So I’ll tell ya… I’m writing a book based on women’s online ministry. I shall submit it to the publishers at She Speaks and even if they don’t accept it -big chance they won’t since most writers go through at least 2 years of rejection- I’ll still publish it as an ebook. I’ve discovered so much already about how wrong some of my strongholds were and how I needed to see things through the eyes of the reader. I mean, I just had to have my brightly colored and fun blog designs and I just never realized how distracting it was to others. I’ll admit that until a month or so ago I wasn’t spending too much time reading other ladies’ blogs simply because I had so many other things going on. Now, I make time for it and ladies, wow, design makes a big difference in whether or not I will stay and read. I’ve also noticed some other things that really distract me or take me away from the message you are trying to share. I’ll tell you some of the things that distract me if you tell me what distracts you.
Here is my list of dislikes:
- hidden music players that begin playing automatically and I can’t find them to turn them off – I usually read blogs at night or early in the morning when everyone else is asleep.
- I also greatly dislike having to enter a string of letters and numbers just to leave a comment. Blogger is very good about deterring spam already. I had this on my blog without realizing it and turned it off because I know you value your time and don’t want to make three attempts (at figuring out the letters and numbers) to leave me a comment. I have a pretty decent size readership and have yet to have to delete spam. If I have to start approving comments then I will. I much rather that than the verification thing because I appreciate you and want to hear what you have to say.
- this is just a pet peeve but it really bothers me to see so much stuff cluttering sidebars. To be honest, there are some blogs that I have visited that have me convinced that I am ADD. I’m not really. Too many widgets, buttons, links, and those dozens and dozens of text ads really bother me. UPDATED: I just saw that Problogger published a video today about this very thing. Go watch it! ANOTHER UPDATE: Some people expressed confusion as to what a cluttered sidebar may look like. Clutter is generally things that aren’t needed or things that are piled into a location with no apparent organization. I do have many things in my sidebars but they are clean and organized. You know where to look for what you want to find. Cluttered sidebars have things are placed into them with no rhyme or reason and definitely without organization. It is total chaos.
Here is my list of likes:
- I get so happy when I see bloggers who reference a scripture and they actually make it linkable to Blue Letter Bible or another online bible study source so that I can quickly determine for myself whether or not that scripture is being interpreted correctly.
- I love to see your smiling faces. I am quickly turned off by blogs that have no personal photos whatsoever. I typically cannot connect with a writer in these cases.
- I have a new appreciation for bloggers who don’t separate themselves by blog. I did this at first and then realized that all of these different personal blogs I had created are all a part of me and my ministry as a whole and they can’t be compartmentalized. I had a homeschool blog (which Gevan now uses), a design blog, a photo blog, and the list actually goes on. I decided to shut them all down, with the exception of the one Gevan now uses, and put it all on this blog. I would much rather see one blog with lots of different material on it than see a blogger with 5 different blogs that I need to visit each day just to get a feel for who she is. She may post something important on her homeschool blog and I might miss it because I read her cooking blog that day. Then when she posts on her personal blog in reference to the post on the homeschool blog then I won’t know what she is talking about because I didn’t read that post on that blog on that day. Are you confused yet? Do you understand now?
BTW – the exception to this is business blogs. That should be separate.
Okay so I told you mine now you tell me yours! It is okay if you post anonymously. Just don’t be rude or mean. We are doing this to improve our current blogs and not to bash them. I know you will be as sweet as sugar but I had to make that disclaimer. *wink* I know you understand!
Oh and by the way, I am also going to begin doing evaluations of women’s ministry blogs here on my blog. We’ll start with Jenifer of By His Grace. If you want your blog evaluated by me and the readers here then let me know!
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
You've pretty much summed up what bothered me too. I changed my blog several months ago and all though its nice. I still would like to create some kind of brand that fits me but I would LOVE for someone to come over and give me some constructive criticism on my blog: http://sahmiam77.blogspot.com
I also had several blogs at one point and then closed all down but one because they were all part of me and who I am.
oh dear. I have one of those brightly colored blogs (my personal one) and it's very 'me' but if it's distracting for people, I'll tone it down (and simply remember my happy colors LoL). I do NOT want to drive readers away!
