Aug 11, 2013 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for input, whether on post ideas, writing, blog design and layout, or anything else. If you have a post, page, or idea you want to bounce off someone, leave a comment. Your fellow bloggers can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

Read on for the ground rules and to leave a comment . . .

  • You’ll get the best feedback if you can be as specific as possible about what you’d like people to respond to or where you’re struggling.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. We’re here to help and support one another, not to beat anyone down.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • To keep from losing your place in the comment thread while you visit others’ blogs, right-click on a link to open it in a new tab or window.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

Show Comments

310 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  6. Hi guys, new to WordPress and blogging, so I’m really a newbie 🙂 My goal is to blog about travel, sharing experiences that impact on me and that will hopefully entertain or assist other travellers. I’m experimenting with using photographs, writing and infographics to make the info as useful as possible. However, I also want to learn and interact with travellers via my blog.
    Would really appreciate some constructive feedback on whether I’m on the right track, particularly in terms of content and layout (which of report-style, photography or infographic is more engaging).
    The blog is at http://astonishedxpression.wordpress.com
    Once again, thank you sincerely for any help or advice!

    Like

    1. Starting from the end, I don’t think you need to choose between report-style, photography, or infographic. Some formats work better for different topics and, if you keep going with this, you’ll want to have all three formats at your disposal.

      There are three things I’d suggest improvements on, though:

      1- Looking at your blog header, it’s not immediately clear that you’re doing a travel blog. With the X looking a little bloody, one could be forgiven for thinking that “Astonished Expression” was a horror movie blog. If I were you, I’d change the red color (perhaps to blue or green, maybe yellow if you were looking for it to pop) and add a tagline beneath the title. Visitors need to know what your blog’s about.

      2- There’s a gap on your home page between your posts and your sidebar. I don’t know why that happened but it looks weird. If there’s an option you can change from having 2 sidebars to one, that’s probably the thing you’d want to toggle. Right now, you have your content crunched to the left when it doesn’t have to be. (The layout looks fine when I click on a post. It’s just the home page that has this problem.)

      3- Use simpler tags like “Maldives” instead of “travel to the Maldives.” Similarly, have a “photography” tag and a “Forbidden City” tag instead of “photo Forbidden City.” I’m not sure many people search for phrases instead of keywords and, if people search for phrases, the entire phrase generally has to match.

      Like

  7. Hi all. Here are two posts I would like to share with the community. The first one is something quite personal but nevertheless, still willing to share http://infinityythoughts.wordpress.com/2013/08/08/weekly-writing-challenge-i-remember/
    The second one is something that I have written about why I love the English language. If you have an ardor for the English language as much as I do, don’t hesitate to take a look! http://infinityythoughts.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/why-the-english-language-intrigues-me-so-much/ Thank you in advance 🙂

    Like

  14. Hey, I’ve changed up my theme a little bit on my blog, and I’m getting a lot more interaction from people; thank you so much. But could I get some more feedback still? Tell me what’s good/bad about my blog…and how I can improve it to get yet more interaction! http://kidprepjay.wordpress.com

    Like

  16. Hi,

    I just started with my blog. I don’t really have experience so good advice is more than welcome… Actually i was wondering if you have tips to promote my blog to have more visitors?

    materialistame.wordpress.com

    Thanks!

    Like

    1. Hi, you have to blog more. You could have a schedule and stick to that I mean if you blog daily or twice a week etc.
      Every post share it with the world.
      Social media tools are wonderful for that so pick one and share share share =)

      Like

  17. Am new to WordPress, thought I’d see what all the fuss was about. Anyway have posted my first blog, the unique outlook of single Muslim woman and all that entails. Would love feedback and happy to read and review other blogs. Than you muchly.

    That elusive first step…

    Like

    1. Hi again
      I think you need to put the follow button and the like and share too; so readers around the world interact with you.
      Is easy. You need to go to settings > reading and then if you like clic in > sharing for the social media buttons.
      I wish you luck and welcome to this crazy world of blogging =)

      Like

    2. welcome to WordPress! sorry I have no feedback (as I’m also newbie at WordPress), but I have followed your blog! 😀

      Like

  19. Hi everyone
    I need some advice about the change of wordpress.com to wordpress.org I think both had amazing things but my question is if I really need to change. I´m a newly blogger (since 2011 but really posting since february 2013) So I don´t know for sure if the change could be good for me.
    Thanks in advance for your feedback =)

    Like

    1. WordPress.com is easier to use because it handles your blog and comes with preset functions. WordPress.org allows you to do more with your blog but, it takes more work to set up and to upkeep and wordpress.org because you have to know how to change settings, install widgets and control your blog. WordPress.com is better for beginners and WordPress.org is beter for experienced people who know how to do web designs and to manage all components of a website. That is my understanding of the differences between the 2. SO for which is better that depends on you and how much time and know-how you have.

