How Can I Make My Blog Even Better?

ecoverartist · 01-17-2009, 02:31 PM

I'm a completely self-taught designer and online marketer, so I always feel like there's gaps in what I know or what I could learn to do better. I got some great tips here before about making my blog better and easier to read, so I was wondering what you think I could do to take it to the next level?

Any suggestions and feedback and greatly appreciated!

Web Design, Copywriting, SEO and Internet Marketing Tips

CurtisN · 01-17-2009, 03:05 PM

I really like the graphics on your blog (I'm assuming you did them?). However, if it wasn't for the menu (i.e. web design, copywriting, etc.), I'd be very confused by your site.

I see posts about various topics in IM, links to various services, and links to resources for various IM strategies.

If you want your site to convert better, perhaps it would be better to separate your blog from your web design/copywriting services.

That's just my take

Curtis

skydivedad · 01-17-2009, 03:10 PM

Hi
Nice Blog
I would ad the following to your meta "robots" tags besides the 2 you are already using. "index, follow" by adding " archive, noodp, noydir" This tells Yahoo to use your meta description and not pull their own snippets for display in the SERP. Than you should also consider writing your page description with a subtle call to action when it's displayed for the search query.

Currently your post displays nothing as a description meta name. I'm not a big fan of how WordPress uses the meta name "generator" content to automatically display the version/theme set "WordPress abc". That is a huge security hole (IMHO) and you just can't remove it without effecting much more than just that.

WordPress now uses <?php wp_head (); ?> a function that if you remove you’re removing more than just the WordPress version. So the solution is to add something to your themes functions.php file.

Place this code: remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator'); right before the closing php tag ?> . Now check your source code, the WordPress version/theme set is not disclosed any more.

You've written the <title> </title> tags on your posts but its better than most I see. It at least it includes the name of the post and not the Blog name. Hope this helps.
All The Best
Paul

aliensexist112 · 01-17-2009, 03:31 PM

it' great, that's all I can say, although maybe you should add opt-in box if you have readership.

ecoverartist · 01-17-2009, 03:33 PM

Hi Curtis - Thanks for your note! My idea was rather than being just a design company with a bunch of "here's why you should do business with us...blah blah blah" - to actually show that I know what I'm talking about - with the blog. But there are a lot of links to other things on there, IM stuff, writing and such, because there's a lot involved.

I guess what I'm wondering is, how should I separate it?

Skydivedad - Thanks for the WP tips! Can I use those even if I have Wordpress' all-in-one SEO plugin installed?

AliensExist - Thank you! That's on my New Year's to-do list is to add a newsletter

Ron Killian · 01-17-2009, 03:36 PM

I agree it does look nice and ya, seems to need some separation. Maybe even narrow in on one subject or so?

CurtisN · 01-17-2009, 03:58 PM

I guess you could have the blog with all the tips intact and keep the email newsletter. Maybe you could even add an incentive to join your newsletter. Of course, you could add links to your services from a resources page or something.

Most of the graphics designer websites I've seen focus solely on the graphics. I've seen a couple that offer copywriting services packaged with graphics, so you could do that if you like the sounds of that

skydivedad · 01-17-2009, 04:02 PM

Hi again
I didn't realize you had All in One SEO installed. 2 things,

1. SEO All In One is no longer maintained by the author. It's an OK plugin but make sure it is configured correctly.

2. It is supposed to autogenerate meta descriptions when you make a new post in the "Getting Traffic to your Blog with Offline Marketing" post I reviewed the source code and it didn't generate a description at all. This isn't the 1st time I've seen this with that plug-in. Check your settings in the plugin make sure the "auto generate descriptions" radio box is checked if you are going to use it.

You can add the robot meta tag to the plugin setting "additional post meta tags" field to include all the robot values. Simple paste this code into the field and click update options.

<meta name "robot" content="index, archive, follow, noodp, noydir">

That said I prefer to hard code the templates because with All In One SEO it only takes a few snippets from the 1st paragraph which isn't the best way to write a description that would include a subtle call to action or the result is relevant content when compared to the post as a whole.

