Everybody and their brother has a blog now days!
The problem is some of us build a great blog but then slowly lose the energy to update it. Some just have one to say they have one with no real content and no visual appeal at all.
Now I’m the world’s worst blogger. My blog usually sports a rawkin theme from KMC but by the end of the day I’m just too tired or busy to post on it. For this I suck! In fact I’m so bad about updating that readers often email to make sure I’m alive or to gently nudge me to the dashboard.. LoL
So I thought why not share a few Wordpress tips with you that I think will help make your blog more visually appealing as well as reader friendly.
Tip #1
Share Unique Content
No one wants to read the same crap from every blog on their blogroll list. Find new things to write about or Google and interesting topic, word, or phrase you think of. Then do some research and share what you’ve learned.
Tip #2
Use Informative Link Text
When you link to a website or another person’s blog use the link text to detail what the link is about. For example if I wanted to link you to Katy’s newest post about Cool Wordpress Plugins I would link as I have in this sentence. If I linked you directly to her blog index you’d have to search to find the article you’re looking for.
Tip #3
Skip Sidebar Bloat
There are so many widets and plugins available now that it’s not hard to overload your sidebars and make it really hard for the reader to concentrate on your posts. If you have a blogroll that contains more than say 20+ links why not put them on a separate page using the page template for your theme and simply place a link to it on the side bar.
Also think about removing that calendar. We know what date it is and can clearly see your newest post by viewing the blog. Why take up all that real estate with a calendar that really serves no useful purpose. You might also want to think about all the cute pictures and graphics you add to the sidebars. Don’t overload or over stimulate the reader. Find a way to incorporate all your favorite things throughout the blog instead of making the sidebars 1500px in length to display it all.
Tip #4
Avoid Plugin Meltdown
While we all love plugins and there are many to choose from don’t add them just to have them on your blog because someone else has it installed. Are you going to use the plugin? What purpose does it serve your readers? Does it slow down your blog’s loading time? Does the plugin display information your readers will want to see or read about? Do you have plugins installed that you no longer use or haven’t used since your last theme design?
Remove plugins you are no longer using. Visit your blog and view it as a reader. Are you able to read the posts without having your attention drawn to the sidebar like a moth to a flame? Kill off plugins you don’t use or don’t need, you’ll be surprised by the space recovered and maybe a small boost in load time.
Tip #5
Navigation
Don’t make the user work to navigate your blog! If you do not have a Home link that returns back to the front page of your blog in your them please add one now.
It’s a simple task:
<a href=”<?php bloginfo(’url’); ?>” title=”Home”>Home</a>
Tags: Wordpress, Plugins, Blog Tips
More Ramblings - From Futures Past
- Paypal Your 2Cents - 2006
I couldn’t agree more.
For “prettyness” I’d like to add to justify align your paragraphs in your CSS file. Personally, I like it better and makes posts seem much more streamlined.
Good ideas, glad you passed on your wisdom oh wise one. *Ü*
Your tips are noted however, your link at the bottom to the paypal post sent me into fits of laughter. Lovely!!! ;0)