5 Ways to Drive Me Away From Your Blog
The blog explosion that the internet has been enjoying (or cursed with, depending on your point of view) reminds me very much of the initial internet explosion in the 90’s. There are blogs for whatever tickles your fancy, some of them very close to the best commercial websites in their niche, others little more than online diaries where the author vomits out excruciatingly boring minutia of their daily lives. (I really don’t care what your kitten did after breakfast, and I care even less to read SEO tips from a pagerank 0 website with such an offending design that it burns my retinas to look at.)
Blogs are both everything that is great, and everything that is wrong with the internet. The internet almost imploded after everyone who thought that a web presence meant surefire riches realized that it didn’t, and if you worked in IT you felt that, because a whole lot of jobs went away when that happened. Will the proliferation of blogs continue, or will the whole thing implode? Is it reasonable to expect that people can continue to make so much money off properly targeted, well monetized blogs? I don’t know, but I do know 5 Ways to Drive Me Away From Your Blog.
1. Your Blog Is About Nothing Nothing makes me run faster than inane blogs that have no focus, or are too personal. Really, go to a bookstore and buy one of those books full of blank pages and keep a journal. You may care to read your thoughts again some time down the road, but much like family photos, no one else cares.
Another way to lose me is if your blog meanders all over the place. Monday you’re a tech blog. Tuesday you talk about Web 2.0, Wednesday you’re on to the presidential primaries. There are a few very smart, interesting people that have made a career of this. You’re not one of them. Pick a niche already.
2. I Can’t Find Your Blog Beneath All The Monetization I certainly don’t begrudge anyone who is taking the time and effort to create web content the opportunity to make some income from their labor, but please monetize wisely. Use sparse advertisement in locations that pay.
Here’s some clues you are going about it the wrong way:
- You have Adsense, Adbrite, Linkworth, Text Link and Affiliate Ads. All on the same page.
- You have some sort of ad placed between every single piece of content on your site.
- A good portion of your content consists of some sort of paid article.
- You’ve utilized all of the above, in addition to in-link AND interstitial ads.
Chances are if you’re guilty of any of the above, you aren’t making too much money off your site anyway. Focus on your content, monetize wisely, and the revenue will come.
3. Your Blog Is Broken Your header contains a php error. If I actually find something interesting on your pathetic blog and try to leave a comment, I get a Wordpress database error page. Your content overflows into your sidebar, which extends 2000 pixels beyond the confines of my web browser window.
FIX YOUR SITE!
Anybody who really takes blogging seriously is probably going to absorb a little xhtml and css knowledge along the way. Take the time to make sure your site is functioning for the people that find it. Better yet, get your site to validate, and check it in more than one web browser.
I’ve made designs that looked fantastic in Safari, only to find they had a major flaw in Firefox, and vice versa. Make sure that everyone sees what you want them to. CONTROL your viewers’ experience, don’t send them on a wild ride.
This is a good time to talk about validation. If you are capable of getting your xhtml and css to validate, do so. You are one major step closer to making sure that everyone’s experience is the same. When something comes along down the road that breaks your site, you will have to do less hunting to find the cause.
In my experience, plugins are the biggest culprit in breaking website’s validation. Check new plugins, and choose your plugins wisely. If you find a plugin that adds something you really like to your site, is it worth it if it generates 493 xhtml errors, or causes duplicate pages that make Google scowl?
If that is too much for you, then please pick a theme that works out of the box, and don’t screw it up.
4. Your Blog Looks Like It Was Designed By Ronald McDonald On LSD. Good design is appealing, isn’t it? I mean, why else would you drive an Audi when you could be tooling down the road in a Kia? A design that is easy on the eye, or one that is eye catching, goes a long way toward making your viewer settle in comfortably to see what you have to offer.
I do not want to be anywhere near your site if:
- You think color is great, therefore every color is even better.
- You expect me to read yellow text on a white background.
- You think MySpace layouts are rad.
- You like monochromatic schemes, and also think earthtones are cool. Hint: grays and browns don’t go together.
- Your site is so colorful and so busy I get vertigo within 10 seconds of surfing in.
Sometimes less is more. You can design some pretty cool layouts that look great in a vacuum, but once they become populated with content, they’re too much. Never be afraid to take styling cues from successful sites. Don’t try to incorporate every good idea you come across into your site, but do experiment. Finding a winning layout requires a lot of trial and error. This is where it helps to be a little obsessive-compulsive. But not too much. Don’t screw it up once you finally get it right.
5. Your Blog Mirrors Larger, More Successful Blogs You read the feeds of all your influences, and then rewrite and post their articles, usually within hours of the original article being posted. What do I need you for? Your blog serves no purpose if you are just rehashing what the big boys write.
There is actually a large, successful blog that must read my feed, because they consistently post articles that I put out a few hours ago, yesterday, or a few days ago. I wouldn’t mind so much if they would throw me a bone now and again and credit my site as a source. It irks me a whole lot more because the site that does it is a huge site with lots of traffic, and probably wheelbarrows full of ad revenue. At least I must be doing a pretty good job if they are copying me.
