(or What Makes A Good Blog?)
There are a number of reasons that can contribute to the success of any blog, and reasons why people read said blog. You should try to analyze the blogs you read, and why you read them, and then try to emulate those things in your own blog. For example, these are the main reasons I read the blogs that I read:
- They have the latest news and information (so I can keep up to date)
- They have good designs
- They get exclusive articles/reviews/information
- There’s something new to read all the time (every time I visit)
- It’s written by people I’m interested in (famous people, people who do amazing/interesting things, etc)
- It’s written well
- It’s written with edge, sarcasm or wit
- It doesn’t have too many ads
- The ads it does have aren’t intrusive
- It has contests (especially if I win one)
- It is confronting, interesting and/or engaging
- Doesn’t take too long to load
- Etc.
Let’s take a look at a few major examples. Big blogs such as Engadget, Destructoid and Maddox (The Best Page In The Universe). Engadget has always had a great, good looking theme, but their latest is so much more clean, simple and sophisticated. Very nice. On top of that, they always have all the gadget news to occupy me for at least 20 minutes a day (which is 20 minutes I’m exposed to their advertisements) and their writing is often witty and engaging. Perfect combination! (It also has competitions, is informative, has the latest gadget news, doesn’t have too many ads, etc.)
Destructoid takes this to a whole new level. They are down-to-earth, confrontational, amusing, engaging and more, whilst also being up-to-date and informative. To top this off they have a great theme (if a bit slow to load), host contests every now-and-then, and write with wit and style. Great site. Maddox takes the wit and humor to a whole new level. His opinion is rude, funny and never wrong, but usually politically incorrect. His very subjective and opinionated writing coupled with his sense of humor (and very simple, quick-loading website) make this site a winner.
So everyone, take a minute, two minutes, five, ten, whatever you can spare, and take a look at what the sites you visit have, that your own site doesn’t. How are they so popular? What makes you visit them? Don’t just enjoy their content, learn from what they do.
Nice post. I think you have a typo in your header.
Great post. Bloggers need to understand how important it is to have a high quality, informative, and entertaining blog. Most blogs that I see are just blogs that have a bunch of ads and crap that just get in the way of having the reader actual read their post.
It really is important to have a nice, clean theme, just like you said. Thanks for the post!