Discussions
Do you need a BLOG DESIGN CRITIQUE? Everyone does to improve.
Posted by mediaonela • 9/08/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog, critique, design, Photography, promotion, review, tips
Hello All,
I thought it would be good to give back to the community and offer some time to critique a few blogs and also suggest design alternatives and photos to help create your brand.
Do i know what i am talking about? you tell me by checking out my site and blog at www.mediaonela.com/photography
User Comments
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Coupla things on first look... the body text is too light. Mebbe change to #999999
Also make the heading the same colour if you're going to keep it as plain text instead of a graphic. It's noticeable enough to keep drawing the eye to it - on first glance looks like something's wrong kind of. -
Well, I need a logo for my blog. Can you make a Snake for my "S"ayzlim ??-
Sorry Sayzlim..i am not a graphic designer. Just checked out your blog and it has really good content in it. keep it up.
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TAKE A wwwstugod.blogspot.com/
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The light text is a bit hard on the eyes. Otherwise - It's clean, simple and keeps the focus on the purpose of the site, escpecially your portfolio.
Mine's here: www.tonyamoore.com/index.php?option=com_mojo
As a part of my main site, it's a bit hard to configure separately. My main concern is coming up with a decent logo for the site...that might take some time.-
I really like the look of your blog but I find the colored text a bit hard to read. Maybe it's just my eyes.
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I most certainly do. I think my blog might be too narrow =(. Time to let it get a bit free I think.
www.dykalicious.blogspot.com-
I wouldn't normally go for the bright green, but that paricular layout is crisp and fresh looking. A wider body area or sidebar might give you a bit mroe flexibility as far as content goes.
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LOL My answer exactly
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you are all on my que. i should have a critique first thing next week. thanks again!!
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huh.. -
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Sir you have an amazing blog , but why dont u try new templates ?
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My friends blog please; kirat92.blogspot.com -
Yes, please help me godamnit. I like the plain look, but I know people respond to something more colorful. I just don't want to bother. What do you think? -
What the heck- Scrutinize mines and let's see what you think.
dietdon.com
*and the good old*
thecomedynet.com -
sure, be my guest internet-dating-guru.blogspot.com/ -
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The theme looks great , you seem to be new !
Good luck :]
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I find the body text too light to read comfortably. Other than that your blog looks very nice.
I wouldn't mind some critique: themountainsage.wordpress.com -
Feel free to tell me what you think of my blog. It's been up and running for a little over a year and I have changed it quite a bit.
myviewmytake.wordpress.com -
well to be honest, I can barely see your text, it's unreadable
this is quite a shame because I am genuinely interested in what you are saying
also color blind people probably won't see your green hyperlinks -
Be the first 100 on my Guest book list. aquirah.page.tl Actually I was not bothered by anyone I was occupied, but later ... my once been "social humane sickness misses" me. Just recently collected 100 comments ..now let people power on my guest book with just edited freshly looking blog.
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I recently updated my blog, taking advice from some helpful members, but i am not perfect, feel free to critique.
tjefferson85.wordpress.com-
It looks very nice! I would suggest moving the Sitemeter banner out of your blogroll. Maybe you could consider removing some of the items on the right hand side. It's a bit cluttered and overwhelming. Other than that it looks great.
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How about mine?
www.roentarre.com/Blog.aspx?id=4-
Your blog is very clean, neat and straightforward. Good job.
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I´d really apreciate some feedback: danielcajiga.com-
I can only give you my opinion based on my personal preferences. Your blog is, IMO, way overloaded with stuff and I find it difficult to filer out all the clutter. Do you really need all of that on the front page? Your banner is hard to read as well.
Please don't take offense or take my critique personally. I just don't like a lot of clutter. I want my eyes to be able to land on the articles and not be distracted with 2 other columns of superfluous stuff. To be honest I wouldn't stop and take the time to figure out what your blog is about as it overloads my brain.
You've got recent readers and recent visitors on the right hand side. I think that's a bit of overkill. Does your reader really need to know who else has looked at your blog?
Upcoming events is really unnecessary IMO....most of us have calendars.
If you are going to use a category widget, use a drop down menu one so that it doesn't take up so much space.
And unless you are making a good it of money on all of those ads I would remove a few.
Remember, you need some "negative" space on your page....a place for the eye to rest. You've filled up almost every space with something.
Hope this helps and hope you don't take offense. As I said, it's just my opinion based on my personal preferences.
