Two Easy Ways to Generate Excitement For Your Blog
Want to create some excitement for your blog site?
A great way to get yourself and others energized about your blog is to spruce things up a bit. This is one of the things that I absolutely love about WordPress. It is incredibly easy to completely change the look of your site literally overnight.
A quick facelift may be just the thing your site needs to leap to that next level. You know as well as I do how important that first impression is when you visit a website of any kind. Is your site up to par? Is it time for some improvements?
What if you don’t have a WordPress site? Well, why not start your own blog? The tips I’m offering today can help you get a beautiful and professional looking site up in very little time. All you really need are some basic computer skills.
My Recommendations for Your WordPress Facelift
You might have noticed that I recently applied a new theme to my site. That’s what inspired me to write this. I’ve really gotten a boost from the new look and I thought why not suggest the same thing to others?
This all ties into Super-Charged Living because one of the key characteristics is having an entrepreneurial spirit. This site is a micro-business for me. Therefore, I’m continually looking for ways to improve it. I think I’ve found a couple so now I’m going to pass them along.
Here are two incredibly easy ways to give your WordPress blog a quick facelift:
1. Buy and Install a Premium WordPress Theme
In WordPress, the theme defines the look and layout of the site. There are thousands of free themes out there, but none of them really offer what you can get in a good premium theme. Premium themes cost a little money, but they are worth it.
For example, the theme I’m running here on MySuperChargedLife.com is a premium theme called WP-Sublime from Solostream.com. I love it for several reasons:
- It was easy to implement and it instantly transformed the look of my site.
- It has numerous options that are configurable from the admin section of WP.
- It has 9 different pre-defined color options to get you going quickly.
- It has options in the control panel to easily adjust the colors per my taste.
- I can radically change the look of the home page with just a few clicks.
- It has a footer that I can customize with WordPress widgets.
- I can add a custom header logo easily right in the control panel.
- So much more! Check out all the features at Solostream.com!
A premium theme like the ones offered by Solostream give your blog a more impressive appearance. This translates to more subscribers and ultimately to more traffic.
In addition, it gives you more flexibility to customize your blog to better suit your specific needs. For instance, in my theme options I can make my home page and my content pages look completely different with just a few mouse clicks. This means I can spend more time concentrating on writing great content and less time trying to figure out design changes.
Finally, I think premium themes are worth the money because they usually include some form of support. When I want to do something with my site that I don’t know how to do, I simply log into the Solostream Forums and get the answers I need. Again, this saves me a an incredible amount of time and hassle.
A Special Solostream Offer for MySuperChargedLife.com Readers
WP-Sublime is the second premium theme that I’ve purchased from Solostream. I am truly impressed with what they offer and even though I think their prices are very fair, I’ve arranged a special 10% discount for you.
Click here to browse Solostream premium themes and then enter supercharge at checkout to get 10% off of your purchase! This promo code will expire soon so take advantage of it now.
I want to be completely transparent here. Yes, I make a little commission if you click the link on my site and buy a Solostream theme, but it doesn’t cost you a thing. In fact, you actually save money buying a great premium theme this way and you support this site! Obviously, I truly believe in their themes because this is the second one I’ve purchased.
2. Get a Custom Designed Logo for Your Site Header
The second way I would suggest that you can radicially improve the look of any website is to get a custom designed logo for your site header. Even if you’ve already got one, think about getting a new one. I firmly believe a fresh coat of paint can really change the entire feel of a site. You will be amazed at the difference a custom header makes!
Check the difference for yourself in these images of my site:
MySuperChargedLife.com — Custom Header
MySuperChargedLife.com — No Custom Header
See the difference! There is no comparison. A custom designed header graphic makes a world of difference.
I have personally used two guys at different times that are terrific at graphic design and that I highly recommend. They both do incredible work and get it cranked out very quickly. Also, they are amazingly reasonable on their prices! Check out:
- Logos4You.net (Brad)
- Logos for Websites (Peter)
I am not receiving any form of compensation for mentioning either of these graphic design sites. I just love their work and want to pass along their information in hopes that it will benefit you. There are a ton of other designers that you can find online, but you will not get the same courteous, personal service from them as you will from Brad and Peter.
A Small Investment Can Make a Huge Difference
Do you want your blog to grow? Are you committed to its success? If so, then make a small investment in it and you will reap incredible dividends. In just a couple of days at the most, you can completely upgrade your site to professional quality with the two suggestions that I’ve made here. Why wait another minute?
Questions? Leave me a comment and I’ll be happy to answer whatever I can!
Photo by Elvire.R.
Excellent suggestions, Jeff! As you know, I have a blog as well and I recently upgraded with both of these options. I used the Frugal Theme (also a premium theme), and I think it adds a great look and incredible functionality to my site. And Brad at Logos4You.net designed my custom header.
I’m super happy with both investments! And your site looks great as well.
Dustin | Engaged Marriage´s last blog ..An Educated, Artsy-Fartsy Protestant’s Thoughts on Natural Family Planning
Dustin – I’m glad to hear that you’ve personally experienced the benefits gained from purchasing a premium WordPress theme and a custom header logo. You’ve done a great job getting it implemented and I believe the investment will pay off for you.
Thanks for the mention Jeff, and I think you have given some really great advice. I can attest to the fact that a makeover can increase readership. In just the few months since I used Thesis to give my blog a makeover I have jumped 100 or so readers.
I love your new custom header!
Brad´s last blog ..Brad And J’s 1st Annual Christmas Stimulus 2009
Brad – I’ve seen your work at Logos4You.net and I know the value of a nice looking site. I hope others will take advantage of your graphic design skills to give their site a facelift. As you point out with your jump in subscribers, the investment really does have a measurable payoff.
I think you mean “radically different”, not “racially different”. lol
Agreed on the premium theme. I just bought Thesis and I love it to death so far.
Kristen@TheFrugalGirl´s last blog ..Wednesday Baking | Apricot Coffee Cake
Kristen – Ha! Thanks for catching the typo. It is fixed now. A slight slip of the finger can really cause the meaning of a sentence to change, can’t it?
Jeff, as we discussed by phone, you did a great job switching your site to the WP-Sublime theme. With just a small bit of help, you have create a site that looks professional and has those special design elements which make it standout. Be sure to let everyone know that we’re always available to help people who want to learn how to get more out of WordPress and their site design.
Mike – It was a pleasure speaking to you and I think your theme just makes me look good. I’m truly impressed with the awesome job you guys did on WP-Sublime. I hope a lot more people discover what Solostream can do for them.
Thanks for the link love Jeff, I appreciate it. didn’t know that Brad did logos too – looks like I’ve got some competition!
The new site looks great!
Peter´s last blog ..Do You Have Financial Purpose Or Do You Just Manage Your Money?
Do you have any suggestions for a blogger.com facelift?
Angela – Upgrade your blog to a WordPress.org site so you can have complete control!
Jeff – Thanks for these two tips. As a new blogger and podcaster it is always good to read about how others, like yourself, are making their sites better. We will continue to tweak ours as we grow.
Thanks
Tony