For this week’s Blogging 101, I’m going to be talking about something a little different! I am going to answer one of the first questions Laurie mentioned receiving when we first started talking about this blogging series.
Q: What are the most important elements on a blog? Are there things I shouldn’t do? How can I make my blog visually appealing to readers without going overboard?
A: These are important questions to consider if you’re trying to attract new readers or really just build a blog that you can be proud of. As a designer, I’ve spent many hours viewing, reading, and designing blogs. I’ve certainly formed my own opinions about what makes a great blog, but I thought I’d broaden my perspective by reaching out and asking other bloggers for their opinions. I hopped over to BlogFrog and posed this question to readers.
It turns out that a lot of people, including myself, have similar opinions. I think this is important to note because while one person’s opinion isn’t always critical, the shared opinion of many might be worth considering. So here are a few blogging “dos” and “don’ts” for you to think about…
“Dont’s”:
1) One of the complaints I hear most often from blog readers has to do with automatic music players. While readers don’t mind having the option to play a few songs, they do not want to hear the music start playing the minute they open a blog. For me personally, if I open a blog where music immediately starts playing, I will quickly close out of the blog without ever reading a post.
2) Another “don’t” that was mentioned quite often was having a blog that is extremely cluttered. Having sidebars filled with numerous ads, buttons, and other widgets is often distracting to readers. Consider which things are really important to you and leave those on the sidebars while removing some of the unnecessary extras.
3) I’ve often heard people say that they will not read blogs with a black posting area—even if the text is written in white. Similarly, readers are often turned off by fonts and colors that are hard to read. Pay careful attention to how your writing appears on your blog. Afterall, your posts are inevitably what your followers are there to read.
4) Finally, although it may seem obvious, many bloggers mentioned that they are immediately turned off by vulgar or offensive blogs. While honesty and authenticity are important, make sure to keep readers in mind.
“Dos”:
1) My personal favorite “do” has to do with the design of a blog. :) Readers are drawn to your design. Make sure that your blog design portrays who you are and what your blog is about. Even before someone reads a post, they see your design. Think of it as a first impression. While you have the choice to hire a designer or create something yourself, take time to make your space on the internet truly yours.
2) A “do” that is often overlooked is including pictures in your blog posts. Pictures are not only a great way to enhance your writing and tell a story, but they also serve as a great way to break up your posts—making them easier to read.
3) The most important “do” is simply to have good content. This is almost always the first thing someone mentions when discussing what draws them to a blog. Your content is ultimately what will keep readers coming back. Be yourself, be friendly, and just write!
I hope you have found some of these blogging “dos” and “don’ts” useful. While I think it is important to consider your readers and what makes a great blog, remember that ultimately it’s YOUR blog. If you’re true to that, you will succeed.
Do you have a question you want me to answer? Leave a comment! :)
P.S. If you’re looking for ways to promote your blog, check out 31 Days to a Better Blog over on the SITSgirls Community.
Comments
First I’d like to thank you for all your Blogging 101 tips. I try to apply them as best I can, including blog buttons YEA!
I have one questions I’m hoping you can help me with. I have successfully installed favicon’s to my two websites http://www.robinquiltsetc.com and http://www.twowackywomen.com but would love to add one to my blog, http://robingallagher.blogspot.com. I’d love to figure out how to add it.
This is a great question! I’ll try to do a post on this in the next couple of weeks.
Great tips. I love seeing pictures in posts. Even if I do not ‘need’ a picture to illustrate what I’m writing about, I still like to include one. Just seems easier on the eyes.
Thanks!
Also, please no word verification on comments! I usually won’t leave any at that point.
Oh yes, you are right on with all your do’s and dont’s! I have read all of the same concerns from many other articles. I might add that I am also turned off by blogs that are used as a forum to criticize or complain. I am usually looking for inspiration not more stress:)
I couldn’t agree more with everything you said.
Great pointers!!
There is only one blog that I read that has music and the music sets the feel for her writing- Enjoying the Small Things. Her music changes with every post but is not overly loud or crazy. It honestly helps me connect with her life and her story even more. Otherwise, I agree…. no music.
Totally agree that your design should tell your purpose. That was very important to me when I had my blog designed back in the spring… I wanted readers to open it and be able to tell that I was a mom struggling to get through the chaos of mommyhood…. and my header shows that.
Looking forward to more pointers! You always have great tips.
Thank you! This was very helpful!
Do you think the number of posts per week matters? Is there such a thing as too much, or too little posts?
This is an interesting question… I’m not sure I’ve heard anyone say one way or the other! I’m curious now so am going to do a little “research”. :) My personal opinion is that you should have at least 3-4 posts a week if you are really trying to build a readership. I sometimes struggle to continue following blogs when they only post once a week–I almost feel like I have to refresh my memory on the blog’s view point, etc. Of course it’s important that you aren’t posting just to post, but I’ve never felt that a blogger posting once a day was too much.
Again, all my opinion! :) Good luck and do what feels right!
Also: http://bariatricnewlife.blogspot.com/
I especially appreciated your point about music. There’s nothing more annoying than having music come on when you open a blog. Many times I’m watching television while I’m checking out some of my favorite blogs. Plus, I don’t always like some of the music someone might choose. The music as an option is fine. Regarding the word verification issue: unfortunately that’s to prevent spamming.
I can’t stand automatic music players!! I don’t care what the song is even…I just find it super annoying. I generally just shut that window if that happens.
