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When it comes to blog design sometimes keeping it simple is the best way to go. With all of the template options and add ons available it may seem like the fancier your blog design the better. But in actuality what's most important is that your visitors feel comfortable enough to stay for a while, and hopefully become regular readers. Here are five ways to simplify your site and give your readers a chance to focus on your blog content.

Skip The Fancy Font

Super huge, colored, or over the top font is not necessary and can be distracting, and in some cases even alarming to those dropping by your blog. Stick to normal sized, easy to read font so that your visitors can easily read your posts. Find other ways to express your individuality that doesn't interfere with your visitor's ability to enjoy the content.

Avoid Flashing Banners

Most people find excessive advertisements and pop up or flashing banners annoying, making it highly unlikely that they will return to your site. If you're trying to gain blog readers then keeping your advertisements unobtrusive and minimal is best.

Remove Sidebar Blogrolls

A blogroll on the sidebar isn't so bad, but several blogrolls can make for a huge loading time for visitors and even freeze up some computers. I know this first hand since I am guilty of being one of the worst blog roll offenders ever. I have now reformed and moved my blogrolls onto seperate pages, which unclutters the sidebar, improves loading time, and keeps it simple.

Do You Really Need It?

Eliminate what you don't need. It's really easy for bloggers to become pack rats! With all of the website add ons available it's sometimes hard to say no. Take a fresh look at your blog and see if there's anything you can do without.

Do you really need the music and real time chat? Do you need the special effects, and the huge variety of multiple widgets? A lot of bloggers will say yes!

Just remember that you want to give your readers a chance to appreciate your content, so don't overwhelm them with too many distractions.

Organize Your Blog

Take some time to organize your awards, blogrolls, blog posts, and everything else you are throwing up on your sidebar. If you look at your blog and get confused then how do you think a visitor will feel?

Pretend it's the first time visiting your blog, how easy is it to navigate? Don't scare away potential readers with a cluttered and confusing site.

Who would have thought that keeping it simple could take so much work? But it's worth the effort to have a blog that your visitors will love.

Learn more about this author, Angelica Biel.
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