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<title>Seasonal Color Palettes and Style Tips to Refresh Your Website for the Holidays</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie Koteen]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=72288</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Embrace the festive season by refreshing your website with vibrant color palettes and themes.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>The end of the year is here, and with it comes a season of excitement and celebration! Whether you’re bundling up in cozy sweaters and snow boots or soaking up the sun in swimsuits, this time of year has something special for everyone. No matter where you are in the world, the final quarter brings festive holidays and celebrations to look forward to.</p>
<p>If you’re looking to capture the magic of the season on your website, try a pop of festive, holiday-inspired color or a cozy new theme. It’s the perfect way to welcome the season for you and your site visitors—whether they’re browsing for a holiday recipe, shopping for gifts, or exploring a guide to the best cross-country ski destinations.</p>
<p>Today we will show you how you can bring those festive feelings to your site with a few of our favorite color palettes and themes, along with where to find free illustrations and images to bring a refreshing seasonal touch to your site.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Festive color palettes </h2>
<p>Here are four festive color palettes––ranging from bright and bold to chill and subtle––that will give your site some holiday spirit:</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Joyful winter</h3>
<p>This winter-inspired color palette features warm, inviting hues of soft coral and deep red, balanced by a neutral blush and grounded by cool teal and navy. Incorporating these colors into your WordPress site creates a cozy and joyful vibe.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72290" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/joyful-winter-color-palette/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="joyful-winter-color-palette" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=1024" width="1400" height="400" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg" alt="a red and blue color palette with five different colored circles" class="wp-image-72290" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=150&h=43 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=300&h=86 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=768&h=219 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=1024&h=293 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table has-small-font-size"><table class="has-fixed-layout" style="border-style:dotted"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Blush Ember<br>#E37C77</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Crimson Hearth #B84138</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Rose Mist <br>#DFC5C6</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Teal Drift<br>#3D8391</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Midnight Fjord<br>#1C4864</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72295" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/joyful-winter-color-palette-site/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,843" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="joyful-winter-color-palette-site" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Blogorama theme</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg?w=1024" width="1400" height="843" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg" alt="a screenshot of a website with a pink background, black and white photos, and a blue line at the top" class="wp-image-72295" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg?w=150&h=90 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg?w=300&h=181 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg?w=768&h=462 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg?w=1024&h=617 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/blogorama?tab_filter=recommended">Blogorama theme</a></figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Winter frost</h3>
<p>This winter color palette offers a harmonious blend of soft neutrals and cool blues, creating a warm and calm earthiness on your website. Perfect for a more sophisticated Hanukkah palette or a serene winter feel. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72298" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/winter-frost-color-palette/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="winter-frost-color-palette" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg?w=1024" width="1400" height="400" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg" alt="a blue and grey color palette with five different colored circles" class="wp-image-72298" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg?w=150&h=43 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg?w=300&h=86 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg?w=768&h=219 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg?w=1024&h=293 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table has-small-font-size"><table class="has-fixed-layout" style="border-style:dotted"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Frosted Silver<br>#DDDFDE</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Cozy Taupe<br>#C1B4A8</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Chestnut Glow <br>#A48E7F</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Winter Night<br>#365A72</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Icy Horizon<br>#6A91A9</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72301" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/winter-frost-color-palette-site/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,780" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="winter-frost-color-palette-site" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Byrne theme</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="780" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg" alt="a screenshot of a website with a light blue and white color palatte and a picture of a brunch spread" class="wp-image-72301" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg?w=150&h=84 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg?w=300&h=167 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg?w=768&h=428 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg?w=1024&h=571 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/byrne">Byrne theme</a></figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Classic gingerbread</h3>
<p>This palette captures the essence of a cozy, rustic holiday with its warm earthy tones and timeless charm—perfect for creating a welcoming, homey Christmas atmosphere. It’s so inviting, that you can almost smell the gingerbread baking!</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72304" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/classic-gingerbread-color-palette/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="classic-gingerbread-color-palette" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="400" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg" alt="a green, red, brown, and orange color palette with five different colored circles" class="wp-image-72304" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg?w=150&h=43 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg?w=300&h=86 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg?w=768&h=219 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg?w=1024&h=293 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table has-small-font-size"><table class="has-fixed-layout" style="border-style:dotted"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Deep Forest Green<br>#2E4D34</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Warm Burlap<br>#A67B5B</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Cranberry Red<br>#B22222</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Creamy Beige<br>#F5F5DC</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Burnt Orange<br>#D2691E</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72307" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,805" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Marl theme</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="805" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg" alt="a screenshot of a website with a creamy beige background and green text and a photo of ceramics" class="wp-image-72307" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg?w=150&h=86 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg?w=300&h=173 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg?w=768&h=442 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg?w=1024&h=589 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/marl?tab_filter=recommended">Marl theme</a></figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jewel box winter</h3>
<p>This palette is the jewel box of winter—perfect for those who prefer bold, vibrant colors in their branding and design. Its rich, saturated tones add a pop of color that stand out beautifully against classic autumn and winter hues. Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile, making it easy to expand and adapt throughout the year.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72309" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/jewel-box-winter-color-palette/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,400" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="jewel-box-winter-color-palette" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="400" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg" alt="a yellow, purple, and green color palette with five different colored circles" class="wp-image-72309" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=150&h=43 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=300&h=86 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=768&h=219 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg?w=1024&h=293 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-table has-small-font-size"><table class="has-fixed-layout" style="border-style:dotted"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Golden Spice<br>#E99739</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Plum Wine<br>#693551</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Harvest Olive<br>#686610</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Forest Ember<br>#273223</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Creamy Chai<br>#F8E1C8</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72343" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,671" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="671" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg" alt="a screenshot of a website for a jewelry company with a creamy chai background and purple accents" class="wp-image-72343" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg?w=150&h=72 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg?w=300&h=144 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg?w=768&h=368 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg?w=1024&h=491 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/aether?tab_filter=recommended">Aether theme</a></figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updating your site colors</h2>
<p>Use any of these palettes as a starting point for your site’s color refresh. To begin, take a look at your existing site and see if one of these palettes align well with your existing site branding. You can do this by swapping in just a color or two—you likely won’t use every color in the palette. </p>
<p>After choosing a palette, consider updating product or lifestyle images to echo these colors. If you need help sourcing stock photos, <a href="https://wordpress.com/blog/feed/#photography">we’ll dive into that below</a>.</p>
<p>If you’re new to customizing your site’s look, don’t worry—<a href="https://wordpress.com/support/site-editor/">the WordPress.com Editor</a> makes it easy. You can <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/custom-colors/#define-a-color-palette">set a custom palette</a>, add custom colors, and apply updates across your site, covering all the consistent elements like text, headings, links, backgrounds, buttons, and more.</p>
<p>When you’re ready to start implementing your new color palette, this tutorial is the perfect guide to get you going: <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/custom-colors/">Custom Colors on WordPress.com</a>.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Winter-inspired themes</h2>
<p>If you’re looking for a bigger site refresh, changing not just your colors <em>but your theme</em> can instantly elevate the look and feel of your website in a more impactful way. Here are a few of our favorite themes that instantly bring the cozy-cottage charm to life: </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cottage</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/cottage"><img data-attachment-id="72316" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/cottage-theme-showcase/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg" data-orig-size="1400,878" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="cottage-theme-showcase" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="878" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg" alt="an iPad, computer, and mobile view of the Cottage WordPress.com theme on a green background" class="wp-image-72316" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg?w=300&h=188 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg?w=768&h=482 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg?w=1024&h=642 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/cottage">Cottage</a> is a beautifully-crafted theme that brings the charm of the countryside to your online space. Featuring a warm palette of earthy tones, subtle textured backgrounds, and timeless serif fonts, Cottage is all about rustic simplicity and warm natural elements. </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nook</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/nook?tab_filter=all"><img data-attachment-id="72318" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/nook-theme-showcase/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,877" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="nook-theme-showcase" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="877" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg" alt="an iPad, computer, and mobile view of the Nook WordPress.com theme on a light blue background" class="wp-image-72318" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg?w=300&h=188 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg?w=768&h=481 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg?w=1024&h=641 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/nook?tab_filter=all">Nook</a> is a classic two-column blog theme with a sidebar. Its versatile, timeless design creates a warm, familiar feel, providing the perfect space for sharing your DIY projects, <a href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/">tasty recipes</a>, and creative inspirations.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dorna</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/dorna?tab_filter=all"><img data-attachment-id="72320" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/dorna-theme-showcase/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,877" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="dorna-theme-showcase" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="877" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg" alt="an iPad, computer, and mobile view of the Dorna WordPress.com theme on a light grey background" class="wp-image-72320" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg?w=150&h=94 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg?w=300&h=188 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg?w=768&h=481 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg?w=1024&h=641 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p><a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/dorna?tab_filter=all">Dorna</a> is a clean, product-focused theme, and its warm, inviting design and simple layout make it ideal for online shops featuring cozy, modern homewares and furniture.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="photography">Resources for seasonal photography and illustrations</h2>
<p>Photography and illustrations are fantastic ways to bring your new color palette and/or theme to life. If you’re not capturing photos yourself or just want a fresh look, <a href="https://www.pexels.com/">Pexels</a>, <a href="https://unsplash.com/">Unsplash</a>, and <a href="https://pixabay.com">Pixabay</a> all offer a wide selection of free, high-quality photos and illustrations. Even better, <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/finding-free-images-and-other-media/pexels/">Pexels is fully integrated into your WordPress.com media library</a>, allowing you to easily add copyright-free images directly to your site.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="72332" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/screenshot-39/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg" data-orig-size="1090,712" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Screenshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Screenshot</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1090" height="712" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg" alt="the Pexels Free Photos button selected in the WordPress.com editor" class="wp-image-72332" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg 1090w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg?w=150&h=98 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg?w=300&h=196 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg?w=768&h=502 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg?w=1024&h=669 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1090px) 100vw, 1090px" /></a></figure>
<p>When searching for images to add to your site, here are a few seasonal keywords to get you started: <strong>warm ambiance, hygge, fall leaves, snug nook, warm lighting, autumnal vibes, natural tones, fireside, rustic charm, homey feel, earthy tones, woolen textures, and cozy fall.</strong></p>
<p>You can also incorporate seasonal pops of color by adding custom graphics to your site. <a href="https://www.canva.com/">Canva</a> is an excellent tool for creating custom visuals, with easy-to-use templates for everything from banners to sidebar graphics. It’s a simple, freemium way to add that extra festive touch to your WordPress site.</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<p>As we start looking at the new year ahead, it’s the perfect time to refresh your website with a look and feel that captures the spirit of the season—whether it’s fall and winter in the northern hemisphere or spring and summer in the southern hemisphere.</p>
<p>So go ahead—dive into the season with a new look! <a href="https://wordpress.com/themes?ref=blog">Try out one of our free or premium themes</a>, and let your creativity run wild.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/21/holiday-color-palettes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
<media:thumbnail url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/festive-color-palettes-wordpress-website.png" />
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/festive-color-palettes-wordpress-website.png" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">festive-color-palettes-wordpress-website</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/eae7a97a89222dd7f8b3108ce9cb520a2fd39e99e7b52200cf74a24b0d6a9574?s=96&d=retro" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">kkoteen</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a red and blue color palette with five different colored circles</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/joyful-winter-color-palette-site.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a screenshot of a website with a pink background, black and white photos, and a blue line at the top</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a blue and grey color palette with five different colored circles</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/winter-frost-color-palette-site.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a screenshot of a website with a light blue and white color palatte and a picture of a brunch spread</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a green, red, brown, and orange color palette with five different colored circles</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/classic-gingerbread-color-palette-site.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a screenshot of a website with a creamy beige background and green text and a photo of ceramics</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a yellow, purple, and green color palette with five different colored circles</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jewel-box-winter-color-palette-site-2.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a screenshot of a website for a jewelry company with a creamy chai background and purple accents</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/cottage-theme-showcase.jpeg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">an iPad, computer, and mobile view of the Cottage WordPress.com theme on a green background</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/nook-theme-showcase.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">an iPad, computer, and mobile view of the Nook WordPress.com theme on a light blue background</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/dorna-theme-showcase.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">an iPad, computer, and mobile view of the Dorna WordPress.com theme on a light grey background</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/select-image-pexels.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">the Pexels Free Photos button selected in the WordPress.com editor</media:title>
</media:content>
</item>
<item>
<title>11 Website Layout Examples for Every Type of Page</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Schäferhoff]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71849</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Choose the right layouts to help users achieve their goals.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Everyone who uses the Internet looks at website layout examples every day. Yet, unless you are a designer or in the process of building your own site, few of us ever stop to think about what actually makes a good web-page structure.</p>
<p>You may instinctively feel it when you encounter one that is less than satisfactory. But do you know how to design a website layout that both pleases your visitors and allows you to achieve what you want with your site?</p>
<p>If the answer to that question is no, don’t fret. We’ll show you examples of different types of website layouts you can choose from and help you understand which are most appropriate in different situations. Then, we’ll explain how to choose a layout for your own website, as well as share some tips and tools you can use to create layout mockups.</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<p><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p>
<ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#11-common-types-of-website-layouts">11 Common Types of Website Layouts</a><ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#1-z-pattern">1. Z-pattern</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#2-f-pattern">2. F-pattern</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#3-magazine">3. Magazine</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#4-grid">4. Grid</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#5-modular">5. Modular</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#6-single-column">6. Single-Column</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#7-content-focused">7. Content-Focused</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#8-full-screen">8. Full-Screen</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#9-hero">9. Hero</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#10-split-screen">10. Split-Screen</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#11-asymmetrical">11. Asymmetrical</a></li></ol></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#how-to-choose-a-website-layout">How to Choose a Website Layout</a><ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#understanding-website-layout-vs-website-structure">Understanding website layout vs. website structure</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#what-is-the-goal-of-your-website-layout">What Is the Goal of Your Website Layout?</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#consider-the-type-of-website-you-are-building">Consider the Type of Website You Are Building</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#do-your-research">Do Your Research</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#consider-what-you-like">Consider What You Like</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#base-your-design-on-common-layouts">Base Your Design on Common Layouts</a></li></ol></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#creating-a-website-layout-mockup">Creating a website layout mockup</a><ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#wireframing-your-layout">Wireframing your layout</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#additional-tips">Additional Tips</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#tools-for-wireframing">Tools for Wireframing</a></li></ol></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/#find-the-right-website-layout-for-your-wordpress-site">Find the Right Website Layout for Your WordPress Site</a></li></ol>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="11-common-types-of-website-layouts">11 Common Types of Website Layouts</h2>
