make your first impression count

I'm always on the hunt for new websites to read and be inspired by, however one thing I've noticed is that I'm less inclined to follow a new blog if it doesn't catch my eye right away. You've got one shot to make a first impression, and as shallow as it is looks are key. I was researching this and as it turns out that in as little as 17 milliseconds the reader forms an opinion of your site and a whopping 94% of their first impression is based on the design. Here are a five design elements (with references to my favorite twenty-something year old bloggers) to help make your first impressions count...

▲ A well-designed logo

{breanna rose} 
The average viewer spends 6.5 seconds looking at a logo, so let it truly be a reflection of you and your brand. Even if it means getting help from a designer, it's probably a wise investment. I'm a huge fan of Breanna Rose's clean logo designs.

▲ Simple navigation

{the object enthusiast}
Second popular to your logo, users spend about 6.44 seconds looking at the navigation, so defining clear and relevant categories is key. The Object Enthusiast's navigation chic and simple.

▲ Relevant, good pictures 

{esther from the sticks}
Pictures should embody the spirit and feel of your site. As far as first impressions go, photos are even more important than content. Esther from the Sticks talks about using a wireless remote or if you're not the next Ansel Adams, Unsplash.com has beautiful,  free stock images. No excuses!

▲ A familiar layout

{little den blog}
The layout should be simple yet familiar to your site's genre. I personally like the blog layouts that have their blog posts on one side and the about content on the other like Little Den Blog's. *Exception: If the norm has really terrible design—think domain hosting sites à la GoDaddy versus the new and revolutionary, beautiful site Namecheap.

▲ Content readability 

{adrienne young}
Content is what keeps people coming back, but it's important to have everything else in place so people will want to continue reading for more than a few seconds. Adrienne Young makes sure her type is pretty and easy to read, although she knows how to take gorgeous photos too!

I freshened up my own blog with a few of those first impression elements. It's still a work in progress, but I think it's already looking more welcoming! I'm curious, what are the things that stick out to you when you see a good or badly designed blog?

xo from catie

{ references from conversionxl & google}