And ministry blogs? I'll volunteer one I'm a part of: Adding Zest (www.addingzest.net) We want to draw women, not push them away and would appreciate any insights you can give!
Hugs!
I have too many blogs & have recently really considered pulling all of them together. I don't have the money to pay for hosting, so I have to use whatever free stuff I can find. So my blogs aren't too dressy. My favorite is on blogger & I got the template from you…Thanks!
) My main blog that represents my ministry is very plain, but that is how it will have to stay for now. It is http://www.livingstones4moms.com
Great insight…thanks.
I'd love to have you evaluate my blog if it's any different than when you stopped by the other day to take a peek. I'm with you on the music thing. Sometimes I really enjoy the music that's playing. However, if I'm trying to concentrate on what I'm reading, I tend to mute the music. I also recently did exactly what you did. I had 3 blogs total and have gone to one.
Have a great day!
Karen
hmmm, well I must admit that some of the things you like actually bother me unless I am misunderstanding you. I kind of hate it when a blog is too drab. I like the backgrounds that show people's personalities. I also find it a little confusing when a ton of different blogs have the same look- I think I like visually recognizable blogs because it helps me remember specifics about the person I am reading. But I do kind of hate flashing things. I find them distracting.
I don't like super cluttered sidebars but I also like to be able to find people's twitter, facebook, etc. easily. I don't want to have to search all over for it. I don't think I understand fully what would constitute a cluttered sidebar.
One thing about ministry orientated blogs in particular that drives me crazy is when they are trying to sound like a Women of Faith commercial. I LOVE Women of Faith and read/watch their stuff regularly… so don't think I am knocking them. But it sounds horribly fake and forced when some folks write… sort of like they are trying to sound like they think a pastor's wife should sound (I'm a pastor's wife so I am well acquainted with that expectation). No one is perfect all the time. No one is happy all the time. God made us with more than just two emotions. God likes our honesty and I love to find out about the WHOLE person. I find blogs that sound like a never-ending sermon unapproachable and very rarely stick around for fear of being judged as the imperfect person I am. But I suppose part of that is about the purpose of the blog- is it targeted for Christians only? Then go for it with a lot of scripture quotes and church-ese language etc. BUT if you are hoping for a wider audience than a little sensitivity is in order I think. I actually think the ladies at 5 Minutes for Mom do this really really well.
But I totally agree that I love it when people have a link along with their scripture quotes.
I LOVE personal pictures too. And I must admit that personally the whole "alternate names" for real people thing seems pointless. Our local paper published the full names and classes of all the students in the school along with the year end concerts. That paper is available online. Now anyone could find out who my kid is and what town they are from with no help from my blog. I think we are deluding ourselves just a bit to think that by calling our kid a code name we are keeping them safe. Things are just too "searchable" in our world today. I read once about a lady and her husband having this conversation and she asked if he was bothered that she used her kids first names. He said no and then said "as long as you aren't saying something like Christa will be at the corner of fifth and main at 2 O'Clock on Thursday, I'm good". I completely agree that there ARE safety precautions to be taken… but the name thing just makes no sense to me and I find stories about those kids harder to read because I find it hard to keep track of which kid they are talking about. But that is just my opinion
And oh, I hate that security code thing too. And I hate having to reenter all my information every single time I visit some people's blogs or join something just to leave a comment.
I dislike all the same things you do! And to add: TOO many categories!!! and too many Memes! I do Wordless Wednesday and occasionally one other.
I Like all your likes too and…I had 5 blogs at one too. I combined them all and changed our Homeschool Blog name to Home & School….so I could feel like I could write about myself their as well, not just school.
I have to keep my Photography business Blog separate, so I still have 2…but much easier!
I don't mind an evaluation if you want to do one! LOL
If a blog plays music, I instantly close it out. I've nearly had a heart attack too many times to deal with that every day!
I don't like cluttered things, either. But that is why a reader is great! : ) You bypass clutter and get the content.
Such helpful information in this post and in the comments. One thing that makes a blog difficult to read for me is no paragraphs.
I participated in the Women in Ministry Online conference. Out of that came the launch of a new location for my blog. I would invite and welcome some feedback!
