In, Part I: Design – One Second, I looked at how the design of your blog conveys a lot about you and is a chance to make a good first impression so that you can get the reader to the content of your site. Whether you are selling a service or just want readers, getting people to want to stay on your site for more than a second is key. So, you have their attention – now what?

Making your design stand out, reflect you and your goals are pretty key to becoming memorable. When someone remembers that great post you wrote, how are they going to connect the content to your blog? If they forget where they read it, how are you going to get them back?  Often design and branding go hand-in-hand to help readers get back to your site if they like the content.

Let me give you examples of some Members’ sites that have strong designs (listed alphabetically):

• Mommy Monologues – Kate has completely overhauled her site this past week and people seem to be reacting positively!  Comments galore even though she isn’t done yet.  Her new logo is prominent and memorable and she has worked the alliteration of her tagline and her name together very nicely.  I can’t wait to see all of the finishing touches on her design!  Check out her new look here! Her new design is more divalicious while still incorporating the pink that she so clearly loves (my favorite color too!) in a much more elegant way.
• Nolie’s Place – Nolie redesigned her blog a couple months ago and, speaking from a readers standpoint her blog went from “blah” to “ah ha!”.  Her old design was so forgettable, I can’t even remember what it looks like.  Now, I think of Nolie’s Place and I can easily visualize her blog because it is memorable.  She has used a butterfly theme and her tagline is “Fluttering My Way Through Life”.  The theme and the purpose of her blog are so cohesive and memorable and the site is easy on the eyes.  Go visit her site to see what I mean!
• Skin Care in the City – On Pamela’s blog, right away, you will notice that the design focuses on things French and or skincare related; her header refreshes so you may see the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of France; lavendar, both very French and used in skin care and photos of Votre Vu products… smart, considering that her blog revolves around Votre Vu (French!) skincare products.  She also incorporates the fleur-de-lis into her blog and her logo, which is also a very French symbol and really does work well with her blog design.  When you visit, you will have to scroll down before you see any of her actual blog, which doesn’t work for many blogs and might deter someone who isn’t computer literate but it really does put those beautiful photos front and center!

These are just three of many blogs that have pleasing and intelligent design elements.  These wonderful bloggers are also active members of Better Your Blog so go network, show them some love and leave them a comment, they will probably return the favor!!!  Nobody’s blog is perfect (see Pro Mistake for proof!) but it goes to show that whether you are a new blogger or a seasoned blogger that you too can Better Your Blog!