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Lifestyle · July 11, 2018

Ad: 5 Ways to Improve Your Blog for User Experience

Ad disclaimer: this post was sponsored by JotForm and contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission when you purchase the product at no extra cost to you! All affiliate links will be marked with an asterisk (*) and help us to run this site so we really appreciate your support. To read our full privacy policy, click here.

Let’s face it: starting a blog is one thing. But sacrificing the time, money and effort to maintain, grow and improve your blog is another thing entirely.

After all, there’s so much work involved, from choosing an aesthetically-pleasing, easy-to-navigate design to creating high-quality, consistent content.

That said, there should be one thing on your mind when you’re trying to make your blog better – and that’s your readers. They’re the ones that are going to keep tuning into what you have to say, interacting with your brand and taking action, whether it’s clicking on an affiliate link or buying one of your products.

If your blog has a poor user experience, your audience is likely to click off it faster than you can say Jack Robinson (never to be seen again). Sob. It also reduces the credibility of your brand.

That’s why it’s important to build a blog that factors in user experience. If you’re struggling with this, not to worry – here’s how to improve your blog so it will delight existing readers and attract new readers alike.

5 Ways to Improve Your Blog for User Experience

1. Pick a Self-Hosted Platform

Improve your blog 101: go self-hosted.

Sure, you can start out on a free platform because it’s super quick and convenient. (The most popular ones being Blogger and WordPress.com.) However, if you’re serious about blogging and potentially turning it into a business someday, pick a self-hosted platform to blog on.

Why? Well, self-hosting means that you completely own and control your blog. 

The benefits include:

  • You don’t ever have to worry about your platform suddenly shutting down and potentially losing all your content.
  • You can customise just about ANYTHING you want.
  • If something went wrong, you have constant, on-hand help from your platform’s readily available team of experts.

Personally, I started with WordPress.com and then moved to WordPress.org via SiteGround (*). This is mostly because their plans are cheap and their customer service team rocks.

But it’s completely up to you which platform you choose.

SiteGround

Pro tip: build your blog with SiteGround from the star and you can also obtain a professional domain name from them for free! Handy, right?

2. Invest in the Right Theme

Newsflash: the way that your blog looks to the average visitor is really important.

How come, you ask? Well, if it’s a hobby blog, it forms part of your personal brand identity. And if it’s a business blog? Think of it like your shop window.

Therefore, your blog theme needs to be clean, attractive and IMMEDIATELY reflect who you are and what you do through the visuals. If you don’t have a logo yet, make sure you come up with a design that matches the overall feel of the website.

(And keep in mind that sometimes less is more!)

Your blog design should also be easy to navigate around by featuring posts, categories and pages that are organised in a clear and concise way.

In essence, you want to make it as simple as possible for visitors to engage with your blog, because then they’re more likely to want to return.

Struggling to find a pretty yet practical theme? Check out my Dream Scribe blog, which uses BluChic (*). FYI, I can heartily recommend any of their themes in terms of design and functionality!

3. Include a Contact Form

In addition to creating a self-hosted blog with a simple yet attractive design, you should include a contact form on one of your pages. After all, there’s no point having readers if they can’t get in touch with you! Right?

That’s where JotForm comes in.

Using Jotform

Improve your blog by using JotForm to create and design a contact form literally within a matter of minutes.

In fact, they have tons of wonderful online templates you can use quickly and easily. I made my contact form using JotForm in a few simple steps, which you can find below.

1. Firstly, sign up to JotForm.com and verify your email address.

2. Choose your form layout. (I used the classic form where all the questions are on one page. However, there’s also the cards option where questions are asked one at a time and the user can swipe up on a mobile to get to the next question.)

Improve Your Blog

Then, choose a form according to your needs (I chose “Use Template”) and filter your search by “Contact Forms.”

Improve Your Blog
Improve Your Blog

3. Scroll through the options until you find the perfect contact form for you. Click into it and press the “Use Templates” button.