I am so enjoying what you are doing here. Keep it up!
Amy –
I loved this blog post. Nothing bothers me about your blog. I've always enjoyed reading you and seeing what you had to say. But I think my blog must bother people. At least getting comments does. Stats say I have visitors.. Comments are rare though
I know you are busy, but could you take a look and tell me what I could do better? Feel free to have your readers evaluate me, too. I can handle it.. sniff sniff.. tough up.. putting on my big girl pants!!
Should I remake the design? Does my writing suck? Should I cut some topics out and regroup the rest? I would like to put both bars on one side rather than one on each side but haven't been able to figure out the template tweek for that. Would it matter? We have blogs connected to our family pages. Should I tweek them all to be almost all alike in format? Be brutally honest… I won't mind. I used to have over 150 visitors a day. Then I quit blogging for a short period, archived those old posts, and renamed my new blog, I just never got that amount of people again. Then we went to our own domain this year and I lost more even though I've shared the new address. It's not about numbers… but I would like better communication with the people who do come see me. I'm obviously not doing something right
Thanks for writing your post today!! I needed it!! Oh, and I cnn't wait to read your ebook!
Sallie
http://www.mikeandsallie.com/sallie
You all are giving me tons of good info here. I totally appreciate that.
I'll be emailing those who requested the blog evaluation.
You ladies are awesome!
Amy have you ever thought about doing blog reviews and critiques? I know I personally would love to hear your thoughts on any number of blogs that I have.
I love these posts you are doing, Amy! So much helpful information. I'd be interested in a blog review, too. I've actually been trying to de-clutter a bit myself and lighten up the backgrounds, etc. Any helpful info you could provide to help me improve more would be great. Thanks!
I like color- lots of it
, but I've found that on blogs too much color distracts me from the content. Busy backgrounds are also a distraction.
The music player makes me crazy. I nearly peed in my pants one day when I was blog hoppin. I had forgotten to turn off my speakers and when the site came up the music started blasting. I didn't think to find the player and stop the music, I just closed out the site as quickly as I could and I don't think I ever went back.
I do like to see real faces and hear real stories of peoples lives. For instance, reading about your son stuck in the tree or your grandmother, helps me connect with you on a more personal level.
Too much stuff on the sidebars drives me crazy too. I recently took off several of my sidebar widgets.
I'm learning that less is best. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on my blog.
)
Love ya girl! Thanks for all you do!!!
Here is what I like about blogs:
~Pictures, I like to see the people I'm visiting. I currently only have animal pictures on mine, so that is something I need to change.
~ Short and to the point.
~ Links, I like being able to see where people get their information from.
Things I don't like:
~ Judgemental posts
~ Music and I love music, but if I want to hear it I'll put on K-Love or something.
~ The blogger assuming that everyone knows them and their life situations. It's perfectly fine if it's a family/friend blog, but when someone wants to reach out assumptions are not a good thing.
I just redid my blog, you can take a look if you want and feel free to critique away. ;o) I have very limited knowledge about graphics and what not, so I find blogger easy to use. If I had more time to learn or money to spend I would upgrade it a little.
)
Here is my new blog…. http://www.ruralmommasramblings6.blogspot.com
Thanks!!
Music that starts automatically
white words on black background
griping and cussing
Mary, mom to many
I personally enJOY the different personalities you find in blog world. One day awhile back, I noticed that many women were starting to look like a Christopher & Banks advertisement at church so I stopped buying as many clothes there. Viva La Difference'. I also enjoy music and whatever else you decide to do… as long as it's interesting, I'll stay and read.
I guess the only thing that I hate is: #1 swearing and #2 boring posts. I don't mind stuff on sidebars and had to laugh after what you said when I took a peek at yours
I'm at http://faithfolk.blogspot.com and also at the one that is connected to this comment at Pam Warden Art. I'm a licensed Christian artist and my husband is an Elder in our church.
I'd love a critique, but be gentle, my husband (former firefighter) had a lung transplant and we have been dealing with lots of painful health issues, so harsh comments would just be too much.
