Aug

7

The Hunt for Great Wordpress Templates

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Oh boy, did I get myself into a long and drawn out search for a better template for this blog. I just was not thrilled about the background color or the header font of the one I had, and my lack of enthusiasm about the design finally turned into an active dislike, which pushed me over the edge.

I don’t like changing a template that I’ve customized over weeks because it takes so much time to reconfigure a new one. And what’s more, I have to try several before I find one that looks great and works properly. So, a few hours and no new posts later, here it is. I am very happy with the end result.

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Aug

6

More Than a Blogroll

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Minekey

When you create a blogroll, a list of links to the sites you trust and respect, and place it on your blog, there are some benefits. But there are also drawbacks.

The major drawback is the static nature of a blogroll. Sure, you’ll update it once in a while, but consider it from your readers’ perspective. It doesn’t change, so why should they pay attention to it? After a few visits it becomes effectively invisible, just taking up space.

The alternative is a widget that offers readers’ dynamic links, specifically blog posts from the sites you trust and respect. Not an RSS widget for one blog, but for many, one post link for each of the blogs you specify.

There are two great sites that give you widgets with this functionality. You should take a look at both to see which one works best for your site.

Minekey

RollSense

[via webware]

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Aug

4

Stories or Lists: Which Do Readers Prefer?

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Storytime

There are those who say lists are the best way to bring in traffic, top 10, top 5, 46 best, whatever. Then there are those who say telling a story is more engaging. Obviously, each has its merits and drawbacks and much depends on the type of reader you are trying to draw.

Some readers want the information to be as easily scanned and digested as possible. That’s all they’re after, and lists do it for them. Wham bam, thankee mam. In and out in 30 seconds or less. A completely reasonable approach.

On the other hand, some readers like a bit of foreplay, drinks and dinner, maybe a movie, or dancing (shudder). Stories, at least well written ones, float their boat.

My solution: Do both. A brief anecdote, accompanied by a succinct list. The listophile can skip the story and be out of there in a jiffy. The storytime lover will linger over your experiential musings. And everybody lives happily ever after. The end.

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