tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043804540340907844.post489092703570013516..comments2024-02-22T01:43:28.597-07:00Comments on a kitchen table for two: Growing PainsApril @ An Urban Acrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03826149226907071160noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043804540340907844.post-31029458677994253142011-08-28T01:56:30.838-07:002011-08-28T01:56:30.838-07:00I've been doing my blog for over 3 years now w...I've been doing my blog for over 3 years now without a fancy schmancy blog. One day I'd love Isaac to do a custom design for me, but I'm a firm believer that if the blog content is good (photos, DIY's, writing style, post orgainization, etc) your blog could be super ugly (which it's not!) and still gain in readership. I'd start with brainstorming what you want to blog to be, simply a weekend hobby, business, money maker, etc. Knowing how the life of your blog will really direct where & how you move forward I feel like. If it's just a hobby, using a template might not be such a bad option, ie: affordable. A custom blog design will run you thousands of dollars, which I feel would be necessary if the readership is up & content is good. Most blogs with a custom design job have upwards of 10,000 visits a month. The 300 visits I get a day, and still feeling my content isn't up to par, I've got my work cut out for me :) also have you thought about switching to wordpress? It's a lot simpler, cleaner, offers better service/templates, and if a custom design does come in the future the designer/programmer will most likely do it in wordpress, it's all going there (says my designer huz) Just a thought, could save a big headache down the road. Happy blogging! xoxoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043804540340907844.post-6868790921981475902011-08-26T16:04:28.298-07:002011-08-26T16:04:28.298-07:00I love those llama shots. :)
Not to over-complica...I love those llama shots. :)<br /><br />Not to over-complicate things and ruin your life, but have you thought about making the switch to wordpress while you're redesigning? My need for a redesign is what prompted my switch, and it was a giant headache but SO worth it. <br /><br />OR -- stick with blogger. That's cool too. :)<br /><br />I bet if you could sketch out what you want your blog to look like, you could probably make it happen on your own, just by googling around. You're a savvy DIYer, you could totally do it!<br /><br />Good luck with whatever you choose!Kelly @ View along the wayhttp://www.viewalongtheway.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043804540340907844.post-40368848585175480472011-08-26T10:54:09.421-07:002011-08-26T10:54:09.421-07:00I feel your blogger pain, as I too am using a stan...I feel your blogger pain, as I too am using a standard blogger template (with some tweaking here and there as well as a half finished header har har). I've gone through many changes with the blog, keeping elements I like, deleting those that are cumbersome and non-appealing. It will take some time, and growing pains to get everything 'just right' if you plan on finding the solution yourself. <br /><br />I would definitely check out some of the many blogger walk-throughs out there (via blogger forums & google) that give you step-by-step instructions on how to personalize your blog. CSS ans XHTML can be scary, but most of the walk-throughs all but hold your hand to get you through it. <br /><br />If you are looking for hobbyist coding or pro help, definitely check out people who are building their portfolios rather than those who have already established themselves with clients, as those just getting into the game will have more affordable & realistic quotes as well as time to dedicate to the project. <br /><br />Picnik, fotoflexr, GIMP and Picasa are great free options for use when tackling web design DIY. <br /><br />Check out http://www.kevinandamanda.com<br /><br />She has great, easy-to-follow blog tutorials. She has how to create a background and things like that.<br /><br />Also, here are two bloggers who do design for what would be considered 'starter' rates:<br /><br />http://likeabirdblog.com/design/<br />&<br />http://www.byjanet.net<br /><br />hope that helps :)Martinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13531896406343049452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5043804540340907844.post-72583321691753950102011-08-26T05:41:03.737-07:002011-08-26T05:41:03.737-07:00I have the ol' standard Blogger template and I...I have the ol' standard Blogger template and I think it works (you can tell me otherwise, I can take it..and it would be good to know!). I did everything on my blog myself. I am too cheap to spend money on the blog so I figure out ways to make things work! (You can make the separate pages (so Ted's head can get really big like Ike's) in the standard Blogger). <br /><br />E-mail me if you would like me to share my lack of wisdom! (decorandthedog at gmail)michelle@decorandthedoghttp://decorandthedog.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com