Hope this helps.
Paul

ecoverartist · 01-17-2009, 07:09 PM

Hi Skydivedad,

Didn't know that it wasn't supported any longer. Is there a better plugin for SEO for wordpress?

skydivedad · 01-17-2009, 08:48 PM

Hi
It's still an OK SEO Plugin. Just make sure you configure it properly as I outlined above. A couple of good SEO additions would be SEO Slug Plugin and SEO Smart Links.

All in One SEO is a good alternative to hard coding your own templates but like I said just make sure it's configured properly and understand it's not supported if a hair ball develops.
Hope this helps
All The Best
Paul

PS Your Blog is gorgeous and an incredible resource. It's in my bookmarks.

TheRichJerksNet · 01-17-2009, 08:52 PM

This belongs in the webdesign thread not the main forum, also this is known as self promotion..

James

01-17-2009, 08:53 PM

That's one of the best looking blogs that I've seen...

Now I want one like it!

ecoverartist · 01-18-2009, 11:29 AM

Oh come on James...

I'm not looking to promote it, I'm looking for ways to make it better. The Warrior forum is the best place I've found for constructive feedback.

ecoverartist · 01-18-2009, 11:31 AM

Thanks for the SEO Links Skydivedad!

And I can use those together with All-in-One, and they won't conflict with each other? (nothing like two SEO plugins duking it out!)

seraph · 01-18-2009, 11:41 AM

Hello,
this is kinda of good looking blog.

I'm a subscriber to a DotComSecrets.com and they specialize on blogs.
Maybe their knowledge will help you in everything needed..marketing especially. The young guy who runs that is real one of the kind blog master and makes tons of money online. He became famous in the whole online marketing thing very quick.

Just to be sure.. I'm no affiliate of those or something. Not trying to sell you something. I just want to give you some tips to make your blog way better than others and this thing rocks

TheRichJerksNet · 01-18-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecoverartist

Oh come on James...

I'm not looking to promote it, I'm looking for ways to make it better. The Warrior forum is the best place I've found for constructive feedback.

That is why we have a webdesign forum .. In the words of one member "I'f I am not allowed to do it, then neither are you" ...

James

ecoverartist · 01-18-2009, 12:08 PM

LOL!

Well if they want to move it, they can.

Back on topic...

I knew I recognized DotComSecrets. Russell Brunson has been a long time client of ours. He really does know his stuff, although I didn't see the section where he specifically talks about blogs, or is it just part of the membership overall?

ecoverartist · 01-18-2009, 12:10 PM

As a side note, the last time I had asked about my blog, a fellow Warrior kindly let me know that the writing was a bit too scholarly (10+ years of university studies and 2 degrees will do that to a person!). Does it still read that way to you all?

Maybe I just need a better way to market it. Is there a site, blog or resource you'd recommend that goes beyond the basics of blog marketing and maybe more into the social marketing area?

MarketBoy · 01-18-2009, 12:16 PM

very nice blog.... graphics are awesome

Panique · 01-19-2009, 08:20 AM

I like this blog very much!

ecoverartist · 01-19-2009, 12:53 PM

Thanks guys

No comment on the writing?

01-17-2009, 02:31 PM	#1
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? I'm a completely self-taught designer and online marketer, so I always feel like there's gaps in what I know or what I could learn to do better. I got some great tips here before about making my blog better and easier to read, so I was wondering what you think I could do to take it to the next level? Any suggestions and feedback and greatly appreciated! Web Design, Copywriting, SEO and Internet Marketing Tips

01-17-2009, 03:05 PM	#2
CurtisN Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada. Posts: 835 Thanks: 66 Thanked 90 Times in 81 Posts Social Networking	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? I really like the graphics on your blog (I'm assuming you did them?). However, if it wasn't for the menu (i.e. web design, copywriting, etc.), I'd be very confused by your site. I see posts about various topics in IM, links to various services, and links to resources for various IM strategies. If you want your site to convert better, perhaps it would be better to separate your blog from your web design/copywriting services. That's just my take Curtis
	Ebook Creation - $13/page - 1 SPOT LEFT Twitter Me\| Keep your stick on the ice - ancient Canadian proverb