Much love to you all,
Pam
Amy, I loved the article. My likes have changed over the year. I don't like music players, and especially not ones that are not at the top where you can easily tur them off. I am a fan of the scrapbooky designs but think that a simple look is more professional and easier on the eyes. I love pictures, but not too many. My sidebar is cluttered – I really need to clean it off. I have taken such a long time away from my blog (mostly medical reasons) and am ready to get back in the swing of blogging. I'd love a critique, too.
Some people expressed confusion as to what a cluttered sidebar may look like. Clutter is generally things that aren't needed or things that are piled into a location with no apparent organization. I do have many things in my sidebars but they are clean and organized. You know where to look for what you want to find. I made this mock blog (http://sdtestblog2.blogspot.com/) so that you can take peek and see what a semi-cluttered sidebar looks like. I left off ads and the other things I typically find in sidebars but you will get the idea. Things are placed into the sidebar with no rhyme or reason and definitely without organization. It is total chaos.
Hi Amy,
Girl, that music thing drives me nuts. I most often blog while I have I tunes running or listening to Conference CD's, music, radio and then I open a blog and what a mess. Great suggestions… Hugs.
Thanks for the tips Amy. I've just been through and tidied up my sidebar a bit, which actually has been bothering me for a while. I will do some more work at organising and deleting some stuff after the vacuuming is done today, haha! I've held out from using a different template than the Blogger one, but may look into that when I finally find one that fits my personality. I dislike the auto music play too, and have just turned off the letter verification thing as it irks me too! Thanks again for the tips.
Totally agree with you on all the things. I guess I'm spoiled being able to do my own blog design but I don't like headers with just words. I like something that will attract my eye, knwo what I mean?
I'd love an evaluation- although I'm sort ofscared that you're referring to my blgo when you said it's cluttered. Yikes! I didn't think the mock blog you had was cluttered!! lol
Since I posted after you replied to everyone else, Amy I would love to have your input on my blogs. Please add me to your probably HUGE list.
Also, I'm using your beautiful Ministry Blog design for my new Fascinating Womanhood study group. It's gorgeous Amy, thank you!
I agree with a majority of what you already said. The ONLY blog where the music does not offend is A Holy Experience. Ann's choice of David Nevue's music is incredibly fitting and lovely. In fact, I would be sad if she ever didn't have his music there.
One HUGE peeve I have is when I cannot locate an email address. If what I have to say isn't related to a post, I feel lame leaving a comment. There are also times that I want to say something or ask something without it being open to the public. Not in some creepy, stalker sort of way, but something that would be just between me and the blogger.
I am loving your new design. Very clean and easy to navigate. I totally dig that you have all your connection/contact info near the top and in one place. I also like blogs with page links at the top.
And because the Department of Redundancy Department approves:
- definitely like to see a pic of the blogger
- dislike busy and distracting blogs
- way dislike blinking/flashing things
- don't have a preference for bright colors vs muted vs whatever else; just should fit the blogger's personality. Unless it's all so bright and fluorescent that it makes me nauseous.
- like to know where people live. again, not in a creepy, stalker sort of way, but at least the state.
- the anti-spam word doesn't bother me, but having to register to leave a comment does. if you make me register, I won't comment.
Blessings,
Dianne
btw – I never thought about linking scriptures back to Blue Letter Bible, but I LOVE that idea. I'll definitely use that tip in the future! Thanks!
Wow Amy! You just stepped all over my toes on this post.
Well, at least I put my music front and center at the top so it's easy to shut off. But I agree, it is frustrating to look and look for a player to turn it off.
I agree about unorganized and cluttered. I've been trying to streamline mine, but one of my problems is my labels list is way to big. And yet, I can tell from Sitemeter that some people click those links. Is there a way to put it into a drop down box?
I agree with the robot proofed sign ins. I did that for a bit because I was getting spammed. Actually, it may still be like that. I need to check.
I recently joined a "new" women's social network. To be honest, I can't stand to be over there. It's black, purple and gold, very dark and very busy. Words, words everywhere. The woman's got a good concept going with this network, but the color thing is driving me away.
Posts that ramble on forever bother me, too.
I've added the LinkedWithin thing, but sometimes I think that's too cluttery. I'm not sure I'm going to keep it.
