What are the most important elements to test on your blog template?

Button Colors

Navigation Menu Type (Horizontal versus Vertical)

Placement of Opt In Boxes

The two most popular menu designs are the left corner layout and horizontal bar menu. Keep in mind, if you use a graphical horizontal bar menu, your menu links won't be followed by some search engine spiders. You will need to counter that by using a footer navigation meny consisting of links. Try testing which kind of meny produces more clicks. You can even test different fonts and colors.

1. In my years freelance designing, I came across many customers who worked backwards. Forms DOES follow Function, not the other way around. If you try to design your blog before laying out the functions and content, you will just give yourself a headache and probably land into the abandoned blog category.

2. Keep it simple. Do not clutter your blog page with myspace glittery graphics. That will just overwhelm the eye.

3. Don't get too caught up into your own ideas. I've come across people who thought their star trek sci fantasy ideas for a design were the best when their clients were women. Listen to the professionals and take constructuve criticism seriously.