JotForm 4

4. Afterward, click on the “My Forms” section of the JotForm website and you’ll see the name of your contact form sat in there. Click on it and select “More” and then “Publish.”

JotForm 5

5. Select the “Embed” tab and copy and paste the HTML code. Go to your blog’s back end and insert the code into the HTML section of your “Contact” page.

JotForm 6

You’re then left with a professional, cool-looking contact form, and an easy way for your readers to reach out to you. #Winning.

4. Add a “Categories” Drop-Down in the Main Menu

All of the best blogs have different categories. The idea is to break your main blogging niche down into smaller chunks for your reader that help them pinpoint exactly what they’re looking for.

And do you know what’s even better than just having categories? Including a “Categories” drop-down button in your main menu.

As well as keeping your blog organised, it means that your readers can access your categories quickly and efficiently.

Improve Your Blog With Categories

The alternative? They have to scroll through your entire stream of posts to get to what they’re looking for.

As a result, they might lose patience and decide to click off your blog. And this is precisely what we don’t want!

5.  Use Social Media Sharing Buttons

Lastly, it enhances user experience if you include other ways for your audience to get in touch with you other than your contact form.

After all, your visitor might not want to message you directly. However, they may want to share a blog post they enjoyed on social media.

Whether you’re active on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook (or perhaps a mixture of all four), include the relevant buttons in your homepage’s top navigational menu to encourage social engagement.

You could also include social sharing buttons in your sidebar and/or under each post to make it even easier for your visitor to find them. Then you’ll make them happy, which will consequently make you happy too!

Improve Your Blog

Taking the Time to Improve Your Blog

Providing a good user experience is one of your core responsibilities as a blog owner. After all, when done correctly, it makes your visitor want to stick around, thus increasing your clicks, reducing your bounce rate and improving your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

Therefore, take the time to improve your blog in any way you can. And don’t feel discouraged if you make mistakes. In the end, these mistakes will only make you a better blogger.

How do you think you can improve your blog? Comment below!

Katie Davies

Katie Davies is the Yorkshire-based freelance writer who founded Trendy Tourist. Since 2017, she has written for over 100 companies on a range of subjects, from fashion to marketing. When she’s not producing content, you can find her shopping, exploring a new place or sitting somewhere having a cup of builder’s tea.

