Blogging Trends
Are you planning a new brand or looking to grow your existing brand? Times have changed in the blogging world and I want to make sure you’re up on the latest blogging trends… to maximize your blogging and sales efforts!
Minimal Layouts with an Emphasis on Images
Simplified, minimal layouts that place the emphasis on your products, graphics and images is a key component to growing your blog AND your social media presence. Busy blog designs take away from your photos and graphic elements. Thus simple and clean site designs (like Stefanie Crum above and Joanie Design below) are in!
Ability to Search, Organize & Browse Past Posts
Visual snippets are one way to maximize past posts, but another is organizing by categories and displaying previous posts. Like the ‘Latest DIY Projects’, ‘Latest in Décor’ and ‘Get the Global Look’ as seen on our client Casa Watkins Living home page.
Seamless Integration of Affiliate Links & Features
Affiliate links are a great way to add a stream of income to your site, but in the past these were found ‘haphazardly’ all around, not really blending in with your site/brand. Lately, more of my clients are integrating affiliate links and features more seamlessly into the design of the site. I love how ZDesign At Home has a “Shop The Feed” in her side bar and curated “Get The Look” products featured in her blog post… adding seamless integration with her design and brand!
Offer Informational Products
An excellent way to generate revenue through your blog is to offer informational products and services. Using tools such as WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, and Gumroad allow you to sell your services and products like an ebook quite easily.
Portfolio Pages
There are several wordpress plugins available that will allow you to display your products and services in a clean portfolio format. There’s Nimble, Supsystic and Essential Grid plugins. Note: Essential Grid is a paid plugin with lots of design layout options, but adds that extra WOW factor to your portfolio page like the one seen here on Kelleynan!
Sign up messages & pop-ups
Along with the emphasis on images and building an on-going relationship with your audience, interactive features like sign up messages and pop ups are on the rise! Like this one for Jeanne Campana Design.
Mobile Responsive Websites & Fast Download Times
Do you wait for slow or unresponsive websites – especially on your phone? No. And neither will your audience! A mobile responsive + fast website are two key components that your site needs to have. And the #1 search engine, Google, will lower your ranking if you’re not a mobile responsive site! (You can read more about this here.)
It’s important to stay up on the latest blogging trends. Times change, technology changes, and you need to change in order to keep up with your audience and how THEY want to receive your content.
What blogging trend do you want to add to your site? Which trend do you favor the most? I’d love to hear your thoughts/comments below.
Tana!! Thanks for another great post and and an even bigger thank you for mentioning me in the post! So glad you like what I’m doing but please always know I feel like I learned from the pro (that would be you)! I appreciate you and your knowledge and help more than you know and could have never gotten to where I am today without your help! You’re a true gem my friend:))
You’re so welcome. I love using real life examples in my posts – and especially clients/friends! Keep up the good work… we all learn from each other. xo
Hey Tana! Great post as always. Thank you for including my pop up…which you designed so beautifully! 🙂 Love all the awesome content on your blog each week. Thanks again!! xo
You just never know when I might feature you, haha. So welcome. xo
Tana, I love each of these and am so flattered you chose my grid gallery to show! Thank you for setting me straight late on a Friday 😉 xoxo I hope that beautiful new house is coming along!
Anytime friend, anytime… lol