ProBlogger 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Topic: Day 17

ProBlogger 31 Days to Build a Better Blog Topic: Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit http://www.problogger.com/31days/ A Community for Talking about Making Blogs Better en Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:50:30 +0000 chazzbyron on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-9313 Thu, 06 May 2010 02:31:35 +0000 chazzbyron 9313@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I had my parents look at my blog, they found it easy to read and they seemed to enjoy the category option so they could read from which ever topic they caught their interest. They seemed to navigator through the blog ok. tammikibler on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-9266 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:51:44 +0000 tammikibler 9266@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I was having trouble finding someone to do this with me, but I think I will have a chance to show my blog to some friends this week. Kinealy on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-9164 Sat, 03 Apr 2010 01:38:53 +0000 Kinealy 9164@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Since most of the people I know have already seen my blog, I'm in need of some first-time readers to check it out for me.  I will gladly look over the blogs of anyone who looks over mine! <a href="http://sanityinsimplicity.wordpress.com">http://sanityinsimplicty.wordpress.com</a> Hui on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-8996 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:45:22 +0000 Hui 8996@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I got a couple of first-time readers with general good comments, haven't gotten any critical feeback yet. I'm still looking for more first-time readers. EF Cussins, I went to your blog as a first-time reader. Here are some thoughts: 1. The site is neat, eye-pleasing, and easy to nevigate. The picture in “diarrhea 911” is memorable to me, I love it --- context wise only. 2. I can see why “Black Friday” post was popular, because it is something with new information (at least to me) and practical value for readers, esp. during this economic downtime. 3. There is some space open in your sidebar, maybe you can have “Popular posts” section, functioning as “Sneeze section” (if not a page), and “Black Friday” will be one of them. 4. I didn’t have time to go through more, but generally it looked great. It appears niche-focused and value-driven. 5. One thing you might add to your category is sport or recreation, such as exercise equipment, gym membership, etc. If you want to cover almost everything, you might not want to miss something from your long list. Hope this is helpful. EF Cussins on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-8987 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:45:53 +0000 EF Cussins 8987@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I try at least one every two weeks get honest constructive feedback about the look and feel of The Shopping Nazi. What I do not understand is that the most visited post is <a href="http://theshoppingnazi.com/black-friday-the-day-after/">Black Friday - The Day After</a>. Where I talk about the day after Thanksgiving. In my mind there are other more interesting posts. It is almost daily I get a few people visiting that post. Why?   me4sunny on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-8915 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:27:19 +0000 me4sunny 8915@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Hi everyone! I would really appritiate your feedback! And ... thank you in advance:-) I also am pretty happy to buddy with other bloggers!   <a href="http://mybudgetting.blogspot.com " rel="nofollow">http://mybudgetting.blogspot.com </a> cbhoran on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-8665 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:55:36 +0000 cbhoran 8665@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Hi to all! Could someone please take a look at my blog and provide feedback? I'll do the same in return of couse! <a href="http://www.bostonterriersecrets.com">Boston Terrier Secrets</a> Also, looking for a blog buddy if anyone's interested. Thanks ;) Colleen middayescapades on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-8562 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:01:58 +0000 middayescapades 8562@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Hello, everyone. I am also in need of a first time reader review.  I'm happy to return the favor.  Thanks so much. Lynn Midday Escapades <a href="http://www.middayescapades.com">www.middayescapades.com</a> fat mum slim on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-8438 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:58:44 +0000 fat mum slim 8438@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Is anybody willing to give me feedback on my blog? I will happily do the same for others. :) metyl on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=10#post-7890 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:06:30 +0000 metyl 7890@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ theindiansabroad - I had a look at your site and first off I have to say you have an amazing background and title image, it looks really great. I had a look at the Welcome page first and I have to admit I found it confusing. There was a lot of details but it wasn't entirely clear what the blog was about and it sounded like you were more interested in getting input from other people rather than offering useful posts. I think it would be helpful if you have a line at the start that says something like "I write posts that give advice to Indians living abroad or planning to live abroad". Also in the welcome page I think you should say what NRI stands for straight away rather than having people follow a link at the bottom to find out. I read some of your posts and they are very interesting and well written. I think they would be very useful for anyone living overseas but particularly people from India. One other thing is that I noticed at the bottom of your posts you sometimes have backlinks from other pages on your blog. I found this a bit untidy and think it would look better if you had a link with the post name rather than the backlink. Good luck with your blog     theindiansabroad on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7889 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:21:49 +0000 theindiansabroad 7889@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I would apprecaite if someone could take a minute to look a my site ans provide any first impression <a href="http://www.theindiansabroad.com">www.theindiansabroad.com</a> Thanks in advance.   