10 things: Writer’s Round-About

Here we have another patient soul who has waited, and waited, and waited, for quite some time, to have a 10 things review, so first I want to say “Thanks!” for sticking around and keeping with me.

The Writer’s Round-About has been around since 2007 which is pretty impressive in blog years. I’ve been a visitor there for about a year now, and like KOME Rocks, I’ve never had the time to delve too deeply into the content. I’ve left a comment or two and am now looking forward to taking a much closer look. So, Writer’s Round-About, here are 10 things I hate about your site:

1. The blocky title graphic and feed icons in the header scream “1999!” (and not in a Prince way).
2. Speaking of your header, there are some alignment/spacing issues across different browsers.
3. Your social networking icons are having an identity crisis.
4. I want <!--more-->
5. I want more.
6. Unicode, like the unicorn, should never be seen.
7. More Firefox problems: the Categories aren’t opening in FF2 on a PC.
8. So many views, so few comments.
9. Contact Rebecca and Services are not the same thing.
10. There is SO much going on here—writing, web design, WP guru—it’s like all the voices in your head are vying for post time.

Details

1. The blocky title graphic and feed icons in the header scream “1999!” (and not in a Prince way). Your blog design is a good one, but your header image is not doing you any favors. It’s just sitting there, all white and blocky, not blending in to the design nor looking professional.¹

   
   What does this mean? While the header image is not bad on its own, it needs to work better with your blog theme. Maybe change the background color of this section to white or move the header to the top of the page where the background is already white. The rest of your blog looks clean and professional—your header image should look clean and professional too.

2. Speaking of your header, there are some alignment/spacing issues across different browsers. (Click on the image for full-size.)
   

   Safari 3 and 4

   

   Firefox 2

   

   Firefox 3

   

   IE 6

   

   IE 7

   

   IE 8

   
   What does this mean? It is pain to ensure that layouts look the same in all browsers, especially since there are so many out there. Browser Sandbox is a great resource that lets you see how your site looks in different browsers without having to actually install them all on your computer. Unfortunately, I’ve only been able to use it in Internet Explorer on my PC, but it’s a great resource. Sometimes minor browser differences are not worth tweaking; however, I think there’s enough of a difference between all of these that you might want to look into the CSS.

3. Your social networking icons are having an identity crisis. First there are the three at the top of the page, then there is a different set and style at the bottom of the items on the main page. Finally, there is a third set and style at the bottom of your posts. Why the three different looks?

   
   What does this mean? Pick a style and use it throughout. Personally, I like the mini icons at the bottom of the posts, however, I know these aren’t prominent enough for the header and main page. I would recommend finding a set with multiple sizes. Check out the Resources page for a few links.

4. I want <!--more--> As in the more feature of WordPress. While your latest post may be this week’s current masterpiece, you should provide readers with a few options on your main page, not just one or two recent posts. The more tag (as I’m sure you know) lets you hook the reader, and then asks the reader to continue reading. If the top post is not their cup of tea, they can browse down the page to find something that is. As it stands right now, you’re not giving readers the option.

   
   What does this mean? I always recommend using the more feature. As I mentioned, it gives your readers some excerpts to choose from on your main page. Of course you are hoping that they will stay around and use all of the other navigation you have provided, but let’s face it—if a new reader doesn’t see something they like on the main page the odds of them clicking your recent posts, categories, etc. is slim. Right now you are only providing them with one option. Give them <--more--> .

5. I want more. More post excerpts on the main page.

   
   What does this mean? This goes hand-in-hand with #3. Use the more feature and include more post excerpts on your main page.

6. Unicode, like the unicorn, should never be seen. Unfortunately I’m not seeing unicorns, I’m seeing unicode. Check the Blog Reviews subsection of Reviews and Reviewing in your Categories. Your apostrophes are showing as Unicode.
   

   Your unicode is showing

   
   What does this mean Check the code for this section. Since it’s only affecting a small section, you should have no trouble fixing the problem. (I didn’t dig into the code or your header charset to see what it was.)

7. More Firefox problems: the Categories aren’t opening in FF2 on a PC. Again we have more cross-browser issues. I know there are still a lot of people using older versions of Firefox and while you still have a lot of other methods for navigating your blog (which is GREAT), it is still annoying to click on these links and have nothing happen.

   
   What does this mean? Same as above. Some cross-browser testing needs to be done when making changes and updates to your theme.

8. So many views, so few comments. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have 1,868 views on a post (or on my blog, for that matter!); however the post How freelance writing almost destroyed my blog only has 23 comments to show for it. I’ve read many of your posts and I know your writing is thought-provoking and intelligent. I also know you do a good job of encouraging readers to comment. So I have to wonder why so many views and so few comments?

   
   I’m making an assumption here and thinking that perhaps these are not 1,868 unique views. I know I’ve visited this post several times; I’m sure you’ve visited this post several times; perhaps you’ve had friends proofread or visit this post several times. Whatever the case, I can’t help but wonder if the review/comment ratio is skewed.

   
   What does this mean? Going with my theory regarding unique views, I would suggest tweaking this code to show unique views only. Otherwise, it looks like lots of people are reading your content, but it’s not interesting enough to comment on (which I know is not true!).

9. Contact Rebecca and Services are not the same thing. That’s great that you offer so many services. What’s not great is that when I click on them to find out more, all I get is a “Contact Rebecca” form. You’re not utilizing this section very well.

   
   What does this mean? Put content on these pages regarding the services you are listing (like you actually did for “Hosting Packages”). Then include the form to contact you. I’m sure there are other people out there like me who don’t want to be forced to send an email to see what your Non-Fiction Writing services are. I don’t want to wait, so I’ll simply move on to the next blog/site offering these services.

10. There is SO much going on here—writing, web design, WP guru—it’s like all the voices in your head are vying for post time. I have to preface this last item and state that even though there is a ton going on, Writer’s Round-About is very well organized and laid out. That is no small feat for so much content. That being said, however, there is simply too much going on. First, your blog name is a little too specific for all that you are posting. I get that you are mainly a writer² so most of your content makes sense. What throws me off is all the other stuff: hosting, web design, domain registration. What does all of this have to do with writing, anyway?

    
    What does this mean? Break it up. It might not thrill you to have to manage two blogs but I would still recommend removing the web content and giving it its own home. Non-personal blogs should stay on-point and should not try to be all things to all people. While Writer’s Round-About is not totally all over the board, the web design and hosting just don’t make much sense here.

I like Rebecca’s content and I think this is a great blog! She provides excellent writing tips, inspiration, reviews, and more. Fortunately the things I hate about her blog have nothing to do with the content. Thank goodness since she’s a writer!

1. The same problem applies to those three networking icons. [↩]
2. I think being a writer is totally cool BTW. Those who can, write. Those who can’t, blog, lol! [↩]