You could have observed issues look a bit of completely different round right here. Right here’s how we redesigned our weblog (and how one can redesign yours too).
Why Did We Redesign Our Weblog?
A blog is your home on the Internet. Like all properties, they ultimately have to be tidied up. That was actually the case for this very weblog you’re studying proper now. Whereas we have been busy engaged on our product and different priorities, we realized it was time to provide our weblog a refresh.
We’re running a blog and design nerds, so a weblog redesign is one thing we’d do for enjoyable. Relaxation assured there have been way more essential causes to revamp our weblog although. Running a blog is what we do, so our weblog must be distinctive, proper? With this thought in thoughts, our advertising and marketing, design, and engineering groups collaborated to create one of the best weblog expertise attainable.
Now, you may assume you possibly can be taught the whole lot there’s to find out about this redesign simply by it. Nonetheless, there are some refined particulars and enhancements which may be simple to overlook. Let’s have a look at some redesign particulars we’re significantly pleased with and share some easy suggestions you should use to enhance your individual weblog (with recommendation straight from our personal design workforce).
What’s Improved on the WordPress.com Weblog
We all know what you’re pondering: “Okay, however what does all this imply for me?” If we have been you, we’d be asking the identical query. Listed here are some enhancements made to our weblog that make your expertise higher.
A Extra Partaking Look
The WordPress.com Weblog was visually outdated and now not matched the branding of the remainder of our website. We modernized our design and publish layouts to deliver them as much as our 2025 design requirements.
Right here’s a snapshot of our previous single-column homepage design:
It was clear and easy however bland. The article description font for textual content beneath headlines was tough to learn, and the small picture thumbnails didn’t do justice to our sharp header designs that had already been utilizing a few of our refreshed design requirements. There was room for enchancment right here.
In case you haven’t seen it, right here’s what our new and improved weblog homepage seems like:
The clear header part locations our most up-to-date posts entrance and middle, whereas the multi-column structure makes it simpler to search out extra content material you is perhaps concerned about. You’ll additionally discover a constant strategy to visible styling, guaranteeing design parts and pictures look their finest.
| Suggestions for planning your individual weblog redesign:
– Set up constant colours you utilize throughout your weblog. This helps create a extra cohesive look that’s extra instantly recognizable as “you.” |
A Extra Helpful Navigation Construction
Our earlier weblog homepage design featured a single column with a easy search bar. The brand new design implements a streamlined menu for higher group and simpler navigation:
This will seem like a easy design, however that simplicity is intentional. Every class has been strategically thought of to successfully group content material collectively into the fewest buckets attainable.
On the backside of the weblog residence web page, we additionally embody a bit for common content material. This ensures that posts receiving excessive engagement get further visibility:
| Tip for establishing your weblog classes:
– Choose weblog classes thoughtfully. A smaller variety of fastidiously thought of classes centered on core topical areas could also be higher than having a lot of classes as a result of it presents fewer, extra intentional choices to your readers. For extra detailed steerage on selecting classes, read this guide. |
An Simpler Studying Expertise
Redesigning the WordPress.com Weblog wasn’t nearly appearances although. We made a number of enhancements that make content material (like this publish) extra snug to learn:
- Making our font choice according to the remainder of our web site
- Guaranteeing these fonts are web-friendly
- Selecting colours that aren’t solely constant however help simple readability
Extra Clear Calls to Motion
We work exhausting to create content material that makes you say, “This weblog publish was so good, I want extra of it in my inbox.” Now, each publish has a transparent subscription banner throughout the underside. We’ve additionally made it simpler for readers to search out the place they will begin a brand new web site or weblog of their very own (for readers who’re simply getting began).
| Suggestions for including CTAs to your weblog:
– Make it simple for readers to search out extra of your content material. |
Six Tricks to Enhance Your Subsequent Redesign Venture
In the event you’re desirous about redesigning your individual weblog or web site (or for a consumer), we now have some extra recommendation to share.
1. Set Clear Expectations with Shoppers
Our weblog redesign mission required a excessive stage of collaboration between groups and stakeholders. In case you are redesigning a weblog for a consumer, make sure that either side perceive the targets of the mission. Listed here are some gadgets you must you should definitely doc:
- Your shoppers’ targets and priorities
- All high-level duties to implement the redesign
- Anticipated preliminary launch date
- Timeline for enhancements and iterations after launch
Then, all through the mission, frequently evaluate and replace this doc to make sure alignment and monitor progress successfully. This may assist preserve the mission on monitor and keep away from disappointment.
2. Create a Guidelines of Design Duties
Earlier than you begin working, create a extra detailed guidelines of all of the steps it’s essential comply with. Get away this checklist into two sections:
- Steps that have to be accomplished earlier than launch
- Steps that may be accomplished after launch
This may make it easier to prioritize the work that must be accomplished at a granular stage.
3. Optimize for the Proper Issues
Even the best-looking design is wasted if a website doesn’t operate effectively. Prioritize efficiency: optimize property, use lazy loading, reduce JavaScript and CSS, and implement caching the place attainable. This may assist be sure your consumer’s website works in addition to it seems.
To get some WordPress and site-specific efficiency suggestions, you should definitely use our free Speed Test tool.
4. Check, Check, Check
Throughout growth, begin and keep a report of pre-launch and post-launch testing gadgets. This may guarantee clean deployment (and make it easier to catch bugs earlier than your consumer or their customers do).
5. Decide How A lot Present Code and Content material Might be Reused
Redesign tasks might be loads of work. Luckily, you may not have to revamp the whole lot in your website or weblog. Clearly outline what components have to be totally redesigned and what might be stored or inherited from different merchandise for frequent patterns. For instance, with our personal weblog redesign, we have been in a position to preserve the present sample for feedback.
6. Implement a Clear Suggestions Course of
We imagine suggestions is a present. When somebody calls consideration to one thing you possibly can enhance on, they’re attempting that will help you be higher. Set up a simple course of to your consumer to evaluate designs and supply constructive suggestions all through the method (and never simply on the finish). This fashion, your consumer will really feel valued, and the top product might be extra more likely to meet their expectations.
Able to Redesign Your Personal Weblog?
In the event you’re impressed to revamp your individual weblog, follow our detailed guide (it’s geared towards full web site redesigns, however a lot of the recommendation remains to be relevant). Or, in case you’d like to begin a weblog (or assist a good friend begin certainly one of their very own), we now have another guide that can help you do that too. Right here’s to creating the Web a extra stunning and helpful place, one weblog at a time.
Dropped at you by FREELANCE
WEB DESIGNER KUALA LUMPUR
