I disagree. If I land on an ugly site I would not buy anything from it.

As I said, of course content is most important, and I am absolutely doing that. But the site still needs to look visually appealing, or else visitors won't want to stick around and read or click any links. I certainly wouldn't, it wouldn't inspire authority for me if it didn't look attractive.

I agree....Level 2 Lesson 6 will start talking about using visuals and such. Your site will get prettier as you progress through the training...

That said, there are some aspects that won't be touched on and you could address. The majority of your look will be theme based. Make sure you pick a theme you really like the look of. Go ahead and add your logo and replace stock theme images with ones that are appropriate for your niche, etc.

As for adding images to your posts, it will be covered in the lesson I referred to above.

Thank you so much that is most helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. 🙏🏼

Any time

Thanks Seabee. :)

You're welcome. 😊

I don't agree. If I landed on an ugly site I wouldn't stick around or give it much respect! I certainly wouldn't click on any of the links! Obviously I need to create amazing content, which I am, but I still feel the blog should look appealing so visitors will want to stick around and read my amazing content!

Ok. I have been working online for many years and I have also created websites for other people and got paid good money for them.

Not one of them wanted a 'Pretty' site.
They wanted it to be functional and make them money.

You go ahead and make your site as pretty as you want it but you wont make any money from it if you neglect to add quality content.

This is just my opinion and you don't have to pay it any heed whatsoever but you will learn, and learn the hard way.

Sorry to be so blunt but I know what it takes to make money online and I don't believe you do.

Have a great evening.
Robert-A

Robert, when did I say it had to be one or the other? I think you are misunderstanding me a little bit! Why can't it look nice AND contain great content? That is my plan. I want it all, I'm not choosing one over the other!

I was just asking how to personalise it a bit because it looks very plain at the moment. I never said I didn't want to create great content or for it not to be functional! I want ALL of those things.

Maybe you have a different idea of pretty to me. I just mean I want it to look a bit more personalised and appealing as it's literally 'straight out the box' at the moment and looks very basic and not at all eye-catching.

These things do matter to a lot of people. It's just human nature that's all. That's why designers get paid so much money to make things look visually appealing.

There's no need to get personal or be rude to me. That's not helpful or even very nice.

Natalie I was not being rude or personal.
I tell it how it is and of course in the process I will ruffle a few feathers.

You must understand that people want information.
They most likely want to solve a problem they have.
It may be a product they're looking for or a service, but it doesn't really matter as its the information they seek and they came to your site because of their search term and expect to find that information.

You do not want them distracted by anything else except what they landed on your site for.

If you want to take a look at my site you will see it has a lot of content and the personal touches I have on it are purely functional and serves a purpose.

I repeat - quality content first and the rest will follow in time.

https://quickwaysmakemoney.siterubix.com/

Robert

Ok so this is all I was asking about - you have a header image and the site doesn't look like it's 'straight out the box'. That's all I wanted to know. I never said I thought that the appearance was more important than the content. I don't know why you thought that was what I meant.

I am a freelance copywriter, blogger and proofreader. I know how to write great content that is informative, persuasive and SEO optimised. It's my job. I do it every day. I do understand that people want information and to have their problem addressed. That's not what my question was about. I just wanted to know how to personalise the way my site looks and add an image to the header area and maybe a couple of functional yet appealing sidebar features. That's all.

And I'm sorry but I did feel you were being a bit rude and personal, and that was a little bit upsetting. I am a real person here and there's no need to be mean.

No you didn't ask that you wanted to personalise.
You said you wanted it to be pretty.

Pretty wont cut it in internet marketing.

Now if you want help, perhaps a few pointers then I'm more than happy to help but best to grow a thick skin first.

This is business and believe me it is cutthroat.

Robert

Business is no excuse to be rude to people. And you are being personal again.

That is what personalised means to me - pretty. Visually appealing. If I personalise it the way I want it to look then it will look nice. It will have a pretty header. That's all I meant and you've taken it completely out of context!

If you can't say anything nice or helpful then you shouldn't say anything at all.

Hello again and a brand new day so lets kick it off on the right foot.
I don't believe I am being personal or rude.

You asked a question and I gave you my answer.
If it wasn't the reply you were looking for then that is not my fault.

Its only now that you are telling me what it is you really want.
Why could you not say this to begin with?

I still say having a 'Pretty' site wont earn you a penny.

The offer of help is still on the table either accept or decline, its up to you.