Don’t let my cynicism dissuade you. Go forth and blog, just do so with studied effort and passion for what you do. You are taking your time, time away from things that have meaning, like family and relationships, to create web content.
Make it count.
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Comment by Micah on 19 November 2007:
Yes, most of these would drive me away as well. However, I can deal with a fair amount of advertising, especially the higher the blog profile. TechCrunch for example, or even JohnChow’s site. I think the biggest offender to me is the design, especially those sites that look like they were made in 1996 and never changed (yet somehow appear #1 in Google).
Comment by Harishankar on 19 November 2007:
“Your Blog Is Broken”
yeah, this is abosolutely true. Whenever I comment on your blog I get a error message.
Comment by Harishankar on 19 November 2007:
“Your Blog Is Broken”
yeah, this is abosolutely true. Whenever I comment on your blog I get a error message.
WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
SELECT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, category_id FROM wp_posts INNER JOIN wp_post2cat ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_post2cat.post_id) WHERE post_date > 0 AND category_id 4 AND category_id 69 AND category_id 70 AND category_id 103 AND category_id 81 AND category_id 82 AND category_id 84 AND category_id 85 AND category_id 86 AND category_id 92 AND category_id 93 AND category_id 98 AND category_id 102 AND category_id 100 AND category_id 104 AND category_id 105 AND ID = 2891 ORDER By post_date DESC
Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/connecte/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php:160) in /home/connecte/public_html/wp-cmt2.php on line 55
Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/connecte/public_html/wp-includes/wp-db.php:160) in /home/connecte/public_html/wp-cmt2.php on line 56
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Comment by trademark registration on 19 November 2007:
I think one that should be added to the list is, “Your Blog is Not About What You Say It Is.” Some blogs out there claim to be “law” blogs or “website design” blogs, and then you read their posts, and they’re just talking about their day. It’s very irritating.
Comment by Sergio on 19 November 2007:
You got a point there. People get annoyed by the ads ,but specially with popups and pop unders. it is really frustrating and makes your browser crash sometimes.
Comment by Michael Woo on 19 November 2007:
Hey these are wise tips, esp for those who are new to blogging or monetizing it.. over monetizing is bad, i agree that you need good content to attract people to come back to your blog.. but new blogs with great content also need a way to gain exposure…
Comment by ITExperience.net on 19 November 2007:
This blogs is even worse than mine!
The ads are pretty annoying…
Comment by mlankton on 19 November 2007:
FWIW in no way was I pointing a finger at Everton. Obviously Everton intends Connected Internet to produce income, and there are a lot of ads. Personally, I do not find the monetization of this site offensive, and it’s never distracted me from the content.
You’ve all been to sites that violate the above principles, and I’m sure you chuckled as you read this article because we all had similar reactions. Actually I was pretty uninspired when I sat down to write this, but I ended up having a ball writing it. It’s my favorite article that I’ve submitted to Connected Internet.
Comment by mlankton on 19 November 2007:
and cut Everton some slack on the comment error. He just upgraded to WP 2.3, and I don’t think 2.3 was ready for production sites.
Comment by Joseph Plazo on 19 November 2007:
Yeah- it’s not his fault that the comment error is there. the wordpress people didn’t do enough pre-testing before this release.
I have a poor friend who had to take down three blogs in his network because 2.3 mangled the system. He’s losing about $60 a day per blog in revenue as he repairs it.
It’s driving him nuts!
Comment by Varun on 19 November 2007:
please fix the error in your blog first ..
WordPress database error: [Table ‘connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat’ doesn’t exist]
Comment by Micah on 19 November 2007:
I was wondering if I was the only one getting the error message…just thought it was my dinosaur desktop computer.
BTW, I don’t mind the ads on this site at all. It’s kind of fun seeing Everton’s monthly income go higher and higher.
Comment by Collin LaHay on 19 November 2007:
Very true. Popunders are also a turnaway for me, but I suppose you could classify that under #2 - monetization.
Comment by Everton on 19 November 2007:
I will fix the comment error soon - I started a new job last week at the same time as I upgraded and I’ve been ultra-busy, hence so few posts
Comment by Brown Baron on 20 November 2007:
No worries with the comment error .. take your time EB.
Comment by Harishankar on 20 November 2007:
Nice hearing from you Everton. I just wanted to let you know. But this error doesnt mean anything when you have a quality posts that attracts us here. we can stay with it for a while.
Comment by Serg V on 20 November 2007:
Very useful tips, especially for beginner bloggers. But I think, now most of blogs it’s spam blogs (splogs) creating only for making money and their break all rules, because not targeting to users.
Comment by Jalaj on 21 November 2007:
Hi Everton,
This post was an excellent one with much to learn about “Don’t s”. Hope to see your next article “5 Ways to Drive Me To Your Blog”.
Pingback by Generazione Internet » (S)Consigli per il bogger: 5 modi per allontanarmi dal tuo blog on 21 November 2007:
[...] mattina leggevo un interessante articolo su ConnectedInternet riguardante le cose da non fare in un un blog per non allontanare i propri visitatori. Sono emersi [...]
