10 things: Politics 2000
14. Oct, 2008 
5 Comments
Personally, I find the design of this blog to be a little under whelming. Considering the topics and content, however, understated is probably the way to go. Of course, there's always something that can be improved upon.
10 8 things I hate about your site:
- The web is a visual medium—give me something to look at!
- Where was I? I keep losing my place.
- Google ads. Are they a gift from above or are they sent from Hell?
- Tags: why are they there?
- Your tags are invading my space.
- So much to read, so little real estate.
- What’s important: proper use of strong text.
- Typo…
Details
- The web is a visual medium—give me something to look at! I know you are blogging about serious topics, especially during the election. It also appears that you are an unbiased voice, which is refreshing. (Unless I missed a post where you lean left or right
) That being said, a little eye candy would certainly be welcome. I can certainly guess as to why you don’t include images in your posts. It does take longer, you’re in a hurry to reach the 100-word minimum, there’s a lot of twittering to do—I totally understand. Visuals go a long way, however.
What does this mean? Think about throwing a picture or two into your posts. Not only will this improve the overall aesthetic of your blog, but it will give readers something to remember. Visual cues can be very helpful.
- Where was I? I keep losing my place. This is one of those elements I don’t think you have any control over, however, your line length is too long, making it difficult to keep track of the next line while reading. While there is no hard and fast rule for optimal line length, general rule of thumb is 50-75 characters which is about 10-15 words per line. Your post “GOP Should Root for Redskins Nov. 3″ has an average line length of 19.66. (NOTE: depending on the layout, line length will vary due to reader’s browser settings and monitor size—it’s always important to keep this in mind.)
What does this mean? Well, possibly nothing. In my own posting for Today.com, I don’t see many options to control design elements like font-size, margins, padding, etc. (If you know otherwise, please share!) If you weren’t at Today.com, I would recommend a combination of increasing your font-size and increasing your left and right padding.
- Google ads. Are they a gift from above or are they sent from Hell? Ok, this is another one you have no control over since you are blogging for Today.com, but I have to mention it. (If I let you slide, then I have to let everyone slide.) When you place ads first in your post, you’re basically letting them hijack your space. Now I know this can’t be helped with regard to Politics 2000, but maybe this will help some other poor soul who’s going to get kicked off Entrecard for having too may ads.
What does this mean? GOOGLE ADS SHOULD NOT BE THE FIRST THING IN A POST. But sometimes it can’t be helped.
- Tags: why are they there? They don’t take me anywhere except to the top of your blog. Let me know if I’m wrong, but when I click on a tag, shouldn’t I get a list of posts relating to that tag?
What does this mean? Either get the tags to work, or get rid of them. (I will probably need to follow my own advice here—I just checked my tags at my Today.com blog and I get the same thing.)
- Your tags are invading my space. Speaking of tags, not only are they not serving their correct purpose, but they’re bleeding over into your content column. (Yes, I know. I’m having the same problem here. Doctor, heal thyself.)
What does this mean? See #4
- So much to read, so little real estate. Some of your posts are text heavy. This isn’t a bad thing. Keep in mind, however, that you only have so much content “real estate” to sell your blog to new readers. If someone comes to your blog for the first time and all the see is a post on Sarah Palin (whether it’s unbiased or not), they are likely to keep on movin’ if she’s not their thing. Maybe your previous post was on Barack Obama, but if they’ve already clicked away, they’ll never get to see how fair and unbiased you are.
What does this mean? I recommend using the WordPress “more” tag. In a nutshell, the <!–more–> tag hides the portion of the post that follows it. The reader clicks on the “Read More” link (or whatever you’ve changed it to) and the rest of the post appears. This allows you to show more posts on your main page whenever you have particularly longs ones.
- What’s important: proper use of strong text. This is yet another thing you won’t be able to change, but the main purpose of bold text is to highlight important information. Based on this very brief description it appears that everything in your sidebars is important. Using bold to emphasize navigation elements or links is a long-standing practice. It just doesn’t work so well with this template.
What does this mean? Again, I don’t think this is anything you can change. I would recommend to a non-Today.com blogger, however, to format their sidebar links so they are easier to read and help enhance the overall site design.
- Typo… Ok, I admit I’m being a tad nit-picky here, but I saw it so I have to point it out. In your post “New Book Details Rise of Blogs,” You have a typo in the second paragraph: “For readers who are not in politics, let me share aa slice…”
What does this mean? Nothing, really. For such a text-heavy blog, I’m actually shocked that this is the only typo I’ve come across.
With the limitations set on the blogger when using Today.com, it’s not surprising to come across design no-no’s. All in all, this is a good, fair blog. I love that the content is proofread and interesting.
If I give you an award, will you go easy on my site?
Okay, just kidding. That blog is just a standard template…if you are feeling up to it, I wouldn’t mind a review of my other blog, though: A Letter to Xander.
Keelys last blog post..Level up!
Another thing that sucks about peoples blog is the lack of sarcasm and enthusiasm. Sure, we all can’t be super sarcasm experts, but I’ve found that sarcasm is interesting to read and gets peoples attention.
I also find blogs with a lack of stupidity in them make me fall to sleep at the wheel of my car which then causes me to drive recklessly. Why am I driving whilst reading blogs? It’s a long story..
You’re right about visual eye candy. This is why I like to put in stupid, funny pictures in my blog posts (even if they’re non-related).
I’ll be sure to return to your blog.
Dwayne from Probably Sucks Blogs last blog post..Congratulations to Justin of Lifeofjustin.com
I always wondered what tags were for…but I like the way the tag box looks on my blog. I guess I should get rid of the google ads cause they don’t make me money. I added them in a moment of greed. (You know, dreams of fabulous wealth resulting from doing practically nothing.)
Hello
I like the idea of someone who does not know me going over my site like a Heron after a fish, please allow my site to be your next. This site is very important to me and my family as well. I use it to support myself.
the http://kome-rocks.santacruzdreamz.com
thanks
lisa( kystorms)s last blog post..Real Rock News Web Site
@Keely: Ok, waiting for my award.
Kidding. WB cannot be bribed. I have added A Letter to Xander to my queue (and I love both your blogs, btw!).
@Dwayne: I agree with you regarding wit and sarcasm. Entertain me or I’m gone! I just loved your latest post regarding McCain supporters. Good stuff!
@Preston: One of my biggest challenges when posting is determining categories and tags. I’ve come up with a process, however, which I will be sharing in a future post!
@Lisa: I have added Rock Music ~ Kome Style (you can see you’re in my queue from my latest post “Are you in my Queue?”). At first glance, it looks like an interesting blog.
Thanks everyone, for your thoughtful comments. Keep ‘em coming!