This Blog STRUCTURE post is a part of “2 Weeks To Launch Your Blog“.

To get into the specifics of blog structure would be self-defeating because how a blog is laid out and presented is as individual and unique as the blogger behind it - and his or her objectives and goals for the blog.

So for this discussion, let’s confine ourselves to the bigger picture of elements of a blog’s structure you must pay attention to, regardless of what your ultimate blog purpose is.

Your Blog Software

There is a VAST choice of blog programs you can pick from, including WordPress, MovableType (or TypePad), and Blogger to mention just a few.

Each comes with a set of common features that cover most of the basic functionality a blogger needs, along with some unique tweaks. This makes the choice of one over another more a matter of personal preference than anything else.

Your Blog Title

Picking a title for your blog is crucial to its future success. Your blog’s name will brand you and your business or cause, and be the one thing that either keeps you in your prospect’s mind - or makes them forget all about you.

How could you forget a title like: MONEY . POWER . WISDOM

It’s what EVERYBODY wants!

Take time to choose a title that is relevant, catchy, easy to remember, spell and say out loud (you want to encourage word of mouth spread). A shorter title may be better, though not necessary. A title for which you can also buy the domain name, preferably a .com domain, is better still.

Your Blog Theme

With Wordpress blogs, there is a wide range of readymade themes to pick from. For other blog platforms, you can edit themes or have custom-made ones designed for you.

Your theme - color, graphics, text size and other components - also brand you and your business/organization/cause, so be careful when you pick one.

Your Blog Components

At its barest minimum, a blog contains blog posts, arranged in chronological sequence. But most of the blogs with impact have other elements in it.

Your blog may include modules like:

- Opt in forms for your email list
- Google Adsense ad blocks
- Banner ads
- Social bookmarking icons/widgets
- Blog rolls
- Comment forms
- Links to other sections of your website
- Calendar with links to archived posts
- RSS feeds from other blogs or services
- Video clips

There are many more. Pick and choose the ones that are relevant to your blog and help take you towards your goals - but ignore the rest. Bells and whistles, just for their own sake, are useless clutter to your blog!

Your Blog Layout

How the components are organized and arranged on your blog is flexible and under your control. Think about your blog visitors, study their pattern of moving through your content, and then structure this to give you maximum impact in order to leverage your visitors maximally.

What blog layout and structure elements work best for you?

Are there other tweaks and modifications you’ve considered important to your blogging success?

I invite you and other readers to join in and share your own tips with readers.  Together, let’s create a resource that’s a reference point for anyone launching a new blog.

I sure don’t have all the answers - but together I’m sure we’ll cover most, if not all, of the essentials.

1. Post your comments to this post.  Readership to this blog is ramping up quickly, and this will become a 2-way learning process for everyone who is interested.

2. If you prefer it, you can post your tips on your own blog and tell me.  Email me with the title and URL of your blog post.  I’ll summarize the contributions from all readers and post them as an update to this blog from time to time.