Quick Blogger Blog Tips
Okay, I’m sure you’re all aware that Suzanne and I suggest using a self hosted Wordpress for your blog.
But what if you just can’t make yourself do that?
Blogger is a popular option. If you do go that route, lets talk about things you can do to make your Blogger blog more user friendly.
First off, do you really need the 10 digits of word verification before someone posts? We have to enter that EVERY TIME WE COMMENT on your blog. It makes it easy for the reader to just think, nah, I’m not going to bother to comment. Turn off the word verification option.
Let anonymous commenters leave a comment. Turn on the option for allowing anonymous comments for your blog. Not everyone has a Blogger account, nor do they want one. The reader wants to leave a comment on your blog and link back to their own website. It’s annoying enough that Blogger makes the reader enter their information, over and over, every time they want to leave a comment. (Blogger, if you’re reading this, get a clue. Wordpress, Typepad, and other blogging platforms save our information so we only enter it the first time we comment on a blog.)
Font size: I’ve seen a lot of Blogger blogs with small type size. Give your readers a break. That’s really hard to read, especially on laptop screens. Up your font size a few sizes. We’ll thank you.
That’s it. My quick suggestions for making your Blogger blog more reader friendly.
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Another thing for Blogger users to keep in mind is that when you read on your PDA or smartphone? Can’t see that word verification picture. So can’t leave a comment. And some of those verifications are a, um, challenge to read, even on 17″ screen. Really, really don’t like them. Would prefer moderation.
Double yes on the font size. That’s one thing I’m putting in my request for new site design: start with a bigger font size! In the morning, I REALLY can’t read small fonts…
I despise, with an all consuming passion, those word verification pictures. With the exception of the people I really, really value, I don’t leave comments on blogs that have them.
Hate. Them.
I’ve gotten **some** spam since I took mine off, but not that much. It’s manageable. And I really prefer it that way.
I hope people take your advice!
Thanks for the great tips. I too hate the word verifications and sometimes have to do them a few times because I can’t get them right. I didn’t know I could take it off until I read your post. Now it is off! This time last year I didn’t even know what a blog was, now I’m hooked. I have never fancied myself as a writer but I love to tell funny stories. Blogging gives me that outlet and my animals give me plenty of stories to tell.