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I have a spanking brand new blog...I like it a lot
Let me know what you think
www.PotatoPatchRecipes.com-
Your blog is the way I like blogs...neat, clean and straightforward. Good job. I'll be checking back for recipes. If you are looking to up your traffic I suggest you visit some other blogs and leave comments with a link to your blog. You might want to add a blogroll and exchange blogroll links with other bloggers.
Very nice job. Keep it simple. I know exactly what I'm going to get when I come to your blog and I like that!
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This reply was in the wrong place. Sorry.
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im trying to put together a forum forum.xbangz.com any suggestions to how to organize content on phbb? -
josephgelb....it's impossible to know the best way to organize content until you have some members and find out what they are most interested in. I have a forum that I am the administrator of and it's taken months to organize the categories into the most effective for my members format. I also have to change it as things change.
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I need a sidebar critique for my newest blog:
shockplusfade.blogspot.com/
I'm not sure if everything is in the most sensible locations. Does anyone have any suggestions on what should go where?-
Very nicely done. You have a lot of stuff in your right hand two columns but it is well spaced out and not overly cluttered.
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Feed back needed please www.visitmaniac.com/blog It's new now I just need to start blogging and learn how to blog better any suggestions, tips etc?
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Hello MountainSage, very straightforward and clear blog, as you have stated in your preferences, very informative for people interested in politics without doubt. Your headear is very beautiful! (much more than the subject, all my respects of course)
On the other hand about mine...
Thank you very much for your constructive critique. I really needed it... fiu! the first negative observation for my messy blog wow! thanks a lot. I have already taken into account some of the observations.
You were very right about the Upcoming events stuff it´s out...
Some unnecessary stuff was taken apart too...
You have a political profile, don´t you?
Btw can you filer out that clutter? hehe.
What do you thing about the new view?
danielcajiga.com
I have recent readers and visitors widgets because one of the goals of my profession is to networking with people and help people networking between themselves so, yes, my readers really need to know who else has looked at my blog and it´s my pleasure to facilitate that endeavor for them. Why that question?
My categories are the backbone of the Home Based Internet Business way of life, thus if someone wants to be an internetpreneur I can help but if don´t like to see the categories or feel scared about them, this career is not for them.
About 20% of my monthly earnings come from the ads on my blog and everything I´m advertising there helps to build an online busines that btw is the ultimate goal of my blog... do you got it?
About the negative space ...oops, I´d love to have more space. hehe.
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okieeeeeeeee...here goes mine www.tech43.net-
Hi, callmeminty,
I like your blog...it's very straightforward and interesting.
I do have a suggestion...maybe you could include a way for people to email you to suggest a product you might want to feature. For instance, I finally found an ergonomic mouse that is perfect for my little hands....I can't be the only person who has had the problem finding just the right mouse. If I could email you that information it would help to involve me in your blog. Does that make sense?
Maybe you could join consumer reports online and share their ratings of the products you showcase? Consumer reports is one of the first places I check when I'm looking for a new product.
Very nicely done blog! Kudos.
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DanielCajiga.....thanks for your critique. I took the photo that's in my header and I have a photo page at my blog.
Yes, yours looks better and I do understand now why you have so much stuff on it. I have a mild case of A.D.D. so it just overwhelms me.
Good luck with your business and your blog. Sorry if you thought I was too hard on you!-
Hello MountainSage, hehe, you were too hard and I am grateful about that, you cause me to take a tough look and get my blog better :o).
I have a question that forgot to ask you last time: what does IMO stands for? I looked for that acronim´s means but no one did fit into the context.
Thanks again and I want to tell you: just a friend tells you the truth, your foe always will tell you what you want to hear.
Best Regards,
Daniel Cajiga
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Ok...I like the fact that your blog is very clean and uncluttered. I do think it could use a bit of visual "punch"...maybe a colorful header of some kind, or a photo or two to emphasize your message. Lots of text without a visual break can be a bit overwhelming and tedious.
All in all it's a very nice blog in my opinion.
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shroomheat.com is a blog and ill frame it like that, its not a link folks im trying to promote deep conservation
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Hi there. I like the visuals of your blog very much. It's clean, uncluttered, has photos for visual punch and it's not too pithy. I always wonder if personal blogs that cover a multitude of topics have a lot of traffic since I'm so used to blogs with a definite message of some kind.
Visually your blog is top notch but I think maybe you could punch up the content a bit.
Good luck and happy blogging.
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Ah I need some critic.
please see my blog at www.easypy.info/coloncleasing-
First of all the link above doesn't seem to work for me. I had to click on your name to get to your blog link.
