Blog Feedback Post #8

Blog #1
tenForty
http://tenforty.blogspot.com/

First Impressions: Without reading the text, I was able to pin this as a travel blog, that’s definitely good. I didn’t pick up on the missionary vibe that does come through in the text, but I am not sure if that is necessary for a first impression. Scrolling down the post history, I am already feeling the clutter in the sidebar. I certainly sense a color theme working here, which does well for a cohesive blog experience.

Aesthetics: The header is a bit amateur, but it definitely gives the right message. I like the variety of pictures in the header and posts, they add a lot to the content and feel of the blog. I definitely like the “about” box in the sidebar. I’m not sure that the shoutbox adds too much to the blog feel, shouldn’t comments take care of this community need? I like the “I have been to” box. I am not sure that I like all of the table of contents stuff, but I guess it’s a more unique way to set up a blog archive. There are a lot of extra buttons and banners that are probably unnecessary here as well.

Content: Travels blogs are inherently interesting, so I likely can’t say a whole lot about how to improve your content. Continue in your travels, and you definitely have a guaranteed unique blog topic, when you combine the religious aspect into the mix. I like what I see for sure, and I encourage you to continue.

Overall: I like it, and I see a bright future for you. Maybe fix a few quirks in navigation, and a more professional look, and you will be doing wonderfully.

Blog #2
Life in Black and White
http://meghamathur.blogspot.com/

First Impressions: There is a lot going on above the fold. I am a bit overwhelmed at first glance. The picture of the miserable man definitely draws my attention. This is a very simple template, possibly too simple to showcase the content.

Aesthetics: The sidebar certainly has way more clutter than is necessary. I highly doubt that the google translator is the most important feature that new visitors should find - maybe replace this with a search box? I would recommend removing most if not all of the badges and awards, and if possible move them to a new “awards and badges” page or something. I would love to see the “About Me” higher up in the sidebar, or linked as a separate page. I am not sure what the significance is of all of the photos, but they definitely clutter up things as well.

I would recommend a new header which actually fills the top of the blog theme. I would also recommend a new theme, if possible, the current is too plain for the content.

Content: With headings like “Meaning of Life” and “Shades of Life” I am not sure that I am qualified to review the content of this blog, but it seems well written either way. I am always glad to see a blog that isn’t focused on marketing and advertising these days, and the content here seems nicely varied and involved enough to entertain. The fact that you have been blogging for close to a year also makes me confident that you know what’s best for your content, so I’ll leave it at that.

Overall: Not bad - definitely needs a facelift, and would benefit greatly from a move to wordpress, although the post history is tough to move over, or leave behind - maybe make the best of it by getting a good theme and a matching header. Some sidebar spring cleaning is certainly in order. Keep up the good writing.

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