<p>In order to give you ideas about what a website layout can look like, let’s go over some common types, the kinds of websites they are most suitable for, and examples. Be aware that for some of these, the distinction is a bit fluid. You can often apply more than one layout principle to a single site.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="1-z-pattern">1. Z-pattern</h3>
<p>This Z-pattern layout is based on the way many people naturally look at website content. They start at the top left, scan to the top right, then go down to the left and to the right again.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71853" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-112/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,545" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="545" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71853" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>You can take advantage of that, for example, by placing the logo in the upper left corner and the navigation menu across from it. Your most important information, such as your heading and visuals, appears diagonally down left from that, while the <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/cta-design-copy-messaging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">call to action</a> is to the right of it again.</p>
<p>This website layout is very skim friendly and most appropriate for sites that have relatively little content that you want to give much attention to, like CTAs, forms, and buttons.</p>
<p>You can also line up several Z-patterns with alternating elements to lead visitors down in zigzag form and keep them engaged.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71854" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-113/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg" data-orig-size="445,1022" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg?w=131" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg?w=445" loading="lazy" width="445" height="1022" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg?w=445" alt="" class="wp-image-71854" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg 445w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg?w=65 65w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-1.jpeg?w=131 131w" sizes="(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="2-f-pattern">2. F-pattern</h3>
<p>This layout is also based on common page-scanning behavior, first <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discovered and defined by the Nielsen Norman Group</a>.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img data-attachment-id="71876" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg" data-orig-size="785,392" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="AD_4nXdWpRYDXwu0XsbDF_I8SR_1YaDvlECZhpyrtRrZ0sZ1udmAmU91EZNgafGk–tfLATUepnGJOsiHd_BahFa3thdGY0ODSyU3qWReelKPLMowmFyK1S4imEVtCBjmVQKSnvyvuXS-VRv2EjvLxBavVYmS5M" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg?w=785" loading="lazy" width="785" height="392" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-71876" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg 785w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg?w=150&h=75 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg?w=300&h=150 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/ad_4nxdwprydxwu0xsbdf_i8sr_1yadvleczhpyrtrrz0sz1udmamu91ezngafgk-tflatuepngjosihd_bahfa3thdgy0odsyu3qwreelkplmowmfyk1s4imevtcbjmvqksnvyvuxs-vrv2ejvlxbavvyms5m.jpg?w=768&h=384 768w" sizes="(max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px" /></figure>
<p>It is observable on both desktop and mobile and especially for more text-heavy sites. That makes it well suited for websites with lots of options or written content that needs to be scanned quickly, e.g. news sites or search result pages. You can take advantage of it by using the left side as an anchor.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71855" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-114/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,542" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="542" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71855" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-2.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>However, it is important to note that <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NNG has come out in recent years</a> saying that, while the F-pattern is a natural reading sequence, it is not good for users and websites. They state you should encourage readers to consume the rest of your content through text formatting like bullet points or visuals like icons and images.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="3-magazine">3. Magazine</h3>
<p>Magazine layouts are inspired by printed newspapers and magazines and there are many examples of this kind of website out there. They usually consist of multiple columns made up of individual containers that create a complex visual hierarchy.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71856" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-115/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg" data-orig-size="800,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg?w=234" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg?w=800" loading="lazy" width="800" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-71856" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg 800w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg?w=117 117w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg?w=234 234w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-3.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></a></figure>
<p>In this website layout, different elements often have different weights assigned to them to show their relative importance. You can do this, for example, with bigger headlines or the <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/tutorials/image-seo-12-tips-to-optimize-images-and-drive-search-traffic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">use of images</a>. This creates a multi-level hierarchy.</p>
<p>The goal is to allow visitors to scan a great amount of information quickly. As a consequence, it’s a great choice for content-heavy websites, especially those covering a multitude of topics. Dashboards, such as for web applications, are also good candidates. The <a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/gazette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gazette theme</a> is another great example for how to use a magazine layout.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71857" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-116/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg" data-orig-size="820,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg?w=240" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg?w=820" loading="lazy" width="820" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg?w=820" alt="" class="wp-image-71857" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg 820w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg?w=120 120w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg?w=240 240w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-4.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="4-grid">4. Grid</h3>
<p>Also called box-based website layouts, grid layouts distribute elements across the page according to a clear underlying order.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71858" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-117/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg" data-orig-size="671,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg?w=197" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg?w=671" loading="lazy" width="671" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg?w=671" alt="" class="wp-image-71858" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg 671w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg?w=98 98w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-5.jpeg?w=197 197w" sizes="(max-width: 671px) 100vw, 671px" /></a></figure>
<p>The result is a well-structured and geometrically-arranged design. It’s ideal for sites that have a lot of content of equal importance, e.g. portfolios. Linked pages often appear in the form of an image plus title and a short abstract.</p>
<p>If your content does not all have the same priority, there are lots of options to determine relative importance of different elements as well.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71859" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-118/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg" data-orig-size="571,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg?w=167" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg?w=571" loading="lazy" width="571" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg?w=571" alt="" class="wp-image-71859" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg 571w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg?w=84 84w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-6.jpeg?w=167 167w" sizes="(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="5-modular">5. Modular</h3>
<p>Next in our list of website layout examples, we have a special kind of grid structure, which is also known as block layout. In it, each unit of content has their own space, is evenly spaced, and thus easy to locate. You might be very familiar with it from Pinterest and other sites that use a card layout.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71860" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-119/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg" data-orig-size="794,1023" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg?w=233" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg?w=794" loading="lazy" width="794" height="1023" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg?w=794" alt="" class="wp-image-71860" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg 794w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg?w=116 116w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg?w=233 233w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-7.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 794px) 100vw, 794px" /></a></figure>
<p>This website layout is also great for mobile design, as it rearranges well for smaller screens. If you want to use it, it is most suitable for business websites, content collections like product pages, or the display of <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/tutorials/wordpress-custom-post-types/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">custom post types</a>.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="6-single-column">6. Single-Column</h3>
<p>Our next website layout example arranges all content in one vertical column and orders it sequentially.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71861" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-120/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg" data-orig-size="987,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg?w=289" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg?w=987" loading="lazy" width="987" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg?w=987" alt="" class="wp-image-71861" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg 987w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg?w=145 145w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg?w=289 289w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-8.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 987px) 100vw, 987px" /></a></figure>
<p>Single-column layouts are popular and easy to use, especially on mobile, where users prefer to scroll over clicking from page to page. To that end, it benefits from a back-to-top button and sticky menu.</p>
<p>If your content is very text-heavy, remember to break it up with images to ensure readability. As you can imagine, this website layout is frequently used for blogs and anything that has a feed-like content pipeline. Landing pages are also a good candidate.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="7-content-focused">7. Content-Focused</h3>
<p>As the name already suggests, this layout is most appropriate for websites whose primary appeal is (written) content. It’s similar to the single-column variety, often with one main column and one or more side columns for additional information.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71862" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-121/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg" data-orig-size="871,1023" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg?w=255" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg?w=871" loading="lazy" width="871" height="1023" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg?w=871" alt="" class="wp-image-71862" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg 871w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg?w=128 128w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg?w=255 255w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-9.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 871px) 100vw, 871px" /></a></figure>
<p>While the focus is on the primary content, you can surround it by other elements that you want visitors to notice after landing on the page for the main attraction. This could be a newsletter signup form in the sidebar, advertisement for your product or service, or a sales banner.</p>
<p>Naturally, this page structure lends itself best to blogs or other websites that mainly deal in writing. At the same time, singular pages on websites with a different layout can also benefit from a content-focused approach.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="8-full-screen">8. Full-Screen</h3>
<p>This is a website layout that covers the entire page. There are no sidebars, the screen comes across as a singular unit.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71863" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-122/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg" data-orig-size="383,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg?w=112" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg?w=383" loading="lazy" width="383" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg?w=383" alt="" class="wp-image-71863" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg 383w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg?w=56 56w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-10.jpeg?w=112 112w" sizes="(max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px" /></a></figure>
<p>Sometimes this design is coupled with a modular build that scrolls screen by screen, so that each section is like a separate page. It often has an image or even video in the background.</p>
<p>Full-screen layouts are best suited for one-page designs, storytelling, and product pages. They work best if you couple them with captivating colors and/or visuals. If you like this look, the <a href="https://wordpress.com/theme/afterlight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Afterlight theme</a> might be a good option for you.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71864" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-123/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,807" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="807" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71864" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-11.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="9-hero">9. Hero</h3>
<p>A special type of full-screen website layout with a large image at the top (also called “hero image”) that contains the main elements like your site title, CTA, etc.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71865" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-124/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,548" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="548" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71865" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-12.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>Hero layouts are a good way to quickly capture attention and clarify the topic of the page, especially for products. It’s a big, bold visual statement with additional information in the form of text elements.</p>
<p>The layout works best for product pages and ecommerce websites in general. However, some blogs also use it.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="10-split-screen">10. Split-Screen</h3>
<p>In this website layout, the screen is divided in the middle.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71866" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-125/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,556" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="556" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71866" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-13.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>Split-screen layouts provide a balanced symmetry allowing you to represent two different ideas and give them the same consideration. Alternatively, you can also show off the same idea from different angles or use it to divide ecommerce customers at the start of their journey.</p>
<p>Split screen is a great option for websites that use two different types of content (e.g. images and text) or provide two distinct customer journeys. It’s also suitable simply for websites that want a modern look. However, it’s not so great for text-heavy designs because it doesn’t scale well, especially on mobile.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="11-asymmetrical">11. Asymmetrical</h3>
<p>A design similar to split screen or grid but with uneven distribution, offering an added dynamic.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71867" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-126/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg" data-orig-size="433,1023" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg?w=127" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg?w=433" loading="lazy" width="433" height="1023" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg?w=433" alt="" class="wp-image-71867" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg 433w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg?w=63 63w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-14.jpeg?w=127 127w" sizes="(max-width: 433px) 100vw, 433px" /></a></figure>
<p>You can use scale, color, width, and more to provide different focal points and highlights on the page. However, asymmetry does not mean chaos. There’s an underlying order that provides elegance and congruity.</p>
<p>What are good candidates for asymmetrical website layouts?</p>
<p>Websites that want to go for something modern, innovative and guide the user’s attention in dynamic ways. Business websites, online portfolios, or landing pages are prime beneficiaries.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="how-to-choose-a-website-layout">How to Choose a Website Layout</h2>
<p>With a better idea about what types of website layouts exist, how do you pick the right one for your website? Here are a few practical tips to do so.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="understanding-website-layout-vs-website-structure">Understanding website layout vs. website structure</h3>
<p>First, make sure that a website layout is what you’re looking to implement. In a sentence, this means the way that the <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/20-basic-website-design-elements-and-why-they-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elements on your web pages</a> (content, <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/menus/create-a-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">navigation</a>, header, footer, and everything else visible) are arranged to present the information included within them.</p>
<p>In contrast to <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/website-building/website-structure-optimized-for-ux-seo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website structure</a>, layout focuses on the individual page experience and how users consume the content on your pages. It is less concerned about leading them around your site as a whole (though, of course, that’s part of it as well).</p>
<p>While different web pages on your site can (and should) have different layouts, the basic structure usually stays the same. For example, the information needed on a shop page is very different from that of a product page or something like an <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/website-building/about-us-and-about-me-page-examples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>About</em> section</a>. At the same time, the basic layout elements, especially <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/tips-for-designing-an-effective-wordpress-website-header/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">header</a> and footer, usually stay constant across most pages.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71869" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-128/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,474" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="474" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71869" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-16.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>This makes for a consistent user experience, while allowing for flexibility to deliver different types of content to users.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="what-is-the-goal-of-your-website-layout">What Is the Goal of Your Website Layout?</h3>
<p>Good layout has the power to keep users on your page longer and engage them. Bad layout can do the opposite. In times where most visitors leave your site <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-long-do-users-stay-on-web-pages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">within ten seconds</a>, you need all the edge you can get. Here are some things that good website layout accomplishes:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Makes a good first impression</strong> – Users <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01449290500330448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decide within less than half a second</a> whether they like your site or not, so you better make sure your layout is on point.</li>
<li><strong>Naturally leads the eye to important content</strong> – The focus of every website is content, whether that is products or information. Your page structure can either direct users towards it or away from it.</li>
<li><strong>Provides strong user experience (UX)</strong> – A good layout helps visitors find what they are looking for, both on page as well as sitewide. It also sets elements in relation to each other, determines their sequence, and gives weight to the right elements.</li>
<li><strong>Gives guidance</strong> – Layout provides guide rails for your users. It places the most important content at the top and leads them down the page toward your goal. </li>
</ul>
<p>The best website layout is one that you barely notice because you can easily find every element you are looking for. It is also one aimed at your <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/digital-marketing/how-to-use-personas-in-digital-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">target group</a>, their preferences, behaviors, and needs.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="consider-the-type-of-website-you-are-building">Consider the Type of Website You Are Building</h3>
<p>As you have seen above, different website layouts are more or less suitable for different types of websites. Therefore, in order to choose the right one for you, you first need to be crystal clear about what kind of site you are building.</p>
<p>Business sites, shops, blogs – they all have very different focal points and demand different layouts. Clarity in this area is the first step towards making the right choice.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="do-your-research">Do Your Research</h3>
<p>Your website does not exist in a vacuum. Look at websites that are the same type as yours (e.g. blog, ecommerce, B2B, B2C, etc.) but sell different types of products/services or serve different industries/niches than your own.</p>
<p>When you do, identify common website layouts, best practices, what looks good, and see what you can do better with your layout.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="consider-what-you-like">Consider What You Like</h3>
<p>Yes, a website is primarily there to serve other people. However, at the same time, it also needs to be something you like. If you are turned off by your own website, it’s unlikely that you will put in the energy and enthusiasm needed to run it and make it successful.</p>
<p>For that reason, while considering which website layout to choose, also do some introspection. Think about what you personally like and would like to see on your site.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="base-your-design-on-common-layouts">Base Your Design on Common Layouts</h3>
<p>The website layouts we discussed above are commonly known because they work. They have proven to be usable over time, are familiar to users, and ready to go. Therefore, it’s a good idea to go with one of the established layouts and then add your individual flavor to it.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="creating-a-website-layout-mockup">Creating a website layout mockup</h2>
<p>WordPress themes are flexible enough to support different types of page layouts out of the box. But what if you are <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/create-no-code-wordpress-themes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">designing your own theme</a> or are working with a website developer? In this case, you might want to create a wireframe. This helps to map out your page layout and is also good to clarify your ideas and get them onto paper.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="wireframing-your-layout">Wireframing your layout</h3>
