Importance of blog layout

Pretty layouts are nice and all but how important is ‘prettiness’ when it comes to blogging?

Let’s say a blog has some decent posts and information but their layout isn’t anything spectacular. Just a boring, simple layout. How likely is it that the content would catch your attention, and possibly even make you return?

Now let’s say the same thing for another blog - decent posts and information - but a much nicer layout. Is it more likely to catch your attention?

Or does layout not matter?

I’ve heard before that you need to have a decent layout if you want to get anywhere in the blog world. But while pretty layouts are nice eyecandy, the content is what should be important, right?

Does a pretty layout make up for mediocre content?

So, how much does a blog’s layout influence your opinion of the blog?

I’ll admit, it influences me a little bit. Call me shallow but I’m a sucker for pretty things. So if I had the choice between two blogs with similar content, I’d probably choose the prettier one.

But, content is still more important. So if a pretty blog’s content is not as good as another blog’s, then I would choose the other blog. A nice layout won’t make up for content, even if it is easier on the eyes.

Next, how important is an original blog layout?

People can download nice themes and use them for free, but the problem with that is multiple people can end up using the same look.

So, nice downloaded theme vs nice original theme - which do you prefer?

I’d go with nice original theme. There are some nice downloadable themes out there, but after awhile I get sick of seeing the same thing over and over.

Also, I think an original theme helps give a blog their own ‘look’. And if you want to stand out in the crowd, having your own image definitely helps.