Most bloggers start out on free blogging platforms like blogger or wordpress. This is understandable, as very few bloggers have a concrete idea of where they want to take this “blogging thing” when they first start out.
When bloggers start to get serious is when most settle in on a design – and then proceed to forget about it. But, there comes a time when the design of every blog should be changed. Following are two such instances.
Your Business Plan Changes: As alluded to above, most bloggers don’t start out with a concrete business plan for their blog. Once they formalize one -– and this usually occurs six months to one year after blogging — then they figure out a direction for it.
And, this is when the design of the blog needs to be looked at. Why? Because rarely will the design that you start out with suit a formalized business plan – ie, a plan that will make money online.
For example, in the beginning you may monetize your blog with Google Adsense ads. But, most expert bloggers will tell you that private ad sales and affiliate marketing is where the real money in online marketing is.
Your current blog design is probably not set up to maximize revenues for this.
I had my blog redesigned this past summer. Note: I haven’t rolled out the new design yet. One of the things the new design incorporates is prominent space for private ads. I will be moving away from Google Adsense and toward taking ads from internet entrepreneurs.
FYI, this same advice applies to websites also, as a both are simply online presences.
Your Demographics Change: What I mean by this is – your target market. Who are you targeting online? Who are you looking to sell your product/service to?
When you get serious about making money online, one of the first things you should look at is how you’re going to monetize your blog. This should cause you to ask – and answer – such questions as who are my customers; what do they want; what is the competition offering them; how can I offer it better, cheaper, differently; how will I reach them; etc.
Whether you realize it or not, when you pose questions like this — what you’re doing is crafting a business plan.
Rarely will a design you have in place from when you first started this “blogging thing” suit your needs now that you’re targeting a specific group with specific needs (ie, serving your demographic).
Internet Marketing Food for Thought
If your business goals have changed, but your blog’s design hasn’t, you’re probably leaving money on the table.
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http://www.mariolist.com
Mario
I agree in the fact that you need to change designs from time to time especially on important stage on your blog. I always think about this on my blog. And for us that can't create unique blog theme, it is also crucial when to have or purchase unique design. It is an investment that can help to elevate your blog into a new level
For me it seems that bloggers kinda think that design improvement is always huge total theme change.
I try to keep general looks (branding and such) while optimizing and experimenting with parts of design that don't work as good as they can. Having badly performing sidebar or footer should not be a reason to nuke your theme.
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are people who like to use internet at the best it can be.
The look and design of blogs just seem to be getting better every day.