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Does your blog need a little bling to stand out? Then visit The Cutest Blog on the Block (TCBOTB) for expert advice and striking free design resources.
If you blog with Google Blogger, you’re really in luck. You can download a knockout free background page for use on your site. TCBOTB generously offers over 200 Blogger-compatible background page designs from which to choose. These designs are “cute” in a sophisticated way, and memorable. Free banners to match the background pages are also available.
If you use a blogging program other than Blogger, there is hope. TCBOTB expects to roll out background pages that are compatible with other blogging platforms in the near future. 
With any blogging program, you’re still in luck. You can accessorize your blog with free TCBOTB Blinkees. They are meant to be placed in sidebars. But as you can see in this post, they work anywhere.
First, uploading an already prepared professional-quality background page is no bother at all. (By comparison, imagine the tools, time, and skill required to make it!) It’s so easy, in fact, take the opportunity to experiment with different page backgrounds to see what works best for your site. Second, background pages do impact site visitors. How I discovered TCBOTB illustrates the point. While researching ideas for an àlaBuzz bee graphic, I found a site designed with an elegant, snazzy, artful use of black and white. Immediately I determined to write a review post about that site, and bookmarked it. Although the site owner is a very talented artist and provides unique content on her site, it was all that plus the background page that made me say “Wow!” When I eventually went back to the site, it had a different background page. It looked nice, but didn’t float my boat quite as much. However, this time I noticed something else: A link to The Cutest Blog on the Block. It turns out that both background pages I saw used on the site are from TCBOTB.
Sassy Dots
Before I go further, let me credit Linda M. Davis at Just for Sharing for her exquisite card art. Link to her site to view it, and to see an example of a TCBOTB background page in action. Although I fell in love with the Sassy Dots background page that I first saw at Ms. Davis’ site, her site still looks intriguing.
The master designers behind The Cutest Blog on the Block are Ashley and Becky. Only their first names are revealed, along with a photo of two gorgeous young women. Are they protecting their privacy? Are they clever marketers? One thing I will wager is that they really are women, because the TCBOTB designs are distinctly feminine. 
The site explains that Ashley and Becky are neighboring young mothers who have a passion for their families and blog design. They partnered a 2008 launch of TCBOTB in order to “empower [bloggers] with the tools they need to personalize their blogs to reflect their unique personalities.” In addition to free resources, their site shares “blog secrets” like how to design your own custom background page or header, and hosts a community forum for registered users. As might be expected of individuals possessing their expertise, they offer professional design services. You can purchase anything from single blog customization services ($15) to a full custom design ($375 – you provide the layered Photoshop file), with package choices and monthly support options in between. By the way, TCBOTB has a Design Affiliates Program that designers may want to check into for earning opportunities.
The Cutest Blog on the Block is a good example of a commercial site that attracts traffic by virtue of it’s great content. The site is fascinating, beautiful, full of valuable information for bloggers, and gives away fabulous free design resources! After one visit, you can’t resist telling someone about it – as I’m now doing.
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