Hi Kharim,Fantastic and useful tips you are sharing …

by Ana | Traffic Generation on March 15, 2011 · 36 comments

Comment posted on How To Determine Your Blog Weak Spots And How To Correct Them by Mavis Nong

Hi Kharim,

Fantastic and useful tips you are sharing here. I was one of the privileged ones to get my blog audited by my very good friend, Ana

And has my blog transformed since then? You bet!

I can’t thank Ana enough for pointing me in the right direction and for always encouraging me to go for it!

Things even got better when I got involved in a blogging challenge - posting 5 times a week; something I never thought I’d ever do.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Kharim. I enjoyed reading your post

All the best,
Mavis

P.S. Great job with the new changes, Ana. You ROCK!

Article by Ana Hoffman

Ana is the founder of Traffic Generation Cafe and wants you to know that Thesis + Scribe = SEO Made Simple.

More Great Posts on the Topic:

Take Your Blog to Celebrity Status - 10 Guest Blogging Secrets Hands down, one of the most effective ways to promote your blog these days is through guest blogging. Ana’s note:...
Blog Traffic Challenge: Did You See My Glove Laying Around Here? A couple of weeks ago I threw a white glove in your face challenging you to come up with a...
Anyone Should Blog? 3 Types of Blogs and 3 Ways to Handle Them Let me start with a tale of YourNetBiz Attraction Marketing Cafe blog. Don’t try to look it up though; it...
Blog Audit Friday: Getting Back to Square One And… life is back to normal after the holidays. Which means that it’s time for me to start telling you...
10 Awesome Ways to Make NO Money With Blog Traffic What is the point of striving to increase your blog traffic? Silly question? Not so fast… Money? Of course. But...

Traffic Generation Cafe happily runs on Thesis Theme

What do I love about Thesis? Everything would be the short answer.

If that doesn't work for you, then the fact that Thesis Theme framework is designed to serve is the rock-solid foundation for any website. My Traffic Generation Cafe and I fully trust and rely on the airtight SEO, incredible design flexibility, and lightning-fast loading times that Thesis provides.

Still not sure about Thesis? See what you can do with it, then decide.

Thesis Gallery - Lots of well designed blogs powered by Thesis
Thesis Awesome - AMAZING customization packages for Thesis
Thesis User Guide - see how much incredible support you get

Comments Closed

{ 36 comments }

Harriet March 19, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Firstly hello, I just found your blog and from looking around it looks really ace!

This is a really good blog post. And even though I don’t write blogs, I write a lot of other things (essays and papers etc) so I’ll take the tips you’ve written and try and apply them in my work in the future!
Harriet´s last blog ..25 More Debt Written Off By Banks

Ryan Biddulph March 16, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Hi Kharim,

Spot on analysis here.

Visiting other blogs and seeing what looks good, and comparing with your blog can be an effective way to improve your blog overall.

Thanks for sharing!

RB
Ryan Biddulph´s last blog ..Are You Laying Out Bread Crumbs with Your Network Marketing Campaign

Kharim Tomlinson March 17, 2011 at 6:29 pm: That’s true Ryan. Making that move can have great effect on your blog.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..Questions That Most New Bloggers Ask And Answers Which Benefits Them
Reply

GabrieIe Maidecchi@Esimple Studios March 16, 2011 at 7:49 am

Asking for a review is a very good strategy in my opinion.
After you work on something for such a long time, you kinda start to lose perspective, you docus on non-important things and leave back the important ones, without even realizing it.
Some external opinion can be vital in moments like this, being in a marketing firm and with a past in web programming I have learnt this the hard way.
GabrieIe Maidecchi@Esimple Studios´s last blog ..Get Ready to Fight- Commenting Platforms Face-Off POLL

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:09 am: Thanks for the kind comment Gabriele. And yes you are right. Asking for reviews is a great way to go at it so that you can also get an eye opener on the things that you missed out on your blog.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Robert Dempsey@Internet Marketing Strategies March 16, 2011 at 7:36 am

Hi Kharim great points here. I especially like asking the people. And the only downside to the blog update here is that it isn’t reaching out from my computer to hand me cash. Bummer. Guess I’ll have to stick with the awesome content…

I agree especially on starting with a premium theme. For the rather small cost of a theme the professionalism that you can show is huge and makes a much better first impression. And typically they can grow with you. I prefer Genesis over Thesis, but that’s how I roll. I use Thesis on some sites too.

