|
Post by writermarie on Nov 10, 2014 14:15:03 GMT
Hi there! I'm very excited about participating in this mentoring program, as I know I need a lot of help. My blog, Mom Gets Real, features posts about parenting teens and tweens as well as Walt Disney World travel and some of my personal writing. I don't think there's a particular niche, but since it's called Mom Gets Real, I figure it falls under parenting. Anyway, I'm looking for some feedback on the overall design and if you think I've tried to cram too many subjects into one blog. Should I separate them out to different blogs or is there a better way to combine them? Any assistance anyone can provide would be a huge help. Thanks so much! Marie
|
|
|
Post by danakml on Nov 10, 2014 17:48:50 GMT
Hi Marie! Your blog is well organized and easy to navigate. I don't think you have too many subjects, but I would suggest having a landing page for your Disney posts. You could use the intro you have when you click on the Disney tab, and then have an index of all of your Disney posts. That way a new reader can find what she wants quickly without scrolling through 11 pages of past posts. You could also make a clickable graphic to add to your sidebar that would link to that page.
There are a TON of blogs out there dedicated to Disney. You could split yours into two, but I think you'd be making a lot more work for yourself.
I also think you could optimize the slider on your home page. Move your intro post into the slider - I don't like that the date of your first visible post is over a year old. Make that a page or add it to your slider. The other images in the slider could be teasers for your different subjects: Disney, parenting, writing. Make it more evergreen - almost like a table of contents. If the reader scrolls down, she will see your most recent posts. You don't need them to be in your slider too. You could add two more recent posts to the home page if you eliminated that Welcome post.
I hope that helps a bit! If you have any other questions, please ask.
|
|
|
Post by writermarie on Nov 11, 2014 13:35:48 GMT
Thank you so much for your feedback! Amazing tips. I do have a landing page for my Disney posts that is accessed through the navigation menu. I'm not quite following what you mean about changing that up. I do like the idea of making a clickable graphic to add to the sidebar. And your suggestion for the evergreen topics--genius! I hope you can clarify what you mean about the Disney posts. I know it's not you who isn't clear; it's me! Thank you so much again! Marie
|
|
|
Post by danakml on Nov 11, 2014 14:00:41 GMT
It's not you, Marie - I wasn't very clear. When you click on the Disney World Tips tab on your menu, you do get to a landing page. But after your intro, it's just a feed of all your Disney posts. Instead, you could create a list of posts by category, so a reader could quickly scan them and click on the one they'd like to go to. Now, I'd have to scroll through all the post snippets. Does that make sense? I know that would be a lot of work for you because you have so many great Disney posts. But it may be something you want to work on over time. Keep what you have for now, and work on a new landing page that can be published when you are ready. You could index all your Disney posts, or just the more evergreen ones. For example, Wordless Wednesdays are nice, but someone who wants Disney tips probably isn't looking for a WW post. I have two landing pages for my Book Reviews and My Love List - check those out if my explanation is confusing. (kissmylist.com) I wanted to highlight those two categories, and I didn't want readers to have to scroll through past posts to find what they are looking for. Does that clarify? Your landing page is just fine the way it is, but I was just suggesting a way to make is easier to search for information that a reader really wants. I tend to be a bit anal when it comes to organization, so take my advice with a grain of salt
|
|
|
Post by foster2forever on Nov 11, 2014 14:27:37 GMT
I like your slider! Great intro for the new reader to your website.
|
|
|
Post by writermarie on Nov 11, 2014 14:40:39 GMT
Dana, I've already changed the slider and WOW, I like it so much better. Thank you so much. And, thanks foster2forever for the kudos. I have Dana to thank for that I totally get what you are saying now re: the landing page--so when a reader clicks on the navigation menu to the Disney page, instead of a simply category posts page, have a page of links divided by category. For example: Planning Tips WDW Transportation WDW Special Events, etc. Does that sound correct. I don't think you're being anal at all. One of my concerns is that I want my readers to find what they want quickly so I can be a valuable resource for them. This is very helpful AND it will help me stay organized with my content. I'll take your advice and work on a page offsite after I fix categories, etc and then launch the whole thing when it's ready. I have to say your advice is some of the best I've had since I started my blog. I can't thank you enough!
|
|
|
Post by danakml on Nov 11, 2014 15:18:57 GMT
You are very welcome - I'm so glad I could help. Your slider looks amazing! I have a slider option on my blog that I don't use; now I'm thinking I need to consider that!
And yes, that's what I mean about the landing page. Disney is a topic that people will search for, and they are looking for specific info. When the landing page is done, you can make an awesome image to put on your sidebar, and make a pinnable image too. Then pin it frequently so people can find you. And let me know too - I'd love to pin it on my Traveling board.
|
|
|
Post by writermarie on Nov 11, 2014 15:22:20 GMT
I'm flying through the Disney landing page and considering doing it for my other categories!
Question: If I have a post that fits multiple categories, should I put the post link in both categories? For example: I have a review of a special event party at the Magic Kingdom that fits both under WDW Special Events and also Theme Parks. Should I link it in both categories or just one?
Also, for my front page: Do you recommend a simple single list of posts listed chronologically or in the columns like I have now with the most recent from each category? I'm wondering if the front page is too cluttered.
|
|
|
Post by writermarie on Nov 11, 2014 15:24:40 GMT
One more question: Sorry!
What if I don't have posts for all the categories just yet. For example, I don't have a post for all the theme parks just yet. Do I just have the landing page only with the listings I currently have and then update as I had more content? Or, do I put in all the categories with a "coming soon". I'm leaning toward the first option.
|
|
|
Post by danakml on Nov 11, 2014 15:39:11 GMT
Yes, I would put the post link under both categories, unless you find that one category is getting too big and unwieldy. If Theme Parks is the more general category and it's pretty big already, then file under Special Events.
As far as your home page, I personally prefer a single list with post excerpts and the "read more." I think it's easier to read that format on mobile, particularly.
I like the first option too - just don't list it until you have something to put in it.
|
|
|
Post by writermarie on Nov 11, 2014 15:48:08 GMT
What do you do when you have a lot of posts under one category? Create a new one/subcategory? I'm worried that once I really get rolling, the scrolling will go on and on....
I'm sorry for bombarding you with questions.
|
|
|
Post by writermarie on Nov 11, 2014 16:40:49 GMT
Ok, here's what I have so far....www.momgetsreal.com. I've changed the Disney landing page, put something in the side bar. What do you think?
|
|
|
Post by danakml on Nov 11, 2014 19:08:19 GMT
Your sidebar graphic looks good; you just need to make it clickable so it takes you to your Disney landing page. If you google how to do that, the code isn't difficult.
That Disney landing page looks great - you work fast! If it starts to get really long, you could just have a list of topics. Each topic would link to a fresh page with those articles.
|
|