Jul 13, 2014 / Community Pool

Community Pool

The Community Pool is for those of you looking for feedback, 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 . .

TIP: 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.

  • 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. If you simply leave a link to your blog, it’s likely to be overlooked.
  • 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.
  • No running on the deck.

Photo by t_a_i_s.

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  1. Hello, dear bloggers. Is anyone interested in flowers .I like them and I would like to exchange opinions about their growth. Love african violets .

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  2. My blog is a compilation of short posts intended to be amusing so if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands then it might be good to have a look at. Feedback is always a good thing!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I am currently writing about not really alternative remedies, but rather homeopathy and the Ayurveda style of healing. I would like to diversify but since I’m seriously under traveled, can’t cook fancy, can’t dress fancy and have no make up skills, what do I talk about? It isn’t necessary for me to babble, but I love it 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi,
    I’m fairly new to the world of blogging (May 14) but I have done the Writing 101 challenge. I’ve found a theme I like and have played around with it a little. As I’m not experienced in the world of blogging, I’d like some feedback please on if the setups I’ve created (order of Widgets and Menus) makes my blog easy to read and navigate. If not what would be some changes you’d suggest as a reader?

    Thanks so much.
    Oh and comments here are fine if you like.

    http://tphogan.wordpress.com/

    TP

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    1. Hi TP.

      I like your blog layout – it’s very homely. You are also getting a lot of comments and views which considering you’ve been blogging weekly for only a few months is a very good sign that you’re doing something right. For that reason, I can’t offer any more advice because you already have a bigger audience than me! Haha.

      Best of luck,
      Aidan

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      1. Wow, okay. Thanks @Aidan.

        I posted 20 times in a month for the Writing 101 Challenge, (that’s where the ‘usually’ part of ‘Updated Wednesday…Usually’ kicks in) :). I think that had a lot to do with the boosted views and comments.

        I’ve dropped considerably now that I am back to weekly.
        That doesn’t worry me (yet). I just wanted to be sure that the layout was suitable and user friendly, so thanks for that feedback.

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  6. Gratitude is the genesis of all positive emotions. Gratitude expressed in advance can create abundance in life. My inspirational blog is helping people live with gratitude to create an abundant life and at this moment I am extremely grateful to wordpress for giving this opportunity to blog here and to daily post for this opportunity to express it. Thank You, Thank You and Thank You.

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    1. Nice blog! My own personal taste would be to bend the text around your photos. A little bit too much empty space on your posts. Best of luck!

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    1. Hi Amy. Your picture at the top of your homepage didn’t load for me. Not sure about the purple background. A little bit too bright for my tastes – a simple black text on white would make it more appealing IMO.

      Sorry to hear about your redundancy, but best of luck with your new blogging adventure!

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      1. Thank you so much. My principal is simple layout, and to make my content shine. I have since taken on board your feedback and changed it to a simple white text on black, which looks more sophisticated.

        I am unsure about how to fix the picture not loading, but I’ll keep looking into it. Thank you again.

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  9. alizeheman.wordpress.com Kinda new to all this. Would love it if you take some time out to go through what few things i’ve written. Thanks.

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  10. Hi All

    Whilst I am fairly happy with most of the content on my blog I am always interested in hearing other people’s opinion on it as I think there are always ways to improve things. So I am looking for general feedback on both content and layout with regards to my blog.

    I blog on a mixture of things, generally things about life, music, and other random things that pass through my head.

    http://cognitivereflection.wordpress.com/

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  11. Hello everybody,

    My blog is very personal and I did not start it with the intention of having a reader base. However, I’ve figured a little appreciation is good for the ego ;). If you guys get the time do visit and leave your feedback at the blog!

    http://squishys.wordpress.com/

    Love,
    Squishy.

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  13. Hey guys! I’m brand new fashion and lifestyle blogger, and I was hoping that people could check out my blog! I’d love any feedback, questions or comments as I’m pretty new at this. I’ll be sure to check out your blogs as well!

