Don’t Worry if Your Blog Sucks – Here are 3 Tips to a Better Blog
If you think your blog sucks, it probably does since you are your own worst critic. There is however no real shame though, because many bloggers started a new blog not knowing how it was going to turn out years down the road. Even the great John Chow started his blog as a personal blog without any intentions of making money. And as they say, “the rest is history.”
You may currently be at a crossroad where you are making an important decision on how you can bring your blog to the next level of success. You probably have made some big mistakes before on your blog and are perhaps wiser now; hopefully. But if not, here are 3 things to consider making improvements to your blog to make it better.
1. Your Blog’s Design
Would you like to see your blog well optimized (SEO and all that good stuff), with all the right link-building strategies and now proudly sitting on Google’s page 1 for your main keyword you want to rank for? Of course you do. But, what if it is a real eyesore and has all the flaws of a badly designed blog? Well…that might be a real problem. Most people I know won’t even go near one even if the content is of exceptionally good quality. It negates whatever benefit of high traffic the search engines send you simply because your visitors aren’t going to stay very long at your blog – if they stay that is.
If you are getting tired of your blog theme, chances are your regular visitors are too, and it may be a good idea to consider changing it. In fact, I just chanced mine as this happened to me. Not that my old theme was an eyesore, but it was time for an upgrade of sorts.
There are even bloggers who change their theme frequently, sometimes every three months or so as to maintain a fresh look. With so many free themes that you can choose from, you could be spoiled with choices; although, personally I much prefer to pay a little more for a premium theme and stick with it. Those people who have done so will know just what I mean. Seriously, if you are looking for quality, uniqueness, and flexibility, SEO and with a little money to spend, a premium blog or a custom blog theme is definitely what you should go for.
2. Content
It’s always wise to do a quick review of your blog’s goals and objectives and determine if the content you have built are in relevance to them. A good blog has a well-defined set of goals, and when optimized with the right keywords, brings in very targeted traffic. Most visitors may not appreciate reading about your daily activities or which restaurants you eat at – unless of course you happened to be John Chow.
On a serious note, it’s important that your content fits the purpose of your blog and that you, for the most part, adhere to this. It’s okay to stray every now and then and get a little off-topic. After all, we’re all human and sometimes our personal side wants to come out. There’s nothing wrong with that. But, don’t forget your blog’s ultimate purpose. If anything, try to relate your personal journeys to your niche in some way. This allows you to be personal and at the same time stay relevant to your blog’s objectives.
3. True Dedication
Maintaining a blog is a long-term affair, and you must commit both time and dedication to it before you begin to see any positive results. If you truly put in the time and energy to make something out of your blog, it could very well turn out to be a successful and functional blog.
However, success will take time, and it’s important to be patient and keep working hard at it. Nothing great ever comes from not working hard.
Following these 3 simple tips will turn that “sucky” blog of yours into something that you can really be proud of.
About the Author: Alan Mater owns a work from home website and blog where he provides proven business opportunities, extra income ideas, and tips and advice about working from home on the internet.
Related Blog Optimization Articles
- 5 Blogging Myths That Are Killing Your Blog (johnchow.com)
- 7 Ways to Gain Quality One Way Backlink for your blog (shoutmeloud.com)
- Where My Hatred of SEO Comes From (shoemoney.com)
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About The Blog Author
Alex Sysoef is an IT Consultant, Internet Marketer and ProBlogger who shares his passion and knowledge of WordPress, SEO, Social Media and traffic strategies on his blog WordPress Howto Spotter. Connect on Twitter or Facebook
34 Responses to “Don’t Worry if Your Blog Sucks – Here are 3 Tips to a Better Blog”
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RT @TheSpotter: Don’t Worry if Your Blog Sucks – Here are 3 Tips to a Better Blog: If you think your blog sucks, it probably do… http://ping.fm/7Ce1r
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Here are 3 Tips to a Better Blog http://bit.ly/dbv0Y1 Great info…
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[...] wrote a guest post on HowToSpoter about 3 Tips to a Better Blog where I go more in-depth regarding these three factors and what you can do to turn that sucky blog [...]
Thanks for the opportunity, Alex. I appreciate it.
Alan Mater recently posted..Transcription Crash Course Review – Become a Home Transcriptionist Today
Thanks for the great post and understanding Alan!
Sure thing, Alex. Glad you like the post!
Alan Mater recently posted..Transcription Crash Course Review – Become a Home Transcriptionist Today
Great tips on this post, especially like the point about having a clear set of goals. It’s all too easy to lose your way and end up blogging about nothing at all! No one wants to read that!
Matthew recently posted..How To Increase Your Profits Without Any Extra Customers
Defining your goals is essential. There’s no point in having a blog if you don’t know what you want to accomplish with it. Once you have set your goals, then you can focus on them. Focus is vitally important as well, because as you said, it’s very easy to get distracted.
Alan Mater recently posted..What a Man- a Dog and a Leash Have to do with Internet Marketing
I think whether a blog sucks or not is all about the content that is on it. I have subscribed to blogs in the past that you would think are worthless at first glance. But, when you started reading the material that was on there, it became evident that the content quality was top notch. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Kathy recently posted..You Need To Wean Yourself Off Of Building Spam Sites
I agree content is a huge part of whether or not a blog is successful or not. However, there are many people that will just leave without even reading anything if the design looks like crap. In the same respect, you can have a killer design, but if the content is crap then the blog is still worthless.
I believe there needs to a balance in both good design and good content.
