If you’ve got a blog on your website or you’re toying with the idea of adding one, get ready to embrace a world of awesomeness. But before you dive headfirst into crafting your first blog post, let’s talk about something that’s crucial—yes, I’m talking about your blog’s design!
Now, you might be thinking, “Does the design of my blog really matter that much?” Oh, let me tell you, IT ABSOLUTELY DOES!
A well-designed blog is like a magical magnet that keeps your site visitors hooked, craving more of your brilliance. And guess what? It’s not just about keeping them around—it’s about reaping the juicy benefits!
A well-designed blog means visitors linger longer, boosting your SEO game, MORE free traffic flooding in, a BETTER user experience that leaves your readers grinning from ear to ear, and it even increases the chances of those visitors CONVERTING in one way or another.
In this value-packed post, I’m spilling the tea on the nine critical elements that your blog should absolutely have. These are the secret ingredients that will keep your readers glued to your site, soaking up every word.
Are you ready? Let’s dive in and transform your blog’s design!
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01. Featured Image: Stop the Scroll
Why it’s important: It’s all about that unforgettable first impression. Think of it as your blog’s red carpet moment, where you get to make a grand entrance and leave your readers in awe. That killer image sets the stage for an epic journey through your post, igniting their curiosity and driving them to dive deeper into your words of wisdom.
Articles with images get 94% more views as opposed to those with no visuals.
OptinMonster
An eye-catching featured image stops your readers in their tracks, making them go, “Whoa, what’s this all about?” A carefully chosen image that perfectly aligns with your content is like a siren’s call—it piques curiosity, it boosts click-through rates, and it leaves a lasting imprint on their minds.
2. Blog Author Byline / Bio: Build credibility and trust
Why it’s important: It’s all about establishing trust and building a connection. Think of your blog bio as that friendly handshake or warm greeting when meeting someone for the first time. Your readers can get to know the face behind the brilliance, and that personal touch goes a long way in forging a bond.
Picture this: your website is like a bustling party, filled with guests who may have never heard of you before. They’re walking into your virtual world, taking their first steps onto your blogging dance floor. But most of these visitors are newbies, completely unfamiliar with your particular brand of weird…ahem – I mean, amazingness. They might not have even stumbled upon your perfectly crafted bio on your About page—yet!
But fear not – you’ve got a solution that will introduce you to these first-time visitors without them lifting a finger. It’s your author byline! By including a brief bio right there in your sidebar or at the end of your post, your readers get a taste of who you are, right off the bat. No need to click around or go hunting for information.
What to include in your blog bio:
- Showcase your expertise and/or achievements: Highlight your professional background, accomplishments, and shining moments—show them you’re the real deal.
- Keep it relevant and captivating: Tailor your bio to your blog’s niche, showcasing the skills that make you the go-to guru in your field.
- Inject personality: Let your unique voice and quirks shine through—be authentic, relatable, and oozing with charisma.
- Leave them wanting more and eager to explore further.
3. Blog Social Share Links: Promote content sharing
Why it’s important: I mean – why not? Adding these “share” links to the top or bottom of your blog make sharing your content practically effortless for your readers, and can usually be added easily (or automatically) to each blog post, through your website’s theme.
I’m not talking about social media links that point to your own social profiles – even though those are great to have too. What I’m talking about are the special links that enable your readers to share your content through their own profiles. This could look like:
- Facebook share button with a share count
- Twitter retweet button to encourage social sharing
- Pinterest pin button for visually appealing content
These cute little share buttons are like giving your readers a megaphone to share your content on their go-to social media platforms – with a single click.
Oh, and here’s the best part, I bet you didn’t know: search engines take notice too of these “social shares” too!
Google loves it when your content gets shared because it shows that it’s relevant and popular. So, seriously, don’t even think twice about adding this little feature to your blog – it’s too easy to not do it and what have you got to lose?
4. Email Opt-In Form: Grow your email list
Why it matters: I don’t just write blog posts for the fun of it (although, let’s be honest, I do enjoy it!). I’ve got bigger dreams, loftier goals (like retiring early and living that rich life, eating private-chef prepared, farm-to-table feasts, harvested straight from my own garden, night after glorious night…) But this blog is more than just a blog to me, it’s a gateway to potential clients, an opportunity to make an impact and attain those goals. And that’s why I take it seriously. I know that capturing every single potential client is absolutely critical. So…cue the email opt-in form.
Related Post: How to Add a Freebie Download on Your Website That Grows Your Email List
An email opt-in form, offering a newsletter or a freebie, enables you to capture leads and build a loyal following of subscribers. By collecting those precious email addresses, you can nurture your relationships, shower them with valuable insights, and keep them coming back for more. This strategy has worked wonders for me, growing my email list by the thousands—and it can work for you too!
5. Properly Formatted and Optimized Headings (H1s-H6s): Improve readability + SEO
Why its important: I’ll admit this point seems a little “snooze-fest” and a little obvious, but it’s more important than you think – and most new bloggers I’ve seen aren’t actually doing this well. Thoughtfully-written headings play a BIG role in both user experience and search engine visibility.
