Glam Suicide eh?

When blogadie launch, we use our own theme. We proud to use it, but there is something when we look deeper on our theme. Our theme aren’t CSS Valid, HTML Valid, and another un-clean script. Those problem effect how fast our blog loaded. Then we decide to use another theme to learn how to make theme that really “user-friendly”. We used Grid Focus Public, it’s really simple and looks neat. Again we need something that make this blog not just fast-load but also “google-friendly”. We had simplist now. It’s shift-up our SEO points.

We realize that a healthy theme not just glam-physically, we not said that hard-design are bad, if you have great skills then use it. For me its still long way to road. Make a clean and clear theme need some time and efforts. No need to shame to used another theme. Skellie used grid focus public and its still my favourite blog. You cannot be hated just because you used another theme. What you need is just a “little-adjustment”. We talks about it on another post.

There Is Only One Rule

When we talks about theme design, there is only one important rule, wich is easy to use. Easy to use by the blog publisher and easy to use by the blog reader. Simple isn’t? So how to make your (or another) themes more easy to use?

Make it readable! yes, pump-up your blog readability. That is simple and small step to make your blog more “user-friendly“.

18 Tips To Make Readable Blog

1. Underline your links. (old trick but it works)
2. Use appropriate space between lines in a paragraph.
3. Clearly separate your post from the rest of your design. (Do not negotiate with clutter)
4. Ensure the combination is readable to those with visual impairments. You can use some tools to check, like this one, Color Contrast Analyzer.
5. Use a structured hierarchy in your document.
6. Refrain from breaking up posts. Sst, please do not disturb your reader.
7. No need to change their color (different beetwen bold, italic and regular).
8. Use semantic markup, i.e. h1, h2, h3 for headings, strong for bold etc. Many of your readers will be reading your content in a feed reader. where class role doesn’t have its power anymore.
9. Use post images at the start of the post. Use picture to attract, it is more easy to use picture than words.
10. Left aligning is usually best, and take care with text wrapping.
11. Headings and subheadings must stand out.
12. Know when to use an ordered list.
13. If a certain image plays an integral part in your post (e.g. a diagram or chart), then center it, and skip a line before and after.
14. Choose a common font that everyone has.
15. DON’T USE ALL CAPITALS ON BODY TEXT.
16. Keep lines to a reasonable length.
17. Too many paragraphs is better than too few.
18. Keep your sidebar short.

See? doesn’t have to be so hard like maroon 5. Keep it simple, people love simplicity and instant! More about improve blog readability, 30 Ways to Improve Readability.

Photo: uberllama