While some rules apply to the use of free online features, many templates, interactive buttons, and other extras are provided for no cost by graphic artists or web designers. The use of quality backgrounds and banners that reflect a personal or business blog's theme can enhance its overall appearance to visitors.
Free Backgrounds and Templates
While most website-building sites or free blog sites provide templates at no charge, the number and theme is often limited. Free online material can enhance the personal style of the blog through HTML codes or simple copy-and-paste functions provided by third-party sources, many of which can be located by a simple Google search.
Sites like "The Cutest Blog on the Block" provide a range of free material, with an emphasis on backdrops or templates. These screens simply drop over existing templates like a "skin"; a range of themes are available, from holiday scenes to color schemes.
"Dotty Dot Dot Backgrounds" at dottydotdotdesigns1 on Blogspot also provides free artistic templates in a range of themes. The style is simpler, with an emphasis somewhat on primitive or old-fashioned themes, although users seeking more modern backgrounds may still fine satisfying material.
Find Free Buttons and Banners
The banner that greets visitors first arriving to the page is one of the most important features of any blog or website. Many artists design simple ones on their own, but others prefer to find more artistic features online. Many graphic artists create attractive blog features for others to use freely, in addition to providing specially-designed options for pay.
The artistic blog "Life in the Craft Lane with Mandie" provides free banners and buttons designed in simple folk art or craft designs, free for use on personal blogs. The blog also showcases more elaborate features available for certain fees.
Free Graphics for Artists
Vintage graphics and public domain images are popular choices for sprucing up blank space on blogs or websites. A few sites offer free images that are copyright-free, meaning artists may alter or use them freely on their web space.
"The Graphics Fairy" a creative artist site on Blogspot offers a variety of Victorian-inspired and altered art images in the form of buttons, banners, or larger images. Other sites, like "Vintage Holiday Crafts", offer free vintage clip art for use on other websites, so long as a few simple rules are observed with regard to display.
A unique blog is the hallmark of many businesses and personal websites. Using features beyond the host-provided ones may benefit the page's overall appearance to visitors and potential customers.
Sarah Briggs - For the last two years, I have designed primitive dolls and folk art sculptures (such as Edwin Drood and the Ghost of Marley) for Cordwood ...
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