Either way unless you blogging for pure fun you’re in business, and that means spending some cash to get ahead. A great looking theme is one of those areas to not skimp on.
Robert Dempsey@Internet Marketing Strategies´s last blog ..Scott And Rob Podcast 3

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:11 am: Hey Robert, I totally agree with you on getting a premium theme. I also use Thesis Theme just like Ana and I have get lots of fun using it.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Daniel | ZAGG invisibleSHIELD March 16, 2011 at 7:09 am

Kharim,

I run a couple of blogs, and true enough, the one on working with a niche that you’re comfortable with helps get things done better than going into one with zero knowledge in.

While themes such as Thesis could do wonders for website owners who does things DIY, it’s still completely alright to do so with an alternate (eg: self-created) if (emphasis!) you’re good with the customization.

Great post! Cheers - Daniel
Daniel | ZAGG invisibleSHIELD´s last blog ..Quick Guide- How to Install invisibleSHIELD™ With Your Brand New iPhone 3G

Kharim Tomlinson March 17, 2011 at 6:32 pm: Thanks for the comment Daniel. Once you have true passion for the niche then you can become successful if you put out your best effort.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..Questions That Most New Bloggers Ask And Answers Which Benefits Them
Reply

Facebook Application March 16, 2011 at 1:43 am

Hey Ana

Poll is the best idea to get feedback form your readers.If your readers don’t like your blog or blog content so they give you feedback either its good or bad…Launched the Polls in your website and blog also.
Facebook Application´s last blog ..Attack of the Androids- Ushering in the Age of the Android!

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:13 am: Yep. Launching a poll and going with the majority is the best way to go. You have to satisfy the greater number or else you will be in trouble. Thanks for the comment
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Mavis Nong March 16, 2011 at 12:51 am

Hi Kharim,

Fantastic and useful tips you are sharing here. I was one of the privileged ones to get my blog audited by my very good friend, Ana

And has my blog transformed since then? You bet!

I can’t thank Ana enough for pointing me in the right direction and for always encouraging me to go for it!

Things even got better when I got involved in a blogging challenge - posting 5 times a week; something I never thought I’d ever do.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Kharim. I enjoyed reading your post

All the best,
Mavis

P.S. Great job with the new changes, Ana. You ROCK!
Mavis Nong´s last blog ..How to Beat the Changes to Organic Traffic Generation Rules

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:15 am: Thanks for the comment Mavis, your blog looks great as well
I have not gotten any audit on my blog as yet, I think I might get one because you stated the success that you have had wit it. Thanks for the comment hun
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing March 15, 2011 at 8:20 pm

All points spot on!

I was asked by several readers of my contest blog to change the boring design. lol
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..What Are YOUR Top 5 Social Sharing Networks

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:17 am

Thanks for commenting Dennis. And I bet you went ahead and changed your blog’s design
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers

Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing March 19, 2011 at 7:33 pm: Nope, not yet, not on that blog. The overall consensus was, it wasn’t “fun” enough…..still trying to figure out exactly what the heck that means. LOL
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Should Guest Bloggers be Responsible for Their Own Promotion
Reply

Connie McKnight March 15, 2011 at 7:27 pm

Kharim,

Thanks for refreshing my memory. I was researching different themes and then got side-tracked. Great advice on comparing your blog to others. I really love the feel of Ana’s site - it feels very welcoming. That’s probably a great place to start.

Asking questions and launching a poll requires enough visitors to your blog. The obvious place to get this happening must go to your point regarding good content.

Thanks again - really enjoyed your ideas.

Connie

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:19 am: Thanks for the comment Connie. I’m glad this post was of great benefit to you. I like comparing my blog to some of the top blogs in my niche so that I can sort of copy their format, to making my blog a bit better
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Carolyn March 15, 2011 at 5:58 pm

Hi Kharim, Thanks for the useful tips. I’m a new blogger and I just added an SEO plug-in to my WordPress blog. I need to go back and fill in the keywords for the past blogs. Thanks for the reminder!

I completely agree with you about finding your niche (and Jane, and your niche might be having multiple niches!). I have been sharing my excitement about personal technology with my friends for years and my blog’s niche is personal technology for everyday people. I think you have to love your niche because you become absorbed in it through your blog.

