For most of us, when we think about web design, we think about banners, logos, website layouts, and buttons. We think of the actual look of an entire website as a whole. This is reasonable; web design traditionally means designing an entire website. However, as online careers and blogging become more and more popular, a different element of web design has become very important. Many bloggers and web entrepreneurs use web templates for their overall site design. What has become vitally important in the last several years is knowledge of design at a smaller more specific level.
With blogging, while overall site design is absolutely essential, the construction of the actual blog posts is also essential. Much of the success of a blog post and blog in general can lie in how successful a post is built and put together. Consider these three blog post construction tips to create content that is easier to read and more grabbing.
Break Things Up
One of the biggest mistakes bloggers can make in the world of web design is trying to clump all of their writing together. Because, as bloggers, we are passionate about what we write, it can be easy to ignore everything but the writing itself. However, with an online audience, the way in which you present you post is vital. You have to break things up. Readers are reading from their small computer screens and in some cases from their cellphones or tablets. This small display does not serve well for loaded and bunched up text. Break things up. Use shorter paragraphs. Give your readers’ eyes a rest.
Be Concise
Breaking things up doesn’t stop at the paragraph length, you also want to think about the way you structure your arguments. Each sentence should deliver something to your readers. Fluff and jargon are rarely appreciated. Again, an online audience can be somewhat attention deficit. Try to keep them locked on to the point of your post. Each sentence should be clear and forward. No, this doesn’t mean that you have to write simple and boring sentences. But, you should work to write clearly and concisely. Most online readers will not stick around for long just waiting for you to get to your point.
Think Headers
Headers and other break indications are great design points to consider for your post. Our eyes immediately scan an article when we reach something online. Almost all of us look at a post and quickly skim through it to decide whether we’ll actually read it or not. With this in mind, it’s a wise idea to create posts that are easily scan-able. Use bullets, headers, bolding, and numbering to guide your readers eyes to the most important aspects of your post. These headers and indicators should describe a lot about your post without making it irrelevant to actually read. Headers, bolding, numbering, and all of that make things easier to read and help break a post up. There is nothing more daunting than having to read a huge block of text on a computer screen.
These blog post design tips help bloggers build a blog that is both functional and aesthetically appealing. In the online world, these are two essential elements of a successful website.
Kristie Lewis
A freelance writer with a specialization in all things construction, Kristie Lewis writes about everything from using her construction knowledge in her everyday pursuits to choosing the best construction management schools. For more information, contact her at Kristie.lewis81@gmail.com.
