15 must-have features for modern design blogs (part 2)

In part 1 we saw how modern design blogs usually manage to gather a wide audience using Presentation techniques and special Features. In part 2, we will finish the roundup of features every design blog must have. Next post, part 3, will dive into the different types of content modern design blogs usually fancy publishing.

Features (cont’d)

6. Most popular posts / Best posts

The difference between the two may be that “most popular” posts are the posts actually read by most visitors whereas “best posts” may be chosen by the blogger himself. Both cases lead to the same result: highlighting high quality posts from the archives and giving visitors an incentive to spend a few more seconds on the blog. On the contrary, having a “latest posts” widget may not be necessary when your blog’s front page already lists the 5 or 10 most recent posts. See the following examples from YouTheDesigner, JustCreativeDesign, AComment and SpoonGraphics.

7. Latest comments

This feature immediately shows the new visitor where the discussion currently is on the blog. And it may not be on the latest posts! On top of that, it gives a first view on how many comments a post may gather (you can have all the 10 latest comments on the same posts if the latter is successful, or the 10 latest comments spread over several posts in case these usually gather less comments). The following examples come from BlogPerfume, DesignReviver and YouTheDesigner.

8. Related posts

Simply in-dis-pen-sa-ble. The “related posts” feature is among the very basics of how to trigger internal navigation and to make your design blog more sticky. It is usually located at the bottom of the posts, just before the comments, along with the social buttons. See the following examples from Bittbox, Vandelay Design and JustCreativeDesign.

9. Post promotion links

Don’t be shy asking for post promotion! These banners usually make it very clear that digging the post is nice and appreciated (with a big heart for example). This promotion div may be located before or after the post (sometimes both). The trend seems to go towards a pre-selection of social news sites rather than an exhaustive list through widgets such as AddThis for example. Most popular social sites in the design blogs niche include Digg, Delicious, DesignFloat, Dzone etc. See the following examples from OutlawDesignBlog, Noupe and WeFunction.

The last 6 ultimate features for modern design blogs will cover the types of content design bloggers must include in their blogs. Stay tuned, for there is more coming!