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A Small Difference is A Difference None The Less

So, you have a blog. Now what? Make a difference and stand out! You might say that the contents alone makes all the difference between one blog to another and I agree with you on that. However, making a difference visually helps to create that first impression on your readers, especially the first time visitors. The BBC previously reported a study conducted by Gitte Lindgaard of Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada that “Internet users make up their minds about the quality of a website in the blink of an eye“. One of the conclusions from the study was “If people believe a website looks good, then this positive quality will spread to other areas, such as the website’s content“.

 

Even without the above study, my own experience tells me that I am more likely to browse further on a web site if the site has a visually appealing look to me. Do you not agree? You may then say that for the web site owner (or blogger for that matter) it’s only a matter of choosing between one theme to another. Every theme is different. Or is it?

 

Not to me. Every theme is only different in so far as the original template is concerned. Once it is downloaded by more than one (1) person and used in their site, the said theme is the same between the 2 or more sites which uses it. With some popular themes, you get hundreds if not thousands of people using them. I won’t be surprised that this theme that I am using is also being used by hundreds, if not thousands of blogs out there. And that makes all of us who uses the same theme look alike unless we create a difference.

 

One of the things I did here was to remove the giant red rectangle which came with the original theme. I then contacted the designer and asked him to move my page links to be placed from left to right. Finally, I decided to use my amateur skills to create a banner for RSS subscription (see top of sidebar), which is probably one of its kind because of the custom wordings used. I might create a banner for this site later to further differentiate the look of this site from its counter-parts. These are all little things which we can do to make a difference to our blogs to make it stand out from the others. The changes I did are amateurish and based on my current limited knowledge of wordpress codings. See what awesome customisation Kristarella did on her site and compare that with the original copyblogger theme.

 

Putting it differently (but talking about the same thing nonetheless), if you are required to wear a uniform to work, how would you set yourself apart from another? Perhaps a difference in hairdo or the use of accessories. It is human nature to want to be independent and be outstanding. It goes the same with blogs and its look. Get a custom theme for your site if you are willing to invest. Otherwise, make an effort to tweak your mass distributed theme so that you will make a good first impression. A good first impression counts. It also shows to a certain extent or gives an impression to others your character and personality. Believe me it does!

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. 24 Aug 07 | About Image

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Intelligent Replies

  1. helen_H | August 24th, 2007 at 1:58 pm

    True, true…. as soon as I master WP! Grrrr Grrrrr

  2. Michael from Pro Blog Design | August 24th, 2007 at 6:54 pm

    Great article pabloabla. You’re absolutely right! The little customisations make such a massive difference overall. :D

  3. Dee Barizo | August 27th, 2007 at 11:12 am

    Great advice. Blog design is one thing I’ve underrated. But Lindgaard’s study is revealing. I think I’ll save up to get a custom blog theme for one of my blogs. I’m trying to build up its brand. A new blog theme should help.

    Also, I like your modifications on the theme. They definitely help your blog stand out.

  4. pablopabla | August 28th, 2007 at 10:05 am

    Helen : We all have to learn somewhere ;)

    Michael : Thanks for the encouragement Michael. Your feedback means a lot to me. After all, you are the author of Pro Blog Design, and a very good one at that! :D

    Dee : Hello Dee! Thanks for your comments. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your new blog theme soon.

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