Excellent Blog vs. Just a Blog

[moniquebriand]

Originally Posted by Cricket;

It sounds like you are discussion forums, rather than blogging.

You are right, Cricket.

oooops, just got off track.

Since I am in a forum, my mind was focussed on that even though the section is about blogging.

My comments are probably worth something to people anyway but I will post some relevant comments when I wake up tomorrow.


Monique Briand

[elina]

To me obviously design template and the contents are important. Blogs need to be catchy in the first place. Then, for the next moment to keep the onlooker to linger a second more, you need a catchy beginning for the post. And the rest is same- content.

[moniquebriand]

- I want the blogs I frequent to have videos, audios, podcasts, interviews, reviews and how-to guides. I don't want to have to read everything and this is the time of Web 2.0.

- The layout must be easy to read and visually appealing. I like the standard blog look the most since I have a better understanding of where to find what I am looking for and to get there quickly.

- Daily new content being added or at least 3 times per week. This is real content not just cryptic/incomplete posts but says something that I can learn from.

- I want to get the impression that time and effort were taken before posting, showing that the owner cares for their blog readers.

- You can find the latest industry news there.

- Tangible step by step instructions/advice can be found on how to do many tasks and such.

- Discussions on a wide range of topics but within a specific niche area. Not trying to be everything to everyone.

- Easy to navigate the blog.

- Blog sections are clearly identified and well described. There are specific sections for specific topic areas to make it quicker to find the information you are looking for. This applies especially when you need to look through archives or older posts for answers.

- RSS Feed option provided.

- Quality of the information/advice provided must be above average and accurate.

- The blog has a great web presence/ranking.

- Contests run to encourage quality contributions.

- They conduct polls/surveys so all members can get a better idea of the other members. Since they are in the same niche, that can come in very handy.

- Helpful resource links provided when they don't have the answers themselves or the blog isn't the best place to post the information and/or tools.

- Comments are allowed.

- You must register first before you can make any comments.

- The admin/moderators/owner/author replies to/addresses comments made with a quick turnaround time.

- The blog posts encourage comments.

- Ability to have enough space for a great signature file with hyperlink capability.

- The moderators do not skew content through their approvals/declines of posts.

- Uses great filters and is Well moderated so that you don't see much spam or off topic posts.

- Special offers/pricing for members.

- I like to see links to other people's sites who comment there so I can research more into what my niche is looking for, not finding and willing to pay for the solution.

- Speaks the jargon/language that the blog's target audience speaks.

- Ads are not just plastered but addressed in actual blog entries which talk about what the product is and what's in it for me.

- Every so often I find a blog with great content but no design flair whatsoever, and I wonder what they were thinking.


Monique Briand

[shanashen]

Hi, I myself would definitely prefer content, design and practically go deeper to paid posting.

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[markov]

Content mixed with writing style inspires me a lot. There are many content rich blogs but only a few are famous because of their presentation skills.

[tom.schavo]

yes, some blogs are exceptionally good and attract even the novice webmasters like us again and again. and someone has rightly pointed out here that putting ads on the site would only take away the viewers.

[think_tom]

How about synergy?

Unlike a book, if a site has no visual elements that grab you, it's easy to not dig into it with your eyes, and go onto the next place!

Once you've done so though, there had better be compelling content (hopefully even original content!) or people will leave so fast that Google analytics will barely even register a visit!!

[pemberly97]

Since I am trying to resuscitate my blog -- would ya'll mind giving an example of an excellent blog -- or blog with squirrels...

I'll try most anything once....

[Viky]

Well everyone posted great things here . One thing that usually attracts me and other user also is the "catchy titles". As "how to", "learn to"...and so on

[macaroon]

Right now, I have to settle for just a blog since I am content on whatever I have with my blog. But I would not mind if I got excellent blog someday

[susanqy]

the content is very good,and the view is Unique

[dutchboxlink]

I think the content must come first..A good design is there to attract more reader, but a good content will make you good page on SERPs

[realistic]

Hello friends
I am new member. I totally agree with owen in terms of quality, variety and richness of Blogs content for it's excellent performance.

[RichDev]

It is all about content & the layout.

[thenicheblogger]

Originally Posted by guyfox

What makes me keep coming back to the same blogs is the person behind the blog - what I like about them personally - over a period of time, just by reading their views, I have an image, an opinion of how intelligent, kind, or good some bloggers are, and I go back to check how they are doing.

Of course it helps if they write about things I like/love.

I fully agree. What makes me come back to a blog daily (or weekly) is a combination of the content and the person behind the blog. Also, if they have a long-term goal that they share about. The blog I have visited the most is about someone paying off their debt online. I set it as my homepage for over a year just to see if they had made progress. Also, the author was kind, genuine, and had multiple worthwhile tips a few times per week.

[mitchwah]

Content and regular updates of the blog is two of the reasons why I always return and check those blogs. I usually look for informative blogs which would help me in my finances and career.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by pemberly97

Since I am trying to resuscitate my blog -- would ya'll mind giving an example of an excellent blog -- or blog with squirrels...

I'll try most anything once....

Here is an example of what I consider to be an excellent blog.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/

[Dirky47]

I considered a blog an excellent one if I fill contented at the content. And the design is awesome. More on content of course. Another thing is having lots of traffic.

[go85]

I love a good template, layout and graphics... but if the content isn't good it doesn't matter what it looks like because I'm not coming back.

[kenjitoday]

If the navigation around the site is confusing, and if I see more advertisements than contents, then I will leave the site immediately.