Blog Feedback Post #2

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 :)

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