’m in the budding stages, I am also excited to learn more about WordPress… Perhaps it will be easier to switch over now before I get going too far?
Anyhow, I would like to just thank you generally for all that you’re doing on your blog! I’m really enjoying your posts and uplifting spirit. You’re a light in places you don’t even know! :)
Sincerely,
Ellie
I love this idea, April! I really would like to know about headers and cool customizable social media icons for FB, Twitter and Pinterest, etc. I can’t decide if I want to purchase a wordpress theme or stick with the free themes. I’m hesitant because I always change my mind, but I think I can customize the free one to make me happy. Definitely looking forward to your tutorial!
xo Glor (@iamglor)
Mine is the ugly blog-and needs LOTS of help!! Help!
Hi April,
I’m so glad that I stumbled upon your site, and at just the right time too. My blog is about 5 months old and just learning to turn over :) The learning curve has been so steep for my 40-something braincells and I’ve been brought to tears over the frustration of trying to make something technical happen on more than one occasion. My latest UGH, is trying to get my logo graphics into a header that I can install. (I’m using Gimp right now, is there a better (free) option?
I’ve purchased Genesis and have it installed on my demo blog but until I get the header done (for the Genesis sized theme) I don’t dare switch the theme over to the live blog.
I’ll be reading through the tutorials you’ve posted so far and playing around with the suggestions. Thanks for being so responsive like in the above comments. I sense a wonderfully helpful series is coming my way.
Thanks for sharing your talents and knowledge with the rest of us.
Hi!
I just found out about your blog on Craftgawker, and I’m loving it so far! :) Gorgeous layout!
I started my own blog in June this year (www.whatcarladid.blogspot.com) and while I feel like I’ve been working hard on it, it still looks sorta ‘blah’ if you know what I mean.
So I’ve started reading all the different parts on your blog and I’m hoping that I can apply to mine soon! Thank you!
Hello, I just came upon this blog. So happy to have found it. I will be going through your course material after the holidays are over. I may have some questions after the course is over. Three friends and I are starting up a crafting challenge blog together and I am the administrator/designer/curator of the blog. There are several things I would love to be able to do.I just don’t know how to do them. Thanks.
Hi April! I just needed to tell you how much I love this series. I stumbled upon one of your posts while perusing Pinterest (wow, alliteration) and I featured the series in my first blog post – I definitely think your tips will help me when I gather up the time to put a face on my new blog. If you’d like to check out the post I’ll throw the url at the bottom of this comment. A very Happy New Year to you and your family! I hope you get settled and back up and running soon so that I can keep reading your blog. :)
Cheers,
- Jen
http://coughloser.blogspot.ca/2013/01/new-years-resolution-1-finishing-what-i.html
Based on your advice, I’m giving a new start on my blog! But I use blogger.com. So, if you may, please stop by to my blog and give more advice! Thanks!
I have lots to learn!! Thanks for this awesome tutorial!!!
hi,
I find your blog few days ago and I would like to say thank you for the tutorials you are giving us its very helpfull.
I start my blog few years ago and stopped it and now I decided to start it again I am very motived.
I am just wondering how can I promote my blog what are the good ways to promote it ?
Thank you.
Léa