Matching design to content

While you're deep in the guts of your blog, take a moment to consider your layout. Some questions to guide your self-critique:

1. Is the design clear, directing the eye smoothly, as opposed to cluttered?

2. How readable is the content?

3. How useful are the sidebars?

4. How will readers discover your finest content? Would a "greatest hits" link box direct them to your best samples? To create one in the sidebar, go to Layout>Add Gadget>Link List, then insert the permalink URLs.

5. How is the quality of design compared to other blogs and sites in the niche?

6. Does the color scheme suit your subject? A whole psychology of hues exists out there (red, for example, conveys intensity, from passion to anger and excitement, while blue soothes). Also, remember that reversed out text (white on black) is challenging to read on-screen.

7. Is the theme unique? Should you consider customizing the template for more distinctive branding?

8. How quickly does the blog load?

9. Does it quickly communicate to new visitors?

10. How intrusive are any ads?