Things to Consider Before You Choose a Blog Template

There are tons of free blog templates available on the internet, and apart from look and feel, there are many aspects in a blog template that you must consider before you make the final plunge.

Choosing the correct template can be a game-changer for you. So make sure you consider the checklist below before you take your final decision. I have learned these things from my own mistakes, and you all can benefit from them.

1. Title:
Look at the template and see how the Title looks. Generally, there is a Post Date, Post Author, Comments, et, near the title. Always choose a template where this information is above the title. This helps in integrating your Ads seamlessly into your post under the title.

In case you happen to choose a template that has this information below the post title, it will not blend with your Ads, and you will suffer from very low CT, resulting in a direct drop in revenue.

2. Hyperlinks:
Check the template and see how the hyperlinks are rendered. Most templates come with a default color for hyperlinks. If the color is standing out, then the reader will always click on it, resulting in very low CTR for text Ads. Hyperlinks also should blend with the content, contrary to the popular myth that they stand out.

3. Header:
If there is an option to display Ads in the header, it gives you more flexibility to put up extra Ads, which would generally blend with your content. The header generally remain underutilized for theis purpose.

4. Static Pages:
Many blogs have a static page with their About, Privacy Policy, Advertising, and Contact Us details. These should be allowed to be on top. See how they are rendered in the template you are looking at. Static pages should always be at the top as they give direct information to your readers in terms of your blog content and contacting you, even for advertising.

5. Template Bottom:
Many templates give a rectangular block to add your widgets at the bottom. Things like Fanpages, Blog description, and Author bio can be very nicely included over there.

Apart from the above points, look and feel, blog navigation, fonts, and internal UI are also very important aspects.

Finding all the above 5 can become very difficult in a single free template, but you must always give priority to the top 2 points I mentioned, as they have a direct impact on your revenues via blogs. If you can get 4 out of 5, you can go ahead and use the template for your blog.

Conclusion:

Selecting the right blog template goes far beyond appearance—it directly impacts user experience, ad performance, and overall blog success. By prioritizing elements like title placement, hyperlink design, headers, static pages, and footer flexibility, you can ensure your template not only looks good but also works effectively. Even if you can’t find a template that checks every box, securing at least the key features will set your blog up for growth and better revenue.

FAQs

Q1. What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a free blog template?
The most important factor is the placement of the title and post information, as it directly impacts how well your ads blend with the content and, ultimately, your ad revenue.

Q2. Should hyperlinks in a blog template stand out with bright colors?
Not necessarily. While it’s a common belief that hyperlinks should stand out, overly bright links can reduce your text ad CTR. It’s better if hyperlinks blend smoothly with the overall content design.

Q3. Can I use a template that doesn’t meet all 5 recommended points?
Yes. If you can find a template that satisfies at least 4 out of 5 key aspects, especially the top two (title placement and hyperlink design), it’s still a good choice for your blog.