Your Name: I can’t tell you how many blogs I come across that I can’t even find the name of the author. Readers want to get to know you, starting with your name! {preferably, this should be the first thing in your about section on your sidebar and at the foot of each post}.
Ways To Connect: Make sure to have your email visible via icon or on a “contact me” page. If I want to email you, I want to be able to find it quick. Also, make sure to have all of your social media icons at the top of the page so that people can connect with you. I advise starting social media pages on all platforms. I know that it might feel silly having a facebook page for your blog and only having 1 or 10 followers but trust me, it is better to start early. This is one thing I really regret, I didn’t create or share my social media sites until a month and a 1/2 or so into blogging. Because of this, I missed so much time building relationships. Give your readers more ways to follow you via twitter, facebook, instagram, bloglovin, pinterest and rss. Trust me, they want to KNOW you and it is easier to have a convo via twitter or facebook.
About Page: What is the most viewed page on your blog (besides your homepage of course)? Most likely, it is your about page. I know for me, the first thing I do when when visiting a new blog is scroll through their home page, then proceed to their about page to learn more about them. This means you could missing an opportunity to connect with readers. That is BIG! Read my post here about Tips For Your About Page.
Navigation: I think that it is vital to have a search bar and archive on your sidebar. By having these, it will allow people to stay on your blog longer and give them ways to search through your past posts. I often go back to find posts I have read on other blog and it is really helpful. No one wants to waste time hitting the “back” button 20 times to get to a post you wrote a few months ago.
Easy Way To Comment: I think everyone hates spam. This is one of the most annoying things, however, google does a pretty good job of filtering out spam, so turn off your word verification for your comments. Its easy. Go to settings > Posts and Comments > Show Word Verification & hit NO! I had this on for probably a month without even knowing it! I also currently use Disqus instead of the normal blogger commenting.
Marquis Clarke
I love this! And all blogs definitely need these things!
Marquis Clarke
I agree!!!
Marquis Clarke
Yes!! You totally hit all the nails on the head, girl. It still boggles my mind about the first one. Come on, every blog should have a name attached. I think some people are so paranoid with the internet but at least give us a fake name! haha
Awesome post, will be tweeting to my followers later xoxo
Blessings,
Jacy
http://www.jacyleepulford.com
Marquis Clarke
So true! I’m using Disqus too and I’m loving it!
Marquis Clarke
How do you add a search bar?
Marquis Clarke
What is so great about disqus? I don’t use it but when i comment on blogs who do, I don’t see their reply for months because I don’t use disqus myself and it doesn’t e-mail me when I get a response. I just noticed your response yesterday to my comment I left on your Wicked post and realized that others have replied to my comments that I just never knew of. So I’m just curious what makes disqus great? Why would I want to convert to it? At this point I’m not a fan of it because I’d be afraid that my readers would experience what I’m experiencing where I don’t feel like certain bloggers are responding to what I have to say on their blog. I look forward to hearing the pros and cons of it! – of course, I’ll have to remember to check out my disqus account to see when you reply lol. Other than that, I think these tips were great and I agree with the frustrations of not even knowing who you’re reading about when their name shows up no where!
Marquis Clarke
That is strange and not the “norm” that I know of. When I comment on someones blog with diquis and they comment back, it comes straight to my email…not sure why yours isn’t coming back!
Marquis Clarke
Found it, I think it is in your settings on disqus.
Marquis Clarke
I agree with everything you just said, especially regarding word verification on comments. They’re a turn off. Now, I’m off to go make sure I have a “search” button and that my “archive page” is somewhere on the home page. As for social media, it’ll take me a while. I feel like I’m so socially overextended. I can bearly keep up as it is:)
Marquis Clarke
Heather, I was a little skeptical switching to disqus too, but I’m glad I finally did. Disqus emails me when someone comments on a post or responds to a comment I made on someone’s blog, or any other comments I make elsewhere using the app. The cool thing is that it actually merged my blog comments (although i lost links to people’s profiles) I’m actually beginning to love it.
Marquis Clarke
What a great post! I’m new to the blogging world, and I appreciate pros like you who take time to help the newbies out! 😉 Thanks for sharing!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Marquis Clarke
Thanks Nicole! That’s helpful, I’m looking into the switch! 🙂
Marquis Clarke
You’re welcome! Let me know how you like it:)
Marquis Clarke
Great list! So many blogs don’t have About pages and it just confuses me as to why they don’t.
Marquis Clarke
Yes ma’am to all of these. I am always annoyed when I go to a blog and there is either no about me page or the page says coming soon. That was literally the first thing I wrote. I also hate when their is no search bar or way for me to see older post other than clicking the back button.
Marquis Clarke
Agree with all of these! It’s funny I read this now because a couple of days ago I was looking for someone’s name and could not find it anywhere! I think it should be on the sidebar section, but some people find it necessary only in the about-me. I don’t know how I feel about that!
Marquis Clarke
I am very new to blogging, so this was very helpful. I have been following some of my favorite blogs for a while so I can appreciate the things you have outlined as a reader as well.
Marquis Clarke
I agree wholeheartedly with every one of these!
Marquis Clarke
Thanks for this post! I love reading tips and tricks to the blogging world. 😉
Marquis Clarke
PREACH sister!! i can’t stand it when i can’t figure out the name of the person who is writing the blog or how to subscribe!
Marquis Clarke
Thanks for this post- so helpful!hugs
Marquis Clarke
I so agree with your #1 – It’s shocking how many bloggers forget to include their name on their page! It’s hard to try and develop a relationship with someone when you don’t know their name 🙂
Marquis Clarke
Holy moly, you took the words right out of my mouth!! I actually have a blog post almost exactly like this scheduled for next week!! Great minds think alike! 🙂
Marquis Clarke
haha.. love that… yes a fake name will do!
Marquis Clarke
Thats funny 🙂
Marquis Clarke
I know!
Marquis Clarke
Thank you for reading!
Marquis Clarke
uh… yes how to follow is a biggie too!!
Marquis Clarke
Thanks for reading
Marquis Clarke
thanks girl
Marquis Clarke
thank you kelsey!
Marquis Clarke
Yeah, i mean you are spending more time on their site “Hunting” but its frustrating sometimes..lol
Marquis Clarke
Yes… search bar is a biggie for me!
Marquis Clarke
I know I like to read more about them…haha.
Marquis Clarke
ekkk… dunno if i’m a pro..haha.. thank you though!
Marquis Clarke
I can do it for you if you want.. but you just go to layout then add gadget and scroll to search and hit add, then drag it to where you want it in your layout..
Marquis Clarke
yep! I had mine on for awhile without even knowing it!
Marquis Clarke
love it!
Marquis Clarke
thank you!
Marquis Clarke
thanks girl!
Marquis Clarke
Got it. Thanks!
Marquis Clarke
Thank you for all the tips! I have to agree I dislike going to a blog and loving it and not being able to contact them or looking for some of this information.
XoXo,
Nicole
http://www.nicole-kelly.com