Comments on: 5 Things That Make Me Stop Reading Websites & Blogs

By: Jilly Stansfield

Jilly Stansfield — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 05:24:59 +0000

It was Joanna that pointed me to this blog – so glad she did. Off to fix my blog…

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By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 05:19:47 +0000

Those are some good tips you have and I totally agree with them. I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to play music when a website loads, but it needs to stop.

I tried to go to Huffington Post the other day and it was so cluttered that I just had to leave without clicking on anything because it was just so jumbled together that I didn’t want to have to take the time to make sense of it all.

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By: PhyllisC

PhyllisC — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:00:24 +0000

I enjoyed reading your post. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one that has things I dislike on some sites. The comment about the music is one that I especially agree with.

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By: Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:08:02 +0000

Hi Jane, Thanks for picking my site out as one that improved! I used to use a free theme and then moved to Thesis after paying for a critique as you pointed out. As a new blogger, I didn’t know what I was doing, and it was so helpful to have someone more experienced with blogs giving some pointers for improvement which I implemented immediately. I am still trying to improve.

I agree with your points absolutely – my biggest turnoff is definitely streaming video and audio, and I never read black blogs.

However, I do read most blog posts in Google Reader on the iPhone so don’t actually see the layout, but my decision to subscribe is influenced by look and feel.

Thanks for all your hard work and great writing, Joanna
.-= Joanna Penn´s last blog ..5 Reasons Writers Need To Embrace Technology =-.

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By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:50:23 +0000

I feel the same way. A couple of my friends break these rules with their blogs and if I didn’t know them, I wouldn’t follow. Readability people!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..I Have a New Gig =-.

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By: vodkamom

vodkamom — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:21:04 +0000

Excellent advice! I love it all, and frankly couldn’t have said it better myself.

I’m sure mine is bit too distracting as well, but that’s the kindergarten teacher in me. I also feel the need to highlight others on my blog- I can’t help myself. That ANOTHER important rule I learned while teaching kindergarten. You always share.
.-= vodkamom´s last blog ..My lips move, but the kids don’t hear a word I say. =-.

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By: Theresa Milstein

Theresa Milstein — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:20:41 +0000

Your post made me rethink (agonize over) the layout of my blog. Last night, I changed the template, and then I played around with the fonts and colors this morning. The result is a much cleaner blog. Thank you.
.-= Theresa Milstein´s last blog ..Surveying the Squares =-.

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By: Charlotte Rains Dixon

Charlotte Rains Dixon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:56:03 +0000

I hate, hate, hate it when I get to a blog or site that automatically plays music. Also hate it when a video automatically plays.

Now I need to go work on a re-design for my blog, which is in desperate need of some freshening up.

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By: bangs or no bangs? « jane, candid

bangs or no bangs? « jane, candid — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:25:59 +0000

[...] Friedman of Writer’s Digest, I did a little cyber redecorating again. Her guest post, “5 Things That Make Me Stop Reading Websites and Blogs” appeared on the blog Writer Unboxed. In it, she outlines a few easy blog fixes that can [...]

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By: Jane Koenen Bretl

Jane Koenen Bretl — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:45:52 +0000

Jane,
Yet more useful advice squeezed into 2009! I’ve made a couple immediate changes to my blog, and will continue to look at it with a (renewed) critical eye for readability. Thanks as always and happy new year!
.-= Jane Koenen Bretl´s last blog ..peace on earth =-.

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