<p>A wireframe is like a map of your page. It’s not the finished design but something that shows its structure.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71871" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-130/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,768" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71871" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-18.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>Here’s how to create a simple wireframe:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Think about the user journey</strong> – Be aware what your goals are with your layout, where you want to steer visitors and what you want them to do.</li>
<li><strong>Get sketching (and start with mobile)</strong> – Wireframes are not meant to be superfancy or detailed. Therefore, you can get started right away (see the tools below). A good idea is to start with the mobile design, then move on to larger screen sizes.</li>
<li><strong>Create the basic framework</strong> – Take a bird’s-eye view, tackle the basic design problems first. Think about where to place the navigation and other basic UI elements.</li>
<li><strong>Identify content areas</strong> – Mark where your content goes. For that, it’s important to know the content you will use ahead of time (both word count and images) so that you can accurately include it in the map.</li>
<li><strong>Iterate</strong> – Even if you are satisfied with your first idea, do a few more passes to give yourself options. It often takes a while for the best ideas to bubble to the surface.</li>
<li><strong>Test </strong>– Once you have some website layout ideas collected, it’s time to put them in front of potential users and collect feedback. The tools listed below are suitable for that as well. Getting some real-life feedback is great to improve and get closer to the final version.</li>
<li><strong>Rinse and repeat</strong> – Do this over and over until you are satisfied with the results and ready to move to the design phase.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Pro Tip</strong>: Did you know that sites hosted with WordPress.com includes wireframe block patterns that you can use? These are patterns that are closer to a blank slate for your page without much design, but they include a basic structural layout. Just choose a wireframe pattern you like from the patterns library and customize it to suit your needs. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71872" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-131/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg" data-orig-size="1011,1024" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg?w=296" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg?w=1011" loading="lazy" width="1011" height="1024" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg?w=1011" alt="" class="wp-image-71872" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg 1011w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg?w=148 148w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg?w=296 296w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-19.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1011px) 100vw, 1011px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="additional-tips">Additional Tips</h3>
<p>In order to create the best possible website layout, here are some tips and concepts to keep in mind:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Create a visual hierarchy</strong> – Decide which elements are the most important and build your website layout so that it focuses on them. Make sure that they are placed where they are easily noticeable and identifiable.</li>
<li><strong>Use a grid </strong>– Almost all web design is based on some sort of grid. It provides order and a basic structure and scaffolding that you can order your page elements along.</li>
<li><strong>Employ the rule of odds</strong> – Use odd numbers of elements rather than even. That way, the focus is always on one element instead of in between two of them.</li>
<li><strong>Ensure scanability </strong>– We have already talked about reading patterns. When designing your website layout, be sure to accommodate the way visitors consume content to make it easy to catch the gist of your site.</li>
<li><strong>Focus on the fold</strong> – The fold is where the screen cuts off when someone first gets to your site. Above it, in the part that visitors see first, you should have your most important content and call to action.</li>
<li><strong>Use enough white space</strong> – Negative space, the part without content, is as important as the content itself. It provides space to breathe and allows the emphasis to be where you want users to focus.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="tools-for-wireframing">Tools for Wireframing</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71873" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/14/website-layout-examples/image-132/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,568" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="568" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71873" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/image-20.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>You can use different kinds of tools to build wireframes:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Pen and paper</strong> – Classic but powerful, easy to use, and great to quickly whip up some website layout ideas without having to learn a new tool.</li>
<li><a href="https://whimsical.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whimsical</a> – A collaboration tool that works for wireframes and also allows you to get feedback. It’s also easy to use and has a free plan.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.invisionapp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Invision</a> – Similar to Whimsical. Also works for collaborative designing. Comes with wireframe templates and has a free plan for up to three online whiteboards.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.figma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Figma</a> – A popular tool for design and prototyping that has free wireframe kits to hit the ground running. Use the free plan to get started without paying.</li>
<li><a href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2022/11/18/new-patterns-subscriptions-link-in-bio-wireframes-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WordPress.com</a>’s wireframe patterns – If you want to start with an pre-designed wireframe template, and adjust from there, WordPress.com has some patterns to make this simple.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="find-the-right-website-layout-for-your-wordpress-site">Find the Right Website Layout for Your WordPress Site</h2>
<p>The layout is one of the most decisive factors for the usability of your website. For that reason, it deserves ample consideration so that you can serve your visitors in the best way possible.</p>
<p>Established page structures are a great way to get started. They have proven themselves over time and are able to fulfill established user expectations. While you can (and should) add your own flavor, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. It’s also often feasible and sensible to use more than one layout in a website, especially on different pages.</p>
<p>When making decisions, consider your type of website, goals, industry, and personal likes. Then, use wireframing to capture your ideas for your website layout. And remember, it’s all about your users. The best layouts are those that they hardly notice.</p>
<p><em>Build fast, ship faster with Studio, a fast, free way to develop locally with WordPress. </em><a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Get started now</em></a><em>.</em></p>
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<title>WordPress 6.7 Brings New Power and Flexibility</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tanya Thibodeau]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 23:53:39 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71721</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Discover WordPress 6.7 with the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme, Zoom Out feature, enhanced customization, Query Loop improvements, developer tools, and more.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Welcome to the latest in WordPress innovation with the release of WordPress 6.7! This update brings a wave of new features, design flexibility, and performance enhancements to elevate your WordPress experience, whether you’re building your first site or fine-tuning a complex project. </p>
<p>From the introduction of the Twenty Twenty-Five theme to powerful new editing tools and developer capabilities, WordPress 6.7 empowers you to create a site that’s dynamic, engaging, and uniquely yours.</p>
<p>As always, WordPress.com sites are updated automatically, so you may already see these new features live. Read on to discover what’s new and how these updates make it easier than ever to build, design, and manage a standout site on WordPress.com.</p>
<p><strong>Table of contents</strong></p>
<ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#the-basics">The basics</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#twenty-twenty-five-theme-release">Twenty Twenty-Five theme release</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#expanded-block-customization-options">Expanded block customization options</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#streamlined-creation-with-zoom-out">Streamlined creation with Zoom Out</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#simplified-query-loop-block">Simplified Query Loop block</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#improved-font-management-tools">Improved font management tools</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#customizable-data-views">Customizable Data Views</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#developer-features">Developer features</a><ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#template-registration-api">Template Registration API</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#data-views-api">Data Views API</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#block-bindings-improvements">Block Bindings improvements</a></li></ol></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/#and-more">And more</a></li></ol>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-basics">The basics</h2>
<p>WordPress 6.7 brings a host of new features, design tools, and bug fixes to enhance your website creation experience. WordPress.com updates sites automatically, so there’s nothing you need to do before you can enjoy these benefits. </p>
<p>As a WordPress.com user, you may have already enjoyed early access to some of these improvements, reflecting our commitment to keeping you equipped with the most up-to-date features. If you experience any issues, our Happiness Engineers are here to help at <a href="https://wordpress.com/help">wordpress.com/help</a>.</p>
<p>Let’s look at some new enhancements that can help take your site to the next level.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="twenty-twenty-five-theme-release">Twenty Twenty-Five theme release</h2>
<p>As part of the annual tradition, WordPress 6.7 introduces a new default, block theme: <a href="https://twentytwentyfivedemo.wordpress.com/">Twenty Twenty-Five</a>. </p>
<p>Twenty Twenty-Five is designed for bloggers of all scales—from hobbyist writers to major news sites—capturing a balance between simplicity and versatility. It allows you to intuitively create a site that feels truly personal while offering the flexibility for complex designs. With a diverse array of patterns and templates for everything from landing pages to photo blogs, the theme is tailored to enable seamless storytelling for any purpose. Natural, universal imagery and thoughtfully chosen typography bring warmth and a timeless aesthetic that resonates on a global scale.</p>
<p>Built to support multiple languages and visual styles, Twenty Twenty-Five includes a curated selection of color palettes and font pairings, ensuring both accessibility and elegance in design. Whether you lean toward a minimalist personal blog, a striking photo gallery, or a content-rich magazine layout, the theme’s templates and design tools empower you to build a site that is uniquely yours</p>
<figure data-carousel-extra='{"blog_id":3584907,"permalink":"https:\/\/wordpress.com\/blog\/2024\/11\/12\/wordpress-6-7\/"}' class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png"><img data-attachment-id="71723" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png" data-orig-size="2548,1892" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="760" data-id="71723" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=1024" alt="Screen shot of variation one of the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme released with WordPress 6.7" class="wp-image-71723" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=1024 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=2048 2048w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png"><img data-attachment-id="71725" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png" data-orig-size="2546,1888" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="759" data-id="71725" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=1024" alt="Screen shot of variation three of the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme released with WordPress 6.7" class="wp-image-71725" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=1024 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=2048 2048w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png"><img data-attachment-id="71724" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png" data-orig-size="2550,1886" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="757" data-id="71724" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=1024" alt="Screen shot of variation two of the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme released with WordPress 6.7" class="wp-image-71724" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=1024 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=2048 2048w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-2.png?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="expanded-block-customization-options">Expanded block customization options</h2>
<p>WordPress 6.7 also introduces even more styling flexibility, adding additional options for borders, backgrounds, shadows, and spacing across numerous blocks. These updates allow you to create custom designs without extra code. Notably, the Group block now supports shadow effects and the Content block allows for a background image, while blocks like Paragraph, Heading, and Buttons offer additional options for borders, color, and padding.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='425' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/hcwwrezB?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F11%2Fwordpress-6-7-release-block-enhancements-1.jpeg&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="streamlined-creation-with-zoom-out">Streamlined creation with Zoom Out</h2>
<p>The new Zoom Out feature offers a fresh way to view and design your content at a high level. By toggling to this zoomed-out perspective, you can easily style entire sections or adjust the arrangement of blocks across a page, all without getting caught up in the details of individual blocks.</p>
<p>With Zoom Out, you can make broader edits using patterns, giving you control over top-level containers and block groups. Click or drag-and-drop to add patterns and use the arrows to the left to rearrange them. When you’re ready to dive back in, simply double-click the content area or click the Zoom Out icon to return to the standard editor view. This feature is a game-changer for efficient layout creation, whether you’re building pages or fine-tuning templates.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='425' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/1pTApztT?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F11%2Fwordpress-6-7-release-zoom-out-3.jpeg&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="simplified-query-loop-block">Simplified Query Loop block</h2>
<p>The Query Loop block, known for its power and complexity, has been refined to make it more user-friendly. A new toggle allows you to choose between “Default” and “Custom” modes, simplifying the creation of content-rich sections on your site. In Default mode, the block automatically inherits settings from your template, so posts display instantly without extra configuration. This means you can drop in the Query Loop block and see your content right away, saving setup time. For more specific use cases, switch to Custom mode for precise control over what content is displayed.</p>
<p>Additional refinements include a cleaner layout of the Settings Sidebar on the right, making it simple to adjust display options in one place.</p>
<p>Key features and updates to take note of:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Quick preview when adding the block from the inserter</li>
<li>Display controls moved from the toolbar to the sidebar</li>
<li>New post format filter for customized content display (on select themes)</li>
</ul>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71729" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/12/wordpress-6-7/screenshot-36/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg" data-orig-size="3294,2314" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Screenshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Screenshot</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="719" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=1024" alt="Screen shot of updated Query Loop settings" class="wp-image-71729" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=2048 2048w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-6-7-release-query-loop-settings.jpeg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="improved-font-management-tools">Improved font management tools</h2>
<p>The latest updates bring powerful new options to font management for block themes, making it easier to customize typography across your site. In the Global Styles section, you can now create, edit, and delete custom font size presets. These presets let you define reusable font sizes site-wide, with options to customize names, base sizes, and fluid scaling, which automatically adjusts font size based on screen dimensions.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='425' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/fCSIfihT?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<p>Additionally, fonts are now grouped by source (theme or Google Fonts), giving you a clear view of where each font originates. A convenient “Select All” option lets you quickly activate or deactivate fonts as needed, with active fonts visibly highlighted for easy management.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="customizable-data-views">Customizable Data Views</h2>
<p>Data Views, a powerful tool for managing pages, patterns, and templates in the Site Editor, now features several enhancements to simplify navigation:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Grid Layout Preview Size: Choose the view that works best for you.</li>
<li>Customizable Columns: Reorder columns based on your preference.</li>
<li>Bulk Actions on Grid Layout: Select multiple items and take action quickly.</li>
</ul>
<p>These refinements make it easier than ever to organize your site, whether you’re handling a few pages or hundreds.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='425' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/H0xvTB9t?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="developer-features">Developer features</h2>
<p>WordPress 6.7 introduces several enhancements for developers, making it easier to create unique site experiences.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="template-registration-api">Template Registration API</h3>
<p>This release allows developers to <a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/news/2024/08/29/registering-block-templates-via-plugins-in-wordpress-6-7/">register custom block templates directly within plugins</a>, simplifying the process of creating and managing front-end template outputs. The Template Registration API enables developers to define default content for custom post types, taxonomies, and virtual pages—all built on the block system, so both themes and users can customize templates to their needs.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="data-views-api">Data Views API</h3>
<p>Developers can now use a new API to register and unregister Data Views actions, offering more flexibility in managing project-specific actions. Learn how to use Data Views <a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/news/2024/08/27/using-data-views-to-display-and-interact-with-data-in-plugins/">in your own plugins</a> and <a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/news/2024/09/23/actions-from-data-views-adding-images-to-the-media-library/">for adding images to the Media Library</a>. This update is part of ongoing work in <a href="https://wordpress.org/about/roadmap/">Gutenberg’s Phase 3</a> and the <a href="https://make.wordpress.org/core/2023/07/12/admin-design/">Admin Redesign</a> project, providing expanded tools for custom workflows.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-bindings-improvements">Block Bindings improvements</h3>
<p>Building on Block Bindings introduced in previous releases, this update adds a user interface for admins and editors to connect block attributes with custom field data directly in a block.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="and-more">And more</h2>
<p>There are too many great updates to cover them all here, but here are a few smaller yet valuable enhancements worth noting:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Block inserter:</strong> The block inserter now stays open while you interact with the editor canvas, making it easier to navigate your content as you add blocks.</li>
<li><strong>Editor topbar:</strong> The action icons in the top right corner have been reordered for improved accessibility.</li>
<li><strong>Pre-publish check buttons:</strong> The second Publish (or Save) button has been repositioned within the pre-publish panel, so you won’t need to move your mouse after clicking the initial Publish (or Save).</li>
</ul>
<p>WordPress 6.7 brings hundreds of improvements, developer features, and bug fixes. The above highlights are only a taste of what’s available. If you’d like to dive deeper, <a href="https://make.wordpress.org/core/2024/10/23/wordpress-6-7-field-guide/">the official WordPress 6.7 Field Guide</a> has all the technical details.</p>
<p>Click below if you’re a developer and want to leverage the benefits of hosting your sites with WordPress.com:</p>
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<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-1.png?w=1024" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Screen shot of variation one of the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme released with WordPress 6.7</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/twenty-twenty-five-wordpress-theme-3.png?w=1024" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Screen shot of variation three of the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme released with WordPress 6.7</media:title>
</media:content>
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<media:title type="html">Screen shot of variation two of the new Twenty Twenty-Five theme released with WordPress 6.7</media:title>
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<media:title type="html">Screen shot of updated Query Loop settings</media:title>
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<title>Slow WordPress Site? Our Free Site Speed Tool Can Help</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/11/wordpress-speed-test/</link>
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<pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 21:45:52 +0000</pubDate>
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<description><![CDATA[Quick website load times are crucial for user retention, satisfaction, and competitive advantage—get there faster with our free Site Speed Tool.]]></description>
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</div>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71765" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/11/wordpress-speed-test/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-2/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,570" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="wordpress-com-site-speed-test" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="570" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg" alt="a screenshot of the WordPress.com Speed Test landing page with a heading that says 'Optimize your WordPress site
for lightning-fast performance' with a white URL field" class="wp-image-71765" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg?w=150&h=61 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg?w=300&h=122 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg?w=768&h=313 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg?w=1024&h=417 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The need for speed </h2>
<p>The numbers speak for themselves:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://unbounce.com/page-speed-report/">Nearly 70% of consumers</a> admit that page speed impacts their willingness to buy from an online retailer.</li>
<li><a href="https://unbounce.com/page-speed-report/">Almost half of consumers</a> say they’ll try to refresh a page at least once when it takes 3 seconds to load. But 22% say they’ll close the tab, and 14% say they’ll visit a competitor’s site.</li>
<li><a href="https://neilpatel.com/blog/loading-time/">47% of consumers</a> expect a web page to load in 2 seconds or less.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/ux-statistics-insights-infographic">If a website takes more than three seconds to load</a>, 40% of the people will leave that site.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Website performance plays a critical role in the success of any online business</strong>. Slow websites will cost you not only visitors but also potential revenue. Investing in performance optimization could be the difference between closing a sale and losing out to a competitor.</p>
