Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Blog Critique: Joanna Marple

In this series I give constructive feedback about the look and function of an author blog from a marketing perspective. As always, I rely on help from graphic designers Tom Barnes (my hubby) and Joe LaRue. To review the blog elements we look at or to submit your own blog for critique, go here.

You'll find Miss Marple's Musings, the subject of today's critique, at www.JoannaMarple.com  Be quick, we'll meet below.

Oh, my fabulous Miss Marple: Your site is wonderful! I really have nothing to nitpick about. I tried to get my husband to say that you needed another color in the background to make it pop, but he said it was fine the way it is (except for a couple of weird lines in the top left of the black section - what is that?) With nothing to complain about, I'll highlight a few of the things you do right:
  • I know your name: It's in your title and prominently displayed in the profile.
  • I know what you write: You tell me in your About Me and you post about similar works.
  • I know how to follow you/subscribe: It's just under your profile - good job.
  • Your posts are easily distinguishable from your sidebar.
  • You have a search box and it's easy to find.
  • Your fonts are consistent.
  • It's easy to comment.
  • It's easy to share your posts.
  • It's easy to find you on Twitter and Facebook.
  • Your header is tied into your blog with your tagline (natural and cultural diversity of the world - I feel the natural world with the picture).
  • You use just enough pictures and color to make your posts stand out, but not crowd.
Let's face it: You're cool. That's all I got, Joanna. Anyone else?

8 comments:

Joanna said...

Wow, Laura, thanks so much for the encouragement. However, I have to confess, I have been steadily changing and improving my blog over the past few weeks by applying the advice you gave to the bloggers who preceded me. I have the distinct advantage of coming towards the end of this wonderful series. It has been super beneficial for me!

Stina Lindenblatt said...

I love these posts. I've also been tweaking my blog because of them.

My blog doesn't have my name in the title, but at one point it didn't have my name. Period. It's was in the blog address, but not on the blog. I've since changed that. I hadn't realized I had done that until I read a post somewhere about making sure your name is on your blog. When I looked, I couldn't find it. *face palm*

Elizabethannewrites said...

Having been a reader of Joanna's blog since its conception, I thoroughly agree that hers is top-notch. I am so grateful to have been drawn over to your blog by this critique. One of my goals for the coming year is to improve my own blog, and now I know where to start -- reading all your previous posts.

Thank you!

Tiltonph said...

Joanna has an outstanding blog, and constantly works to improve it. It's crisp and easy to read. And her articles are excellent. This has given me the inspiration to work on my own blog.

Callie Leuck said...

If you mouse-over the lines on the left, a little box pops out called "social slider." I clicked on it and it took me to a website on the social slider. It looks like this is supposed to integrate all your social networks -- i.e. where you are on the web, but this particular one is either empty or broken.

Joanna Marple said...

Thanks, Callie, I need to work out how to delete this.

Stacy S. Jensen said...

I love following Joanna's blog. I'm going to use your checklist here to make sure I am doing this too. A personal goal in 2012 is to consistently use photos with my blog posts. Thanks for another review. I always learn a lot.

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Nice job, Joanna! Of course, I already know how nice your blog is as I am a devoted follower :)

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