Alan Mater recently posted..Transcription Crash Course Review – Become a Home Transcriptionist Today
Changing your theme is a good idea but some blog owners change way too often. When you change so much that readers do not recognize your site you are doing it too often.
Tracy recently posted..It’s Funky- Freaky Friday- Fashion’s Oddest Finds- Right Here-
I agree. I don’t believe in changing a blog theme every month or even every few months. I had the same theme for two and a half years before I changed it the beginning of this month. I’ll keep the current theme for many years to come, with maybe some small, subtle changes being made at some point.
Alan Mater recently posted..New Blog Theme – I’m Using the FlexSqueeze WordPress Theme
Good to see ya away from home Alan.
Lord knows I had a few blogs in the beginning with non-existent goals. lol
Dennis Edell recently posted..You’ll Want to Read-Comment-Share the Following Posts ASAP – Please-
Thanks!
LOL… at least you learned since then. How many blogs are going to be in your “network” of blogs? Quite a few I believe, and each with a specific goal.
It all comes down to planning and having focus on what you want to accomplish.
Alan Mater recently posted..Why Good Keyword Selection is Essential for Home-Based Business Success
6-7 and AMEN to focus and planning brother.
Dennis Edell recently posted..Organization is a MUST I’m Taking Time Off…Line
like some quotes i even heard before.. content is a king, design is a queen.. Too bad i forgot the last one, but it all make sense..
rainer recently posted..Windows 7 God Mode
I’ve also heard that “if content is KING, then linking (SEO) is QUEEN.” Linking and actually marketing the blog is part of #3, putting in the time and dedication necessary to see your blog become successful. Most people are gung-ho when it comes to parts 1 and 2, but then when it’s time to actually get your blog out there and put in the manual labor, they burn out quick.
Alan Mater recently posted..How Blogging About Internet Marketing Can Make You Money Online
First I would like to thanks Alan for this article. I need help, i have design my site and it has many error according to w3c validation. I need to know are those errors effects our site status or not. I will be appreciate if you mail me.
Rakesh Solanki recently posted..Top 15 WordPress Plugins For Managing Ads
Exactly what errors are you having? Are they for your WordPress site you link to? I think the W3C site may be able to point you in the right direction as to what’s causing the errors and how to fix them. I’m not the most qualified person for this area, so maybe someone else can provide some input.
Alan Mater recently posted..An Unforeseen “Benefit” of 3-Way Link Exchanges
Nice tips Alan. I’m a particular sucker for design. Admittedly, the best design won’t make a blog readable, or fun.
You already hit the home base when you talked about dedication. Keep it coming.
Monika Mundell recently posted..Join The VIC Membership
Content will always come first. The design doesn’t have to knock you off your chair, but it should be pleasing to the eye.
Alan Mater recently posted..What a Man- a Dog and a Leash Have to do with Internet Marketing
Content, Usability, Design, written with Passion for the subject – there are the main things that I look for when I come across a new blog.
Well written, Alan!
TechChunks recently posted..iPhone 4 Getting Destroyed in Seconds Video
All good things to look for.
Thanks!
Alan Mater recently posted..Adapting Your Style- Make Your Writing Work for You
Thanks Alan, and I think my blogs are suck! Considering I am a newbie now I have to make over my blogs,
Jen Well recently posted..Skyrocket Your Opt-In Rates with Super Squeeze Page
Never too late to start. Your blog looks pretty good. I’m sure as you progress and learn more, it’ll develop itself.
Alan Mater recently posted..Transcription Crash Course Review – Become a Home Transcriptionist Today
Truly good content is a requirement or at least pretty good content but I’m really feeling more and more that dedication is at least important as the content. I’ve seen quite a few blogs just tail off. Great content isn’t so great if you don’t last long…
Jared Detroit recently posted..Zoho CRM Quick Start Guide
Jared,
I agree, you have to be interested in topic t have motivation posting.
Dedication and having passion for what you do is certainly a must. Thanks for the input.
Alan Mater recently posted..New Blog Theme – I’m Using the FlexSqueeze WordPress Theme
1-2 punch of a simple design and world-class content is more than enough to have a great blog, and I do think that’s how the pros do it as well
Great post Alan, good thing I dropped by your blog and saw this link on your most recent post, so I decided to have a quick look and read more of your wise words, seeing as you’re inviting to see your post here 
Regards,
Jason
Thanks for stopping by, Jason! Glad you like the post.
Alan Mater recently posted..Transcription Crash Course Review – Become a Home Transcriptionist Today
Thanks for the post
I recently upgraded my blog from 2.7 to 2.9.2 but hate myself for it. I lost all my contents, comments, adverts etc. Infact, everything I have built since last year. What I saw was fatal error.
Well, I have install a new one now, but I’m unable to install it in the index page. Fantastico says I cannot install more than one script on the home page, but I have nothing on the index page. So if you click my main url, it will diplay empty site with a link to my blog.
Can someone pls
tell me what to do?
Sorry to hear about that. Strange things can happen… that’s for sure. I’m not the best person to address the issues you’re having, so hopefully Alex or someone else here can guide you in the right direction.
I would recommend backing up all of your WordPress files from now on, either manually or using a plug-in. That way if something like this happens again, you’ll be able to restore your blog and not lose everything.
Alan Mater recently posted..What a Man- a Dog and a Leash Have to do with Internet Marketing
thanks alan, I’m new in the world of blogs,, your post helped me, I hope you help me, visit my blog and commented, comments from people like you into learning for me … always successful
juntenx recently posted..Horizontal Drop Down menu under the header
Glad you found the post helpful.
Alan Mater recently posted..What a Man- a Dog and a Leash Have to do with Internet Marketing