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MORE AIRPORT LOOKS ✨ …that are comfy yet styl MORE AIRPORT LOOKS ✨
…that are comfy yet stylish!
1. Jumpsuit Queen
(For those who want to feel like they can breathe and move comfortably on the go while looking super chic for summer)
2. Cute and Cool
(Featuring an on-trend co-ord for sleek airplane style that you can effortlessly throw together)
3. Modern Simplicity
(A contemporary update on the jeans-and-a-tee classic clothing uniform ideal for travelling, with key pieces like the shacket and jeggings) 
Which one would you wear? 1, 2 or 3?
All products shown are in stock right now! I’ve linked them via my LTK shop but I’ll also link them in my Story for you guys. 🔗
Copy and paste this @shop.ltk in your browser: https://liketk.it/3Im8t 💕
#virtualstyling #virtualstyle #virtualstylists #virtualstylist #travelcapsule #travelthursday #travelcapsulewardrobe #airportoutfit #airportstyle #airportfashion #airportlook #airportlooks #travellook #traveloutfit #traveloutfits #millennialfashion #outfitideas4you #trendytourist #midsizegals #midsizegirl #midsizestyle #midsizefashion #midsizeblogger #ltkstyle #ltkfashion #ltkeurope #ltktravel #ltkunder50 #ltkunder100
Current bottomless brunch uniform: an oversized sh Current bottomless brunch uniform: an oversized shirt, high-waisted jeans and square-toed strappy heels. 💃🏼
This is basically the 2022 version of “jeans and a nice top” — comfortable and practical for a long day/evening out but still contemporary and stylish.
I went for a soft colour palette for Saturday’s brunch in York because I thought it would look fresher for the summer season. 👀 
I also usually add a light jacket to tackle the pesky British elements but I didn’t need one last weekend. 🥵
The gorgeous mint green satin shirt is from @zara and my straight-leg jeans are @topshop (old), adding some nineties nostalgia to the mix.
I’ll link all pieces in my Story. 💕 
#bottomlessbrunch #goingoutoutfit #zarashirt #zarastyle #springlooks #springlook #oversizedshirt #straightjeans #topshopstyle #topshopgirls #jeansandanicetop #millennialfashion #sheingb #outfitblog #outfitblogger #outfitbloggers #outfitideas4you #outfitideasforyou #outfitdiary #outfit4real #outfitsoftheday #styleonabudget #highstreetfashion #highstreetstyle #trendytourist #midsizegals #midsizegirl #midsizestyle #midsizefashion #midsizeblogger
Seeing all these news headlines about airport queu Seeing all these news headlines about airport queues is so frustrating. 😖
A trip abroad starts at the airport, and it breaks my heart that people who haven’t been able to travel or go on holiday for years and have worked so hard to save up are now experiencing delays and cancellations when it’s finally time for their trip to begin.
Speaking from experience, these queues stress you out before you’ve even got to your final destination. ✈️
I’ve flown from Leeds Bradford airport three times in the last nine months and Manchester airport once in the last few weeks. Each trip to the airport has taught me something different.
That said, I wanted to share a few things you can do to speed up your time at the airport so that you can make your flight and have the much-needed holiday you deserve. 🤗
Above all, follow your specific airline or airport recommendations. (These usually come in the form of an email or text message a couple of days before your flight.)
To read more about my recent airport experiences, check out the full article either via the link in bio or my Story.
Hope this helps. 💕
#airportdiaries #airportsecurity #traveltip #traveltipsandtricks #traveltiptuesday #traveltipstuesday #traveltips101 #traveltuesday #traveltuesdays #tblogger #tbloggers #tblogs #tbloggersuk #travelbloggervibes #travelblogs #travelbloggerslife #yorkshireblogger #yorkshirebloggers #leedsbradfordairport #leedsbradford #manchesterairport #tripplanning #tripprep #holidayprep
“…Eyes of the bluest skies.” 🎶⛅️ (Wi “…Eyes of the bluest skies.” 🎶⛅️
(With a shirt to match!)
I went for a bronzed, natural makeup look last weekend for drinks with the girls.
I’m really enjoying makeup more now that I’m older - it’s just so fun to play around with when you’ve got the time. 
Here are the products I used: 🤗
Primer - @nyxcosmetics_uk Pore Filler
