Howdy! A few people recently asked which blog platform I use and how I got this layout. I could say it’s magic, but truthfully, it’s not. 😉
This is a WordPress blog since that’s the framework my site is built on. Nor is it a custom design, although I did tweak a few of the settings options in my theme and page layouts.
That brings up the inevitable next question of “Why WordPress? And why go with an existing theme rather than creating a custom one?”
Those answers are simple as well. I use WordPress because I’m familiar with it and like the different things I can do within its framework. My site and blog needs are minimal, so I went the DIY route and used available assets to achieve the layout and effects I wanted. It was a little more time-intensive initially, but more cost-effective over the short- and long-term. Certainly a better return on time and cost than if I’d tried to build a similar one from scratch, or hired someone to build it for me. That’s my situation. Your mileage may vary.
Note: I’m not a web designer or programmer by trade. I understand a lot of how to get from that side of things to the end-user side thanks to my previous career. However, don’t ask me to do anything beyond some basics when it comes to coding. That’s not my cuppa, and not how my brain is wired. 😉
Another person mentioned Drupal, wondering if it was a better choice for building a unique blog layout.
The short answer is, it depends on you as the end-user.
Drupal is another solid content management framework and is used to build many websites and blogs. I’m less familiar with it on the end-user side since none of my former clients had websites based on it. However, it’s been around for years and is the top choice for many devs. Some people I’ve talked with prefer it, on personal and professional fronts.
As with all systems, there are pros and cons no matter which you choose. WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and others all have some great features. Some have steeper learning curves than their brethren. The requirements I specified from the outset—existing familiarity to minimize time sinks, ease of installing and adapting themes, page blocks for layout customization, and several other features—might not be an issue for you.
Bottom line:
When it comes to your website and blog, a balance between your desired look and ease of use/maintenance is usually the path most traveled. It should reflect your business or brand, but also be easy for you to use. Otherwise, it’s a time and energy sink, and possibly a financial one as well.