To Blog or Not to blog!

Cody · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 05:15 AM

Hey,

My name is Cody James and Iam from Australia anyway I started a blog yesterday can someone tell me if my blog is going good. Its my first one I dont want to screw it up lol.

blog url: http://madhound.net

please tell me ways i can improve it!

cheers
Cody

Nora · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:23 AM

I think it looks good.

At the moment the content is a little random for my taste. It doesn't really offer anything I don't already know and with blogging I think offering things that users are unlikely to know already is important to keep them interested. Then again, the content would be good if you're targeting people who are new to this.

I'd also recommend a SEO plugin. My Wordpress is down at the moment so I can't see what it's called but there's a plugin that will make all your url's search engine friendly. It really helps a lot with search engine rankings.

I also really like how you managed to make 7 posts within a day, great way to start!

TechieGuy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 09:22 AM

You would definitely want to use a permalink for each post. Permalinks are more SE friendly.

I would include more than just a sentence on your home page for each post. It looks like your blog has very little content.

You should include an Archives section to allow visitors to view posts by date, but it is nice to see you have included a list of topics.

As for the login, what is it for? Do you have a special members section, or does it provide access to your blog for authors and admins? It that is so, then you won't need the login.

I would also look into adding more graphics.

Cody · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nora

I think it looks good.

At the moment the content is a little random for my taste. It doesn't really offer anything I don't already know and with blogging I think offering things that users are unlikely to know already is important to keep them interested. Then again, the content would be good if you're targeting people who are new to this.

I'd also recommend a SEO plugin. My Wordpress is down at the moment so I can't see what it's called but there's a plugin that will make all your url's search engine friendly. It really helps a lot with search engine rankings.

I also really like how you managed to make 7 posts within a day, great way to start!

thankx heaps well I wanted to start out kinda basic but I will add more articles that are maybe to your liking but first I must go to work :P.

That plugin sounds good if you find out what it is please contact me.

Cheers
Cody

Quote:

You would definitely want to use a permalink for each post. Permalinks are more SE friendly.

I would include more than just a sentence on your home page for each post. It looks like your blog has very little content.

You should include an Archives section to allow visitors to view posts by date, but it is nice to see you have included a list of topics.

As for the login, what is it for? Do you have a special members section, or does it provide access to your blog for authors and admins? It that is so, then you won't need the login.

I would also look into adding more graphics.

Lol Whats a permalink and how do I add it? Probably a real nooby questions :P.

The login is for people can sign up, have an avatar and comment (If I havent made members only comment I will soon

)

Thankx for everyones replys!

Cheers
Cody

TechieGuy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:19 PM

You can add a permalink with WordPress by doing the following:

1. Log into your WordPress administration pages.

2. On the far right, click Settings.

3. From the menus, click Permalinks.

4. Under Common Setting, select the permalink structure you would like to use. I use Month and name.

James · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 09:07 PM

First, and most important, I would re-emphasize TechieGuy's point about the length of the introductory part of the post. One and a half lines is not enough to build interest in your articles.

Second, it seems to me there is just not enough contrast between text and background in the main part of the page. If you compare the header area and the main content area I think you will see a great difference in this and in the corresponding readability factor.

Nora · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody

thankx heaps well I wanted to start out kinda basic but I will add more articles that are maybe to your liking but first I must go to work :P.

That plugin sounds good if you find out what it is please contact me.

Cheers
Cody

Permalinks, which other members already mentioned. I forgot it was built in.
I have mine set to category/post-name under custom structure (/%category%/%postname%/)

There's also a plugin called All in One SEO, it's good for titles

Cody · #8 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechieGuy

You can add a permalink with WordPress by doing the following:

1. Log into your WordPress administration pages.

2. On the far right, click Settings.

3. From the menus, click Permalinks.

4. Under Common Setting, select the permalink structure you would like to use. I use Month and name.

thankx heaps I did it but what does it do whats the difference then the way i was using it? Iam not questioning you Iam simply curious.

Cheers
Cody

Nora · #9 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody

thankx heaps I did it but what does it do whats the difference then the way i was using it? Iam not questioning you Iam simply curious.

Cheers
Cody

This is a permalinked url:
http://madhound.net/2008/10/1-of-the...hosting-scams/

This was your url before it used permalinks:
http://madhound.net/?p=6 (the number of the post's id)

Cody · #10 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nora

This is a permalinked url:
http://madhound.net/2008/10/1-of-the...hosting-scams/

This was your url before it used permalinks:
http://madhound.net/?p=6 (the number of the post's id)

Yeh I know that but does it have any advantages then using what i had before maybe SEO Optimization ?

Nora · #11 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody

Yeh I know that but does it have any advantages then using what i had before maybe SEO Optimization ?

Well, when you're using the ?p=#, search engines will only have the content to base your ranking on. When you have a relevant title and category it will boost your rankings a lot. That's the best thing about Wordpress, when you use permalinks you can rank #1 for the title of your post within a day (assuming it's not a very common title)

Cody · #12 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nora

Well, when you're using the ?p=#, search engines will only have the content to base your ranking on. When you have a relevant title and category it will boost your rankings a lot. That's the best thing about Wordpress, when you use permalinks you can rank #1 for the title of your post within a day (assuming it's not a very common title)

Thankx a lot!!

This community has been very nice and has helped me a lot :P.
Iam glad to be a part of it in a small way, and I will be as active as possible!

Cheers
Cody

jazzguy · #13 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:43 AM

Hi Cody. No offense but I think you are going to have to really make your content more personal if you want people to read it everyday or so. First of all, the niche that you write about is covered by way more experienced and prolific individuals and I would just go them when I need to find out what's going on in this industry. So my question to you is...why should I visit your blog? What is there for me that I can't find at anyone of the more established blogs/sites on the web...including this forum? What can you offer me in this niche that others can not? Once you answer these questions, then you may have the beginnings of a better site in terms of content. I'm not trying to rain on your parade but I've seen sites like this a billion times and they usually fade out after a month or so because no one cares to visit the site. In fact, I was one of those people at one point so I speak from experience. I soon realized that I better speak to people about something I actually knew...once that happened I saw tremendous growth. If this is truly the niche you want to build on then find something that separates you from the rest and expand on it. Take care and all the best.

Cody · #14 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzguy

Hi Cody. No offense but I think you are going to have to really make your content more personal if you want people to read it everyday or so. First of all, the niche that you write about is covered by way more experienced and prolific individuals and I would just go them when I need to find out what's going on in this industry. So my question to you is...why should I visit your blog? What is there for me that I can't find at anyone of the more established blogs/sites on the web...including this forum? What can you offer me in this niche that others can not? Once you answer these questions, then you may have the beginnings of a better site in terms of content. I'm not trying to rain on your parade but I've seen sites like this a billion times and they usually fade out after a month or so because no one cares to visit the site. In fact, I was one of those people at one point so I speak from experience. I soon realized that I better speak to people about something I actually knew...once that happened I saw tremendous growth. If this is truly the niche you want to build on then find something that separates you from the rest and expand on it. Take care and all the best.

I see what you mean, ive got 53 feed subscribers at the moment for my blog, I dont think that is heaps but I hope if I work on it it will increase. i only started the blog a few days ago.

Cheers
Cody

Thankx everyone for your input!

Lellieis1 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:06 PM

Just want to say good luck with your Blog... "Good Luck!"

ha ha, good luck.

-Yay!

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