Question

Topic: Website Critique

Simple Business Blog: Feedback On Content & Layout

Posted by Anonymous on 2/17/2010 at 11:47 PM ET 500 Points
I recently launched this blog as a platform to write articles about business related topics I encounter on a day-to-day basis. I'm hoping there are other bloggers or blog readers here who may be able to provide some input on the content and layout of my site.

In a nutshell, I'm interested to hear what the MarketingProfs community thinks of this site. I haven't spent a lot of time on the design because I'm more focused on content. But I'd be very interested to hear what you think.
- Does the layout make sense from your perspective?
- What would you change about the site?
- Is it something you'd come back to, or are there better places to go to get this information?

I'm not looking to make money with this blog... However, I want people to read it in the hopes of my visitors benefiting from the content I'm producing.

https://zackpike.com

I'm fairly proud of this post, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this as well - https://zackpike.com/fighting-your-boss

Thanks, in advance, for any insights you can provide...
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 2/18/2010 at 12:19 AM Accepted
    The heading subject line (business strategy, career development, etc.) rolls over to a second line, which looks kind of funny.

    Also, a link to say more about who you are and why someone would be willing to believe what you are writing would likely be nice.

    That said, don't worry too much about format. In blogs like this, so long as people can access the content, the actual content matters ore than the format IMHO.
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 2/18/2010 at 5:41 AM Accepted
    Dear Zack,

    It's 5:45 am here.

    Want Google to fall in love with you? Produce the following: well-written, compelling content. Simple layout. Wordpress platform. Thesis theme.

    Zack? Google loves you.

    Also consider:

    Something about you: who you are, where you're from, what you do, what you look like, and how to contact you (e-mail, Facebook, Twitter).

    Shorter paragraphs with a line of white space between them.
    This breaks up your narrative and makes it easier to read. And single line paragraphs are OK too.

    Trust me on this.

    See?

    On your archive pages, consider using the heading of your piece, AND the first few lines of text, stopping halfway through ...

    so that people feel compelled to click on the link and to read more.

    For videos, consider putting a thumbnail of each video on the archive page as well. Again, it helps direct the eye.

    Consider a main, home page, from which you direct people to new content. I'm not sure you have this at the moment.

    My modest blog is currently hosted via Tumblr and I'm figuring out how to move it to Wordpress (and Thesis), so it's interesting to see what you've done (which is a lot), and all in all, yes, your blog is great.

    Keep at it. Comment on other people's blogs. Link back to yours. Update regularly. Add your own videos. And Google will love you all the more.

    I hope this helps.

    Gary Bloomer
    Wilmington, DE, USA
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 2/18/2010 at 8:13 AM Accepted
    Zack - I'd suggest you change the blog's title or its tagline to clearly articulate who you're targeting and/or who you are. You're not really just writing on random topics ("a collection of thoughts to help you be happier..."), you're writing about how to improve your business life.

    Also - what's your blogging goal? To get readers? To have people contact you (hire you)? In addition to having them read your articles, tell them what you want them to do next...
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 2/18/2010 at 10:17 AM Member
    Zack,
    I suggest shrinking the pictures. When I surf into a site that has that big of pictures.... the text doesnt even show up on the page, I surf away.
  • Posted by mgoodman on 2/19/2010 at 8:15 AM Moderator
    I think it's important to define your goal. It's hard to say whether the blog is any good if you don't know how to define "good."

    Is this a personal branding thing? Do you expect people to accept you as the expert on business topics based on this blog? Or are you trying to entertain? To provoke?

    I browsed your blog site briefly and can't figure out what the purpose is ... and therefore don't know how to respond to your request for comments.
  • Posted on 2/19/2010 at 10:16 AM Author
    mgoodman - Read the tagline under the title of the blog... That's the purpose for the blog.

    Also - As I stated in the original question above "I want people to read it in the hopes of my visitors benefiting from the content I'm producing."

    The purpose is for people to visit and return to the site because they find value in the content I'm providing.
  • Posted by HireHeather on 2/22/2010 at 4:10 PM Accepted
    Zack,

    Overall, I like it. I do agree that the way the navigation goes to the second line is confusing. Try shortening some of the names (Strategy instead of Business Strategy) if that's causing the issue.

    Also, I tend to agree with Goodman. You need a title (not just the url) and a clear and concise sub-header. Your sub-header says we'll make more money by listening to you. How? Work from home? Succeed in our business? Rob a bank? It's just a little unclear. For instance, my blog is:

    Writing in Red Ink
    Communicating with common sense and uncommon savvy

    So, what will you get from my blog? Advice on written communications and how to do it well.

    I also think you need a bio. Why should I take your word for it?

    Nice use of photos.

    As for the article, I liked it, but left wanting more. HOW do I stand up to my boss? HOW do I handle the situation? Telling people to do it is one thing, but they want advice on how to make it happen, too (especially now that you've told us we should). Also, when SHOULDN'T we?

    Heather Barnett
    Copywriter
  • Posted on 2/22/2010 at 4:48 PM Author
    Heather - Thanks for your thoughts... Very helpful!

    Also - Agreed on the HOW part... That's in my plan for future posts.

    Thanks again!
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Website Critique)