metyl on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7840 Sat, 30 May 2009 04:26:25 +0000 metyl 7840@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Finally got around to doing this first reader audit task last night. I got my brother to read my blog while I looked over his shoulder. It was pretty useful and interesting seeing how someone else uses the blog. He navigated it completely differently to how I would do it. He gave me a few good suggestions, one was improving the layout of my twitter welcome / about page by using dot points for the topics to space things out. I probably should have realized that before but sometimes you just need someone else to point out the obvious. He also suggested that since I had made posts under different topics (i.e. engineering, fashion, art etc) that for each post I could include in the title or below it what topic it covers. This way it avoids confusion and if people aren't interested in that topic they can skip over it. We also came up with the idea of having a button with the topic name on it in the post so people can click on it to see all similar posts. Technically you can do this by clicking on the tags at the bottom of each post but I think this way will be easier and more obvious. I haven't put this change in yet but I'll be working on it soon. Ronnica on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7820 Thu, 28 May 2009 19:48:45 +0000 Ronnica 7820@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @MommyMellie: Your blog is VERY professional, bright (but not too much so), and full of information (as far as I can tell).  The only negative critique I have is that you use Google ads...though they're done pretty classy in your case, I really don't like to see them on any site I use! @Salute: I like the idea of your blog, but was turned off right away by seeing a grammatical error in the first paragraph.  It happens to the best of us!  Also, consider a shorter header image, as the content doesn't show up until you scroll down.  I like the header image and I like the pink on the sides, but together they're VERY overwhelming together. @Marilyn: Okay, I'm not a music person, so I can't critique the content, but I will the overall stuff.  You have things well laid out, though I think you might benefit from a larger left-side column, as the archive's post titles are forced onto several lines.  I'd also consider showing an abbreviated version of your blogroll, as it seems to make your sidebar very busy.  Sorry I can't offer you more! Marilyn Roxie on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7798 Wed, 27 May 2009 00:55:47 +0000 Marilyn Roxie 7798@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @MommyMellie: Wow, your layout is great! Everything looks super-professional, and it is easy to scan through posts and know what the site is all about right away. The only critiques I would make is: 1) The 'Alerts and Warnings' sidebar shifts too quickly and is a bit distracting, and 2) the Featured Article should have at least a bit of text available to read before 'Share This' and 'Read the full story'. Other than that, well-done! :) @Salute: It is apparent from the get-go that the site is about self-improvement/inspiration, and you're picking good content. :) Some layout-related suggestions: 1) a shorter/smaller image header, perhaps? That way, the reader will be able to see some of the content before scrolling down, and know that they've landed on a valuable site (though the sunset does pull one in!), 2) 'Subscribe' and 'About' should be at the very top of the right-hand column, 3) It would definitely be a plus if Touch of Life included a blogroll of similarly-themed sites, too! For anyone who is into music that would be interested in evaluating my music blog, it's located at the link below-I'd love to hear your remarks!: <a href="http://www.afutureinnoise.com/">http://www.afutureinnoise.com/</a> Salute on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7762 Sun, 24 May 2009 19:07:34 +0000 Salute 7762@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I just started the 31 day challenge and I would like for some one to  check out my blog: <a href="http://i-wol.blogspot.com/">http://i-wol.blogspot.com/</a> and I will definitely do same. Thanks, Mae MommyMellie on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7740 Fri, 22 May 2009 16:11:30 +0000 MommyMellie 7740@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Hi All, I started the challenge late and was wondering if anyone would check out my blog for the first time reader's audit?  The link is <a href="http://www.raisingthemgreen.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.raisingthemgreen.com</a> - I think everyone I know has already seen the blog so this task is proving a bit challenging.  :) Thanks! Melissa Ronnica on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7717 Wed, 20 May 2009 16:20:26 +0000 Ronnica 7717@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @Karmazen: Thanks.  The colors have bugged me for a while, too, but I didn't design the site.  