Tinted Moisturiser - @tartecosmetics Skin Treat in shade “Medium”
Concealer - @esteelauderuk Double Wear Stay in Place in shade “Light Medium (Cool)”
Blush - NYX Sweet Cheeks in shade “Bang Bang”
Setting Spray - @urbandecayuki All Nighter
Eyeshadow - @toofacedlovestheuk “Teddy Bare” Palette
Mascara - Tarte Cosmetics “Big Ego”
Eyeliner - @kvdbeauty Tattoo Eyeliner
Brushes - @realtechniques Essential Eye Brushes
Eyebrows - @anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Wiz in “Medium Brown”
Lipstick - Tarte Cosmetics Lip Paint in shade “Bestie”
Shirt - @targetstyle 
All products (or similar) linked via my @shop.ltk app (find it in my bio or latest Stories). 💕
#liketkit #LTKbeauty #LTKunder100 #ltkeurope #ltkunder50 #nyxcosmetics_uk #realtechniques #abhbrows #targetfinds #targetrun #targetstyle #beautybloggeruk #beautyblogging #beautybloggersuk #naturalmakeuplook #naturalmakeuplooks #makeupbloggeruk #makeupbloggers #makeupblogs #makeupcommunity #bbloggersuk #bbloggeruk #makeupproducts #makeupessentials #bronzedmakeup #holidaymakeup #vacationmakeup
Mentally I’m still here… 💭 I wish I could Mentally I’m still here… 💭
I wish I could say that one of the yachts in the background is mine but I think I’ve got a fair few more articles to write first. 😩
Anyone else loving sixties-inspired prints for Spring/Summer? 🌞
This cute little shirt dress is ideal for those warmer evenings on holiday when you want to flash your tan and feel comfortable but still look like you’ve made an effort. 💁🏼‍♀️ 
Entire outfit is @shein_gb and will link all products via @shop.ltk app (head over to my Stories for the dress link - currently 41% off!).
Ltk shop link: https://liketk.it/3G3Yb 💕 
#liketkit #LTKunder50 #LTKstyletip #ltkeurope #ltkunder100 #ltkfashion #ltkstyle #holidaystyle #holidayfashion #vacationstyle #trendytouristuk #travelfashion #travelstyle #vacaystyle #sheingb #sheinforall #vacationdress #holidaydress #summerdresses #anotheroutfitpost #outfitblog #outfitbloggers #outfitblogger #fbloggeruk #fbloggersuk #bloggerstyle #fbloggerstyle #fashionbloggeruk #ukfashionblogger #styleblogging
Courtyard strollin’… (Looking for my next cup Courtyard strollin’…
(Looking for my next cup of coffee or glass of sangria — it all depends on the time of day!) 😉☕️🍹
This cute courtyard was in the middle of Palma city. The architecture and restaurants huddled in the square with al fresco drinking and dining instantly transported me back to Italy.
It reminded me of past cruise ship holidays with my parents where we visited the likes of Naples, Capri, Rome, Florence and Pisa and we would be in awe of the charm and beauty of these places.
But this post is about Palma in Majorca. 🇪🇸
Palma itself is a delight!
There’s so much going on in the centre, so much life and hustle and bustle, which is refreshing to experience after over two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions. 😅
I enjoyed our leisurely peruse of the city, soaking up the sun and seeing historic sights such as The Cathedral of Santa Maria, which dates back to 1601.
We even spent some time getting lost amongst the cobbled backstreets, popping in and out of shops before we regained our bearings once again. 😍
Our day in Palma reminded me how much I love exploring and how much travelling makes me feel fulfilled.
You just can’t beat it, right? ❤️
I already can’t wait for my next European city break (which hasn’t even been booked yet!).
What are some of your fave European cities? 👇🏻
#palmamallorca #trendytouristuk #palmacity #europetravels #exploreeurope #spaintravel  #travelblogging #travelbloggervibes #tbloggers #tbloggersuk #travelbloggersofig #travelbloggeruk #uktravelblogger #uktravelbloggers #visitpalma #travelgram #travelsquad #visitmallorca #mallorcaisland #mallorcagram #balearicisland #balearicislands
Happiest when I’m by the seaside. 🌊 One of Happiest when I’m by the seaside. 🌊 
One of my all-time favourite travel fashion pieces is the blue denim “mom-style” shorts.
You know, the relaxed-fit and high-waisted type that go with just about anything? 😉
You can pair them with a strappy top and sandals or flip flops for those warm summer days.
Or you can take them from day to night by swapping the strappy top for a chic blouse or cropped shirt and the flat sandals or flip flops for heels.