01-17-2009, 03:10 PM	#3
skydivedad Paul Mabry-Gravity Sucks War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 408 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 60 Thanked 66 Times in 35 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Hi Nice Blog I would ad the following to your meta "robots" tags besides the 2 you are already using. "index, follow" by adding " archive, noodp, noydir" This tells Yahoo to use your meta description and not pull their own snippets for display in the SERP. Than you should also consider writing your page description with a subtle call to action when it's displayed for the search query. Currently your post displays nothing as a description meta name. I'm not a big fan of how WordPress uses the meta name "generator" content to automatically display the version/theme set "WordPress abc". That is a huge security hole (IMHO) and you just can't remove it without effecting much more than just that. WordPress now uses <?php wp_head (); ?> a function that if you remove you’re removing more than just the WordPress version. So the solution is to add something to your themes functions.php file. Place this code: remove_action('wp_head', 'wp_generator'); right before the closing php tag ?> . Now check your source code, the WordPress version/theme set is not disclosed any more. You've written the <title> </title> tags on your posts but its better than most I see. It at least it includes the name of the post and not the Blog name. Hope this helps. All The Best Paul
	Skydivedad's Blog "You Get What You Measure" WSO:Coupon Commando "Offline Gold's" Most Power Prospecting Tool Ever

01-17-2009, 03:31 PM	#4
aliensexist112 Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 14 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? it' great, that's all I can say, although maybe you should add opt-in box if you have readership.
	Check Out My Make Money Online Blog - Learn Making Money From a 16 Years Old.

01-17-2009, 03:33 PM	#5
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Hi Curtis - Thanks for your note! My idea was rather than being just a design company with a bunch of "here's why you should do business with us...blah blah blah" - to actually show that I know what I'm talking about - with the blog. But there are a lot of links to other things on there, IM stuff, writing and such, because there's a lot involved. I guess what I'm wondering is, how should I separate it? Skydivedad - Thanks for the WP tips! Can I use those even if I have Wordpress' all-in-one SEO plugin installed? AliensExist - Thank you! That's on my New Year's to-do list is to add a newsletter
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

01-17-2009, 03:36 PM	#6
Ron Killian Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Arkansas, USA. Posts: 1,321 Blog Entries: 17 Thanks: 46 Thanked 83 Times in 58 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? I agree it does look nice and ya, seems to need some separation. Maybe even narrow in on one subject or so?
	Resveratrol PLR Articles - $40+ CPA Offers - Weight Loss - Metabolism - Anti Aging - Fresh & Unique! WSO Special. Largest Selection of PLR Articles on the Planet! Also Audio, PLR Ebooks, Graphics, PLR Video, Templates, PLR Websites and more with Private Label Rights. Discover Big Profits with the FREE PLR Newsletter!

01-17-2009, 03:58 PM	#7
CurtisN Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada. Posts: 835 Thanks: 66 Thanked 90 Times in 81 Posts Social Networking	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? I guess you could have the blog with all the tips intact and keep the email newsletter. Maybe you could even add an incentive to join your newsletter. Of course, you could add links to your services from a resources page or something. Most of the graphics designer websites I've seen focus solely on the graphics. I've seen a couple that offer copywriting services packaged with graphics, so you could do that if you like the sounds of that
	Ebook Creation - $13/page - 1 SPOT LEFT Twitter Me\| Keep your stick on the ice - ancient Canadian proverb Last edited by CurtisN; 01-17-2009 at 03:58 PM. Reason: typos

01-17-2009, 04:02 PM	#8
skydivedad Paul Mabry-Gravity Sucks War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 408 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 60 Thanked 66 Times in 35 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Hi again I didn't realize you had All in One SEO installed. 2 things, 1. SEO All In One is no longer maintained by the author. It's an OK plugin but make sure it is configured correctly. 2. It is supposed to autogenerate meta descriptions when you make a new post in the "Getting Traffic to your Blog with Offline Marketing" post I reviewed the source code and it didn't generate a description at all. This isn't the 1st time I've seen this with that plug-in. Check your settings in the plugin make sure the "auto generate descriptions" radio box is checked if you are going to use it. You can add the robot meta tag to the plugin setting "additional post meta tags" field to include all the robot values. Simple paste this code into the field and click update options. <meta name "robot" content="index, archive, follow, noodp, noydir"> That said I prefer to hard code the templates because with All In One SEO it only takes a few snippets from the 1st paragraph which isn't the best way to write a description that would include a subtle call to action or the result is relevant content when compared to the post as a whole. Hope this helps. Paul
	Skydivedad's Blog "You Get What You Measure" WSO:Coupon Commando "Offline Gold's" Most Power Prospecting Tool Ever Last edited by skydivedad; 01-17-2009 at 04:22 PM. Reason: stupid typo