      Like

  20. I’m not too sure if the visual presence of my blog is right. I like the photo I’m using for the header, but I’m unsettled on the rest of it. Right now I’m using the free themes, which I know is putting me at a disadvantage, but finances are such that I don’t have a choice. I’m not all that happy with the colors of the theme. I can’t change the color of my blog title but can change the background one.

    Are there any suggestions out there?

    Like

  24. Hello, greetings from Singapore. my name is Lidya, and i’m a newbie at WordPress.

    Me, honestly, lost a direction as a blogger. I didn’t know what to post, or to write properly. Although I have set what types my blog is, but still, I am having a hard time. Also, my blog traffic is not really good, and i’m wondering how to gain more traffics.

    I am open for feedback for my blog. Whether it’s about layout, or even my post. I need your help. I feel like my blog is really pathetic, therefore, I need your opinion and feedback.

    Thank you so much for reading this comment, and thanks in advance for the opinion/feedback. I’m looking forward to it.

    Have a great day,
    Lidya.

    http://lidyachu.wordpress.com

    Like

    1. Hi Lydia! I’m a blogger from Singapore as well and I’m really glad to have noticed your blog! The theme of your blog is simplistic yet beautiful. A blog theme that’s too sophsticated isn’t too much of a good thing. Like what they say, “Simplicity is beauty”.
      With regard to your posts, there is a recurring problem, in which, you have already pointed it out yourself. Grammar. Grammar is undoubtedly the most crucial part of writing and it is good grammar that enhances your entire piece of work. Poor grammar on the other hand, is something that we as writers try to avoid. Of course, everyone is imperfect and we all make mistakes. But we can try to minimize the mistakes made can’t we?
      It is clear and obvious that you have a passion for writing and it’s a commendable act for many people give up on writing because of poor grammar. Perhaps read this post of mine? http://infinityythoughts.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/why-the-english-language-intrigues-me-so-much/ Keep the passion for writing burning and I hope to see your writing improve!
      To get consistent blog traffic, it would be good if you could comment on others’ writing as well as participating in Weekly Challenges prompted by The Daily Post. These, in turn, would allow other writers to take notice of your blog.
      In all, you have great content. But keep in mind that if you would like to have more likes and more traffic, content shouldn’t be too cliche. I wish you luck for your future write-ups and exams! 🙂
      With regard, Han Au.

      Like

      1. Hi Han Au! thank you so much for the lovely feedback.
        nope, I’m the one who glad to have noticed your blog 🙂 i love your writing style.
        again, thanks for the lovely wishes and comment. all the best for you too.
        good night!

        Like

      4. Thank you for sharing the above link. I reflected and related with what you have written most explicitly. Your words were most certainty true.
        Grammar is important in language as well as in writing. I agree with this – “having the ability to use them in writing, to use punctuation and sentence order to make writing more playful, more exciting is key”. Interesting!

        Like

    2. Hi there! I am fairly new to blogging and I understand your frustration at putting in hard work only to receive paltry responses. It appears to me that, like most things in life, you first have to prove your bona fides before people will begin to trust and accept you.
      From the little I know, the most important is to produce honest copy. Don’t worry overly much about spelling and grammar, that will come with time as you learn and hone your craft. What I would want is to get some value out of your blog, irrespective of whether it has some grammar mistakes or not. For example, if you have discovered a fantastic restaurant serving brilliant Nonya food, blog about what makes it such a must-visit place to eat… Unique dishes, the flavour, perhaps a recipe of how to make it, where it’s located, how affordable it is etc. That way, next time I’m in Singapore, I might just visit the place!
      Good luck!

      Like

      1. Hi there! Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. But the thing is, I didn’t intend to be food blogger. I just shared it as part of my daily life post. you get what I mean?
        anyway, again, thank you so much. Good luck too and all the best for you!

        Like

  28. Hi Everyone,

    I just want to let you guys know that you are free to comment on my blog anytime. I enjoy writing about college, writing in general, pets, and other random subjects I add to the list. The link is down below. If you have any questions, feel free to comment and I will respond as quickly as possible. I am new at blogging and I sometimes struggle with grammatical errors and get stuck on different topics I want to write about. What interesting topics can I write about, that are actually worth reading and commenting on?

    Thanks,
    Rachael, a.k.a. “Shuggy1993.”

    http://shuggy1993.wordpress.com

    Like

  29. Hi folks!

    I started Bikeable Jo a few months ago and I’m having a great time. I actually have quite a good following base as well!

    Do I need to spice up the site? I have some old posts I really like – should I keep those on the main page? At a crossroads and could use some friendly feedback. You can find it at http://www.bikeablejo.wordpress.com.

    Any guestbloggers are very very welcome! Thanks to wordpress for being great x Jo

    Like