Enjoy your Tuesday.
Robert

Robert, you were answering a question I did not even ask. I did not want your opinion on whether or not I SHOULD make my site look more appealing, that is totally my own choice. I was asking HOW to do it.

I'm sure most people here will agree there is more than one set way to do business. And different people will resonate with different things. I know my market because my market includes myself and I personally know a huge amount of people who fall into my target market. I know that they would resonate better with a website that looked neat and visually appealing.

I neither want or need your opinion on this. You failed to address the question I was actually asking, instead just giving your own opinion on my personal choices and what I know will resonate with my audience.

Oh, and by the way, from the very helpful response from Andre below who DID answer the question I was asking. He shared a useful training from someone on here about Wordpress themes and appearances. It would seem the webinar teacher disagrees with you about the site appearance being important for making money.

“Description
Have you ever landed on a site that you didn't want to stay on?

Did you know your rankings can be affected based on the appearance of your website?

In fact, the look or your site can determine if your traffic stays or leaves.

Join Jay this Friday May 23rd where he will walk you through the process of having a great design that not only looks good, but creates a great user experience (UX) for your traffic.”

So I’m obviously not the only one who thinks appearance is important. Wordpress: Themes and the Appearance of Your Website

Each to his or her own and I am a firm believer in personal choice.
You work your way and I will work my way that's been proven the best way for me over several years.

Enjoy your Tuesday.

Yes, they are much prettier than mine is at the moment! :)

Thank you so much Andre that is a most helpful response!

You are welcome Nat also don't overdo your site to like fancy as it does take away from what you are writing,
Your readers need to focus on the content not how pretty the site would look.
Wishing you well

Namaste

Andre

When I started I asked the same question and all I got was people telling me not to worry about that and just focus on content. I feel like the appearance of a site is very important. I will have to check out this tutorial!
I had a friend on here tell me that they had somebody from fiver make their site look amazing. Food for thought.

I totally agree. It's obviously important to create great content, that should go without saying. But if the site looks horrible or amateurish I really don't think it would inspire authority or respect from visitors. Maybe I'm missing something. :(

You can also look at other theme options available to you which may look more appealing without the bell and whistles. another factor is when a theme has too many fancy things going on it can also slow your website. The best theme in white background and black writing

Hope that helps I use Iconic one and it is very responsive for both desktop and Mobile
Andre

You can refer to my response back to Nat just now. Too many fancy items that may make your website look great can slow your site down remember you are wanting your site to look professional not overly pretty.
As for fiver not everyone does a great job plus you get what you paid for why not look at the thems available to you many free ones are awesome and doesn't cost you anything
Worth a try plus look at other WordPress websites from members here and see if they may want you like.

Thanks, Andre. I think people are misunderstanding me a bit with this question! I don't want to choose between great content, functionality and attractiveness. I want them all. My site doesn't even have a header image at the moment! I just wanted to personalise it a bit. That's all I meant really. Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated. :)

I understand Nat and that is perfectly fine. Do have a look around the various theme and see how they would relate to your Niche as well. We all want our sites to look great I have seen some ugly ones online but there are many wonderful ones to choose from. it all depends on how you would like it to look as you mentioned the theme header as well.
I need to step out for a few hours but if you want to PM me your website I would be happy to have a look at it and let me know what you are wanting it to be perhaps I can help look for some theme option.
That is up to you.

Andre

My favorite theme so far is Vantage if you wanna check that one out. I YouTube a few things I couldn't figure out.

Thank you, Andre, you are very kind. I really do appreciate your help and support.

I think I'm happy with the theme, I just want it to look like it did in the demo when I chose it! It doesn't look anything like that haha! :)

Yes, that's a good idea, YouTube is great for finding the info you need. I'll definitely try that next time! :)

Most times they never do look the same what theme are you using if I can ask

Ascent theme:

https://en-gb.wordpress.org/themes/ascent/

Thank you, Natalie, will look into it soon just need to pop out for a few hours hopefully less.

In the Meantime keep going forward
Blessings

Andre

Thank you, Andre, you have been most kind and helpful. I really do appreciate that.

No probs I did test out that theme on my test site, to be honest, didn't like it at all wasn't as user friendly as I would have hoped for guess I am used to the one I have which is easier.
But there is a YouTube on your theme there the person goes a bit fast and there swishing the mouse cursor all over the place is annoying but you can learn a bit from that.
Going to reply further in Pm you sent me

Andre

Thanks so much dear Andre. I will look up the YouTube vid, always a great resource.

Yes it is and you are most welcome

Namaste

Andre