<p>A faster website gives you a competitive edge by capturing traffic from slower sites. Visitors are more likely to stay, explore, and convert into customers when your site loads quickly. Speed isn’t just a nice-to-have—<strong>it’s a key driver of business growth</strong>. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Optimize your WordPress site for lightning-fast performance</h2>
<p>Is your WordPress site as fast as it could be? <a href="https://wordpress.com/speed-test/?ref=blog">Test the speed of your WordPress site with free our Site Speed Tool</a> and get detailed performance metrics and tailored recommendations with just a few clicks. Simply enter any public WordPress URL, and we’ll run real-time tests on your site to assess its performance.</p>
<p>Our tool evaluates key areas, such as:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Loading speed</strong>: How fast your site loads for users.</li>
<li><strong>Core Web Vitals</strong>: Metrics that focus on user experience, including loading, interactivity, and visual stability.</li>
<li><strong>Historical performance</strong>: Tracking your site’s performance over time to spot trends and areas for improvement.</li>
</ul>
<p>Once analyzed, you’ll receive an easy-to-understand performance score and WordPress-specific, AI-enhanced recommendations to boost your website’s speed and overall performance.</p>
<p><a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/docs/site-performance/speed-test/">You can access our developer documentation</a> for more specifics about the report.</p>
<p>If you already have a site on WordPress.com <a href="https://wordpress.com/hosting?ref=blog">with a Business or Commerce plan</a>, you can also easily access the speed test directly in your dashboard. Test your performance across all of your sites to better understand correlations between site changes and performance.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71760" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/11/wordpress-speed-test/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,855" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="855" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg" alt="a screenshot of the Performance tab and speed test report in the WordPress.com Hosting Overview dashboard" class="wp-image-71760" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=150&h=92 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=300&h=183 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=768&h=469 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=1024&h=625 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get weekly performance change alerts</h2>
<p>Want to stay ahead of performance issues? <a href="https://wordpress.com/speed-test/?ref=blog">Sign up</a> for weekly performance change alerts, which provide a comprehensive overview of your website’s metrics over the last handful of weeks. These reports will highlight trends, performance fluctuations, and areas where further optimization is needed—keeping you informed and in control of your website’s health.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71770" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/11/wordpress-speed-test/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,283" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="283" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg" alt="a screenshot of the email opt-in section on the WordPress.com Speed Test page with a heading that says 'Get notified about changes to your site’s performance—it’s free!'" class="wp-image-71770" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=150&h=30 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=300&h=61 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=768&h=155 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/email-notification-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg?w=1024&h=207 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Test your site today</h2>
<p>Your website’s performance can make or break your success online. With our easy-to-use performance measurement tool, <strong>you can take the guesswork out of optimizing your site</strong>. </p>
<p><a href="https://wordpress.com/speed-test/?ref=blog">Test your URL now for free</a> and get personalized recommendations to ensure your site performs at its best, or head to the Performance tab in your site’s Hosting Overview menu to get automatic performance data about your WordPress.com sites.</p>
<p>Don’t leave your website’s success to chance—start optimizing today.</p>
<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-button btn-primary text-color-white"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://wordpress.com/speed-test/?ref=blog">Use the free Site Speed Tool</a></div>
</div>
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<media:title type="html">wordpress-com-site-speed-test-blog-header</media:title>
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<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wordpress-com-site-speed-test-1.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a screenshot of the WordPress.com Speed Test landing page with a heading that says 'Optimize your WordPress site
for lightning-fast performance' with a white URL field</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/performance-site-speed-test-wordpress-com.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a screenshot of the Performance tab and speed test report in the WordPress.com Hosting Overview dashboard</media:title>
</media:content>
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<media:title type="html">a screenshot of the email opt-in section on the WordPress.com Speed Test page with a heading that says 'Get notified about changes to your site’s performance—it’s free!'</media:title>
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<title>Why a Recipe Plugin is the Secret Ingredient for Your Food Blog’s Success</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie Koteen]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71687</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A recipe plugin is crucial for food blogs, enhancing site SEO, boosting reader experience, and adding structured data for search engines like Google.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>You’ll likely need the help of several WordPress plugins to build a successful food blog, but none are as important as the mighty recipe plugin. To put it in perspective, if I were thinking of a recipe blog as a pie, the recipe plugin would be the biggest piece of that pie and the ice cream à la mode. It’s that big of a deal. </p>
<p>A <strong>recipe plugin</strong> is basically a tiny little translator that meticulously parses and organizes the details of a recipe into robot-ready pieces of data that search engines need to display your content accurately and beautifully in search results. But that’s not all it does.</p>
<p>Recipe plugins serve three main purposes:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>They supply <strong>search engines</strong> with the structured data needed to display your recipes accurately in search results with rich snippets. If this sounds like gobbledygook, don’t worry—we’ll explain it more below.</li>
<li>They provide an easy-to-use recipe template for <strong>you</strong>, making it simple to add a recipe to your WordPress post without hassle.</li>
<li>They give <strong>readers</strong> a visually consistent, well-organized recipe format, often including useful features like ingredient checkboxes, unit converters, and serving size adjustments.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="seo">Search Engine Optimization</h3>
<p>Recipe plugins work behind the scenes (as the tiny translators) to add <a href="https://wordpress.com/learn/courses/intro-to-seo/structured-data/"><em>structured data</em></a> to every recipe you publish. This structured data (specifically JSON-LD) makes it easy for search engines to understand and showcase your recipes in search results with extra details like images, videos, ingredients, cook times, ratings, and more.</p>
<p>When these enhanced details appear in search, they’re known as <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/search-gallery"><em>rich snippets</em></a>, and they’re what makes your recipe stand out. This can increase your click-through rate (CTR) and boost your search rankings because of the extra information shown for your content within the search itself. </p>
<p>Luckily, you don’t need to worry too much about structured data. Just know that a good recipe plugin adds this data to display rich results, like Google’s rich snippets or <a href="https://developers.pinterest.com/docs/web-features/rich-pins-overview/">Pinterest’s Rich Pins</a>.</p>
<p>Here’s a fun fact: Pinterest, essentially a visual search engine, is a major traffic driver for food bloggers. With constant algorithm changes in search, diversifying your traffic sources is always a smart strategy.</p>
<p>Here are a few examples of how rich snippets are displayed in Google and Pinterest search results:</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71689" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/screenshot-33/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,1210" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="1210" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg" alt="blue arrows pointing to the rich results in a Google Search for chocolate chip cookies" class="wp-image-71689" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg?w=150&h=130 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg?w=300&h=259 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg?w=768&h=664 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg?w=1024&h=885 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71690" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/rich-pins-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,924" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="rich-pins-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="924" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg" alt="blue arrows pointing to Rich Pin data for a bean soup pin" class="wp-image-71690" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg?w=150&h=99 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg?w=300&h=198 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg?w=768&h=507 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg?w=1024&h=676 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="templates">Templates for adding a recipe to a post</h3>
<p>Let’s not forget that recipes are really just instructions. Using a clear, organized template helps you include all of the important details that your recipe plugin needs to create the structured data.</p>
<p>Here’s an example of a recipe card template from the <a href="https://wordpress.com/plugins/wp-recipe-maker">WP Recipe Maker</a> plugin. You’ll find a similar template with each of the plugins we recommend.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71693" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/wp-recipe-maker-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,1072" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="wp-recipe-maker-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="1072" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg" alt="a recipe for overnight oats using WP Recipe Maker showing ingredients and instructions" class="wp-image-71693" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg?w=150&h=115 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg?w=300&h=230 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg?w=768&h=588 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg?w=1024&h=784 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="reader-experience">Improved reader experience</h3>
<p>Recipe cards come jam-packed with reader-friendly features designed to make cooking easier—like the popular “jump to recipe” button at the top of recipe posts.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71694" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/jump-to-recipe-button/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,1005" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="jump-to-recipe-button" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="1005" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg" alt="example of a Jump to Recipe button at the top of a blog post for Overnight Oats" class="wp-image-71694" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg?w=150&h=108 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg?w=300&h=215 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg?w=768&h=551 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg?w=1024&h=735 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p>It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options. Try to focus on a handful of features that truly add value for your readers. For instance, if your site is focused on baking, a unit converter is a must-have. </p>
<p>Some of the most useful reader-facing features include:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Accurate unit conversions</strong> – Test these out, as not all converters are created equally! </li>
<li><strong>Recipe scaling options</strong> – Adjust servings by 1/2x, 2x, or 3x.</li>
<li><strong>User ratings display</strong> – Helps readers feel confident in the recipe they’re about to make.</li>
<li><strong>‘Jump to recipe’ button</strong> – A shortcut to “jump” the reader from the top of the post to the recipe.</li>
<li><strong>Hands-free cook mode</strong> – Keeps the screen awake for readers while cooking.</li>
<li><strong>Customizable templates</strong> – Allows you to easily style the recipe card to match your brand without the help of a developer.</li>
</ul>
<p>Here’s an example of hands-free cook mode in <a href="https://wordpress.com/plugins/mediavine-create">Mediavine Create</a>:</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71697" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/screenshot-34/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,631" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="631" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg" alt="an example of a recipe on a food blog with a 'hands free mode' option" class="wp-image-71697" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg?w=150&h=68 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg?w=300&h=135 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg?w=768&h=346 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg?w=1024&h=462 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="choose">How to choose a recipe plugin</h2>
<p>Starting a food blog often comes with a bit of a learning curve, but being a great recipe writer doesn’t mean you <em>also </em>need to be a tech expert. When deciding on a recipe plugin, choose one that aligns with your current comfort level and can support your needs as you grow. </p>
<p>When evaluating plugins these are a few of the most important things we recommend looking for:</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Actively maintained plugins</h3>
<p>“Actively maintained” means the plugin receives regular updates, ideally every few months. Recipe publishing evolves quickly, and it’s essential that the team behind this vital part of your site stays on top of the latest changes in search, ad placements, and performance optimization.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="feedback">Community feedback</h3>
<p>The next thing you want to consider is reviews. If it’s free in the <a href="https://wordpress.com/plugins/">WordPress.com plugin repository</a> and the <a href="https://wordpress.org/plugins">WordPress.org plugin repository</a>, then you can find reviews there. If it’s a premium plugin that’s <em>not</em> in the repository, you can look on the website for testimonials or reviews. </p>
<p>It’s also helpful to ask for recommendations from other food bloggers; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodbloggerscentral">Facebook groups</a> and Reddit forums for food bloggers are excellent resources.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="support">Evaluate support</h3>
<p>Free plugins on WordPress offer a support forum—take a peek to see if questions are promptly answered. Premium plugins may handle support through a dedicated support channel or email. Try reaching out with pre-sales questions, and if you get a helpful response, that’s a great sign. If support seems lacking, you might want to keep looking.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="tech">The technical parts</h3>
<p>JSON-LD is the preferred schema markup for search engines like Google and Pinterest, so verify that your recipe plugin includes it. </p>
<p>For search engines to interpret your recipe accurately, your plugin needs to support all required and recommended structured data fields. <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/recipe#recipe_properties">Google provides a list of these fields</a>, so double-check that your plugin covers them all. </p>
<p>Once installed, test the plugin by completing the fields in the template and running the recipe post through <a href="https://search.google.com/test/rich-results">Google’s Rich Results Test</a> to catch any errors or warnings.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="popular-recipe-plugins">Popular recipe plugins</h2>
<p>Investing in a paid recipe plugin may seem intimidating at first, but it’s one of the best (bite-sized) investments you can make as a food blogger because it offers you so many benefits that are important to get right from the start. Many plugins offer a lighter free version or a trial period, so I strongly encourage you to test out a few options before making a decision.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="wp-recipe-maker">WP Recipe Maker</h3>
<p><a href="https://wordpress.com/plugins/wp-recipe-maker">WP Recipe Maker</a> (WPRM) is a powerful recipe plugin, with over 50,000 active installations. They offer a free version, along with premium upgrades that are definitely worth considering. This plugin is the most feature-rich of all of the options. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71705" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/wp-recipe-maker/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,1163" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="1163" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg" alt="Screenshot of the WP Recipe Maker plugin offering on the WordPress.com plugin repository" class="wp-image-71705" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg?w=150&h=125 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg?w=300&h=249 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg?w=768&h=638 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg?w=1024&h=851 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p>The main drawback is that WPRM can be somewhat complex to set up with so many features to enable, disable, and customize. It will require some effort, and if you have an eye for design, you may need to customize the templates to achieve a polished look.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="tasty-recipes">Tasty Recipes</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.wptasty.com/tasty-recipes">Tasty Recipes</a> is part of the <a href="https://www.wptasty.com/">WP Tasty</a> plugin suite of plugins, all built for bloggers. While they don’t offer a free version, they do have a 14-day free trial. It’s the easiest of the bunch to set up, and the cards are beautiful right out of the box. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t!</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71709" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/screenshot-35/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,854" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Screenshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Screenshot</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="854" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg" alt="the Tasty Recipes landing page on the WP Tasty website with a hero image showing a recipe plugin. a recipe on a phone, a recipe on a computer screen, and recipe icons" class="wp-image-71709" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg?w=150&h=92 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg?w=300&h=183 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg?w=768&h=468 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg?w=1024&h=625 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="create">Create</h3>
<p><a href="https://wordpress.com/plugins/mediavine-create">Create</a> is a popular free option developed by <a href="https://www.mediavine.com/">Mediavine</a>, a full-service ad management company. With a selection of well-designed card templates and a responsive support team, it’s a solid choice for food bloggers. Create also offers built-in functionality for list and how-to cards if you publish more than recipes. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71707" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/create-by-mediavine/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,1101" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="create-by-mediavine" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="1101" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg" alt="Screenshot of the Create by Mediavine plugin offering on the WordPress.com plugin repository" class="wp-image-71707" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg?w=150&h=118 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg?w=300&h=236 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg?w=768&h=604 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg?w=1024&h=805 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p>The only downside of Create is that it doesn’t receive updates as frequently as some other plugins. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="start">Start a food blog on WordPress.com</h2>
<p>Start sharing your favorite recipes with a blog <a href="https://wordpress.com/create-blog/?ref=blog">hosted on WordPress.com</a>.</p>
<p>Run ads and install plugins, including your favorite recipe plugin, on our Business plan, and let us manage the rest. Get unlimited traffic, unstoppable security, and the power of WordPress, all for one low price.</p>
<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-button btn-primary text-color-white"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://wordpress.com/create-blog/?ref=blog">Get WordPress.com hosting</a></div>
</div>
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<wfw:commentRss>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/06/recipe-plugins/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
<media:thumbnail url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/why-recipe-plugin-food-blog-1.jpg" />
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/why-recipe-plugin-food-blog-1.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">why-recipe-plugin-food-blog</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/eae7a97a89222dd7f8b3108ce9cb520a2fd39e99e7b52200cf74a24b0d6a9574?s=96&d=retro" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">kkoteen</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/recipe-rich-results.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">blue arrows pointing to the rich results in a Google Search for chocolate chip cookies</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/rich-pins-example.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">blue arrows pointing to Rich Pin data for a bean soup pin</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker-example.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">a recipe for overnight oats using WP Recipe Maker showing ingredients and instructions</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/jump-to-recipe-button.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">example of a Jump to Recipe button at the top of a blog post for Overnight Oats</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/hands-free-mode-create-recipe-plugin.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">an example of a recipe on a food blog with a 'hands free mode' option</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/wp-recipe-maker.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Screenshot of the WP Recipe Maker plugin offering on the WordPress.com plugin repository</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/tasty-recipes.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">the Tasty Recipes landing page on the WP Tasty website with a hero image showing a recipe plugin. a recipe on a phone, a recipe on a computer screen, and recipe icons</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/11/create-by-mediavine.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Screenshot of the Create by Mediavine plugin offering on the WordPress.com plugin repository</media:title>
</media:content>
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<item>
<title>How to Quickly Write a Blog Post Outline (Template)</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ben Sailer]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71670</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Make writing great posts easy.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Imagine you’re sitting in your favorite coffee shop. Your latte is hot, your laptop is open, and you’re <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/how-to-write-a-good-blog-post/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ready to write your next brilliant blog post</a>. Where others see a blank page, you see a limitless sea of possibility, waiting to be filled with your persuasive prose and captivating copy.<br><br>You start tapping away at the keys, sipping your coffee, thrilled with your progress.<br><br>Then you try reading what you’ve written and realize it’s hard to follow. In fact, you’re not exactly sure what you’re even trying to say. If you’re confused, your readers will be confused too. The awesome article you hoped to write is turning into a mess.<br><br>Where did you go wrong? <strong>You started writing without creating an outline first.</strong><br><br>It’s an easy mistake to make. Fortunately, it’s also a mistake you never need to make again. We’re going to show you how to create effective blog post outlines that will help you write better articles more quickly. Plus, we’ll give you a copy-and-paste template to make the task even easier.</p>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<p><strong>Table of Contents</strong>:</p>
<ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#the-essential-elements-of-an-effective-outline">The essential elements of an effective outline</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-1-figure-out-your-topic">Step 1: Figure out your topic</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-2-figure-out-your-angle">Step 2: Figure out your angle</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-3-determine-the-format-for-your-post">Step 3: Determine the format for your post</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-4-figure-out-the-main-points-of-your-post">Step 4: Figure out the main points of your post</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-5-nail-down-the-specific-subpoints-you-ll-make-in-each-section">Step 5: Nail down the specific subpoints you’ll make in each section</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-6-think-about-your-conclusion">Step 6: Think about your conclusion</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#step-7-review-the-structure-of-your-outline">Step 7: Review the structure of your outline</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#an-example-blog-post-outline-you-can-follow">An example blog post outline you can follow</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#use-this-copy-and-paste-template">Use this copy and paste template</a></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#when-should-you-write-an-outline-1">When should you write an outline?</a><ol><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#does-it-ever-make-sense-to-skip-an-outline">Does it ever make sense to skip an outline?</a></li></ol></li><li><a class="wp-block-table-of-contents__entry" href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/#when-should-you-write-an-outline">Now you’re ready to make your writing life easier</a></li></ol>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-essential-elements-of-an-effective-outline">The essential elements of an effective outline</h2>
<p>Blog post outlines are simple documents that describe the angle and <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/how-to-structure-your-blog-posts-for-maximum-readability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">structure of your article</a>. They make it easier to write clearly and efficiently while staying focused on your topic. At a minimum, a good outline should include the following items:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Your topic:</strong> What are you writing about?</li>
<li><strong>Your angle:</strong> What’s your perspective on that topic?</li>
<li><strong>Your structure:</strong> What specific points will you make to support your angle?</li>
</ul>
<p>You can also include working titles, though some writers prefer to <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/7-ways-to-write-a-headline-that-stands-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">write headlines</a> after their post is finished. This helps make sure your selected headline actually fits the finished article.<br><br>Different writers have different approaches to creating outlines. Steal this process to get started, then feel free to adapt it to fit your own needs.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71676" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/outline-notepad-image/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,576" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="outline-notepad-image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-71676" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg?w=150 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg?w=300 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/outline-notepad-image.jpg?w=768 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/notebook-1226398/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-1-figure-out-your-topic">Step 1: Figure out your topic</h2>
<p>Get specific with what you want to write about.<br><br>Let’s say you want to write about your most recent vacation. You had an awesome time and you’re sure your readers want to hear about it. But rather than summarizing the entire trip, you want to share a story about something specific. You could start narrowing down your topic by asking:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Where did you go?</li>
<li>Why did you go there?</li>
<li>When did you visit?</li>
<li>How did you travel there?</li>
<li>What did you do at your destination?</li>
</ul>
<p>These are simple questions but there is a purpose to this exercise. I’ll share some example answers from an actual vacation my wife and I went on:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Where:</strong> Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine.</li>
<li><strong>Why:</strong> To see the fall colors, to see a state we’ve never been to before, and to see where the sun first rises in the United States.</li>
<li><strong>When:</strong> In the fall (to see those leaves along the mountainside turning colors).</li>
<li><strong>How:</strong> Plane and two rental cars (the first car got hit by a semi-truck).</li>
<li><strong>What we did:</strong> All kinds of stuff! Hiking, climbing, catching lobsters in a net, and more.</li>
</ol>
<p>From this simple list, you can see there are a ton of topics I could write about. What happens when you get into a vehicular accident with a rental car on vacation (and how did we survive)? What’s it like taking a tour on a lobster boat? What does it look like when the leaves hit peak fall colors in New England?<br><br>Suddenly, our blog post about a vacation just got a lot more interesting, and it might actually turn into multiple different blog posts on specific topics that people might enjoy. By asking yourself the five W’s (what, when, where, why, and the honorary 5th W, how), you can break down any broad topic into more specific points too.<br><br>If you need a spark of inspiration, <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/blog-post-ideas-topics/">here’s over 100 ideas for blog posts you can borrow</a>.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-2-figure-out-your-angle">Step 2: Figure out your angle</h2>
<p>Anyone can copy content they’ve found through Google but not everyone can bring a unique perspective to their topic. That’s where developing an angle for your blog post comes in.<br><br>An angle is the intersection of your topic and your perspective. It’s part of what blog post introductions are intended to establish, helping the reader to understand not only what they’re about to read, but why they should care about it in the first place.</p>
<p>For example, to continue with the vacation example from the previous section, let’s say our blog post is about Acadia National Park. Some good angles might include:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Why is Acadia National Park the best place to see the fall colors in New England?</li>
<li>What do you wish you knew before tackling the toughest trails in the park?</li>
<li>Where is the best destination to find a lobster roll near the park?</li>
</ul>
<p>These angles not only address the topic but also the perspective. Instead of dry facts and information, they give the reader an incentive to care, and they’ll be more likely to click, read, and stick around the blog. That’s the power of having an angle.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-3-determine-the-format-for-your-post">Step 3: Determine the format for your post</h2>
<p>Different topics will lend themselves more easily to different formats. Here are some types of posts you could consider and when each one might make the most sense for your article:</p>
<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Type of blog post</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Best suited for these types of topics</strong></td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center"><strong>Example headline</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">How-to</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Instructional guide on completing a task or learning a skill.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">How to Get Started With Mountain Climbing</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">What-is</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">An extended definition of a term or topic.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">What is the Most Difficult Mountain to Climb?</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Why-is</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Answering a question that people commonly ask (or perhaps don’t ask often enough).</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Why is [PRODUCT] the Best Option for [TASK] When Mountain Climbing?</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">When</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Informing readers about what to do in a given set of circumstances.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">When Should You Avoid Mountain Climbing If You’re Unsure About the Weather?</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Essay</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Writing about a personal experience.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">What I Learned From Climbing a Mountain</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Review</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Covering a product you’ve used or want to recommend.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Why I Recommend [PRODUCT] for Mountain Climbing </td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">List</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Rounding up your favorite things or options within a category or topic.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">10 Things You Should Know Before Mountain Climbing</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Comparison</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Stacking two products or options against one another.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[MOUNTAIN A] vs. [MOUNTAIN B]: Which One Should Beginners Climb First?</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Interview</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Sharing a Q&A with an individual or a feature article based on an interview.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">A Conversation With a Famous Mountain Climber</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Feature Article</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Deep dive into an interesting story based on interviews and research.</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">The Interesting Story About the World’s Best Mountain Climber</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<p>There are more types of blog posts that could consider writing, but these are some ideas for common formats that you might choose. What matters most is that you understand which one you are writing before you begin, rather than getting too deep into your post, and realizing that you need to change direction after you have already spent time working on a draft.</p>
<p>If you do decide to pivot or start over, that’s okay too. This process is only meant to avoid that from happening, but there’s no shame in changing your mind.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-4-figure-out-the-main-points-of-your-post">Step 4: Figure out the main points of your post</h2>
<p>One blog post isn’t enough to cover everything about our vacation, so we’ve narrowed down one specific topic. We’ve also narrowed down an angle that combines our topic with our perspective. Next, we need to identify the main points that our blog post needs to make, in order to follow through on our angle.</p>
<p>In order to construct our outline, we’ll identify three to five points we want to make (you can include as many as you need, but if you have fewer than three main sections in your blog post, you might not need to write an outline).</p>
<p>Going back to our vacation example, let’s say I’m writing about what I wish I knew before hiking in Acadia National Park. Here are some things I might want to cover:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Know your skill level and choose trails accordingly. </li>
<li>Make sure you have the right footwear for the terrain.</li>
<li>If you’re afraid of scaling rock faces, how can you overcome that fear?</li>
<li>If you only have enough time for a few trails, which ones should you prioritize?</li>
<li>What times are the trails usually the most crowded?</li>
</ol>
<p>That looks like a solid list. Next, we’ll need to figure out what we’ll say for each of these items.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-5-nail-down-the-specific-subpoints-you-ll-make-in-each-section">Step 5: Nail down the specific subpoints you’ll make in each section</h2>
<p>Once you have the main points of your blog post mapped out, think about what you’ll say for each one. This can be as simple as two or three bullet points per section.</p>
<p>Let’s take the first item from the list of trail tips in the previous section:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Know your skill level and choose trails accordingly</em>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Some trails will stretch your abilities but some are for experts only</em></li>
<li><em>You can get a trail map that will help you find ones you’re comfortable with</em></li>
<li><em>Difficult trails sometimes have alternate routes you can take if you get tired</em></li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Straightforward stuff, right? Continue with each subsection until you have two or three subpoints for all of them.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-6-think-about-your-conclusion">Step 6: Think about your conclusion</h2>
<p>Generally speaking, a conclusion should wrap up the main points of your blog post, and bring your topic to a resolution. But there may be other details here to consider. Take a moment to think through the following:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Is there a specific action I’d like the reader to take after reading the post, such as signing up for emails, making a donation, purchasing a product, or registering for an event?</li>
<li>Is there a specific point you really want to drive home before the reader moves on?</li>
<li>Are there other similar articles on your blog that you could direct the reader toward (and continue to hold onto their attention)?</li>
</ul>
<p>It’s okay if the answer to one or all of these questions is “no,” but it’s worth taking the time to be intentional about how you’ll end your post. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="step-7-review-the-structure-of-your-outline">Step 7: Review the structure of your outline</h2>
<p>Follow steps one through four, and before you know it, you’ll have a completed outline. Take a moment to read it over and make sure your angle fits your topic and everything flows in a logical order. If it doesn’t, try moving some sections around, and see if it clicks. The time you spend on this now can save you much more time later.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="an-example-blog-post-outline-you-can-follow">An example blog post outline you can follow</h2>
<p>Now, let’s take a look at an example outline you can follow. Here’s what the finished product might look like when it’s all said and done:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Headline: Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Hiking in Acadia National Park</em></li>
<li><em>Format: List</em></li>
<li><em>Introduction (angle): Acadia National Park is a great place to hike, but it’s even better when you know what to be prepared for. Here’s my personal experience.</em></li>
<li><em>Tip 1: Know your skill level and choose trails accordingly</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Some trails will stretch your abilities but some are for experts only</em></li>
<li><em>You can get a trail map that will help you find ones you’re comfortable with</em></li>
<li><em>Difficult trails sometimes have alternate routes you can take if you get tired</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Tip 2: Bring the Right Footwear</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Good hiking boots are a must on most trails</em></li>
<li><em>However, decent sandals may be sufficient for some trails</em></li>
<li><em>Bring multiple pairs of boots and shoes for different situations</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Tip 3: Overcome Your Fear of Treacherous Trails</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Some trails will take you up rocky portions of mountainside on very narrow walkways</em></li>
<li><em>They are safe as long as you’re careful (just don’t look down)</em></li>
<li><em>The rewards are worthwhile when you see the views from the top</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Tip 4: Prioritize Trails to Make the Most of Your Time</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>If you know there are certain types of scenery you want to see the most (mountains, forest, ocean, etc.) choose trails that provide those types of terrain and views</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Tip 5: Hike at Off-Peak Hours (If Possible)</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>The park is very busy</em></li>
<li><em>Consider hiking in the early morning or evening to beat the crowds</em></li>
<li><em>Timing your trip outside of peak vacation season can also help alleviate crowding</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Conclusion</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>End with a link to the park’s website to find more information</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>This is a very quick and simple outline but it’s sufficient for demonstration purposes.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="use-this-copy-and-paste-template">Use this copy and paste template</h2>
<p>Now that we’ve walked through the entire process of crafting an outline, here is an easy-to-use template that you can copy and paste into a document. You can edit and update this template however you’d like (some suggestions might be to add sample headlines or a brief two or three-sentence section describing your angle):</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Introduction (what’s the angle of this post?)</em></li>
<li><em>Type of Post:</em></li>
<li><em>Main point 1</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Subpoint 1</em></li>
<li><em>Subpoint 2</em></li>
<li><em>Subpoint 3</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Main point 2</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Subpoint 1</em></li>
<li><em>Subpoint 2</em></li>
<li><em>Subpoint 3</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Main point 3</em>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><em>Subpoint 1</em></li>
<li><em>Subpoint 2</em></li>
<li><em>Subpoint 3</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><em>Conclusion</em></li>
<li><em>Optional CTA </em></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-should-you-write-an-outline-1">When should you write an outline?</h2>
<p>If you landed on this article, then odds are you already knew you wanted to write a blog post outline. But you might still have some questions about why we actually take the time to write them in the first place. </p>
<p>Personally, I know some writers who are meticulous about outlining, and some who skip them entirely. Sometimes you just want to let your consciousness flow onto the page and sometimes that can produce great writing that can’t be planned. I’ve even bounced between being in both camps, sometimes choosing to write outlines, and sometimes choosing to skip them.</p>
<p>So, when does it make sense to put one together, and when can they safely be skipped? Here are some thoughts based on personal experience:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>You’re writing a long-form post (approximately 1,000 words or more).</li>
<li>You’re writing about a complex topic that requires a lot of research to accurately cover.</li>
<li>You’re assigning a post to another writer for your blog and need to make sure they understand what you want the post to touch on.</li>
</ol>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="does-it-ever-make-sense-to-skip-an-outline">Does it ever make sense to skip an outline?</h3>
<p>The point is to clarify your thinking so you can clarify your writing and produce better content more quickly. However, the point is not to follow rules for no reason, and there are times when it may not be necessary to write an outline.<br><br>For example, if you’re writing a personal essay for your blog, you might prefer to let your thoughts flow in a more stream of consciousness sort of way. Or if you’re crafting a short news blurb, you could probably write your entire post in the time it’d take to outline it. Use your own judgment, because when it comes to learning what works for you, experience will be your best teacher.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg"><img data-attachment-id="71679" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/11/04/blog-post-outline-template/pexels-photo-210661/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg" data-orig-size="1880,1253" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="person holding blue ballpoint pen writing in notebook" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by picjumbo.com on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-blue-ballpoint-pen-writing-in-notebook-210661/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1880" height="1253" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg" alt="Image of a person writing in a notebook with a pen." class="wp-image-71679" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg 1880w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg?w=150&h=100 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg?w=300&h=200 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg?w=768&h=512 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/pexels-photo-210661.jpeg?w=1024&h=682 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1880px) 100vw, 1880px" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by picjumbo.com on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-blue-ballpoint-pen-writing-in-notebook-210661/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-should-you-write-an-outline">Now you’re ready to make your writing life easier</h2>
<p>Writing outlines doesn’t have to take too much time in order to be an effective exercise. Once you get into the habit of writing them before starting on blog posts, and start to see the benefits of doing so, you won’t want to break the habit. Now, go forth and write better blog posts, faster!</p>
<p><em>Ready to start your own blog? Find out why more bloggers and creators choose WordPress.com. <a href="https://wordpress.com/create-blog/">Start your journey here</a>.</em></p>
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<title>5 Powerful Gutenberg Blocks for Developers to Create Custom Layouts</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/31/5-powerful-gutenberg-blocks-for-developers-to-create-custom-layouts/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/31/5-powerful-gutenberg-blocks-for-developers-to-create-custom-layouts/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tanya Thibodeau]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71628</guid>
<description><![CDATA[No third-party page builder required.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>In the world of web development, creating custom layouts often feels like a balancing act between functionality and design. But with Gutenberg, WordPress’s powerful block editor, developers now have the tools to craft complex, unique layouts—all without the need for third-party page builders. Whether you’re building a site from scratch or looking to enhance an existing one, Gutenberg offers a streamlined, flexible approach to layout design.</p>
<p>In this post, we dive into five specific Gutenberg blocks that stand out for their versatility and power. </p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/group-block/"><strong>Group Block</strong></a>: Allows you to group multiple elements and apply consistent styling across them.</li>
<li><a href="https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/columns-block/"><strong>Columns Block</strong></a>: Enables developers to create multi-column layouts that are fully responsive across all devices.</li>
<li><a href="https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/cover-block/"><strong>Cover Block</strong></a>: Combines visuals with layered content, like text and buttons, to create immersive, standout sections.</li>
<li><a href="https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/spacer-block/"><strong>Spacer Block</strong></a>: Provides an easy way to manage consistent spacing throughout a layout without adjusting individual block settings.</li>
<li><a href="https://wordpress.com/support/wordpress-editor/blocks/query-loop-block/"><strong>Query Loop Block</strong></a>: Dynamically displays lists of posts or other content, offering flexible filtering and layout options.</li>
</ul>
<p>These blocks are essential tools for developers who want to create custom layouts that are both visually stunning and fully functional. Keep reading to explore how each block works, see examples of them in action, and learn about potential use cases that can elevate your next project.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Unlock Custom Layouts with the Group Block</h2>
