You know I like to give out gold stars. I've even started a gold star group where we get to feature other ARs and the work that they do. This particular series of gold star posts I call "Craig's Clicks". If you want to go back and see previous posts, that link will list them for you. Our blog content is the most important thing for us to focus on... however our presentation is very valuable too. We want readers to enjoy the appearance so they stay long enough to read it!
I'm featuring blogs three at a time in these different categories: blog theme, blog profile, and blog signature.
The purpose of the series is to find good examples that inspire us and give us ideas on our own blogs. I'm clicking around ActiveRain as much as I have time to and if I see something that I like, I'll mark the click with a gold star in my book. Once I've gathered three, I'll post the features.
These next three stars are also going out based on the blog theme (appearance). I'm looking specifically at blog banner and background image or color.
(These
settings, by the way, are
editable if you go to My Home > Activerain - Customize)
The next three
stars go to...
Andi Grant
Andi has chosen a brown background color with light (non-distracting)
pattern. The colored background frames in the blog but doesn't DISTRACT
from the content of the blog. The header has several photographs which
brings interest. Her banner has text for the blog title, a tagline, and
her phone number. I really like to see references of how to contact
you!
That is ultimately what you want and you do not want them to have to
search for it. Well done Andi!
Frank & Sharon Alters
Sharon has chosen a water photo for the background image. What I think is unique is that the banner graphic is
not the full 130 pixels
normal height. This allows the background to have a thin slice
under the banner and connects the left and right sides. The
banner graphic is very nicely done too. It has several photos
plus the title text and secondary text/tagline.
Kathy Nielsen
Kathy leverages "less-is-more" design philosophy in this case. The blog is
nicely framed in by neutral color (just like a stager :) and her banner
shows her website URL, text/tagline, and telephone number. Go Kathy!
That works just fine for me!
Well there you have it - my next three "Craig's Clicks" gold stars in featuring blog themes.
PS - If you want a couple of different ideas about blog banners. You can check out my post using Picasa to create a header. Also, you may want to check out www.bannerfans.com -- Joel Kruse on AR wrote this post on how to use it. Keep in mind that you will want a custom sized banner of 960x130.
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