Review Bunker is a review blog where the goal is simply to review everything. Below are the latest reviews. In the About section you can read more about this blog and it's author. Comments are always appreciated, so if you've got something to say, please feel free!
Welcome to Review Bunker!
Archive for the 'Blog Feedback' Category Page 2 of 2
This is a “blog feedback” post. To learn more about my blog feedback category, please visit the Blog Feedback section. Below are a few reviews of other blogs. I would like to thank the blog owners for submitting their blogs for reviews.
Blog #1
Why Buy Used Cars
http://www.whybuyusedcars.com/
First Impressions: Why buy used cars? Are you sure this is a blog? When first landing on this site, almost everything about it makes me think I have found a used car sales site. The domain doesn’t seem fitting for a blog, and the look and feel of the blog (especially the header) make me feel like I am not at a blog, but rather a marketplace for used cars. Because I am familiar with the components of a blog, I was able to realize after just a few seconds that I actually was on a blog, but I am not sure the casual visitor will make this distinction quickly enough.
Aesthetics: As I mentioned before, your look and feel reminds me of cars.com or something similar. Getting past this obvious abnormality, I do like your theme, although it is a bit plain and white. Your sidebar isn’t necessarily overcrowded, which is good, and you use plenty of visuals in your posts, which helped me stay interested in the content.
I might suggest moving your “tabs” to a more prominant location, if possible - they are lost among the icons strung out above the header. If you can’t move them, you might consider taking out the icons, or giving the tabs a more defining color scheme, or both.
Content: I am happy to see that you have very focused niche content - it is well written, and interesting enough for the non-gear-head to read (me for example). It did take me a trip to your “About” section before I was 100% clear on the goals of your blog, but the posts were readable either way.
Overall: While initially confusing, this blog has a few good things going for it. You might consider spicing up your theme a bit, and visually highlighting the fact that you are indeed a blog, so as to not befuddle new visitors. Keep the good content coming, and you will likely find your audience.
Blog #2
Chicken Fried Therapy
http://www.chickenfriedtherapy.blogspot.com/
First Impressions: I like the name “Chicken Fried Therapy” without ever seeing the blog - it’s a catchy name. I like your header image a lot, it seems someone put some effort into it, and it works. Beyond the header, why is everything else so bland and boring?
Aesthetics: As I mentioned, the header is great. The rest of the blog need more styling to match, though. There is a complete lack of color and almost no defining lines or boundaries on anything in your blog - it seems way too simple when you have such a nice header. Even a simple and very minor color scheme to compliment the colors found in the header would do your blog wonders. Giving the sidebar definition so it doesn’t blend in with the main content column would be a great move.
Content: You seem to have a purpose in your blogging, and your writing is good, so I can’t really suggest a whole lot of improvements as far as content is concerned. I will suggest that you might want to find out how to wrap the post text around your images, as images above the post text seem to somehow detach them from the text context.
Overall: The only thing you should really focus on and improve is your blog’s visual experience. I imagine you know this already, but as a starting point I would suggest taking colors from your header image and incorporating them in different places in your blog (link text color, backgrounds, etc). Or, if you aren’t sure or are unable to do something like that, you might be able to find a good free theme that matches your feel. Of course, blogging isn’t about the looks, but it sure does help to have a decent looking presentation for your well written thoughts.
If you enjoyed this post, Please consider subscribing to my full-post feed, or subscribing to receive my posts by email. Also, please check out my contribute and get reviewed pages. Have anything to say? Please comment!
Due to a great response to my request for blogs to review, I was feeling motivated to write another blog feedback post, so here it is. Thanks everyone for the great response to my request, and I will try to get through the waiting list as quickly as possible, but I do have to leave room for other reviews as well.
This is a “blog feedback” post. To learn more about my blog feedback category, please visit the Blog Feedback section. Below are a few reviews of other blogs. I would like to thank the blog owners for submitting their blogs for reviews.
Blog #1
Money News - My Financial History
http://moneyne-ws.blogspot.com/
First Impressions: This blog took a long time to load - possibly because of all the external widgets in the sidebar. I like the theme, and the blog title and subtitle seem to let me know right away what I should expect. I noticed a lot of ads right away, but they are not intrusive, and I think they work well for the number of them.
Aesthetics: I do like your theme, it has a good color palette, and it’s simple. The only thing about it is, it reminds me of a lot of blogger themes, and so you don’t necessarily stand out from the crowd. This isn’t something that is very easy to do, but you may decide to work on it later on, because having a unique look can help keep visitors looking at the site for a bit longer.
Your sidebars are very cluttered. I was scrolling through looking for things that you might want to remove, and there are surprisingly less extras than most people have. I would suggest removing the technorati favorites button, the labels (or make it so that it is collapsible, and collapsed by default, although I am not sure if this is an option in blogger), the blog directory buttons, maybe the blogcatalog widget, and maybe the bumpzee widget. You might also consider moving the google search box to the top of the sidebar where people might notice it, otherwise it probably isn’t worth keeping either.
I find the “recent comments” on the footer of the page to be mis-placed, you may want to either remove it or move it to the sidebar, I doubt it will get much use in the footer.
I like your About Me blurb, but you might want to add a sentence that explains that you make some of your online money through playing games - as this isn’t common for “make money” blogs.
