Sunday, January 3, 2010

Bloggers guide: What makes a good blog site?

In my effort to start things right, I have read some items posted on-line about what makes a blog site click - being read or followed by people. And in random order, here are the criterias I was able to collate from some readings:

1. Quality of content - you have to define what is you site all about. It may not be implied literally, but at least your audience can easily identify the "genre" of your site. Of course the content will follow.

2. Layout/design - to me a site with "strong" personality usually turns me off. I want subtle with neutral color. Simplified layout without much ads and add-ons.

3. Navigation - it should be "user-friendly". Straight to the point without too much clicking and distractions.

4. Writing style - we might not have the best English in this side of blogosphere, but a good and comprehensible English language is highly appreciated. And for as long as you can cascade your thoughts and ideas in simple, short and clear sentence and paragragh, it's okay. ;)

5. Uniqueness and originality - well this is quite difficult to attain and achieve. With thousand of blog sites with practically the same content, we might be into some issues here. But being unique and original doesn't necessarily mean to be different - you just have to tweak and be creative. It will follow...

6. Readership/audience - this cannot be achieved overnight. Patience in what you put on your site and everything will follow. There will be problem and issues, but your audience can "feel" and "sense" that a good site is a good site - if you put lots of time and really pour out effort. Not for the sake of just posting anything and everything.

Additional info on the subject or your thoughts are higly appreciated.




2 comments:

tboy34 said...

You are helping me put together my blog as well, by posting this. I'm kinda scared to make my own blog. I'm not sure why. I'm not sure I'm afraid I won't have the time to post. Or If it is the ability to post good material that someone like might like. I guess I need to just be true to myself. I wish I could just pickup my blog from Multiply and just place it here. How do you get layout ideas that are unique from Blogger? Any thoughts??

Carlo Carrillo said...

Hey Tim. Thanks for dropping a note. I myself thought of checking if I can just import my logs in Multiply, but ended up creating new ideas and posts. Which is a good one, leaving old entries behind. ;)

Regarding the layout and other stuff, it will help you a lot thinkering by exploring all the options possible here in Blogger. I myself thought for hours how to improve and I must say that it is slow but fun-filled process. Go out and check.

Cheers!!!