I'll probably be updating the look sometime this summer.  Thanks for the suggestion about the RSS icon...I'll look into it. karmazen on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7714 Wed, 20 May 2009 13:21:43 +0000 karmazen 7714@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @Ronnica: I think the layout is fine and easy to navigate.  It's easy to tell what the blog is about. Are the colors amendable?  I just don't feel like they go well together and to me, they seem to make the site seem a outdated.  You could also use an RSS icon above the email subscription box.  It didn't take me long to find it, however I knew what to look for.  Others who are new to RSS may not find it so well and may not want to give their email address. Other than that I think it looks just fine. Ronnica on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7700 Tue, 19 May 2009 21:03:57 +0000 Ronnica 7700@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Love some feedback...anyone able to help?  Of course, I'm more than willing to help you, too! Shane Hudson on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7135 Tue, 05 May 2009 17:36:44 +0000 Shane Hudson 7135@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Would anybody be interested in auditing Success Circuit? karmazen on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7133 Tue, 05 May 2009 17:30:24 +0000 karmazen 7133@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @Thaiboy:  I got it changed.  Thanks for the advice.  I think it looks much better. karmazen on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7115 Tue, 05 May 2009 15:24:56 +0000 karmazen 7115@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ good idea, Thaiboy, thank you. thaiboy on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7071 Tue, 05 May 2009 09:02:44 +0000 thaiboy 7071@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ karmazen, your new design looks great, my only bit of feedback would be to display more posts on your homepage. Its nice to be able to just scroll down and see the most recent posts with short blurbs. karmazen on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7051 Tue, 05 May 2009 02:45:46 +0000 karmazen 7051@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Alright, I am way behind on this challenge.  However, my new web design is finally done(well done enough for show).  I am sure, over time, I will make small tweaks to it to suit mine and my readers liking. I would love for some feedback. thank you karmazen on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7050 Tue, 05 May 2009 02:39:18 +0000 karmazen 7050@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @Thaiboy: IMO the design is very professional.  I like it a lot.  I like the use of pictures all over the place and the navigation is easy.  Sorry, that wasn't too critical, I just couldn't find much wrong with it. karenmarzo on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-7013 Mon, 04 May 2009 20:07:19 +0000 karenmarzo 7013@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ I've said it before...  I'm so new at this I'm not even an infant yet...  would you all check out my post...  I can't seem to make it look like the rest of yours.  It's been suggested that I do the advanced wordpress site... is there a look that would be better than another from that?  HELP!  PLEASE! I really do want a great first impression.  Also any tips on dividing up my posts? <a href="http://www.karenmarzo.wordpress.com">www.karenmarzo.wordpress.com</a>  leave your comments on the contact page if you will... that way I know I'll be able to find them.  Uggh...  I'm slowly getting this. thaiboy on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-6975 Mon, 04 May 2009 15:21:56 +0000 thaiboy 6975@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Please could someone take a look at my site, I'd be happy to trade feedback ;) Eat at Home on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-6812 Sun, 03 May 2009 01:37:08 +0000 Eat at Home 6812@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @Laurasimmons - thanks for commenting on my blog.  I like your idea of having my blog title and tag line centered, I just don't know how to do it.  I worked on it for a while and then quit to work on other things about the blog instead.  I'll have to give it another go.  I'd like a different font too. I like the look of your blog.  Initially, when I clicked on it I could tell right away that it was about money and investing.  some blogs aren't obvious in letting the reader know the subject, but yours is.  The logo is good.  I also like the simple design.  But after a minute or two of reading and looking, the dark background with bright orange/yellow got to my eyes.  At first I liked it, but then it became too much.  I wonder if you might want to tone it down a bit.  Lighten up the blues, soften the orange. laurasimmons on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-6805 Sat, 02 May 2009 23:28:35 +0000 laurasimmons 6805@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ Just a few comments for cokids.  I think the header not going all of the way across the top looks kind of funny, not sure if that's bad, good or just different.  Also I think people expect categories when they go to a blog.  Maybe a should take another look but my impressions was that your blog was about photography with a focu on lenses? It would be a good idea to have a slogan.  Mines is educating beginning investors, Eat at Home's is basically save money and eat at home. Hope that helps you. laurasimmons on "Day 17 - First Time Reader Audit" http://www.problogger.com/31days/topic.php?id=389&page=9#post-6804 Sat, 02 May 2009 23:23:34 +0000 laurasimmons 6804@http://www.problogger.com/31days/ @eat at home, I have one small suggestion.  Why not have your slogan center across the top of your blog.  It's a bit more noticeable that way and almost everyone is thinking about ways to save money now days.