Content: You have focused content, with good posts. The only concern I have for your content is, some visitors might be looking for the “John Chow” style of “make money online” site, and while you cover all aspects, it seems that your focus is on making money in online gaming. Maybe I am off track here, but if I am right, you might want to change your sub-title, or in some other way signify that you post a lot about your experiences in WoW. Maybe a custom header image with art from the game?
Overall: You don’t necessarily stand out from the crowd visually, but I think you have the critical need for good content somewhat tackled. You have a well defined niche, and I imagine if people find the blog, you won’t have trouble building a core audience. To help increase load time and reduce clutter, you may want to trim down the sidebar. Keep up the good work in writing unique and interesting posts.
Blog #2
Suburbian Queen
http://suburbqueen.blogspot.com/
First Impressions: You have a nice, simple theme. I like the fact that the leaves and berries (is that what they are?) are repeated, and that your color scheme matches the background/header.
I like how the “queen” theme is repeated throughout the sidebar.
While it’s not defined in the title, I felt that I knew what type of blog I was on just by seeing it for a few seconds, so you have done a good job of giving your blog a setting and a feel.
Aesthetics: It seems that your header might be too similar in style and coloration as the background, because it doesn’t necessarily stand out as a unique image. You might consider working with your header in an attempt to make it stand out more, or possibly lighten up the background image so it’s not so bold.
It took me a few minutes browsing around to notice the links at the top, under the google link bar. You might consider making these stand out more by using a brighter color, possibly one from the background berries.
Content: Your writing is very easy to read, engaging, and consistent. I like the philosophical undertone that you have in a lot of your posts, you certainly seem to have plenty to write about and a lot to say, and you have a subtle humor that works well.
Overall: Great blog. You seem to know exactly what you are doing, and you a have a purpose in blogging. I don’t have a lot of suggestions for you, but thank you for submitting anyway :)
If you enjoyed this post, Please consider subscribing to my full-post feed, or subscribing to receive my posts by email. Also, please check out my contribute and get reviewed pages. Have anything to say? Please comment!
This is a “blog feedback” post. To learn more about my blog feedback category, please visit the Blog Feedback section. Below are a few reviews of other blogs. I would like to thank the blog owners for submitting their blogs for reviews.
Blog #1:
The Life of Rolly Dollar
http://rollydollar.wordpress.com/
First Impressions: Very blue. I like the theme, it is simple, and easy to follow, but maybe too blue. If you are up for it, maybe try to change the title text, links, or something on the page to a complimentary color, just to break it up a bit.
Reading the blog title, “The Life of Rolly Dollar” I immediately think to myself, “personal journal blog” - but upon further investigation, I find this blog is meant to be much more than that (as stated in the About page); because some people aren’t interested in journal blogs you might lose some visitors because of this title - I suggest possibly using a sub-title to help clarify what people will find here, and what to expect before they read further.
Aesthetics: As I mentioned before, the blue is a little overpowering, but I do like this theme, I think it works well for the content - it is calming. One thing that you aren’t able to do with this theme though, is provide a custom header image. Sometimes the best way to make your blog stand out from the crowd immediately is a great header. I realize this blog is new, and things might not be settled yet, but definitely look into the header possibilities.
I appreciate the fact that the sidebars are not cluttered, you have no useless badges or buttons to distract the eye, and it is a very clean look - works nicely.
Content: I find it a little odd that you are hosting guest posts so soon in this blog’s lifespan, but I understand that guest blogging is a part of this blog’s design, and I think it works.
I like the conversation style of the posts - some of the post content makes me want to know more about the author - it would be nice if you could include a bit more about yourself in the “About” section, but I understand that a lot of people aren’t comfortable doing this.
You might find building an audience a little harder as time goes on, because of the wide scope of subjects that you cover, but your traffic seems good so far, so you must be doing something right.
Overall: You seem to be off to a good start, and I imagine things will evolve nicely for you - keep up the good work Rolly.
Blog #2
Gusland.com
http://www.gusland.com
First Impressions: My first though was, “Blogged is a weird word”. My second though was, “who is Joakim?” Of course, to answer this question, the first thing I did was click on the “About / Contact” link, hoping to read about “Joakim” - but unfortunately there is no info provided. Maybe tell us a bit about yourself, or change your sub-title.
Aesthetics: I like the theme, it is simple and organized, but I don’t think the header fits this blog at all. It seems like a generic picture of the woods, with the blog URL stamped on top. I also don’t like the fact that the header is being overlapped by a search box in the top right corner. Maybe if you put a bit more effort and time into this header, and you might have a great visual hook to keep visitors on the site for a bit longer.
Your sidebars are very cluttered. It is my tendency to ignore everything in the sidebars, including the useful stuff, when they are as cluttered as these. You might want to try your best to remove some of the unnecessary stuff, and possibly consolidate your ad space.
I appreciate the fact that your ads aren’t overwhelming.
Content: These blog posts aren’t thrilling, but some of what you write is interesting. There is an odd blend of personal diary style posts, video clips, and blog tips. It is my impression that you don’t necessarily have a focus for what you write - I suggest that you try to narrow down your niche, and limit your topics.
Also, it may just be me, but I find that video posts are just filler - I personally never watch videos posted on blogs - possibly consider stopping or limiting your video clip posts.
Overall: With a little work I think you could easily make your blog more appealing to the casual visitor - make sure they know what to expect right off the bat with a better header, and stay focused on a few topics.
If you enjoyed this post, Please consider subscribing to my full-post feed, or subscribing to receive my posts by email. Also, please check out my contribute and get reviewed pages. Have anything to say? Please comment!
Latest Comments