I'm not happy with Blogger. Tonight I looked at Wordpress and the whole download process scares me. I know how to use it because I write for 2 devo blogs that are WP, I just can't figure out the download. Maybe when I'm not tired.
I agree with almost everything you said. Though I tend to skip over the blogs that have softer colors. If I'm blog hopping and don't know the person, then a brightly colored header catches my attention and I stop to check it out. But that's me and I can see if you want readers to stay and read for a while, (which I do) then eye pleasing is better than catching.
I'm in the process (in my mind) of redesigning my blog to incorporate ALL of me. Since I'm trying to kick off a writing career, I'll have my main website ginaconroy.com and then my blog and ministry will feed into that. I'm just a little stuck on Blog technology. I've studied things enough that I think I know what I want to do, it's just doing it that's taking time!
Thanks for all your insight into this. I'd love your opinion on a new header I'm thinking of using! I think it has the eye catching and the eye staying factor!
I don't like:
music on blogs
posts that are too long/wordy
too many posts without pictures
backgrounds that are too busy
dark backgrounds
I don't mind at all the word verification, though, because I've been spammed several times so I use it and understand when others use it.
I'd appreciate your critique on mine (even though it's not a ministry blog) if you have a second. Thanks!
Amy — oh my I didn't know about the book! How wonderful! And don't give up! Will there be publishers at She Speaks? or just an evaluator? I'll be praying for you. I know the struggle of the writing way.
As for evaluation of sites — I would love to have people review mine. I looked at Lisa McKays apreacherswife.com and I LOVE it. I would love to make mine over like hers. Maybe one day.
Blessings with your book. I'm in line to purchase it…whatever form it is published in.
You nailed it…the music player and so much clutter that I am too distracted to give attention to the actual post.
I like to see the REAL person, and love blogs that reflect a woman's heart and her everyday life.
Thanks for sharing today, really enjoyed it!
kath
What perfect timing to read your post! Thank you, Amy!! I can't wait to read your book (whatever format you use) ~ I am fairly new at blogging and would love your expertise!!
I would be so blessed to have your feedback on my blog!! Let the evaluating begin…please?!!!
Many blessings to you!!
Cindy
What a great post, Amy! Praying for your writing project..Great information that obviously we are dying to know! And you KNOW I've been going crazy with the whole redesign thing. I only hope I'm going in the right direction but I thank you and Amy once again for all you did to get me off and running. (And Mary Snyder, I love you. Thanks for the shout.
I do want to say something/ask a question about security. I've been forced to go to comment moderation because of a harassment issue from an individual who is wreaking havoc on my online life. Mine is set so that once a person has commented before, they'll not have to moderate again but I've noticed comments are way down. It makes me wonder if something about the process is cumbersome. If any of you girls feel compelled to leave a comment and tell me if it is burdensome, I'd greatly appreciate it! I tested myself and of course, it recognizes me so that didn't work out so much.
Thanks for the great research Amy!
Love,
Lisa
Hi Amy–I had to come back and read the comments. LoL So much to learn here! =)
One thing that I don't like, and I feel it's silly, is people who have been blogging awhile (many months) but still use Blogger templates instead of finding one that is more true to who they are. I like seeing personality even in people's layout. And I like color! (which explains my probably overly bright colors. LoL)
Another thing I don't like is really long posts. Sometimes things warrant long posts, other times I zone out.
And just to clarify–I'd love to have you evaluate Adding Zest. I'm really really looking for insight and help there! (my personal blog too, but Zest is my first priority.)
Hugs!
Amy, I really enjoyed your post. I have been doing this for so many years – but always looking for ways to improve my own sites. Last Thursday I changed the theme/layout on A Virtuous Woman and feel pretty good about the updated look.
I would love to have a review/evaluation of both http://www.AVirtuousWoman.org and my personal blog http://www.MelissaRingstaff.blogspot.com.
My biggest issue is finding the time to write. My life is sooo full, but I am planning to get up an extra hour earlier when we start our homeschool in a couple of weeks and try to write in the mornings before everyone else is up.