Thank you so much- I totally agree with the music and word verification thing. I am in the middle of a slow-going blog re-vamp and your list helped me solidify my plans- thank you!
I agree with all you said, especially about the music players, I can’t turn them off fast enough!!
Great tips! I agree with EVERYTHING! :)
So helpful! Thank you so much for sharing! Iam in the middle of working with a designer on my blog…it feels good to know that we are moving in the right direction with my blog…esp after reading this post :)
As with so many others, I too hate the automatic music. I have learned alot through this series of posts. I would like to know your opinion on replying to bloggers who comment on your post. I like to reply to all and I feel bad if someone doesn’t reply to me! Is there a blog etiquette issue here?
This is another good question! In my experience, most bloggers don’t take the time to reply to comments. However, I think it really depends on your readership. When you are first starting out and getting only a couple of comments a day, replying can be a great way to build relationships and encourage readers to come back. It’s almost a way to build a “community” within your blog. On the other hand, once you start getting a large number of comments, it can be very hard to reply. While I do feel that it’s still important to reply to commenters who ask questions, I don’t think you necessarily have to reply to each comment.
Does anyone else have an opinion?
This a great question…for me, I sometimes reply within the comment thread OR I will send a personal email about the comment/post and of course thank them for taking the time to stop by and visit. I’ve really connected to some awesome people that way and I think it builds a level of trust with my readers – this has also resulted in readers referring others to my site, guest blogs, and other fun blog acknowledgements. Sometimes I visit the commentor at their site and leave a little note letting them know I stopped by and maybe refer to a message they left me. I change it up depending on the day and how much time I have but all in all, I think recognition is key regardless what way you decide to do it.
I’m on the hunt for a new design (and designer) so the timing of this is perfect — all great things for me to keep in mind!
I have a question about word verification. My blog is new and I don’t get too much traffic. Should I allow anonymous comments without the word verification. It seems like that might turn off potential commenters. Thanks for all the great tips!
Many people have many opinions on word verification… that is even evidenced in this post’s comment section! :) I don’t particularly love completing word verifications, but I understand while bloggers enable it.
However, for a blog that is new, I would consider taking off the word verification and allowing anonymous comments. It’s possible that you might get a few new commenters this way. If you do start getting spam comments, you should be able to catch them and delete them quickly. If it gets to the point where you are concerned about the amount of spam, you can always change your settings back.
Good luck!
Great advice! I think based on this post and the feedback I may go make some revisions of my own. I have been contemplating moving buttons I picked up from other sites to a stand-alone page to make everything a bit more streamlined and organized. I don’t have any paid advertisers with buttons, I just wanted to share the blog love to those who I really like and follow. Any thoughts?
I’ve had a few clients switch to having buttons on a stand-alone page. I think this is a great option for those that have many, many buttons that want to display. However, I personally don’t see a problem with having a few select buttons on your sidebar. I guess it just really depends on how many and how “clean” of a look you’re going for! I think that either way, people will be glad that you are showing your support by displaying their buttons!
In regards to the word verification and captcha, I wrote about that recently and my recommendation is not to use it.
When you make the decision to blog, suddenly certain emotions come to the forefront such as protectiveness because now it is your baby. I had the same reaction too but suppressed it before the blog was started.
What we may forget is our state of mind before we were bloggers. There is an entire world of people out there who don’t blog and are casual readers. Blogs need to be inviting and easy for them to interact with.
Captcha and word verification isn’t about the reader. It’s about the blogger not wanting to take the time and delete spam.
I get hundreds of spams a day including in my email box because I put my info out there for the reader. It’s an inconvenience I’m willing to put up with in order to be accessible because I never know when an opportunity or issue comes along.
I recently helped a blogger, professional in the field with a site that is 4 years old and lots of readers. He has always used captcha and the addon broke. He didn’t know about it until I spend 1/2 hr digging up his contact info to let him know. His bounce rate had gone to 85% and no comments for weeks. He just thought it was summer.
He was lucky that I made that effort to find him because his contact form also required captcha. A normal reader would walk on by. The reason I made the effort was because one of his blog friends had asked his network to support this blogger since he’s out of a job. If I didn’t know someone in his network for his email, he would not have gotten my feedback either.
This was a very interesting and helpful post–thanks so much for your great perspective!
More great tips. With my blog being quite new I am looking to perfect it. Knowledge is power and you’ve definitely provided some good tips here. Thanks
Mommy recently posted..Great Toddler Toys to Buy – 12 to 18 mths
hi, I love the tips share here, i will totally turn off the radio on my blog, oh god, I taught it was nice, and that I rock!!! :( it seems i dont, jejejej
tks for sharing. I will appreciate if you come and visit my blog to give yr opinion on what you see. rgds, dalys
Dalys recently posted..Burundanguitas Mejorado – Improved
thanks so much for the tips as I organize my thoughts and plan of action to begin a blog ………..much appreciated.
If you want to buy a car, you would have to get the credit loans. Moreover, my brother always takes a credit loan, which supposes to be the most fast.
People deserve wealthy life time and business loans or just bank loan will make it much better. Just because people’s freedom relies on money.
Some time before, I really needed to buy a good car for my corporation but I didn’t earn enough money and couldn’t buy anything. Thank goodness my mother suggested to get the loans at trustworthy creditors. Thus, I acted so and was happy with my bank loan.