Hunting Sense Banner – The Value of Custom Graphics
451 Press, the blog network Hunting Sense is a part of, has finally given the green light for each blogger to create a custom masthead/banner for their sites. I, for one, am ecstatic over the decision as I think a site benefits a great deal from such personal touches. It is something that helps give it a unique identity and increases the aesthetic appearance of the site.
Anyone who reads Hunting Sense knows that I enjoy playing around with Photoshop and seeing what I can create. In fact, I have already created a banner for the MySpace version of Hunting Sense (which has been sorely neglected unfortunately). So, it now comes down to a decision on whether to use the existing banner, or to create a new one; a tough decision considering how I like to experiment.
I also thought it would be interesting to see what other bloggers’ thoughts are on the value of graphics for their sites. It’s no secret that photos are a plus and it’s also no secret that I don’t utilize enough of them for Hunting Sense. But what about custom banners or mastheads for a site? Do they really help as much as I think they do?
I look at it like this. Content is king when it comes to a blog. No matter the amount of graphics a site has, if the information isn’t relevant and interesting, it isn’t going to hold the attention of visitors. But, like any product offered to the public, branding and packaging is equally as important to help distinguish it from all the others. It may not make the site better, but it does add a personal touch to it.
I read plenty of great sites, some with graphics and some without. So, here is the question: What are others thoughts on graphics? Needed or not needed?
hunting, hunting sense, graphics, banners, mastheads, branding, Photoshop, 451 Press, blogs, blog networks
June 13th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I come down squarely for branding, but them I’m a marketer, so that’s probably no surprise. I believe graphics and photos can do a lot to help enhance the experience a visitor has when they visit your site.
I would agree that content is king. If you can’t write interesting posts it won’t make much difference what your site looks like. Once you’ve mastered writing good content, I do believe graphics and pictures can add that extra added dimension that helps make your blog or web site stand out from the rest.
Anyway, that’s my two cents.
June 13th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I’m with Kristine, put up a banner. Like you are to Photoshop, I am to Gimp. No, not the Gimp that lives in Maynard’s basement in a crate and wears a leash and leather mask…
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June 14th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Cliff,
Like the second banner much better. I saw the green one this morning, which was nice, but the colors didn’t really go with the site. This one blends much better.
Great job.
June 19th, 2007 at 12:36 am
A website or blog needs personality and good graphics and banners will give it that personality. A part of this personality is made by the graphics and layout of the site. On my blog I worked for many moth until I arrived at a happy medium that I like.
Of course content is very important too, but the first impression is made with the looks. I was wondering when you would get your banner up and I must say I like your choice very much. Now if I only would be as good a writer and you and your wife.
-Othmar Vohringer-