I find the red in your blog too bright and it overpowers everything else. Other than that the layout is nice and you left plenty of negative space. The use of the graphic is a good touch in my opinion.
My only suggestion would be to tone down the red. If you want to keep it in the red family maybe make it more of a blue red like a candy apple or burgundy instead of fire truck red.
As for the content, you say "in the previous article" but I can't find the previous article. Maybe you could make that easy to find so people can reference your other articles.
Good luck with your business. All in all I think you've done a good job with the design. -
Thanks alot for your opinion I will correct the mistakes and will try the colour you suggested.
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DanielCajiga....I'm glad you took the critique in the spirit it was given. If people take the time to ask for a critique I think I should be as honest as I can without being mean.
IMO means in my opinion. Sorry for the confusion, I spend too much time on message boards. ;-)-
Thanks again friend.
Best Regards,
Daniel
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I think your blog looks very nice except for the header. The text in the header needs to be black if you are going to use that photo in the header....it's unreadable otherwise, or do away with the text except for the name of the blog.
Otherwise very nice job. It's uncluttered and you break up the text with vibrant, eye catching photos.
Happy blogging!
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Very interesting and visually pleasing theme. You do very nice illustrations!
On the left hand side you have tab looking things that say "undefined"....those need to go away. I have no idea what they are.
When I clicked on About at the top it didn't take me to an About page. And the Archives tab at the top doesn't work either. Those links need to be fixed.
I think you need to include About and tell people something about yourself. I also highly recommend some kind of copyright notice so that not just everyone feels free to rip off you illustrations.
All in all a very nice job! Happy blogging.
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please suggest on what image am i going to use in my header. i also need your suggestion about my color scheme. thanks. kuyuri.blogspot.com -
jeffrech00....where to start? I think you need more than one post on your front page.
As for color scheme it will definitely depend on what photo you use in your header. What kind of look are you hoping to achieve? High tech? Mellow? Homey? Country? Give me some clues and I'll be happy to make some suggestions.
How does one navigate to your home page once they have clicked on an archived article? Make it easy for your viewers to navigate your blog.
You have a LOT of space between the photo or graphic in your post and the text. Why is that?
You have some good information...information that quite frankly I'm interested in but your blog is hard to navigate.
I hope you'll come back and let me know what look it is you are trying to achieve....let's talk! I'm no expert but I have some design training and will be glad to discuss it with you. You can email me through a link at my blog.
Cheers! -
I'd love to get some constructive criticism on mine:
another-mile.blogspot.com-
I'm not into running so I can't comment on the content but the design is nice - it's clean and uncluttered.
If you took a digital camera on some of your trail runs and shared a few photos it would help someone like me get drawn into your content.
I think your blog looks really good.
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I like the blog, but the text could be darker. Otherwise, it's fresh and clean. -
Tell me what you think I can do to improve my own please. DwayneTucker.com/blog-
Your blog is uncluttered which I like. I think it would be better if you used a theme that didn't have a blah gray background. Your banner photo, while pretty, really doesn't jump out and grab me and that may be due to the gray around it.
You could use some work on your grammar and punctuation. -
Thank you for the comment what color background you think I should use or should I just go all white?
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if anyone wants to comment on the frontpage redesign for www.bradstinyworld.com feel free the rest of it is still undergoing changes, but this is about what I want.-
All in all, very nice.
My biggest complaint would be everything is shoved over to the left except for your recent viewer box which is just sort of hanging out there on the right all by itself. It looks unbalanced. -
Not all the widgets are installed at the moment. I really wish WP would allow for multiples of the same it would make tweaking an active site a lot easier
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You have no idea what you got yourself into starting this thread.. lol -
bradhart...I know what you mean. I finally paid for the CSS upgrade and tweaked a few things myself.
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Pleeeease,help! I am new.-
greatdeal...your site looks fine but I have no idea what it is you are talking about. Maybe I'm just dense but I don't get what your posts are talking about.
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I think the format is fine but the font is too light and it's hard to read. If you can make that darker and maybe put a border with some color it would make the page pop a little more.
You have interesting content...I just think you need to make the page a little more visually appealing.
I'll bookmark you blog and be back. -
MS
Thank you for your comments!! I really appreciate it.
We do have a border but from some reason it doesn't work for specific resolution.
We specifically didn't make the blog too colorful to not remove the attention from the content images. maybe it was a mistake?
I am happy to hear that you liked our blog.
I visited your blog as well - great photography! Love how you capture moments!