<p>When it comes to crafting custom layouts in WordPress, the Group block is one of the most versatile tools in your arsenal. This block allows you to combine multiple elements—such as text, images, and buttons—into a single, cohesive section. By grouping elements together and utilizing the Group block variations, you gain greater control over their positioning, styling, and responsiveness.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why the Group Block is Powerful</h3>
<p>The strength of the Group block lies in its ability to simplify your design process. Instead of having to adjust settings on each element individually, the Group block allows you to apply consistent styling to an entire section. This not only saves time but also ensures that your layouts are cohesive and visually appealing across different devices. It’s also the primary block used for creating fixed elements, such as a sticky header or sidebar.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How to Work with the Group Block</h3>
<p>In the screen recording below, you’ll see how the Group block enhances the process of building a hero section by combining elements like images, text, and buttons into one cohesive section. Notice how easily you can adjust the spacing, colors, and alignment, streamlining your design workflow.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='281' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/BFLsPINh?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F10%2Fgroup-block-poster-image.png&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Putting the Group Block into Action</h3>
<p>The Group block excels at creating reusable modular sections, such as a call-to-action or feature area, that can be deployed consistently across multiple pages. This block is also essential for organizing complex content arrangements into a single, unified section that can be easily updated site-wide. Whether you’re crafting a sticky header or organizing a product showcase, the Group block gives you precise control over how these elements are positioned and styled.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Design with Flexibility Using the Columns Block</h2>
<p>The Columns block offers flexibility in organizing content side-by-side, allowing developers to create multi-column layouts that can accommodate grids, comparison sections, or any layout where parallel information is key.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Developers Love the Columns Block</h3>
<p>The true power of the Columns block lies in its versatility for designing structured layouts. Its flexibility allows you to customize the number of columns, their width, and spacing, from simple two-column layouts to more complex grids. The Columns block is also fully responsive, ensuring layouts automatically adjust across different screen sizes, providing developers with seamless control over visually balanced designs.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">See the Columns Block in Action</h3>
<p>This recording showcases the Columns block used to create a three-column layout featuring services or products. Notice how columns with multiple components can be duplicated and edited.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='281' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/zFHH7lTS?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F10%2Fcolumns-block-poster-image.jpeg&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">When to Use the Columns Block for Maximum Impact</h3>
<p>The Columns block is ideal when content needs to be displayed side by side, such as in service comparisons, product grids, or team member profiles. Combining it with the Group block allows for more complex, unified sections with consistent styling while still leveraging the flexibility of columns.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Create Stunning Visual Impact with the Cover Block</h2>
<p>After organizing your content with the Group and Columns blocks, the Cover block steps in to add a bold, immersive visual experience. Whether it’s a full-width section with a background image or a full-screen video, the Cover block helps create standout moments on your page, perfect for grabbing your audience’s attention as they scroll.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why the Cover Block Stands Out</h3>
<p>What sets the Cover block apart is its ability to combine beautiful visuals with layered content like text and buttons. This block allows for a sleek, modern look with customizable overlays, and its parallax effect creates a sense of depth as users scroll. It offers developers a visually striking way to engage visitors and direct attention to key content.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How to Use the Cover Block as a Section Break</h3>
<p>The following video demonstrates the Cover block being used to create a dynamic section break with a full-width image, overlay text, and a contrasting color filter. Pay attention to how this visually striking break guides users from one section to the next.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='281' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/fBpKMxWF?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F10%2Fcover-block-poster-image.jpeg&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where the Cover Block Shines</h3>
<p>Whether for a hero section, a banner to break up sections, or a feature area to emphasize important content, the Cover block works best where you want to make an impression. It’s ideal for landing pages, events, or promotional areas where a mix of powerful visuals and actionable text is needed to guide visitors toward their next step. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Create Balance and Breathing Room with the Spacer Block</h2>
<p>For developers, clean, balanced layouts are crucial to a great user experience. The Spacer block might seem simple at first glance, but its ability to fine-tune the spacing between elements gives you precise control over your design. Rather than manually adjusting margins or padding across multiple blocks, the Spacer block offers a streamlined approach for maintaining consistency throughout your layout.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Developers Choose the Spacer Block</h3>
<p>One of the key benefits of the Spacer block is its ability to apply consistent spacing without needing to modify each block’s individual settings. For developers managing complex layouts, this can be a huge time-saver. You can insert Spacer blocks between sections to ensure consistent spacing, avoiding the need to repeatedly jump between block settings. This results in a cleaner workflow and a more polished design.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Simplifying Layout Spacing</h3>
<p>This clip highlights how the Spacer block ensures balanced spacing between sections. You’ll see how adding Spacer blocks keeps the layout clean and cohesive without needing to adjust individual padding and margins for each element. Plus, see how changing the height of multiple Spacer blocks is one step when you create a Spacer synced pattern.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='281' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/vpuEar3l?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F10%2Fspacer-block-poster-image.jpeg&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where the Spacer Block Adds Efficiency</h3>
<p>The Spacer block shines when you need to maintain uniform spacing throughout a project. You can preset its default dimensions or sync it within design patterns, and any future adjustments can be done in one place, saving you time when managing entire page or site-wide updates. For added flexibility, you can apply custom CSS classes to synced Spacer block patterns, making it simple to adjust spacing for different screen sizes. This not only improves the speed of implementation but also ensures consistency across your layouts, whether for landing pages, posts, or custom templates.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dynamically Display Content with the Query Loop Block</h2>
<p>The Query Loop block allows you to easily pull in lists of posts, pages, or custom post types, dynamically displaying content based on specific parameters such as categories, tags, or author. It’s an essential tool for developers who want to showcase content in customizable layouts without needing to manually curate each section.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Why Developers Rely on the Query Loop Block</h3>
<p>The Query Loop block provides developers with powerful filtering and display options that are fully customizable. With complete control over how posts are pulled and arranged, developers can customize the Query Loop block to display filtered content based on categories, tags, or other criteria, allowing for tailored blog grids, portfolios, or archive pages that fit seamlessly into their overall site design.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Creating and Enhancing a Custom Query Loop Layout</h3>
<p>This example shows how the Query Loop block is configured to display a custom set of blog posts, filtered by category. Notice the versatility and how integrating blocks together enhances the layout, resulting in a dynamic, visually balanced blog section that updates automatically.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-jetpack-videopress jetpack-videopress-player" style="" >
<div class="jetpack-videopress-player__wrapper"> <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe title='VideoPress Video Player' aria-label='VideoPress Video Player' width='500' height='281' src='https://video.wordpress.com/embed/gpUiUkGM?cover=1&autoPlay=0&controls=1&loop=0&muted=0&persistVolume=1&playsinline=0&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=1&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fen-blog.files.wordpress.com%2F2024%2F10%2Fquery-loop-poster-image.jpeg&hd=0' frameborder='0' allowfullscreen data-resize-to-parent="true" allow='clipboard-write' ></iframe><script src='https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1725245713'></script></div></div>
</figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Where the Query Loop Block Shines</h3>
<p>On sites with frequently updated content, the Query Loop block provides a dynamic solution for showcasing new material. When integrated with other blocks it helps developers create visually engaging layouts that update automatically while keeping a consistent design structure.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Elevate Your Layouts with These 5 Powerful Blocks</h2>
<p>These five versatile Gutenberg blocks—Group, Columns, Cover, Spacer, and Query Loop—can transform your layouts, helping you build dynamic, fully customized designs. Whether you’re creating responsive multi-column sections with the Columns block, adding visually striking breaks with the Cover block, or displaying dynamic content with the Query Loop block, these tools empower you to build and refine layouts with precision and creativity.</p>
<p>Each block offers unique strengths, and when used together, they give developers a powerful toolkit to craft sophisticated designs directly within the WordPress editor. By combining these blocks, you can streamline your workflow, maintain consistency, and create layouts that are both visually appealing and highly functional.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Try It Yourself!</h3>
<p>Now it’s your turn. Experiment with these blocks in your next project and explore the different ways they can work together to create custom layouts tailored to your needs. In the comments below, share your unique Gutenberg-powered layouts and show us how you’ve applied these blocks to your projects. We’d love to see what you come up with!</p>
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/31/5-powerful-gutenberg-blocks-for-developers-to-create-custom-layouts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>19</slash:comments>
<media:thumbnail url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/5-gutenberg-blocks-custom-layouts-header.jpg" />
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/5-gutenberg-blocks-custom-layouts-header.jpg" medium="image">
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<media:content url="https://0.gravatar.com/avatar/ce035f090227820d026f68da28ff6d3036b7c41145eb9921ecea6a07eed11f84?s=96&d=retro" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">tanjoymor</media:title>
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</item>
<item>
<title>Meet the Studio Assistant: Your Smart Companion for Building WordPress Sites Locally</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Antonio Sejas]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Development]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Product Features]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71643</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Studio Assistant is now available for free in our free and open source local WordPress development app.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>Get ready to meet your new development best friend: the Studio Assistant. </p>
<p>The Studio Assistant is a smart chatbot integrated within <a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/?utm_source=dotcom_blog&utm_medium=blog_post&utm_campaign=assistant">Studio</a>, our free and open source local development app, and<strong> it’s now available for all Studio users</strong> to assist you in building WordPress sites effortlessly.</p>
<p>The Assistant leverages WordPress.com infrastructure and our WordPress knowledge base to provide helpful responses using Retrieval Augmented Generation, so you’ll get tailored-to-WordPress responses every time.</p>
<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-button btn-primary text-color-white"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button" href="https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/?utm_source=dotcom_blog&utm_medium=blog_post&utm_campaign=assistant">Download Studio for free</a></div>
</div>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your handy development companion</h2>
<p>Building WordPress sites locally has never been easier. With the Studio Assistant, you can quickly configure new sites, manage existing sites, and run complex WP-CLI commands—all through a simple and intuitive chat interface.</p>
<p>Check out what the Assistant can do directly within the Studio app:</p>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="embed-youtube"><iframe title="Meet the STUDIO ASSISTANT: Your AI Companion for Building WordPress Sites Locally ✨" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HZ2C4i3qWF4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
</div></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why you’ll love the Studio Assistant</h2>
<p>There are many reasons to love the Studio Assistant, but here are just a few:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>You can speak to the Assistant in any language, and it will respond in the same language, so that you can learn in the language that’s best for you.</li>
<li>The Assistant gives you the ability to open site files with just one click, so you won’t need to go digging in your site files manually.</li>
<li>The Assistant uses context about your specific site (like what themes and plugins are installed) to give you tailored responses and suggestions.</li>
</ul>
<p>But seeing is believing, right? Here are some exciting use cases for the Assistant:</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ask and discover</h3>
<p>Say you’re looking for an SEO plugin but are unsure of your options. Ask the Assistant, and you’ll get specific recommendations.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png"><img data-attachment-id="71646" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/studio-assistant-seo-plugin/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png" data-orig-size="1400,993" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="studio-assistant-seo-plugin" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="993" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png" alt="The Studio Assistant's response to 'what SEO plugin should I install?'" class="wp-image-71646" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png?w=150&h=106 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png?w=300&h=213 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png?w=768&h=545 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png?w=1024&h=726 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Code and content blocks written for you</h3>
<p>When you ask the Assistant to write posts or code, it will provide you with Gutenberg blocks or code that you can simply copy and paste.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71647" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/screenshot-31/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,993" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Screenshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="<p>Screenshot</p>
" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="993" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg" alt="The Studio Assistant's response generating block code with a copy button" class="wp-image-71647" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg?w=150&h=106 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg?w=300&h=213 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg?w=768&h=545 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg?w=1024&h=726 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tailored to your site</h3>
<p>Moreover, the Studio Assistant is trained on WordPress-specific documentation and has access to a bunch of context about your site; therefore, it’s able to respond with site-specific information and recommendations.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71648" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/screenshot-32/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg" data-orig-size="1400,993" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"Screenshot","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Screenshot","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="993" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg" alt="The Studio Assistant's response to 'what plugins do I have installed and what versions are they?'" class="wp-image-71648" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg?w=150&h=106 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg?w=300&h=213 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg?w=768&h=545 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg?w=1024&h=726 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">WP-CLI commands with just one click</h3>
<p>The Assistant is extra slick because you can run commands inline, removing the steps of installing WP-CLI and running commands in your terminal––simply click <strong>Run</strong>, and your recommended commands will be run for you:</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png"><img data-attachment-id="71649" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png" data-orig-size="1400,993" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="993" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png" alt="The Studio Assistant's response to 'Update my WordPress version to 6.7-RC1'" class="wp-image-71649" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png?w=150&h=106 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png?w=300&h=213 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png?w=768&h=545 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png?w=1024&h=726 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Elevate your expertise</h3>
<p>You’ll also get a handy output about what the suggested commands do, helping you learn as you use the tool. This aligns with <a href="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/09/10/developer-roadmap/">our desire</a> to continue giving developers more ways to level-up their development skills and knowledge.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png"><img data-attachment-id="71650" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png" data-orig-size="1400,993" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="studio-assistant-block-bindings-api" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1400" height="993" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png" alt="The Studio Assistant's response to 'how can I use the block bindings API?'" class="wp-image-71650" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png 1400w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png?w=150&h=106 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png?w=300&h=213 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png?w=768&h=545 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png?w=1024&h=726 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" /></a></figure>
<p>And if that isn’t enough to convince you to incorporate the Studio Assistant into your development workflow, here’s what <a href="https://x.com/hoanghxn">Hoang Hxn</a> said after he got early access to the feature:</p>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p><em>After more than two months of using the Studio Assistant, it has become a great tutor that has helped me learn WordPress 100 times faster. I can ask questions in my native language, and the Studio Assistant can return Vietnamese results, in both complex terms and simple, easy-to-understand language for beginners like me.</em><br><br><em>In addition, I can execute CLI commands directly and quickly without knowing the technicalities, and I can create sample posts and pages quickly. I can also ask questions for beginners (like “what is the purpose of WordPress plugins?”) without being afraid that they’re “too beginner.”</em><br><br><em>The Studio Assistant answers these basic questions quickly, accurately, and directly in the Studio app; it prevents me from having to go to forums and wait for my questions to be answered.</em></p>
</blockquote>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ready to get started with the Studio Assistant?</h2>
<p>We thought you might be.</p>
<p>Start leveraging Studio Assistant’s powerful capabilities in just a few steps:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/?utm_source=dotcom_blog&utm_medium=blog_post&utm_campaign=assistant">Download and install Studio</a>––for free on Windows and Mac.</li>
<li>Login with your WordPress.com account (free or paid).</li>
<li>Create a new Studio site.</li>
<li>Click on the Assistant tab.</li>
<li>Start chatting.</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Let us know what you think!</h2>
<p>We’re thrilled to finally share the Studio Assistant with you. <strong>We’d love to hear about some of the tasks you hope to automate with the Studio Assistant in the comments below</strong>.</p>
<p>As a reminder, <a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/?utm_source=dotcom_blog&utm_medium=blog_post&utm_campaign=assistant">Studio</a> is a free, open source tool, so we welcome any and all feedback in GitHub. Explore other Issues and create your own <a href="https://github.com/Automattic/studio/issues">here</a>.</p>
<p>You can also <a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/docs/developer-tools/studio/assistant/">explore the Studio documentation</a> for more tips on using the Assistant.</p>
<div class="wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-button btn-primary text-color-white"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button" href="https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/?utm_source=dotcom_blog&utm_medium=blog_post&utm_campaign=assistant">Download Studio for free</a></div>
</div>
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/29/studio-assistant/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
<media:thumbnail url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/introducing-studio-assistant-ai.jpg" />
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/introducing-studio-assistant-ai.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">introducing-studio-assistant-ai</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://2.gravatar.com/avatar/efc7b0f52253614d24531995d89c6d3dcf36bedcf6357a28f034c2597d84266b?s=96&d=retro" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">antoniosejas</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-seo-plugin.png" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">The Studio Assistant's response to 'what SEO plugin should I install?'</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-generation.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">The Studio Assistant's response generating block code with a copy button</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-what-plugins.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">The Studio Assistant's response to 'what plugins do I have installed and what versions are they?'</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-update-wordpress-version.png" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">The Studio Assistant's response to 'Update my WordPress version to 6.7-RC1'</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/studio-assistant-block-bindings-api.png" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">The Studio Assistant's response to 'how can I use the block bindings API?'</media:title>
</media:content>
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<item>
<title>Why Your Favorite Recipes Come with a Side of Story</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/28/recipe-story/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/28/recipe-story/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Katie Koteen]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71601</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Have you ever wondered why your favorite recipe blog posts look like that?]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>If most food bloggers had their way, a recipe blog post would likely be simpler—a few images, a short introduction with helpful tips, and the recipe itself. Sadly that’s not the reality of the internet today with flashing ads taking over your screen while you’re up to your elbows in focaccia dough. But it hasn’t always been that way.</p>
