Most bloggers are in the game to write about issues and share ideas that matter to them, so it’s no surprise that many self-hosted blogs are a version or three behind the officially released and supported versions. Upgrading blog software isn’t exactly fun, and it takes time time away from starting and contributing to discussions around the Web, but it is important to stay on top of changes to your blogging software, and it’s easier to do than ever. So, why should you stay up-to-date?
Security
Most new releases include code to patch potential security holes in complex blogging software. The last thing you want is someone finding a chink in the armor, gaining access to all of your hard work and destroying or hijacking it. As someone who neglected the software and paid the price, I can tell you that cleaning up after a crazed hacker-kid is not a fun way to spend an evening.
Most point releases (2.0.1 or 1.3.9 etc.) are typically released to fix bugs, with security issues at the forefront. So, even if you aren’t willing to commit to a major new release, you should jump on new point releases quickly. Major releases often include security fixes as well, but it’s rare for a major release to include a security fix that isn’t also released for the previous version. For example, if version 2.5 is released by a software company, odds are good that 2.4.X will come out at the same time, solely comprised of security fixes.
Features
The other key reason to stay up-to-date are the new features bundled into a release. Often times the little features have a really large impact. For example, improvements to spam detection may not seem like much, but good software will let you focus on writing instead of weeding your comments, that can translate into a lot of time.
Every blogging platform has different ways for you to stay up to date. For example, there is a great plugin for WordPress that makes it easy to upgrade the software within your browser. A lot of Web hosts also provide built-in install and upgrade functionality, via services like Fantastico.
If you take a little bit of time now, you can save yourself some heartache later, and you may even find some fun new tools and toys that will make writing for your blog even more fun.
What I really need is a visual overhaul. I can handle the techie stuff, but not the CSS and graphical design. Where can the amateurs find decent design services for under $3k?
There are a lot of options for design, depending on a few factors, namely what you want design-wise, if you plan to extend the design elements beyond the Web (business cards, t-shirts etc.) and if you are interested in advanced functionality like Flash or a truly complex layout.
If you want a visual overhaul of your site, but are not worried about branding it uniquely, take a look at the themes available for your blogging platform. WordPress for example has some great options which you can view at WordPress Theme Viewer.
If you seek a design that is truly your own, then you could search for companies that create custom themes. I don’t know what that would run you, but I assume the rates and quality would vary. There are services that can produce it for you with the transaction happening over the Net, but if possible you may want to look locally first as face-to-face communication is really important when you are asking someone to design an interface that represents you.
I hope that helps!
Alex, Quality of free themes is all over the map and most of them have technical issues. Possibly because they’re coded by amateurs and/or during free time. I did pay a few hundred for a custom theme which was worse than anything I could produce so I didn’t use it and lost the money. Professional designers seem to be charging $3k and up as there’s a business need now (businesses have deeper pockets). That seems to leave semi-pro bloggers in a lurch - we can’t justify the expense of a “professional” design, yet our standards are higher than some of the free stuff. What we need is a community marketplace of designers for this segment.
You make some great points Dave, and you the timing is very good, as Matt, the creator of WordPress recently announced plans for a WordPress Theme Marketplace, which will allow users of the WordPress.com hosted service the ability to purchase approved, high quality themes, while making those themes freely available to users who host their own blog. My hope is that this will lead to the creation and distribution of more high quality themes, and the creation of the community marketplace that you write about.
The role of a semi-pro blogger is interesting and in many ways unique. It is odd that there aren’t many design and development services addressing the needs of the market.
Out of curiosity, as a semi-pro blogger, what do you look for in a theme design?
A professional look at an amateur price.
Seriously, I’d prefer to maintain my general colors and layout, but make it look more professional. I also want it to fully support WordPress functionality (like sidebar widgets) and be compliant with web standards. I also have some specific design ideas for improving content and ad presentation.
The theme marketplace is a good idea, but even the officially supported theme seem to have quirks. I really like the idea of the Sandbox and creating a theme purely via CSS. I think that’s where WordPress needs to go. It would also open the door to a larger community of designers.
I’m in the same boat as you, Dave. I’m at a crossroads with my blog, and I need to really focus on creating a brand with a unique design, logo, business cards, etc. I’ve spent the last six months researching my options, and anything I want to do is outside my budget. Custom design for WordPress themes (good clean code, compliant, professional looking, etc) starts at US$1500, and that’s a chunk of change for anyone. I think Matt’s idea about a WordPress.com Marketplace is a good start, but I think there is plenty of room to grow for us semi-pro and pro bloggers. The Sandbox competition was a good way to get the ball rolling on that, and hopefully there’s more where that came from.
I completely agree with the desire to find just that *right* look, design, style, and feel for a website/blog. Is *so* frustrating!!! For my blog I started with a Blogger template, then heavily modified it (css, javascript, layout, etc). I have spent hundreds of hours on my entire website: search engine optimization, layout, navigation, design, feeds, etc.
it works but…… I am still looking for that look, style that will just have that extra pizzazz 
One of the tricks to good design is to attract people, and also keep them on your site as long as possible. Design is part of it, but so is content. Don’t get too flashy with your site, but you need just enough (but then people are funny when it comes to design: explain the huge popularity of craig’s list; the most plain, vanilla looking site which could ever be found!)
For the time being it will suffice (there are still a few buggy things I’m working on
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cory photographique
http://www.coryjohnson.net
Has anyone looked into trading their writing, marketing, photography or other skills for site design? You may be able to find someone in your area with solid design and implementation skills who could use your skills to improve the content of their site or other aspects of their company. It could prove a beneficial trade for all involved.
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce