One tried and tested formula for blogging success is producing high quality and relevant content paired with a visually appealing blog layout design. Mind you, there are two sides to the equation namely content and design, and both are equally important.
Content is the bread and butter of a blog, but we cannot overlook the impact of web design. How your blog looks plays a crucial role in attracting and sustaining the attention of your audience.
Readers linger on a blog if it has great content, but they won’t be reading the blog in the first place if it has a poor layout or distracting visuals. You only have a few seconds to grab your reader’s attention. To hook your audience within that short period, you must bank on your blog’s design. Take inspiration from these high-converting landing pages.
Design is truly an indispensable aspect of blog pages. A beautifully constructed blog layout reels in the right readers to your website. To maximize your blog’s conversion rate, incorporate these different elements in your blog layout:
Content
Your posts should take center stage in your blog. Here are the essential features that will make your content shine:
1. Headline
The quickest way to capture your reader’s interest is through a captivating headline. A good headline whets the reader’s curiosity. It should be catchy and succinct. The more impact you can create with fewer words, the better.
2. Byline and Time Stamp
Bylines allow authors to build credibility in their respective fields. Time stamps, on the other hand, emphasize the relevance of a blog post. They inform your readers that your blog has fresh content and updated posts.
3. Banner
Research in the field of education shows that 65% of the global student population are visual learners, which is why teachers accompany their lessons with visual aids. In the field of marketing, it’s no different. Enticing visuals will make your post inviting to the readers.
4. Content
Even with an attention-grabbing headline, your blog will not stand out without insightful content. Capture your reader’s interest with engaging grabbers. Share a fascinating fact, a relatable personal anecdote, or a thought-provoking question to spark the curiosity of your reader.
5. Text Break
Big chunks of text tend to discourage readers to go through an entire blog post. Your goal is for the reader to reach the end of the post, and to do that, you need to provide breaks. Add images or videos in between paragraphs.
You can also use lists, bullet points, and subheadings not only to make your post appear shorter and more “readable,” but also to help you organize your ideas better.
6. Call-to-action (CTA)
Aside from getting your targeted audience to read your blog posts, you want them to be interested in your company and what you have to offer. Captivate your reader’s interest through an appealing call-to-action banner that will encourage them to view your services and contact pages.
If you have something to offer for free, you can also include this in your CTA banner. No one can resist freebies!
7. Author Box
Include an author box at the end of each post to let your readers know your writers better. The author box could include a short introduction of the writer, as well as links to his/her social media accounts and personal website.
8. Related Posts
Another way to capture your reader’s interest is to display related posts at the end of every article. This will encourage your readers to linger on your website, read more articles, and get to know your products or services better.
9. Comments
Increase engagement on your website by adding a comments section at the end of every blog post. This will allow you to interact and gain feedback from your readers.
10. Social Media Sharing Buttons
Allow your readers to share your post on other social media platforms easily. The more readers share your post, the more you increase your visibility across various media platforms.
Sidebar
The different elements in the sidebar can be rearranged depending on your goals. Regardless of how you would want them to appear on your page, here are the important parts of the sidebar:
1. About You
Let your readers get to know you! Add a short introduction in this section and include a photo as well. This element adds a simple, personal touch to your blog—allowing your readers to connect with you and put a face behind the posts they are reading.
2. Email Subscription
Increase your readership by adding a “Subscribe” form on the sidebar. Write an inviting pitch as to why your readers should click that button.
3. Social Media Links
Connect your readers to your other social media accounts so that you can continuously update them with new posts.
4. Top Articles
Showcase your blog’s top articles to encourage your audience to read your best posts.
5. Categories
Arrange your articles by category so that your readers can immediately browse through the different topics that you cover.
6. CTA Banner
Display your company’s CTA banner on the sidebar to increase your reader’s interest in the company.
Header
The header appears on every page of your website, and it should include the following elements:
1. Navigation
Allow your readers to easily navigate your website by adding important links at the top of the page. Include a link to your “Services” page so that your readers can quickly browse your company’s offerings.
2. Hero Image and CTA
Put a spotlight on your company’s call-to-action and pair it with a striking image that best represents your company.
Here’s an infographic that shows what a high-converting blog page looks like.
(1. Headline, 2. Byline and Date, 3. Banner, 4. Content, 5. Text Break, 6. CTA below the post, 7. Author Box, 8. Related Posts, 9. Comments, 10. Social Media Sharing Buttons, 11. About You, 12. Email Subscription, 13. Social Media Links, 14. Top Articles, 15. Categories, 16. CTA Banner, 17. Navigation, 18. Hero Image + CTA)
To sow the seeds of your blogging efforts, you must marry amazing content with striking visuals and appealing web design. Raise your blogging game with these web design tips and tricks. Do you have other web design ideas to share?
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