I’ve designed quite a few blogs over the last year or so, and I recently worked with a client who I thought did an extremely thorough job of planning for her new site, Remarkable Parents. The process she went through provides a good case study to look at, as the preparation for a blog launch can make a big difference in your success both in the early days and long term.
First Steps
Before Vicky even got to the design process, she consulted the experts in how to prepare for a blog launch. There are many great articles out there to help with the planning process, but Vicky chose to go straight to a master blogging authority and consult with Chris Garrett. As a result, when she came to me, she had many of the pieces in place which made translating her vision into a blog design enjoyable.
Ready to Design
So, what are these pieces that made my job so much easier?
Concept – she knew what her blog was going to be about and she had an idea about how that might translate into visual terms. She didn’t tell me exactly what she wanted the header to look like of course. Rather, the concept she gave me for designing the header was somewhat abstract, but provided guidance enough for me to work with.
Target Audience – she knew who she was going to be writing to, and knowing this made my search for images that would work well in the header much easier. She even had an age range in mind.
Look and Feel – she had scoured the web for sites that appealed to her and had elements she thought would appeal to her target audience. She didn’t just have one inspirational site and color scheme, but several and she described what she liked about each.
The result
So much thought and preparation time made the design process go very smoothly, and the final result is a site we’re both very pleased with.
If you visit Vicky’s site, you’ll see that her first post is up and she has received 35 comments on it! Not only has she put a lot of time into the preparation for her blog’s launch, she is following it up by networking, the use of social media sites like Twitter and even some offline promotion using some MooCards that have her blog’s header on them.
Even if your budget doesn’t allow for professional consultation and design, taking the time to be very thorough in planning and preparation before launching a blog can make all the difference.
Nice work and I love the design!
hmm. i never thought that designing a perfect blog had such a concept to help create it! great post and beautiful designs!
the color suits the title of the topic and the face of the beautiful lady or mum, just perfect!
Very interesting article about the development and what can i say? Awesome result! Perfect mix of style and an effective interface. I’m a bit jealous…
Great design there Randa
Really good info, thanks for this. Site has come together well, good job all round.
Great information, I agree with everything that you talk about to what increases all the SEO efforts and also what it takes to get a site ranked high.
I think one thing you could have mentioned is the objective of the blog. When I design a site (for myself or someone else) this is the first thing I think about is the objective of the site (or blog in this case) I know it sounds obvious but it is really useful to ahve a clear objective as other aspects can come of that (like target audience) and it keeps a focus, so the final product can actually achive an objective.
wow I love the design of that website…. very perfect
Well of course I went to Remarkable Parents and actually spent several minutes there reading (and Learning) She obviously is on to something there. I think we made a number of mistakes on our first professional blog launch and are actually in the process of have it redesigned with a complete overhaul. The color scheme of the site you designed was very nice. (I will be sending a link to my business partner!) I think it is so important, if your blog does have a purpose to be planned ahead of time so you will know how to best design it.
Nice job
I’m also making a web pages, but my main problem is that i’m a programmer not designer. But i like Your job
Regards
Nice design Randa. Actually Im in the process of creating design for my own blog and the simple proces will be my basis point.
actually this site templates quite nice.
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Beautiful site, well done. It was an inspiration for my blog in the future. Thanks
Your blog is really nice one with some really good posts but I am little bit surprised to see that the quantity of RSS readers are small in number. I expected more then it is now.
I am glad i learned something
Very interesting article, thanks. I think it should always be this way, although sometimes it’s not feasible – it all depends on the clients it skills and how much time they have to put into such a site. When this happens it’s nice, but we have to be aware that clients sometimes want the full site but don’t have the time to put the effort in through no fault of their own.
Great article though, thanks again =)
Wow…a lot of comments. The article worths to be be proud of and the design. Creativity and colour is important in designing something.
EPCOT Is Growing Mickey Mouse Ear Pumpkins is a great post on Remarkable Parents. I get a kick out of this one and can’t wait to try it. I think that Vicky H did a right choice in consulting with Chris Garrett. The result is amazing. The way the top graphics line up, along with her perfect picture. It reminded me about the “7 ways blogging is just like opera”, how you go about saying to wear a good costume, a perfect picture is something that says allot.
There’s nothing like a well prepared client! The website generally turns out a lot better and is more of a success, along with the fact that the project doesn’t drag on and you get paid on time! Good work.
The entire purpose of design is to solve the design problem and convey the message properly to the appropriate demographic. Unless you are already an expert in the clients demographic you will have to ask them questions to define the proper demographic for the client’s service or product THEN do the appropriate research. Take notes and design accordingly. That is all for today class…
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hM. Interesting. Do you thing now people are thinking of designing the blogs theme without thinking enough. They are only running for the money.
If these steps are this much easy then why not all the webmaster are designing their own blogs?
It’s like with every online or offline media game you play: the better the preparation in advance, the best results you get once everything goes live. I love the great style of the design by the way. Really catches the mood of what the site is all about.
If these steps are this much easy then why not all the webmaster are designing their own blogs?
agree with you
quite simple and cool design
Your blog is really nice one with some really good posts but I am little bit surprised to see that the quantity of RSS readers are small in number. I expected more then it is now.
Wow very nice article. We’ve recently launched a blog and this would have been useful to know before doing it… but its never too late right?
you really have a great blog design simple and helpful
What a great site! You can certainly tell a lot of effort was put into designing and planning for its launch.
Excellent design, great colour scheme. We need more to see more examples like this. Keep up the good work !
Really wonderful design…I’m a designer and I’ve learned so much from you..and you gain more subscriber
Thanks
Sepatu Lukis
Very nice design (better than I can do). I like that sepia-tone look.
Wow, I wish I had found this before I launched some of my blogs. I will most certainly take this advice when I do my next one. Thanks!
Hi Randa..I’m back
I discover this post is really helpful for me and I decide to put your blog design into one of my design analysis case study report.
Percy Ward
Love this design – especially the dreamy sepia look. I’m partial to the subject also.
Thank you very much It is enough knowledge
It is really useful information for me, thanks a lots
Wow! Thank you so much!
Stunning site! A very welcoming feel about it. I can see a lot of parents turning to the blogs for knowledge and advice.
An experienced designer and flexible client are key to creating not only an eye catching site but also one that is practical and easy to navigate.
Well done Vicky and Chris!
time and research are required for every website. I definately agree with this. However, everybody thinks that we built websites in a day.
Great site, very informative and effective color scheme. Great work!
hey randy you picked up a good design for case study i am really in love with your blog its full of informative articles sadly i am late and now can’t take part in those discussions ended. but hey we are here with new posts past is past.
(i really like listening to your tweets too
)
Tnx,
Can you post another study cases?
Thanks again,
Brooke
“Great site, very informative and effective color scheme. Great work!” So do I. Working ability is great!
Hi great info on blog design. I was about to start my own blog on my e-commerce site Dead Sea Products and found this site and it’s blogs very helpful. Thanks
I’m glad I came across this as I’m getting ready to launch a new blog in the next few weeks. I doubt I’ll be as prepared as Vicky was, but at least I have a starting point.
Brad