As for my personal likes:
- love good design and beautiful photography
- love helpful ideas and articles
- love creativity
- personal writing that evokes a welcoming/ warm feeling that connects you to the writer
dislikes:
- too much visual clutter
- anything blinking
- loud music
- boring posts
Anyway, thanks for the ideas! Your blog is very pleasing to the eye!
Melissa Ringstaff
Amy, I'm fairly new to blogging and have to say I agree with all your dislikes, especially the music that plays automatically and too many ads. What I enjoy reading are personal stories, uplifting articles and encouraging words from women who have been there and done that. I will keep coming back to a blog that has lots of personal or artistic photos. I so enjoy the different personalities that come through in blog design. It's sort of like people watching. Fun.
I agree with everything you said. However, I have made the mistake of having a few different blogs. One will have to stay separate, but I wonder now if I should can the photography blog. I started a separate one because I felt like my regular readers wouldn't care to see as many pictures as I would like to post.
I love that you have combined your blogs and not given up the design aspect.
Forgot to leave a pet peeve of mine. I hate it when someone writes a post and keeps it in long paragraphs with little or no breaks. Honestly, when I see that I just click out.
Also, I hate to see tons of ads on blogs, or that all they ever do is review products. I don't follow any that fall prey to those mistakes.
LOL! Me again. I decided I would love a blog evaluation for my personal blog. I just had it redesigned, but if it needs tweaking it's still early enough to do that.
http://movingforward-amanda.blogspot.com
Amy,
I have been enjoying your blog for a few weeks now. I am new to blogging and would love to have you stop by and evaluate me. I have a lot to learn and would appreciate any help you can give. I have two. One is for my ministry and the other for me.
http://cheriezack.blogspot.com (personal)
http://pwcprayingwivesclub.blogspot.com
Thank you so much. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
I read this days ago….and forgot to comment. Sorry.
I am with you on the music…I don't like to open up a blog and have music or ANYTHING flashing at me….it makes me dizzy. I had music for a while…and it got very annoying when I had mine up working back and forth and then would pull up others to visit…and their music would clash with mine…so I took mine off.
I love the new look you have going on. Peaceful is what I FEEL. AND I feel comfy when I am sitting and reading your words…nothing screams.
I like that. Screaming I can't take.
Now….I am a bit nervous…but I would LOVE your honest opinion. I need to work on making sure my blog is "personable"…encouraging…uplifting…etc.
the new one for hormone issues http://thehormonalyears.wordpress.com
and my personal one that I use for devo's http://good-knights-news.blogspot.com and http://sistersoffaith.blogspot for me and my sister Aimee. WHICH Aimee doesn't write anymore…so really I should take that one down…BUT I really wish I had a combination blog ….I am hormonal Amy. I have no clue what I am doing today.
Love you!
Blogs with a flashing background are super distracting. I usually have my speakers turned off, so the music doesn't bother me.
When someone leaves a comment on my blog and I go to visit their blog, I usually get a profile page first. If they have multiple blogs listed, it can be difficult to find the blog I want.
I keep two blogs, a private one and a public one. I wish I could keep just one, as it would be less work. However, I like to keep the kids' photos private at least for now. My public blog doesn't have much content, mostly just participating in memes. It's hard to find the right balance.
Awesome tips Amy as usual! Love all your insight. I have some work to do on my personal blog as well as my ministry one. Which, by the way, would love your evaluation and input on At The Well. I know you are a writer there, but would love any tips for what we can do to improve the ministry.
Well, you covered the big no-no for me: automatic music players. UGH! I agree with putting all of your stuff in one place. I started a photoblog, but realized I didn't want to compartmentalize that part of me; it's just too big a part of what I am. I also did a design and everything for a homeschool blog (back before I started with HSBA), but never launched it.
You hit all my dislikes as well. I just cleaned up my blog when I realized I was "pet peeved" by my own side bar.
I have always posted everything together. Good, bad, funny, etc.
Question:
should I have a lot of topics (labels), or just a few that I generalize everything into? Some blogs have a few, while others seem to have a different label for each post.
Are you still evaluating blogs? I know it's been quite a while since you wrote this post, but if you're still doing it, I'd love if you stopped by my blog and took a look around! THANKS so much!
http://www.firefliesandhummingbirds.net