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Thanks for the input, I am trying to take my blog towards information that I find in my research to make money and hope that i can get some great feed back like addressing the isues that I type. Maybee I should make it more understandable. Thanks mountain sage
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You're welcome. Just write your posts with the idea that nobody knows anything about what you are writing and over explain if necessary.
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It's good thing for consrtuctive critics for bloggers, it will help them on the viewers opnion, something that we can' see as owner of blog
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kerenfathi....thank you. I'm hoping for a new and improved camera for Christmas. :-)
I do use an unusual resolution because I have a widescreen monitor which is why the border may not show up. -
I could use some advice on mine, as well, if anyone would be so inclined.
(That's the polite version.)
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEEEEASE review my blog!!! How can I make people comment?! *on hands and knees begging for attention*
thewriteshadow.blogspot.com-
Ok, remember, you asked for it. ;-)
I do like the fact that your blog is clean and uncluttered. What I don't like is that it doesn't have anything that visually draws me in. I highly recommend a customized header of some kind....something with some pop to it. As it is the blog is visually just pale.
I personally find the post that I read just too long. I'm sitting at the computer, not lying in a comfy bed reading a book.
I would remove the *hint hint* type of references. Draw the reader into your world and they will comment. I can't say I felt drawn in, but that could be because I'm not interested in writing a novel.
I would highly recommend justifying your text. People tend to find justified text easier and more pleasant to read. I haven't used blogspot in a long time so I don't know if that can be done when writing the post or if you have to alter your template somehow. I had to alter my CSS stylesheet in wordpress to accomplish it but it was worth the effort. It gives the page a neat, clean, easy to read appearance. If you can't do it within the post I can try to help you make the adjustment in your template. Send me a message through my page here.
Your blog is going to appeal to a very specialized reader and it might take longer to build up a readership because of that.
I think you are on the right track. You have good content, a good concept, and you haven't over done your blog with ads and other junk. Try to find other blogs dedicated to writing and leave comments on those blogs with links to yours. Be patient, be persistent and be consistent.
Good luck and happy blogging. I hope this helps and I didn't overwhelm you with suggestions. -
Thank you! That was great advice, and I truly appreciate it.
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As a follow up, you have done a GREAT JOB on making your blog more appealing to the eye. The justified text looks great. Good job!
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Hi...i know im way back since this thread is started...but would you kindly review my blog and give me some usefull comments?=p
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First let me say that some of your content is beyond me as I don't have an Iphone....but that's just a personal thing so I won't comment on the content.
Your blog is clean looking for the most part. I personally don't care for the 3 column design as it feels a bit cluttered. I would suggest you go to 2 columns if you can easily. If it's going to require a complete change in template it wouldn't be worth it.
I would suggest to you as I have to others that you justify the text of your posts instead of having a ragged right edge.
I give you very high marks for a header that catches the attention. I really like your RSS feed graphic. I think you are definitely on the right track design wise!
Well done!
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I'd like some critiques for my design to make my design better.
Thanks.-
Hi, sbloggando.
I don't read Spanish (it is in Spanish isn't it?). So, I will only comment on the design.
First, the header doesn't tell me anything about your blog. Maybe if I could read the content I would get it. You might consider something a little brighter and eye catching but the header isn't bad just a little subdued and confusing for me.
There is one thing that is a personal dislike and that is the right hand top where it has Tags. I just think the tag thing is jumbled and distracting. But as I said, that's a personal preference.
Also, since you are using a magazine style template I think it would look more magazine like if you justified the text.
As for what I do like...you have photos for each of your posts and it's very visually appealing.
I like the featured function at the top left on the page as well.
I'm happy to see you haven't cluttered up your blog with a bunch of stuff that really is of no use to the reader. I think you made a smart decision in using extra pages for your blogroll, etc. instead of cluttering up the right hand side of your blog.
All in all, great job!
PS...I enjoyed listening to I Will Survive as I looked over your blog.
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thanx for the comment...it does help me alot!!im so flattered coz im act a design newbie...thanx for the critics and i will try my best to make it better...
cheers~-
You're welcome. I get frustrated because I went to school for design but I don't always know how to do the coding to make it look the way I want. I'm still learning.
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Lawrence it took me a LONG time to get to the pages that you have made that really showcase your art.
It wasn't easy.
I went to the link you posted - it went to a BUSINESS TYPE website (assuming your business - as in your sales stuff - and your services)
Clicked on LEFT -- OUR BLOG: www.mediaonela.com/weekendphotographer/
Which pushed me to:
blog.lawrenceatienza.com/
YOU ARE AN AMAZING Photographer - in that you have a WAY with Lighting.
