Adam started a great thread over at the Authority Blogger Forum which I would like to open up over here; How many columns should a blog have, and why?
For myself, I switch between 2 and 3 columns. When I have advertising, such as at DSLRBlog, I have a third column to accommodate it. That said, my sidebar is getting very stuffed here on this blog so I am starting to consider a three column approach.
Rather than what we like, we have to focus on what your reader needs. As Lorelle says …
The single most important feature on your blog is the navigation. Today’s web visitor rarely enters through the front door of your blog. They come in through your posts. As important as the blog title, post title, content, and other contextual information is, if the visitor cannot move where they arrive to other places on your blog, how will they ever know of all the other wonderful things you have done here?
I also agree with Lorelle that the footer is a great additional place for navigation but shouldn’t be the only place those links are placed.
What are you going to do with the columns. Providing your content is legible and the most important navigation is above the fold, you have a lot of flexibility. As Bruce says in the thread, the type of blog matters ..
If it’s strictly opinion type blog then 2 columns, or even 1 would be fine.
Probably personal taste has as big an impact as anything in the choice.
How many columns do you like to see on a blog and why? Let me know in the comments or join in the forum discussion …