Step 1: Make It Attractive

This post is part of "Tuning your blog: From regular to ultimate in 7 steps" series. Today's, first part, is about making your blog attractive.

You can have good ideas and great content, but when people do not notice it at first site your risking too much. Always be sure, that nobody can tell "Oh, this blog is terrible, I'm leaving.." before getting to first paragraph of your article.

Think of these three things:

1. Accessibility
2. Usability
3. Attractiveness

In that certain order. First thing, is to have have accessible blog/site. Get rid of annoying and huge flash ads, be sure that all links are working, nothing is missing, and rather have accessible blog than tons of ads, blinking banners and maybe worthy content, if no one can get to it. After assuring of this you can move on.

Usability talks about something like websites that are easy to use, intuitive and you don't get lost browsing them. It is not only to have accessible blog, but to have usable and well designed layout, visible links, big headlines, less important text of smaller size, etc. You can ask somebody to visit your blog and watch him. If he will have no problems, job is well done.

And last things after accessibility and usability as breath-taking look of your blog. Web site's design should take every visitor's attention that they would say something like "Great, cool blog!" and then go on reading your posts still noticing perfect small details of your blog. I know, not everybody is talented graphic designer, but we can help ourselves with some free templates and themes.

So, go through these steps, try to think of how you can improve your blog from the graphical point of view and do think of it every day. You'll see, you'll get ideas and improvements will come. But firstly start with a good base of accessible and usable website.

You have just read first part of series "Tuning your blog: From regular to ultimate in 7 steps".

1. Make it attractive (this post)
   
2. Promote (coming soon..)
   
3. Be a part of community
   
4. Be a writer
   
5. Count
   
6. Do some link love
   
7. Repeat steps 1-6