Very few bloggers start out with fully customized blog layouts. Most will use a template and begin to customize it from there. In the customization is where you can really make your blog layouts stand apart from the rest who are also using the same freeware version of the theme. So how do you get started to maximize your site? Here are three tips:

1. Get very familiar with CSS, HTML and your publishing software. Most blog publishing software out there gives easy access to the blogger to update and change the pages that make up the blog. This includes the CSS file, the main index template and the individual posts and pages. You need to get very familiar with your blog layouts to know where things fall, what files need to be updated. Learn if your blog has a header, footer, sidebar and main template.

If you want to add text, an image or widget you need to know where to put it. Learning your blog layouts will help you do this. Don’t be afraid to change the code from the backend. The CSS file will allow you to change colors, fonts, etc to make your standard template look fully customized.

2. Have a plan before you get started. Before you jump in and blog think about your site first. Do you plan to have stagnated content on your blog or do you plan to update regularly, perhaps a combination of the two? Do you plan to have advertisements on your blog and what about any plug-ins? You should be able to define your blog so you know what theme is the best one for you. If you want three columns or two. If you need widgets and Google Adsense ready blog layouts. Have a plan before you begin. If you don’t you will end up completely revamping your blog in a few months when you realize you picked the wrong one.

3. Always think about your readers first, not yourself. Too often people use what they think looks cool but never consider the reader experience. They choose black backgrounds and small fonts. Have you ever read a blog like this? It is horrible, I personally hate black backgrounds even with white text it is hard to read and strains my eyes. Think about USEABILITY! Don’t make reading your blog a challenge. Make it fun and easy to navigate. Don’t frustrate your readers. When you do your planning think about navigation. Think about colors and making your blog user friendly. Don’t think about yourself.

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