I have been visiting a lot of blogs lately and was surprised how plain or simple some were and thought it would be beneficial to suggest ideals on how bloggers can spice up and improve the quality of their blogging website.
Anything that helps keep your readers longer is beneficial. Today we will cover add-ons, themes, and plug-ins that will retain visitors and also help you become better blogger in the long run. There’s many things you can do personally to help with writing but today it’s all about the look and appearance for your visitors.
Your current template or theme
How old is your template now?
Have your reader been seeing the same one for more then a year?
Perhaps it’s time to consider changing into a new look and feel.
Visitor appreciation
Show your visitors that you appreciate then commenting and visiting your blog. Add any widget that will say thank you and help them promote their blog. I would suggest one of the following plug-ins.
What about your pictures!
I find this is one of the most annoying things a blogger can do. I hate clicking images only to find I was sent to the image url. Come on my blogging friends lets make this look nice for the visitors.
When I click an image I want a nice java script pop up (on page) that’s easy to navigate and doesn’t send me to an image page with no back button. I personally use the following plug-in, Shutter Reloaded. It’s brilliant and a must use for all bloggers preparing to show images in blog posts.
Well I hope this helps you guys some what! I know it’s made my blog way better.
I couldn’t blog without them!
Cheers,
Brian
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Brian… all good points. I have always wondered why people have their images link to the image file. It definitely bugs me as well. I am a big fan of CommentLuv, but my programmer has been having some issues with it screwing up some other plugin, but hopefully he will have that fixed later this week!
Twitter: writingc
Although I am not using CommentLuv but my blog is totally dofollow now. I just hope there would be a version of CommentLuv for ID soon.
Twitter: BlazingMinds
I’ve been using CommentLuv and Top Commentators on my blog for quite a while and they work great, just checked out Shutter Reloaded and it works quite well, may even add it to my blog
.-= Blazing Minds´s last blog ..How to Semi-Automate your MySpace =-.
Go topic. I think usability is key. You want your site clean and clear. Content is also very important. Produce crap and you will get crappy results. I know I need a theme upgrade content comes first.
.-= Jared´s last blog ..Windows Live Writer Increases Productivity =-.
Twitter: michaelaulia
Shutter Reloaded? Haven’t heard about this yet. I use another plug-in that displays a Javascript pop-up of a larger image. Can’t really remember the name of the plug-in on the top of my headnow. I think it’s Lightbox 2 or something
.-= Michael Aulia´s last blog ..Take screenshots easily with WinSnap =-.
Our blog is only 4 months old. Maybe on its anniversarry we will do a make over and I will go back to these tips.
MichaelR
.-= MichaelR´s last blog ..Submit Your ATA Model, Let Us Help! =-.
Good few points there, I use the top commenters plugin. It’s handy as well because it tells you who the bloggers who put forth the effort to comment are.
.-= Blaine Bullman´s last blog ..4 More Uses For Scheduled Tweets =-.