<p>In the beginning, think early aughts, food blogging was entirely disconnected from ad revenue and Google’s algorithmic whims. Most food bloggers then were in fact <em>food writers</em>, using an online audience to develop their voice and share a much-loved recipe. </p>
<p>There were so few recipe publishers, we hung onto their every word and looked forward to each new post—100% ad-free. A few would get cookbook deals or become contributors to our favorite food magazines. We giddily followed them off the screen and into print. It was the golden age of food writing. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="modern-recipe-publishing">Modern recipe publishing</h2>
<p>Then came the flood. Aspiring food bloggers popped up in droves, eager to replicate the success of what those early pioneers had made look so effortless. Along the way, the terrain had shifted dramatically. </p>
<p>You need to be more than just a great recipe developer and writer now—you need to be a professional photographer, videographer, food stylist, marketer, and SEO expert. If you could do it all, and do it well, you could make a very comfortable living from your home kitchen.</p>
<p>All of this expertise from one person requires a lot of time and financial investment. Beyond the basic costs of running a website—like hosting, recipe plugins, and software—there’s the need for high-end camera equipment, online courses, and endless food styling props. For new bloggers, these expenses add up fast.</p>
<p>Today, crafting a single recipe optimized for both Google (more on that below) and social media can easily take over 20 hours. And that’s before you’ve even nailed down a version of the recipe that’s consistently reliable and simple to follow.</p>
<p>As the saying goes, time is money. Enter ad placements—the lifeline that generates the revenue food bloggers rely on to keep the lights on.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="how-food-bloggers-earn-money">How food bloggers earn money</h2>
<p>This is where RPMs come in, aka the soft, gooey center of why food blogs can seem so tediously long. </p>
<p>For food bloggers, ad revenue is based on RPMs (Revenue Per Mille), which is the amount earned per 1,000 sessions. This amount can fluctuate based on a number of factors, including time of year, device, traffic source, time on page, and ad density. Ad density is one of the few factors a blogger can control and plays a big role in boosting RPM—more ads mean higher earnings and longer posts create more opportunities for ad placements. More content, more ads, more revenue!</p>
<p>But it’s not as simple as it sounds. There are millions of food blogs, and only a small percentage are highly profitable. Early-stage food bloggers are often fueled by sweat equity, working hard in hopes of eventually breaking into the top tier of high-earning bloggers.</p>
<p>To qualify for some of the larger ad networks, food bloggers need at least 100,000 monthly pageviews. With that level of traffic, a food blogger might earn between $2,000 and $3,000 per month, or around $24,000 to $36,000 annually. Longer posts can drive up those RPMs.</p>
<p>The ad networks were primarily responsible for this initial push to longer posts, even if you were just waxing poetic about your weekly trip to Costco while losing sight of that blueberry muffin recipe your readers are after. </p>
<p>Then Google said enough. We’ll reward the sites that demonstrate expertise, through a combination of high-quality, relevant content and author credibility—aka <a href="https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content">the helpful content update</a>. </p>
<p>Nowadays, personal stories have largely given way to detailed instructions and practical tips, such as where to buy the author’s go-to Thai curry paste online (which, of course, will be an affiliate link—because yes, food blogging is a real job, and bloggers need to earn a living too).</p>
<p>This added information above the recipe serves two main purposes: </p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>First and foremost, to ensure even the most inexperienced home cook feels confident following the recipe.</li>
<li>To provide Google with plenty of tasty SEO tidbits to boost the recipe’s ranking in search results. </li>
</ul>
<p>Better rankings lead to more traffic—and more revenue.</p>
<p>Another important consideration for authors is the extent to which their articles are eligible for copyright protection. Basic lists of ingredients are generally not considered copyrightable under US law—whereas more substantial expressions or accompanying media will be. The more creative you are in your explanations, the better for your reader, and the more likely you are to enjoy <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/copyright-infringement-what-to-do/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protection</a> over the results.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="advice-for-food-bloggers">Advice for food bloggers</h2>
<p>If you’re a food blogger trying to maintain the delicate balance between performing well in search and keeping your readers happy, do your best to ensure that the content above the recipe card offers value to your readers. </p>
<p>Here are some suggestions for relevant content to include:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Ingredient substitutions</li>
<li>Dietary considerations (can this recipe be made vegan or gluten free?) </li>
<li>Where to find uncommon ingredients</li>
<li>Preparation tips, along with process shots </li>
<li>Storage, freezer, and meal prep tips </li>
<li>Alternative methods, like Instant Pot or slow cooker variations </li>
<li>Recipe FAQs</li>
</ul>
<p>With literally millions of food sites to choose from, think of personality as the sprinkles that set you apart, but relevant content is what establishes your expertise and keeps readers coming back for more. </p>
<p>Even John Mueller, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://developers.google.com/search/blog/authors/john-mueller&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1729885466775116&usg=AOvVaw3FNzRbu9OJ1FRVHftXBTeZ">who coordinates Google Search Relations efforts</a>, recommends making content for your readers first. What makes you, your recipe, and your corner of the internet unique, helpful, and relevant?</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png"><img data-attachment-id="71605" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/28/recipe-story/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png" data-orig-size="1494,1012" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1494" height="1012" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png" alt="Two tweets from @johnmu about searching for recipes online" class="wp-image-71605" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png 1494w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png?w=150&h=102 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png?w=300&h=203 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png?w=768&h=520 768w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/john-mueller-tweet-recipe-food-blog-sites.png?w=1024&h=694 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1494px) 100vw, 1494px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="support-online-publishers">How to support online publishers</h2>
<p>Food is a highly personal topic, filled with memories and experiences food bloggers are generous enough to share. Whether they’re helping us recreate a beloved restaurant dish at home or offering a comforting family recipe, they’re here to guide us every step of the way. </p>
<p>Now that you’ve gotten a glimpse behind the scenes, here are a few ways you can support the recipe publishing community:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Leave a review after trying the recipe—it helps others and gives valuable feedback to the creator.</li>
<li>Share any tips or questions that might help fellow home cooks.</li>
<li>Remember your dinner party manners when commenting—be kind and respectful, even if the recipe didn’t turn out as expected. </li>
<li>Spread the word by sharing a recipe you love with friends and family.</li>
<li>Make the recipe and post about it on social media—bonus points if you tag the author!</li>
<li>Let those video ads play while you gather ingredients. You can close them afterward, knowing you contributed to the creator’s RPM. </li>
<li>Be patient with ads, especially during Q4 (the last three months of the year). This is when bloggers earn the most—RPMs spike, traffic increases, and ad placements get more aggressive. </li>
</ul>
<p>If you find ads and anecdotes distracting, simply use the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of most recipe posts. It’ll take you straight to the recipe. While you may still encounter a few ads within the recipe card, it’s a small trade-off for a well-written, free-to-you recipe.</p>
<p>For a completely ad-free experience, consider buying a cookbook, a paid recipe subscription service, or better yet—give your grandma a call. She probably has a recipe and a story you’ll love, and let’s face it, you’re probably overdue for a chat.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="start-a-food-blog">Start a food blog on WordPress.com</h2>
<p>Start sharing your favorite recipes with a blog <a href="https://wordpress.com/create-blog/?ref=blog">hosted on WordPress.com</a>.</p>
<p>Run ads and install plugins on our Business plan, and let us manage the rest. Get unlimited traffic, unstoppable security, and the power of WordPress, all for one low price.</p>
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<media:title type="html">why-food-blogs-have-stories</media:title>
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<media:title type="html">Two tweets from @johnmu about searching for recipes online</media:title>
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<title>How to Get Web Design Clients: 12 Practical Tactics That Work</title>
<link>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/</link>
<comments>https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Schäferhoff]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Tips and Tutorials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://en.blog.wordpress.com/?p=71497</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Getting clients is tough. Here's actionable advice to make building business easier.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p>One of the biggest struggles in the life of a freelance web designer or developer is figuring out how to get web design clients – especially at the beginning of your career. It can be frustrating when you’ve spent a lot of time honing your skill set, educating yourself, and staying on top of the latest trends, and yet your client roster stays empty.<br><br>Failing to find clients can be very disconcerting. Not only do you not know where your next paycheck will come from, it can also introduce self-doubt. You might start questioning whether striking out on your own was the right choice after all and if you have what it takes.<br><br>Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to build a clientele for your services, and in this post, we’ll share them in detail. Below, you’ll learn 12 ways to get web design clients that will want to work with you (along with tips on how to implement each idea). From understanding business basics, to reaching out to prospects, to closing deals, you’ll find everything you need to start landing clients here.</p>
<p class="has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background"><strong>Tip:</strong> Are you an agency developer interested in partnering with Automattic? <a href="https://automattic.com/for-agencies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Apply to join Automattic for Agencies</a>.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1) Determine your web design niche</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71516" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/choose-your-niche/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,682" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="choose-your-niche" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="682" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg" alt="Woman looking at two divergent paths." class="wp-image-71516" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg?w=150&h=100 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg?w=300&h=200 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/choose-your-niche.jpg?w=768&h=512 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>There is an old marketing adage that says, “if you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one”. In this case, it means that simply providing “<a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/web-design-tips-for-beginners/">web design</a>” is too broad an offer. Most of the time, it’s more effective and lucrative to cater to a specific clientele who you create websites for.<br><br>Why?<br><br>For one, doing so allows you to target your marketing much more specifically. You can address the needs of a certain target group and speak to their pain points directly instead of very generally.<br><br>Imagine you are a mental health provider. Which web design offer would you rather go for?</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>“High-Quality Web Design Services: We Build Your Website Fast!”</li>
<li>“Mental Health Website Design – Let Us Help You Help Your Patients”</li>
</ul>
<p>It’s most likely the second one, right? That’s because it is a lot more targeted.<br><br>Focusing your offer increases your credibility and the perception of the value you can provide. It allows you to position yourself as an expert and charge accordingly.<br><br>In addition, niching down means you compete with fewer people. Instead of all “web designers,” now you only contend with “web designers for industry X.” That group, by definition, is much smaller.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How to decide on a niche</h3>
<p>However, what target group should you go for? The best niche is one that is made up of both something that you enjoy and in which there is a clientele willing and able to pay.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71517" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/venn-diagram-choose-niche/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg" data-orig-size="832,496" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="venn-diagram-choose-niche" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg?w=832" loading="lazy" width="832" height="496" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg" alt="Venn diagram illustrating what you're passionate about vs. what makes money." class="wp-image-71517" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg 832w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg?w=150&h=89 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg?w=300&h=179 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg?w=768&h=458 768w" sizes="(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" /></a></figure>
<p>To figure it out more specifically, it’s a good idea to look at both your past work and what you do in your free time. First, consult your portfolio. Think about what projects you enjoyed doing the most.</p>
<p>In addition, consider which hobbies or personal passions you indulge in and the industries you interact with in those endeavors. For example, you might have built a website for a dental lab in the past, and you also like to knit, surf, and do CrossFit.</p>
<p>Now it’s time to see if any of these industries offer enough earning potential to become your niche. In this case, knitting is probably not a good fit. However, dentistry, surfing, and CrossFit are all niches with members who likely have a large enough marketing budget to be profitable.</p>
<p>Once you have decided on your niche, what’s left is to research it extensively. Get to the point where you really understand your clientele and their needs. Become the expert they need you to be to help them achieve their <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/digital-marketing/website-metrics-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website goals</a>.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2) Establish your pricing for web design projects</h2>
<p>The next step is deciding on your pricing. It’s much easier to negotiate for a new project when you have thought about what you want to offer and how much you will charge for it beforehand. Otherwise, when put on the spot, you might not know what to say. Plus, you need to make sure you get paid what your services are worth.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/web-design-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">web design process</a> has become more complex over time. A lot goes into creating a user-friendly, mobile-responsive, accessible, <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/website-building/the-seo-benefits-of-creating-a-website-with-wordpress-com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">search-engine-optimized</a>, and fast-loading website – which is what it takes to compete in today’s online environment. It also involves several stages, from setting up the <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/website-building/website-structure-optimized-for-ux-seo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">site architecture</a> over <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/website-wireframe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wireframing</a> to testing.</p>
<p>In addition, a website is one of the main considerations for most businesses these days and one of the main ways of presenting themselves. Therefore, you are not simply providing a website; you are building a business asset for them.</p>
<p>Plus, it’s not just the design and programming work; you also offer strategic advice for marketing their business online (at least, if you have done your homework earlier in step one). This might include creating the branding, writing copy, and helping with a <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/content-strategy-template/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">content strategy</a>.</p>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<div class="wp-block-group highlighted-paragraph has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<p>You can determine your pricing for a project by following this process:</p>
<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>List all the steps required for to complete the project (ex: research, wireframing, design, copywriting, etc.).</li>
<li>Estimate how much time you anticipate each step will take. ProjectManager has a <a href="https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/time-estimation-for-project-managers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">great guide on how to do this</a>.</li>
<li>Determine the hourly rate for your labor.</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">So, how much should you charge?</h3>
<p>In the end, your pricing depends a lot on how you position yourself. If you go the “I am a freelance web designer” route, you can ask for anywhere from <strong>$2,000 to $5,000</strong> for a simple website and <strong>$10,000 to $20,000</strong> for a complex site with a variety of templates, features, and intricate functionality.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you niche down enough and acquire the necessary expertise for your industry, you get to position yourself as an agency that builds bespoke web presences for an exclusive client pool. In that case, your pricing can be higher, starting at <strong>$10,000</strong> for simpler sites and ending at <strong>$75,000+</strong> for more complex projects.</p>
<p>Be sure, however, that you can back up what your price tag promises and are able to achieve the requisite results for your clients.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3) Build a strong web design business website and portfolio</h2>
<p>Once you have settled on both your niche and price points, it’s time to build your own web presence. As a web designer, that shouldn’t be too big a challenge. However, make sure it looks the part since potential clients will likely judge your skills on your own website design.</p>
<p>Also, use your earlier research to gear it clearly toward your target group. That means you should consider that group’s needs for your site’s aesthetics and, most importantly, <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/how-to-write-website-copy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copy</a>. Your written content will be the most persuasive tool to show them that you offer what they need. So, be sure to address their needs and pain points in your website copy.</p>
<p>Another crucial tool here is <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/web-design/web-design-portfolio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">your portfolio</a>. It not only allows you to stress your expertise, but it also acts as a filter for the kind of work you want to do more of. For that reason, a) show off your strongest work, b) choose examples that are relevant to your chosen niche, and c) and focus on the kind of projects you want to do.</p>
<p>However, what if you haven’t done any projects in your niche yet? In that case, do the best you can and try to look for portfolio items that represent the principles you are trying to sell. In short, focus all your appearance and marketing on your ideal client and work.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4) Be active on social media</h2>
<p>Social media has become a ubiquitous tool to advertise your products and services. Everyone and your mom is on it by now (seriously, my mom is on more platforms than I am). It’s also an ideal environment to talk and listen to your target audience as well as work on your personal brand. Therefore, it should definitely be part of how you try to get web design clients.</p>
<p>A short caveat beforehand: Remember that you are not trying to close a deal with every message you put out there. Social media is about visibility, getting-the-word-out, top-of-funnel kind of stuff. So adjust your strategy and expectations accordingly.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5) Be active in web design communities</h2>
<p>However, where to start? Well, an obvious choice is to go where people talk about web design. That means Facebook groups, Slack communities, subreddits, and forums.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg"><img data-attachment-id="71518" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/web-design-community-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg" data-orig-size="1024,540" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="web-design-community-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="540" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg" alt="Example of a web designer community." class="wp-image-71518" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg?w=150&h=79 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg?w=300&h=158 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg?w=768&h=405 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>These are good places to take part in discussions, share your expertise, and ask for feedback.</p>
<p>Why should you do that in front of other web designers? Aren’t these not the kind of people who want to hire you?</p>
<p>Well, maybe not directly. However, being active in the web design sphere allows you to build connections and present your work. And who knows? Someone might hire you for a project they are working on.</p>
<p>In addition, where would you go as a potential client who is looking for a web designer? Probably a place where web designers are known to hang out, right? Therefore, taking part in those communities is also a way to get noticed for potential work.</p>
<p>At the very least, you can network, learn from others, and get some critique for your work.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Join communities and platforms frequented by your ideal clients</h3>
<p>Of course, if you want to connect with people who might want to hire you, the best way is to go directly where they are. For that reason, a second step is to look for similar resources as above but for your niche and target group.</p>
<p>That might not always seem super easy. After all, is there an online forum for dentists? A Twitter group for accountants? A subreddit where organic grocers hang out?</p>
<p>The funny thing is, the answer often is – yes.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71519" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/niche-forum-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="niche-forum-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="485" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp" alt="Example of a niche forum." class="wp-image-71519" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp?w=150&h=71 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp?w=300&h=142 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp?w=768&h=364 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>That’s one of the best parts of the Internet. It connects people with similar interests from across the world, meaning there are groups for almost any profession online. You can find them on LinkedIn and Facebook, you can search for “[your target group] + forum” on Google, subscribe to relevant hashtags, and all the other ways you would use to find members of your own profession.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offer value, be authentic, and have a unique point of view</h3>
<p>The challenge in trying to get web design clients via social media is that you need to find a good balance between selling your services and simply being a pleasant and helpful person to talk to. Too much of the first, and you’ll annoy people with being too salesy, too much of the latter, and you’ll have a hard time closing deals.</p>
<p>The best way here is to simply be friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in helping others. Seriously, that’s what it usually comes down to.</p>
<p>Think about how you can create value for your target group in the easiest way. How can you help them with their problems and make their life easier? Then, do that.</p>