Using heading tags (H2s-H6s) is one of the easiest ways you can make your content a breeze to read and navigate. Think of it like giving your readers a roadmap to smoothly glide through your words.
And your heading tags aren’t just for your users – search engines eat this stuff up too!
By adding in relevant keywords into those headings, you’re sending a signal to the search engines, that says, “Hey, my content is exactly what people are looking for!” Embrace the power of well-formatted headings for a low-effort way to impress both your readers and those Google bots.
6. Related Blog Posts/Links: Extend engagement
Why it’s important: Your reader reaches the end of your epic blog post. What’s next? Do they give you a friendly wave goodbye and close the tab, or do they get hooked by another captivating piece on a related topic? Keeping readers engaged on your site requires keeping their curiosity alive.
If you know they’re already into this stuff, it’s practically your duty to give them more.
When you sprinkle in those juicy related posts or handy links throughout your content, you’re doing more than just keeping readers engaged. You’re giving them a backstage pass to explore the depths of your wisdom. They get to dive deeper, learn more, and enjoy a richer experience. Plus, it’s not just about pleasing your readers—it’s about playing the SEO game too! Those internal links help navigate your website like a pro AND spread that link authority all around.
Related Post: How to Massively Increase Your Website Traffic by Blogging <<< See what I did there 😉
7. Blog Post Categories: Make your content easy to find
Why it’s important: Your readers stroll in, looking for that specific gem of knowledge, and voila! Your clear and logical categories guide them straight to the treasure they seek. It’s all about enhancing user experience and making their exploration journey seamless and efficient.
Plain and simple – categorizing your blog posts makes it easier for readers to find specific content they are interested in. But your well-organized categories do more than impress your readers…. They’re a secret weapon that helps those sneaky search engines too! (I bet you’re sensing a theme here.)
By giving your blog a structure, your visitors can easily digest your website’s content and it will feel like you’re speaking their love language.
8. High Quality Photos and Examples: Break up text and increase engagement
Why it’s important: No ones wants to drown in a sea of endless paragraphs, right? That’s why you’d be a fool to underestimate the power of captivating images and visuals. Engaging blog images are one of the easiest ways you can avoid bounces on your posts. Think of them as the spice that adds flavor to your content, breaks up the boredom, and keeps your readers hooked.
When it comes to images, forget the “less is more” mantra. It’s time to go big and go bold!
Don’t settle for a measly single featured image (I’m looking at you blogging noobs – I’ve seen this far too many times to count.)—flood your blog post with rich gallery of captivating visuals. The more the better. It’s not just for show; there’s a method to this madness.
Integrating beautiful high-quality photos from your recent perfectly-curated brand photo shoot or the likes of Haute Stock* or PixiStock (for my budget-friendly bosses), adds serious eye-candy that grabs your reader’s attention, making your content irresistibly sroll-worthy.
These stats don’t lie. According to the wise folks at WPBeginner.com, posts with more than seven images score a whopping 116% more organic traffic. That’s right – images are the golden ticket to boosting your blog’s visibility and drawing in those eager readers.
Posts with more than seven images get 116% more organic traffic compared to posts that have no images.
WPBeginner.com
As a blog reader, yourself—would you stick around in an article without any visuals? I know I don’t. Engaging images do so much more than just add flair. They bring context, they enhance understanding, and they keep your reader happily glued to your site. So, don’t hold back.
9. Blog Sidebar: Monetization + organization
Why it’s important: Let’s talk about the almighty sidebar… Think of it like your own personal billboard. Showcase the products or services you offer and watch the potential revenue streams flow in.
Your sidebar can be so much more than just a cluttered space on the side that you cram a bunch of links and random things in. This bad boy is a multitasking powerhouse that’s has the potential to level up your blog game and help you cash in on monetization – literally.
We’re talking cold, hard cash. Feature those advertisements (strategically, of course), affiliate products or sponsored content right into your sidebar, making your blog a hotbed of lucrative opportunities for your users to click on.
(If you are looking for more low-key impact in your sidebar space, use your sidebar for post category organization, a conveniently-placed search bar or a table of contents index on your individual posts.)
Related Post: How to Monetize a Blog: Tips for Maximizing Your Blog’s Earning Potential
That’s a Wrap
And there you have it… with these gems of blogging wisdom, you should be well-equipped to captivate your readers, boost your traffic, and build valuable brand impressions. Honestly, I’m so inspired by all of these examples, I’m ready to go redesign my own blog – literally 😉.
In the meantime, if you need help turning your blog design into an irresistible oasis of content that draws readers in, keeps them engaged, and leaves them wanting more, Shoot me a message here.
I help female entrepreneurs and business owners create brands that command the spotlight. I love working with women to help them create beautiful, one-of-a-kind brands that give them the confidence to take their business to the next level and get them seriously noticed. I’ve worked with coaches, authors, influencers… you name it, and I bet I can help you too.
