As I’m going through the various female-authored blogs recommended to me a couple are standing out so far. I’m probably in the minority in that I like a blog design that matches the tone and personality of the blog. Not anything too garish, but something which reflects who is writing the blog. Sort of like an illustration to go with the text. The slickest design in the world won’t draw me back though if the text content doesn’t compliment the design. Conversely, a really well written blog will suck me in regardless of the design.

Check out the screenshot above of Debbie Weil’s blog. I like how she’s pictured (I assume that’s her) peeking out with a smile just behind the blog and holding onto what looks like a printed document. That’s pretty sharp! She mentions a March 2005 study that says only 7% are reading blogs and most are political blogs.

Halley’s Comment also has a unique and stylistic logo where we are staring at a woman’s feet in heels (is this Halley or stock photography?). A recent post has her talking about the importance of not being a boring writer:

A lot of well-known mainstream journalists are … boring. And a lot of new voices which are a lot more interesting are surfacing in blogs.

There are some plain, default blog designs too, which actually is fairly common with technology-oriented blogs. For those that read the entire content through an aggregator the design of a blog isn’t important, but for those of us who primarily use RSS for headline skimming and do actually visit the blogger’s website, the design can increase interest.

• Topix.net blends 15k blogs with mainstream news sources
• Using alcohol reference in business blog design
• Simply Dumb and Wacko Jacko
• Myers-Briggs Personality labels me an INFJ, what about you?
• Hey Shelley, here’s a link from a guy!
• Blinded by the (red) light