01-17-2009, 07:09 PM	#9
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Hi Skydivedad, Didn't know that it wasn't supported any longer. Is there a better plugin for SEO for wordpress?
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

01-17-2009, 08:48 PM	#10
skydivedad Paul Mabry-Gravity Sucks War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 408 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 60 Thanked 66 Times in 35 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Hi It's still an OK SEO Plugin. Just make sure you configure it properly as I outlined above. A couple of good SEO additions would be SEO Slug Plugin and SEO Smart Links. All in One SEO is a good alternative to hard coding your own templates but like I said just make sure it's configured properly and understand it's not supported if a hair ball develops. Hope this helps All The Best Paul PS Your Blog is gorgeous and an incredible resource. It's in my bookmarks.
	Skydivedad's Blog "You Get What You Measure" WSO:Coupon Commando "Offline Gold's" Most Power Prospecting Tool Ever

01-17-2009, 08:52 PM	#11
TheRichJerksNet PhpMembersScript.com War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 4,907 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 505 Thanked 832 Times in 539 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? This belongs in the webdesign thread not the main forum, also this is known as self promotion.. James
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01-17-2009, 08:53 PM	#12
marcanthony Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? That's one of the best looking blogs that I've seen... Now I want one like it!
marcanthony Guest Posts: n/a

01-18-2009, 11:29 AM	#13
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Oh come on James... I'm not looking to promote it, I'm looking for ways to make it better. The Warrior forum is the best place I've found for constructive feedback.
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

01-18-2009, 11:31 AM	#14
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Thanks for the SEO Links Skydivedad! And I can use those together with All-in-One, and they won't conflict with each other? (nothing like two SEO plugins duking it out!)
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

01-18-2009, 11:41 AM	#15
seraph Warrior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Hello, this is kinda of good looking blog. I'm a subscriber to a DotComSecrets.com and they specialize on blogs. Maybe their knowledge will help you in everything needed..marketing especially. The young guy who runs that is real one of the kind blog master and makes tons of money online. He became famous in the whole online marketing thing very quick. Just to be sure.. I'm no affiliate of those or something. Not trying to sell you something. I just want to give you some tips to make your blog way better than others and this thing rocks
	I'm a member of a private top class money making society online. There is nothing like that out there. Now is your chance to join me.. http://www.elite-money-makers.com

01-18-2009, 12:16 PM	#19
MarketBoy Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? very nice blog.... graphics are awesome
	SEND ANONYMOUS EMAILS TO ANYONE YOU WANT WITH ANY EMAIL YOU WANT. DO NOT SPAM PLEASE AND DO NOT SEND ABUSIVE MESSAGES! HAVE FUN!

01-18-2009, 12:08 PM	#17
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? LOL! Well if they want to move it, they can. Back on topic... I knew I recognized DotComSecrets. Russell Brunson has been a long time client of ours. He really does know his stuff, although I didn't see the section where he specifically talks about blogs, or is it just part of the membership overall?
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

01-18-2009, 12:10 PM	#18
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? As a side note, the last time I had asked about my blog, a fellow Warrior kindly let me know that the writing was a bit too scholarly (10+ years of university studies and 2 degrees will do that to a person!). Does it still read that way to you all? Maybe I just need a better way to market it. Is there a site, blog or resource you'd recommend that goes beyond the basics of blog marketing and maybe more into the social marketing area?
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

01-19-2009, 08:20 AM	#20
Panique Active Warrior Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? I like this blog very much!

01-19-2009, 12:53 PM	#21
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,601 Thanks: 195 Thanked 132 Times in 63 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: How Can I Make My Blog Even Better? Thanks guys No comment on the writing?
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! \| Block Google Sidewiki! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!