They’re just so comfy and cute! J’adore. ❤️
These ones are from @marksandspencerfashionpr which I’ll link via the @shop.LTK app along with some similar options.
(Check out the post here: https://liketk.it/3F1wG)
I lived in mine for my most recent trip to Majorca - even throwing them on over a bikini with a kaftan for those lazy pool days. ✌🏻 
Who else is a fan of denim shorts for summer holidays? ☀️
#liketkit #LTKswim #LTKunder50 #ltkunder100 #ltkstyle #ltkfashion #ltkstyletip #ltkstyle #ltkeurope 
#swimwearfashion #bikinistyle #bikinifashion #denimshorts #denimshort #jeanshorts #holidaystyle #holidayfashion #vacationstyle #trendytouristuk #travelfashion #travelstyle #vacaystyle #poolfashion #poolstyle #beachlook #beachfashion #beachstyle #beachoutfit #momshorts
That post-holiday feeling! You know, when you lan That post-holiday feeling!
You know, when you land after a few days in the sun and you feel refreshed, recharged and ready to take on the world again. 🙌🏻
And it helps if you travel in comfy clothes.
Plane, train and bus rides can be time-consuming (and stressful when things go wrong) so comfy travel gear makes the journey that little bit more bearable. ✈️ 
I’m currently loving lounge sets to travel in, such as this “Bon Voyage” lemon number from @lornaluxe x @inthestyle . 🍋
You can still get your hands on the shorts but, unfortunately, the sweatshirt is out of stock.
Not to worry though - I’ve linked some more pretty lounge sets to travel in via my shop on the @shop.LTK app. 
Shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content by visiting: https://liketk.it/3EAx9.
#liketkit #LTKstyletip #LTKeurope #ltktravel #ltkstyle #ltkfashion #ltkunder50 #ltkunder100 #trendytourist #airportoutfit #airportstyle #airportlook #airportfashion #airportvibes #travelfashion #travelstyles #traveloutfit #traveloutfits #travelfashionista #travellook #travelclothes #travelclothing #inthestyle #travelista #ukfashionbloggers #ukfashionblogger #fbloggerstyle #fbloggeruk #fbloggersuk
One of the best feelings in the world is those nig One of the best feelings in the world is those night-before-the-airport butterflies. 🦋
You know, when the suitcase is finally packed, the plane outfit is laid out and there’s nothing left to do other than get a good night’s sleep before you head to your new destination ✨ tomorrow ✨!
(But then you’re so excited that you end up not having the best sleep! 🤦🏼‍♀️)
Are you one of those travellers who gets to the airport super early or one of those super last minute people? ✈️ 
(I’m the former!)
#travelquote #travelquotes #travelquotestoliveby #travelquoteoftheday #travelthursday #travelthoughts #travelblogging #travelbloggervibes #travelinspirations #travelpassion #lifeinspiration #lifeinspo #quoteofday #quoteoflife #quoteoftoday #trendytourist #tbloggers #tbloggersuk 
#travelsquad #travelgirlsgo #travelgirlshub #planelife #airportlife
I’m blue da ba dee da ba di. 🎶 Okay so I uni I’m blue da ba dee da ba di. 🎶
Okay so I unintentionally wore blue, white and black all weekend.
Outfit one was for a Betty’s brunch for the hubby’s birthday and exploring Thirsk. 👀
The blue denim dress and checked shacket combo felt a bit sixties inspired and sassy teamed with black tights and white boots.
Then outfit two was for a pub lunch and drinks with the family (hubby’s birthday celebrations part two).
I went for a blue floral top, comfy black jeggings, a blue denim shearling jacket and those white boots again. 👢
This felt more seventies rocker vibes so naturally I had to wear it with attitude!
Which outfit is your fave? Details below. ✌🏻
Denim dress, shacket, tights, boots: all @marksandspencerfashionpr
Bag: @coach
Floral top and boots as before: @marksandspencerfashionpr
Jeggings: @uniqlo_uk 
Jacket: @levis_uk 
Sunglasses: vintage
Bag: @nastygal 
#outfitblog #outfitblogger #outfitbloggers #outfitlook #outfitselfie #outfitshot #outfitideas4you #outfitideasforyou #outfitdiary #outfit4real #outfitsoftheday #outfitrepeater #denimdress #denimdresses #denimjackets #denimjacketstyle #fashionblogging #ootddetails #ootdbloggers #styleonabudget #highstreetfashion #highstreetstyle #trendytourist #midsizegals #midsizegirl #midsizestyle #midsizefashion #midsizeblogger
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