Not many photographers produce ART --- using light to emphasize or demphasize. And you've done a VERY good job at it. I hope that you succeed with your work and do well - because you do have a LOT of talent.
Anyhow - if I may say something - For someone with the kind of talent you have - you really need to go one of two ways --- and not inbetween... OK? Bare with me...
ONE: Totally PERSONAL - and make it personal: Show off one of your photos for that day - or week - and discuss it... Describe it - describe what it took - what your mind set was, etc. If you're selling - keep your Contact information on the side - and then maybe throw in an Interview here and there - CAPTION the PHOTOS to tell who took them - when -- subject matter and any other pertinent information. Blog post titles SPECIFICALLY about the topic in the Post ONLY. Very separate.
TWO: Selling Blog -- Each post gives something you sell - and / or tips - and links to the things or services that you want to sell.
What I see when I look at your site is almost a presentation of both. And it's disjointed to me. Although - I am VERY AWED at your Art. It IS very good - and that overshadows any other issues.
Either way you go - EACH POST needs to be ORGANIZED and cleaned up. In yours it seems you put a lot of info into each post and it's too much. For Example: In the Interview section - I didn't understand it was an interview for a VERY long time - it looked strange... Disjointed.
Lay it out:
Title of Post
Picture (caption your pictures)
Opening line describing that the Following information is an INTERVIEW
Something like this would work:
WEEKEND PHOTOGRAPHER INTERVIEWS: BILL CRAWFORD / StudioLighting.com
First Photoand caption for photo: Bill Shout Out - Taken January 2 by XXAABB using ttyy lighting and xxx exposure cannon 101xxty camera
Synopsis of Interview PRIOR to opening comments:
This interview with XXXAAAABBB by Weekend Photographer shows how XXXXAAABBB started in the photography Industry and provides insight to where XXXAAAABBB is heading. WP met up with XXAAABB at the Spruce Goose Dining Room to discuss what's going on:
Titling Excerpts (usually done in italicized): XXAAAABB on The Past and what brought up the interest of photograhy.
WeekEnd Photo: So... tell me...
XXXXAAABBB: Well it was like this....
WP: Really and how did....
XAB: Fantastic - you see...
And then - when you go to the second portion of the interview - you jump up another Snippet that is italicized.
XXXAAABBBB on The Present and how he plans on doing This and That:
WP: So you wanted to open up this...
XAB: Yeah and there was... So we..
WP: Great! So what happens
XAB; Well...
and again the next Snippet Pull
XXAABB on the Future and where they plan on...
WP: Now what do you plan....
XAB: well we want to...
and so on.
There is room on your sides - to pull SNIPPETS out of the conversation and make quotes out of parts of the conversations. And that will catch people's eyes.
NOW --- here's my suggestion to you - Pull out Rolling Stone -- OR ANY magazine that does interviews - and look at how they do the layout for interviews... Check Industry Mags and look at how they do interview layouts.
SO -- that was what I wanted to say before I asked you to please take a look at my blog --- and feel free to critique it --- I don't have ANY photography in there - but for what I am - and what I do --- When you see the blog - YOUR art sense --- does it approve or not approve (NOT WHETHER YOU LIKE THE CONTENT - LOL - but more whether it is visually appealing for the content matter.)
I realize you weren't looking for someone to critique your blog - or anything LOL! --- but I went there to see what you were doing... To see why you would want to look at other people's blogs to critique them.
I hate folks who just """HEY LOOK AT ME""" to do only self promo - and not give anything back at all.
Yanno?
Anyhow --- I really think you have talent - and you should put yourself out there. But with the disjointed posts - the only things that stand out are the BEAUTIFUL PICTURES... And --- truly - you're probably wanting the Content to be very important -- right?
My site -- is animated sorta ---- But if I could find the right "REAL" logo - for me - then I would use it -- Unfortunately while good lookin' for over 35 - I'm still OVER 35 - and not representable for the image that is needed for my industry... LOL!
It'd be like a 50 year old in a Playboy Centerfold --- one who hasn't had cosmetic surgery and is sorta outta shape... LOL!
So - knowing that - if you want to look at my blog artistically - feel free to do so.
IF --- and ONLY IF -- you want help on your layout and how to move your stuff around - let me know.
WagerWitch
wagerwitch.blogspot.com
Casino Promotions -
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