<p>Be generous with advice and input, share your opinions, be polite, and genuinely try to contribute to other people’s success. You’d be surprised at how many clients would be willing to continue a conversation about working together with a person like that.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6) Publish helpful content about web design on your blog</h2>
<p>You have probably heard that content has been elevated to royalty. While this notion is a bit overdone, the fact is that content is a staple of inbound marketing. Consequently, if you want web design clients to come to you instead of chasing them down, you would do well to start producing content as well. That also gives you material for your social outlets. </p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Publish on your own blog</h3>
<p>In most cases, <a href="https://wordpress.com/create-blog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blogging</a> will be a part of content marketing. A blog is easy to add to your website, and it’s one of the cheapest marketing tools out there as it mainly costs time.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71520" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/niche-blog-post-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="niche-blog-post-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="485" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp" alt="Example of a niche blog post." class="wp-image-71520" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp?w=150&h=71 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp?w=300&h=142 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp?w=768&h=364 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>However, the most decisive part here is what to write about. Reflexively, you might want to publish articles that show what a good web designer you are. In a way, that’s what you’ll do.</p>
<p>However, this is not about demonstrating your skills to your peers. Instead, you need to think about problems that your target group has and provide solutions for them. This shows off your expertise, allows you to target keywords that clients will type into Google, and builds trust in your skills.</p>
<p>This is why settling on a niche and doing extensive research on it is so important. Instead of very general content that likely has a lot more competition, you can create articles that are hyper-focused on your defined target group. Those are usually much easier to rank for and speak directly to the people you want to attract.</p>
<p>Aside from that, there are other types of content you can produce: </p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>podcasts</li>
<li>case studies</li>
<li>a newsletter</li>
<li>guest posts</li>
<li>ebooks</li>
</ul>
<p>Finally, start collecting email addresses on your blog from the very beginning. Having a good list of subscribers is one of the most effective ways to sell your services. For WordPress.com users, there are several tools and methods you can use to <a href="https://wordpress.com/support/newsletter/">add email subscribers to your blog</a>.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Syndicate your posts on Medium and LinkedIn</h3>
<p>Once you are in the habit of creating content (on your WordPress website), it’s a great tactic to <a href="https://wordpress.com/go/content-blogging/how-to-repurpose-content-to-maximize-your-reach/">repurpose and republish</a> it in other places. Two great candidates for that are <a href="https://medium.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medium</a> and <a href="https://linkedin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>.</p>
<p>Why is that?</p>
<p>Because those two platforms have readership automatically built in. They have an existing user base who spend a lot of time consuming content specifically on there. For that reason, if you also post your content on these platforms (under your name, with a link back to your own website), you can reach additional readers and members of your clientele. That helps further spread your expertise and brand.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71521" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/syndicated-article-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="syndicated-article-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="485" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp" alt="Example of an article that has been syndicated on Medium." class="wp-image-71521" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp?w=150&h=71 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp?w=300&h=142 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp?w=768&h=364 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>By the way, you can take this even further by repurposing your blog content into social media updates, YouTube videos, infographics, or downloadable content. You have already done the bulk of the research, now you simply need to bring it into a different format.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7) Search job boards for clients and contract work</h2>
<p>Another classic way to get web design clients is to use job boards. They offer the advantage that you find a lot of warm leads there, meaning people actively looking for help with their web design. The disadvantage is that they can have a lot of competition. You also want to stay away from those sites that purely compete on price (think Fiverr or Guru).</p>
<div class="wp-block-group highlighted-paragraph has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
<p><br><strong>Instead, here are a few resources where you can get started:</strong></p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://remoteok.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Remote OK</a></li>
<li><a href="https://weworkremotely.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">We Work Remotely</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.mediabistro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Media Bistro</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.krop.com/creative-jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Krop</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smashing Magazine Jobs</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.peopleperhour.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeoplePerHour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.toptal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toptal</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.awesomeweb.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AwesomeWeb</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>Here, too, it pays to do a bit of legwork beforehand. Research potential clients and tailor your offer towards them. Demonstrate the value you can create for them and make it easy for them to say yes.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8) Go to conferences and industry events</h2>
<p>In-person meetings are another way to find client work. They are especially suited if you are more of an extrovert who thrives on interacting with others. Talking to clients directly also makes it easier to find out their pain points and discuss their needs in detail without a lot of back-and-forth emailing. If you want to take this to the next level, consider speaking at events, it’s a great way to get more visibility.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Consider business events</h3>
<p>Most places have business associations, such as local Chambers of Commerce, that regularly run networking events. They can be general or more specific in nature. What they have in common is that they bring people together in a business setting.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71522" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/business-event-listing-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,954" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="business-event-listing-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="954" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp" alt="Example of an events listing page." class="wp-image-71522" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp?w=150&h=140 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp?w=300&h=279 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp?w=768&h=716 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>The advantage here is the same as for job boards: attendees come specifically to make business connections, so you don’t have to prime the pump too much so to speak. Everyone is on the same page, making it much easier to speak about commercial issues including offering your services.</p>
<p>The disadvantage is that at general business meetings, it’s harder to meet someone who actually belongs to your target group. You don’t know who exactly is going to be there, so it can be a bit of a gamble.</p>
<p>As usual, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Have your business cards with you, practice your elevator pitch, and dress professionally. That makes it much easier to make a good impression.</p>
<p>Besides in-person meetings, there are also virtual networking events. For example, you can find them on <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/networking/business-networking/?page=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eventbrite</a>.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71523" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/eventbrite-listing-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="eventbrite-listing-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="485" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp" alt="Example of an Eventbrite listing page." class="wp-image-71523" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp?w=150&h=71 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp?w=300&h=142 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp?w=768&h=364 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Attend the same networking events as your ideal customers</h3>
<p>In order to eliminate the element of randomness, attending occasions that are specifically for members of your target group is a better idea. Doing so makes it much more likely to run into someone who needs what you are offering.</p>
<p>This can be a bit challenging as you are specifically there to hawk your services. However, remember what we talked about before. Don’t be too salesy. Listen to what the other person is talking about, try to uncover issues they are having with their website, and offer insights for what could be helpful. If they like what they hear, it could possibly turn into a job.</p>
<p>You can even think outside the box a bit. Bring your laptop and a sign offering free website reviews. Let people come to you, go over their sites together, offer your insight, and point out how you would improve their current website. It should be easy to make connections that way.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9) Consider WordCamps and WordPress conferences</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71524" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/wordcamp-website-cta-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,704" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="wordcamp-website-cta-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="704" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp" alt="WordCamp website example" class="wp-image-71524" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp?w=150&h=103 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp?w=300&h=206 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp?w=768&h=528 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>It’s no secret that WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world and that it powers a large part of the web. For that reason, WordPress in-person events are a hotbed for people interested in web design and companies working with WordPress.</p>
<p>That also makes them a good place to make connections with like-minded people (again, for potential collaboration) as well as companies looking for expertise. This is especially true if you have made <a href="https://wordpress.com/website-builder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building websites with WordPress</a> part of your niche.</p>
<p>In addition, WordCamps are simply a great place to meet people. You automatically have something in common with everyone there, so it’s easy to get a conversation going.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10) Email businesses you’d like to work with (that have websites that look like they need a redesign)</h2>
<p>Another way to get web design clients is to directly contact companies in your niche who obviously have needs in that area. Use business directories to find them and check out their sites.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71525" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/google-search-for-clients-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="google-search-for-clients-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="485" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp" alt="Example of a search for websites within a specific niche." class="wp-image-71525" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp?w=150&h=71 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp?w=300&h=142 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp?w=768&h=364 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>As usual, tailor your offers to each particular case. Spend some time analyzing the websites, point out concrete things that could use improvement, then add a solution.</p>
<p>You can even do so in the form of a prototype or wireframe or a quick video in which you talk about their site live on screen. That’s much better than sending the same form email to everyone and, again, makes it much easier for them to say yes.</p>
<p>So, do your homework beforehand. In addition, be sure to follow up when you don’t hear back. Most people are very busy, so it helps to be a bit tenacious. Even if they end up saying no, at least then you know for sure.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">11) Ask past clients and your network to refer you to their connections</h2>
<p>Once you have the ball rolling a little bit, one of the best ways to extend your client pool is actually to ask existing clients for referrals. Word of mouth is a very powerful way to get new web design clients for two reasons:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>First of all, you have instant social proof. </strong>If someone hears about you from a person they know and probably trust, that’s worth more than any third-party testimonial you can put on your website.</li>
<li><strong>Secondly, it’s automatically a warm prospect.</strong> We are not talking about someone you found on the Internet who has no idea who you are and receives an email from you out of the blue. Instead, it’s someone you have a personal connection with through a middle-person. Possibly even someone who asked their network for recommendations. That instantly creates a better relationship.</li>
</ul>
<p>So, make it part of your web design process to email clients after finishing a project and ask them for referrals. In fact, be sure to stay on friendly terms with them and check in now and again. That makes it more likely they will recommend you by themselves.</p>
<p>You can also reach out to other freelancers or people you know in the industry and ask them for referrals, even your friends and family. You can form beneficial partnerships with them and recommend clients to each other for your respective services.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">12) Partner with web design agencies</h2>
<p>A final way you can get more web design clients is to work with agencies. Many of them hire freelancers in order to increase their work pool when they have too many projects. It’s always worth getting on their list for when that happens.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71527" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/web-design-agency-site-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,835" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="web-design-agency-site-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="835" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp" alt="An example of a web design agency website." class="wp-image-71527" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp?w=150&h=122 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp?w=300&h=245 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp?w=768&h=626 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<p>When you pitch yourself to an agency, treat it with the same regard as when interacting with one-to-one clients. Make sure to send along your portfolio and tailor your application toward each agency you contact.</p>
<p>Plus, of course, do your best work and be as professional working for them as when doing your own projects. That way, you make it more likely that they will send more work your way.</p>
<p>That only leaves the question, where do you find web design agencies to pitch yourself to?</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Use business directories to find agencies</h3>
<p>Similar to what we talked about above, there are specific directories that you can look into to find web design agencies. Two online resources for that are <a href="https://clutch.co/us/web-developers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clutch</a> and <a href="https://www.dexigner.com/directory/cat/Web-Design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dexigner</a>.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71528" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/business-directory-site-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp" data-orig-size="972,1023" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="business-directory-site-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp?w=285" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp?w=972" loading="lazy" width="972" height="1023" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp" alt="Example of a listing page from the business directory Clutch." class="wp-image-71528" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp 972w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp?w=143&h=150 143w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp?w=285&h=300 285w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp?w=768&h=808 768w" sizes="(max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px" /></a></figure>
<p>Both list a large number of web design companies. It’s easy to find potential studios to collaborate with and their contact information is right there as well.</p>
<p>In addition, look into local business directories. Working with local design companies has the added benefit that it’s also possible to introduce yourself personally and take face-to-face meetings. That’s always good for relationship building.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Or conduct a simple Google search</h3>
<p>Of course, there is always Google. You can use the search engine to look for web design agencies for potential collaboration and easily apply your own filters like location, industry, or any other categories.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp"><img data-attachment-id="71529" data-permalink="https://wordpress.com/blog/2024/10/22/how-to-get-web-design-clients/web-design-agency-search-example/" data-orig-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp" data-orig-size="1024,485" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="web-design-agency-search-example" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp?w=300" data-large-file="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp?w=1024" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="485" src="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp" alt="Example of a Google search for web design agencies that are hiring." class="wp-image-71529" srcset="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp 1024w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp?w=150&h=71 150w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp?w=300&h=142 300w, https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp?w=768&h=364 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Are you considering developing websites on WordPress.com?</h2>
<p>A big factor in winning and keeping web design clients is the tools you work with. One primary consideration here is hosting, both for your personal website and portfolio as well as your client sites.</p>
<p>At this point, we want to humbly suggest considering WordPress.com for your web design projects. Here are just a few features that make us a great option for your new web design or development project:</p>
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>You are free to use (custom) plugins and themes on any <a href="https://wordpress.com/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business plan</a> and above. You also get access to SFTP-SSH, WP-CLI, and Git tools.</li>
<li>The <a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/docs/api/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">REST API</a>, with its plethora of endpoints, allows you to fetch a wide range of information and build applications on top of WordPress. What’s more, you can test live JSON data and explore it with the Developer Console.</li>
<li>Use <a href="https://www.npmjs.com/package/wpcom" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wpcom.js</a>, the official JavaScript library for the WordPress.com REST API. It’s compatible with Node.js and all modern web browsers and allows you to easily build back ends for your web and mobile apps.</li>
<li><a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/docs/photon/">Photon</a> is an image acceleration and modification service available on WordPress.com and via Jetpack. It automatically compresses and caches images as well as serves them from a distributed CDN.</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information and additional features, check out our <a href="https://developer.wordpress.com/">developer resources</a>. If you run or work for an agency, you may also be interested in <a href="https://wordpress.com/for-agencies/">Automattic for Agencies</a>.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Now, go land more web design clients</h2>
<p>While it would be nice if being a freelance web designer or developer only consisted of being creative all the time, unfortunately, learning business skills, such as how to get web design clients, is a necessary part of the job. At the same time, however, it’s also not the insurmountable obstacle it can sometimes seem to be.</p>
<p>By being crystal clear about the industry you are targeting, figuring out your pricing, and building a strong web presence, you can create a solid basis for your business from which to start your acquisition efforts. </p>
<p>After that, there are many options to get on the radar of your clientele. From inbound measures like social media marketing and blogging to outbound marketing such as frequenting job boards, going to events, cold outreach via email, asking for client referrals, and partnering with design agencies, there is a lot you can do to get hired.</p>
<p>Pick what plays to your personal strengths and inclinations to get started. At the same time, don’t be afraid to experiment with what seems outside your comfort zone. Then, double down on what works and keep building your business. Also, don’t forget to have a <a href="https://wordpress.com/hosting">strong hosting partner</a> by your side who can support you in your efforts.</p>
<p><em>This article was originally published on wordpress.com/go on March 31, 2023. It was lightly updated by Ben Sailer and republished on Oct. 22, 2024</em>. </p>
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<media:title type="html">how-to-get-web-design-clients-header</media:title>
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<media:title type="html">Woman looking at two divergent paths.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/venn-diagram-choose-niche.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Venn diagram illustrating what you're passionate about vs. what makes money.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-community-example.jpg" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of a web designer community.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-forum-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of a niche forum.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/niche-blog-post-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of a niche blog post.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/syndicated-article-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of an article that has been syndicated on Medium.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-event-listing-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of an events listing page.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/eventbrite-listing-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of an Eventbrite listing page.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/wordcamp-website-cta-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">WordCamp website example</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/google-search-for-clients-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of a search for websites within a specific niche.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-site-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">An example of a web design agency website.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/business-directory-site-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of a listing page from the business directory Clutch.</media:title>
</media:content>
<media:content url="https://en-blog.files.wordpress.com/2024/10/web-design-agency-search-example.webp" medium="image">
<media:title type="html">Example of a Google search for web design agencies that are hiring.</media:title>
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