Comment by Lady Banana on 21 November 2007:
Well, I guess I don’t stand much of a chance with you liking my blog.. LOL
Comment by Lady Banana on 21 November 2007:
Oh and by the way, this blog isn’t exactly the most enticing, not easy to make comments, keep getting error msgs… ironic eh.. hehehe
WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
SELECT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, category_id FROM wp_posts INNER JOIN wp_post2cat ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_post2cat.post_id) WHERE post_date > 0 AND category_id 4 AND category_id 69 AND category_id 70 AND category_id 103 AND category_id 81 AND category_id 82 AND category_id 84 AND category_id 85 AND category_id 86 AND category_id 92 AND category_id 93 AND category_id 98 AND category_id 102 AND category_id 100 AND category_id 104 AND category_id 105 AND ID = 2891 ORDER By post_date DESC
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Comment by mlankton on 21 November 2007:
It doesn’t make me want to gouge my eyes out or anything
Comment by Stefan on 22 November 2007:
Point 6: Don’t use a font size smaller than 12.
Comment by Stefan on 22 November 2007:
Point 7: Don’t reply comments with lines like this:
WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
SELECT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, category_id FROM wp_posts INNER JOIN wp_post2cat ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_post2cat.post_id) WHERE post_date > 0 AND category_id 4 AND category_id 69 AND category_id 70 AND category_id 103 AND category_id 81 AND category_id 82 AND category_id 84 AND category_id 85 AND category_id 86 AND category_id 92 AND category_id 93 AND category_id 98 AND category_id 102 AND category_id 100 AND category_id 104 AND category_id 105 AND ID = 2891 ORDER By post_date DESC
Comment by mlankton on 22 November 2007:
That’s Wordpress 2.3 at work, not the site’s fault.
Comment by TechPark on 23 November 2007:
I am also getting errors while commenting on this site.
though, the comments are getting posted.
Must be Wordpress 2.3 issue as mlankton suggested…
error:
WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
Comment by Smackall on 23 November 2007:
ofcourse everyone is gettin the error, isnt it. Is there anyone who doesnt get this error. I use Firefox, and hope it is not browser related issue. It gives some DB error so every one is suppose to get it.
Comment by Jalaj on 23 November 2007:
@Lady Banana
Your blog shows the left sidebar before briging the contents into view. IMHO that’s something that can drive away your reader visiting through search engine results… I suggest you try a template that shows content first.
Comment by Lady Banana on 23 November 2007:
@ Jalaj, Any suggestions?? I know it’s been like that for a while, but sadly I’ve no idea how to fix it!
Comment by mlankton on 23 November 2007:
It’s all of those plugins on the left that download photos from remote locations that make the page hang. If you need that stuff, put it on the right and move your navigation to the left.
I did away with chitika and ttz ads because they also make a page hang while they retrieve images. It’s annoying to your users.
Comment by Smackall on 29 November 2007:
hmmm… 6th way would be posting rarely like how CI is now becoming… I already got bored after waiting for new posts for past few days. I know Everton should be out for buying his laptop but such a long interval with no good posts sucks me out of here…
Comment by Everton on 29 November 2007:
@smackall
Sorry there haven’t been many posts this month, but I have had a very busy month with work (started a new job), travelling and my personal life (various things), and given that this blog is maintained in whatever spare time I have left, it is the one that suffers the most.
Comment by Smackall on 30 November 2007:
@Everton
I know I have no rights to force anyone to blog so often, but I just cannot keep up doing it in yours.
Anyway lets hope you show some good care on this blog. Meanwhile, what are the other sites you blog? Can we have the list here?
Comment by Everton on 30 November 2007:
@smackall
Ahhh I think you don’t realise that I have a full-time job and this blog is only a ‘hobby’ I do in my spare time - this is my only blog
Comment by Smackall on 30 November 2007:
I see. I was thinking your day job was also related to blogging. Anyway, I dont know what brought me here and keep me here often. But all I know is I check atleast a 50 times each day looking for new posts. Meanwhile, I guess if you have ever posted about your day job here, just wanted to know. If you have not, and dont have a policy of not doing it, please do.
Comment by mlankton on 30 November 2007:
RSS
Comment by Everton on 30 November 2007:
@Smackall
I agree with michael - you need to start using RSS!!!
You can read about what I do for a living and the other members of the team on the
about page. My details need updating with new job, but it’s in the same area
Comment by Smackall on 1 December 2007:
ofcourse, I am aware of this RSS and use a rss reader, but RSS doesn’t show the comments. And that is why I am here.
Comment by Tony on 1 December 2007:
@smackall
There’s a comments feed as well ……http://feeds.feedburner.com/CoConnectedInternetComments
Comment by Delerium on 12 December 2007:
One sure way to drive me away from your blog is when the style of writing is too complicated with so many complex technical terms which are beyond my understanding. It might sound silly but sometimes when the design of the blog can repel me and make me leave it very fast without even reading a word.