6 Things That Will Make Me Leave Your Blog
As new blogger I found posts like these, and others helpful in knowing what I should do with the blog. There were so many things that I thought would look good, but in reality really didn't make sense and didn't look good at all. The number one rule to blogging is that there isn't rules. There isn't. There are suggestions. Here are some things that will make me want to leave a blog and a list of websites that helped me (and still do!) in blogging and designing! I blogger friend Kaitlin did a post similar to this one a few weeks ago and it can be found here!
Why I would want to leave your blog:
1. Haven't Posted in a Long Time: This is typically the first thing I check in a blog. I won't follow a blog that hasn't been active in months. If the blogger is on a hiatus, and there is a post saying that then that is a different story. I will stalk their blog a little bit and then decide if I still want to follow them.
2. Automatic Music: Please. Most of the time I am going on blogs on my phone while I am in school, or because I don't have a laptop I am using the main computer in my living room and automatic music 1. Scares the shit out of me because I didn't expect it 2. Makes your blog longer to load (which might make me leave it if it takes too long!) Music is awesome and I get that, but most people don't like going on blogs and getting blasted with your song choice of the moment.
3. Bad Spelling/Grammar: I am not the spelling police. If you have a few spelling mistakes in a post I am not going to swear off your blog. It happens. We are human. I'm mainly talking about: ppl hu TLK lIk DIS. Which beleive me, I have come across so many times! It is an instant turn off and makes me question humanity. Can you imagine reading this WHOLE post in text lingo? *Shakes head in disapproval*
4. I can't find your follow button: This has happened countless times. I couldn't find where to follow this persons blog. No GFC. Email. Bloglovin'. Eventually I left this blogs and if I stumble across them again someday then that is great. But my suggest: Have this stuff in your sidebar or some where that your blog readers are going to see it. If they can't see it, then they most likely won't be able to follow you either.
5. Horrible Blog Design: I know not ALL bloggers are good with designing. So I don't hold this against us. But most bloggers can customize their layouts by, font size and colors. This is where a lot of the mess up comes. I don't want a head ache every time I read your blog. Plain white background, black background with neon font, neon font in general, flashing gadgets, bright colors tend to give people head aches and make their eyes hurt. People avoid blogs for this reason.
6. Too Many Promos/Memes: The average blogger has maybe what 5-6 promos a month? More? Less? That is fine. I am talking about the blogger who only posts Blogtours (Promos), Blitz, Cover Reveals, and Memes and little to no reviews. Reviews is your personality and I know they are a pain in the ass to write sometimes. I complain about doing them. But they must be done. Limit Memes to 2-3 a week and blitz are okay every once in a while (more often if you post more reviews) and don't join a Blogtour just to promo it. Join in for the review part!
Here are 2 bloggers who's posts on designs, how-tos and the basics of blogging have helped me the past two years!
Ashley @ Nose Graze: Ashley is a book blogger but her blog also offers tons of advice on the do's and don'ts of book blogging, design help, codes, and she even makes costume WordPress themes (They are stunning!) Her blog was a HUGE help when me and Jessica first started blogging!
Stephanie @ These Paper Hearts: Stephanie is also a book blogger and co-blogs with her sister! Her blog was a huge help when I was redoing The Book Bratz last November/December. She has a whole "Coding Tips and Tricks" and a "Designer Handbook" for the basic things. Stephanie also has some beautiful pre-made Blogger and WordPress themes up on her Etsy!
So those are the things that will make me want to leave your blog. What are some things that make you want to leave a blog? let me know in the comments!
OMG the music one!!! I HATE it. It totally scares me to death when it starts blasting and I end up closing out immediately.
ReplyDeleteIt is really a turn off when it happens. I typically can't read with too much background noise so it isn't like I'll be able to read the posts anyway *sigh*
DeleteI have a colourful blog indeed (you know that LOL), but I did my best to make it easy to read and not too "aggressive". Strong colours are a big part of my identity as a person, so my blog had to reflect that on some level. But when it comes to other blogs, I do appreciate minimal designs too, if well done and original! My only rule is, colours HAVE to match ;).
ReplyDeleteI love the colors on your blog, they go well together. My problem is more neon colors and things that give people headaches. I am not going to want to read a blog that gives me a headache.
DeleteI think you just read my mind, Amber. This is the exact same list I would have written if asked what made me leave blogs! First impressions are important, after all. I don't know if I've said this before, but I love your blog design by the way :D
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
DeleteI definitely agree with you! I'm so scared that I'll make my blog too overbearing, so I've just had the design as pretty much completely white for the longest time. I just don't want to make it too complicated for readers! I also hate the music one. It literally freezes up my computer and makes me never want to click on that blog's link again. Great post!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh the constant book blitz people with like 60 posts a month and they are all literally just promos for books. When music plays I always search every single tab because I always think that some has hacked into my computer and played music, it aggravates me so much. An even worse blog design is a black backgroud with a dark side bar and font you can't see anything and it is just annoying!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting topic for a post as any blogger wants people to stay. For me respect is important, if it isn't there I won't keep following a blog.
ReplyDeleteYES to all of these. I hate unoriginal promos. It's just so boring. You might as well just advertise on the sidebars instead -_- Neon colors and designs that are too busy give me headaches. I understand that people can't post often, but if you don't blog at least once a week, I GIVE UP.
ReplyDeleteOkay but blogs with the music AND the neon colors? Honey, noooo. This is a great example of how less, in design, is probably best! Subtlety is greatly appreciated. Be kind to your reader's eyes and ears xD
ReplyDeleteMy greatest turn-offs are seeing a blog where a blogger has not posted in a while and too many memes or promos. I mean most bloggers want interaction with fellow bloggers and that is not going to happen if the blog is inactive. Although if a blogger leaves a hiatus notice that is great and thus forgivable. Great post. Very enjoy worthy.
ReplyDeleteCassandra @ The Huge Anime Fan blog
I freaking love this post! It's soo true and relatable :)♥
ReplyDeleteJumana @ Books by Jay
Great post Amber!! I love designs that are clean and crisp and don't hurt my eyes!!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the music one.. I feel like a lot of the others can be somewhat subjective. I am a strong believer that if someone plans to blog even somewhat seriously, they should invest in a professional design if they can't do the work themselves.
ReplyDeleteJustin @ Justin's Book Blog
Yay! This is a great post Amber. I agree with everything you said in that list. I think the one I stress the most is not doing promo posts every other post. A blog is for your original content where you can't find anyplace else and so having all promo posts just defeats the purpose of having original content. Also, thanks for the link back! :D
ReplyDelete~Kaitlin