I really appreciate your words of wisdom, Kharim. Thanks for sharing them!
Carolyn´s last blog ..What’s All the Hype About Skype

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:22 am: Thanks for the comment and I really appreciate it. In order to make blogging a success for you, it’s all about blogging in your niche and doing what you love. If you are not passionate about your niche then it makes no sense to start a blog.
I wish you all the best with your new blog
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Steve Shoemaker March 15, 2011 at 4:35 pm

Ana

First of all I always love the graphics on your blog especially the header that is a real attention getter.

2nd these are some great things as bloggers we need to ask ourselves and conform to.

My blog is important but I spend more time on social media so my focus is there right now.

Maybe I will hit you up for a professional analysis soon.

Steve
Steve Shoemaker´s last blog ..How To Add A iframe Tab To Your Facebook Like Page With This WP Plugin

Self Publishing Blog March 15, 2011 at 2:47 pm

I don’t get thousand of comments, but that doesn’t mean my content is no good.

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 9:22 am

Sometimes poor content can lead to no comments.

Self Publishing Blog March 17, 2011 at 12:05 pm: Dude. Please go to my blog and tell me my content is not good. Please do
Reply

Riya @ Couponseasy March 15, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Important thing about a blog that you should choose correct niche only then you can think about getting high traffic and ranking as well. If your niche is not correct then you’ll suffer a lot.
Riya @ Couponseasy´s last blog ..Web CEO Promo Voucher Of 40 Discount

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:24 am: That’s what I always tell new bloggers. Blog about what you love if you want to start a blog. Don’t follow the crowd, stick with what you love and blogging will work for you.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Justin March 15, 2011 at 8:34 am

I am thinking about upgrading my blog to a thesis theme. That seems to be the one that is suggested the most. I am currently using a freebie .

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:28 am: Hey Justin, I strongly recommend that you use the thesis theme. It’s full of customization to your liking and better for getting SEO traffic.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Steve@Internet Lifestyle March 15, 2011 at 8:08 am

Kharim,

You make some good points. It is important to find out why you are losing people/ or not growing as a blog polls/reviews/comparsions are a great way to go about that.

Layout and design are essential for the “polish” on site to make a good one shine or make average site a little bit above average.

Have a great day and a wonderful week!

It all does roll back to content and traffic of course. You need to get a lot of traffic to get the people to see your stuff (it may be good with too few eyes on it) and of course the quality content is what will bring the people back. Both in direct terms of the actual quality and the indirect terms of the SEO.
Steve@Internet Lifestyle´s last blog ..How to Build an Affiliate Autoresponder Sequence without “Burning” a List

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 8:32 am: Thanks for the wonderful comment Steve. It’s all about the layout/design, content, SEO and all of that comes with choosing the right niche
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

Jane@Blogging Tips March 15, 2011 at 8:05 am

Hi Kharim,

Read your recent guest post somewhere (don’t remember where it was). Such a nice post. I do agree with your point on people ignoring SEO today. Many think that it is a geeky thing to do and stay away from it.

But I do disagree with your mention about focusing on one niche. I am doing great with a multi niche blog. I think it depends

Keep up the good work of guest posting.

Cheers,
Jane.
Jane@Blogging Tips´s last blog ..5 Simple Ways to Break the Habit of Anger

Kharim Tomlinson March 16, 2011 at 9:18 am: Thanks for the comment Jane and happy that you are reading my guest posts and enjoying them. I am taking up guest posting as a regular now.
SEO should not be ignored. This is as a very great way of getting targeted traffic to your site. As you said, many think this is geeky but this is a must for all bloggers.
Kharim Tomlinson´s last blog ..How To Turn Your New Blog Visitors Into Loyal Blog Readers
Reply

eric March 15, 2011 at 7:47 am

I just noticed the blue question question mark below the coffee cup under the fields a commenter fills out (name, email, website)

The tool tip is missing the word an before unsubscribe.
eric´s last blog ..Twitter- Food Trucks- and lines around the block

eric March 15, 2011 at 7:45 am

@endgrind gave me some really good pointers for my blog which I implemented just the other day. I like it a lot better than it used to look and act. I also my ads for the sidebar below the fold which obviously sends a different message to the readers.
And I have noticed more page views and a lower bounce rate since the changes went in to effect.

As far as your blog… just keep doing what your doing!!
eric´s last blog ..Twitter- Food Trucks- and lines around the block

eric March 17, 2011 at 2:50 pm

I also just got invited to a blog mastermind group which 10 will be giving every one tips and suggestions on how to better their blog.
eric´s last blog ..What is Twitter About You Already Know so why are You Asking