Power headers for your blog

Originality is something very important to a blog. Like what you have read from countless blogs “your blog must be unique for it to stand out”. Well, if we’re talking about originality, better start with the top right?

It’s like a face

Headers function like a face, a recognizable feature that should be unique for it to be easily identified amongst others. Think of this, if you’re using a header that is being used by other countless blogs, how in Pete’s sake will the readers going to identify you easily. Well, they may remember your content, or how great a blogger you are, or your cool url, but wouldn’t it be easier for them to remember you even though you’re practically saying the same thing the bloggers in your scope are rambling? How? Make a face they’ll never forget. Make an outstanding blog header.

Powerful headers

One of the blogs I really love had captured me by first sight with its truly awesome header. Look at http://www.rockfuse.com/blog/ if you wanna see what I’m talking about. First of all, the blogger was a web page designer himself so it’s no wonder how he created such beauty. Anyway, go look at Rock Fuse dot com’s header. Study what he did and remember how you first felt when you saw it. For me, I was plain jealous. I was blog-hopping that time when I luckily ended up at Mind Blogger’s (the blogger of rock fuse) blog. That was a month ago to say the least, the time when I’m researching other blogs, looking for good points here and there (this blog is still under construction at that time and I was really trying to study other). Well, even though I was tempted to make a header like Mind Blogger has, I tried to keep mine simple (look at my header above). Anyway, I still like my header and I think it did a great job for the packaging of my blog. What do you think?

Creating power headers

Time to switch on the creativity engine. On this process, I suggest you to research other blogs on your category and try to study what they got. Try to look at their headers and if they really did well to the visitor’s eye (meaning you!). I’ve researched a lot with my header. I’ve seen some that was too plain, some too grand, others totally cool, and some pure bogus. Also, look at your own blog and study what your colors are. Doing this would help you pick a main color for your header that would complement well on your blog. Remember that your blog should be the eye opener for what your blog really is about. As for my header, I sort of cheated by putting the name of my blog instead (still effective since mine was really about ‘better blogging for bloggers’ (though I still cheated). It would help if you know how to use Photoshop or any other photo editing software. I used Photoshop and I recommend you using it. Another thing, go to your edit html/template page and look at the width of your outer wrapper and header. Make sure that they are the same as to not mess with the dimensions. Whatever the outer wrapper or the header’s width is (in pixels usually), then it should be the maximum width of your header.

Putting the header on your blog

If you already know the process, then skip this paragraph. However, if you have no idea or very little, then follow this. If your blog is hosted on blogger, then go to the edit page elements tab (found on the Layout menu). You can find the header element at the top. Click edit at the header element. A box page will appear. Upload your header (stored in your computer) and select ‘Instead of title and description’ (if I remember it correctly). Hit save and you’re done. However, if your blog is hosted elsewhere, I suggest you study your edit Layout page (or edit html/template page). There are many blog hosts now that allows the drag and drop feature on editing the page element so it should be easy enough for everyone. Contact me if you’re having problems.

The lasting impression

It doesn’t matter if it’s grand or simple, what matters is how unique and creative you’ve been on trying to make one. Remember that your visitors would only look at it for just a second or two (five if you made a great one) so don’t over-do them. They key is to make it a piece of statement everyone would remember as your and yours alone. And try not to ruin yourself on the process of making one. Been there, done that (though I still made it).