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  15. Hey! I just started a new blog called The Jubilant Gourmet, which is supposed to be kind of like a place where everyone (I’m included in ‘everyone’) can come and learn techniques, tips, tricks, where to eat, recipes I’ve either tried (or have been too chicken to try, but really want to), and different websites that are good to find gourmet ingredients/recipes on. What I’d like to know is if anyone is interested in gourmet cooking and if anyone has any experience with food blogs? I kind of want to have a different day of the week for each type of post (whether it’s a restaurant post or a recipe post, etc.) , or maybe one post each week with a different topic? I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m also a horror writer, so it would be difficult to do a ton of food blogging when I’m trying to write short stories or my novel. Any help would be wonderful, thank you!

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  16. Hi, I just started a blog to write about our upcoming travel journey from Sheffield to Bangladesh. At the moment am just practising writing a blog, sharing stories and pictures of our past travels. This is my last post http://selimfamily.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/amidst-black-bulls-white-horses-and-pink-flamingoscamping-around-southwest-france/
    I am looking for feedback on whether the posts are too long, too many(or few) pictures, too personal/reflective, rather than informational, overall would people interested in travel with children want to read them? Thanks so much for any feedback!

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  17. Would love for someone to check out my blog! : smilebakers.com!!! I am a 15 year old, writer, runner, and health-enthusiast! I absolutely adore connecting with other people, so head on over!😘 love and smiles, Isabel 🙂

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  19. Hello y’all! Here’s my blog, http://itsrandomania.wordpress.com/

    I’m currently focussing on writing short pieces of fiction. I’m relatively new to this whole fiction writing process, and I’d love critique from fellow bloggers on which styles I should keep, and which ones to ditch. Thanks, and much love. 🙂

    P.S.: My latest short is called ‘The Beach Town.’ and here’s the link: http://itsrandomania.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/the-beach-town/

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  21. Dear all,

    I’d like to improve my blog (in German) and therefore I’d be grateful for tips, hints and constructive feedback.
    Thanks a lot
    Daniel

    The blog I need help with is drmoellenbeck.com.

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  23. Bonjour,

    I’m not sure if this post was designed to be restricted to WordPressers only, or if the feedback is open to any platform. I have two blogs, one personal and one ‘professional’ – and neither on WordPress.

    I would love to hear from intrepid folks who are up to taking the time to have a look at one or both. I’m seeking basic feedback on design (pleasing to the eye, easy to navigate, etc.) and content (interesting, thought provoking, etc.) for both.

    Personal: http://xanthorpe.blogspot.com/

    Professional: http://www.michael-dunne.com/blog

    Please reply to this post with your feedback (I’ll subscribe to the thread so I receive email notifications when you do), or, if you read one or more blog posts and have comments on them specifically, feel free to comment at the blog in question.

    Thanks!

    Mike

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    1. Hi Mike! You’re welcome in the Community Pool — while the vast majority of bloggers here are using WordPress.com as their platform (and hence, technical-type tips might only make sense if you’re a WordPress.com user), the blogosphere and the connections made within it don’t discriminate between platforms. (And if, one day, you decide you need a change from Blogger, we’ll take you with open arms 🙂 )

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  24. I have two questions. Firstly, I don’t think I am doing my pingbacks correctly. I always post the link to the blog title in the URL space for ping backs but I never see my contribution. Secondly, how do you guys drive traffic to your page. I visit blogs, I post daily (now), I use tags. Y’all have any advice?

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  25. I am brand new to blogging! So I can use all the encouragement and input. What’s interesting to you? Come on over and lets be friends! redoperaglasses.wordpress.com

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  28. Hi, I’ve been on WordPress for about 6 months. I’m getting good interaction on blogs I post to Twitter/LinkedIn but via these channels and not WordPress. I’m after some constructive critism and tips to help me take another positive step forward. My site is http://ngagementworks.wordpress.com

    Thank you in anticipation of assistance from fellow bloggers

    Like

    1. Hi Nick!
      One thing that might explain your lack of traffic via WordPress.com is the high number of tags on your posts. Posts with more than a total of 15 tags and categories become invisible on the Reader, and a casual glance at your posts suggests most of them go beyond that number. I’d imagine that after a few posts published within the 15 tags/categories limit you’d see an uptick of WordPress.com visitors.

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  29. Hi im new to blogging. Please check out my blogs and help me
    How to improve it? Thank you all

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  30. Hello Poolers! I just updated my ‘about me’ page http://amandajgrace.wordpress.com/about/ having spend a loooong time gently resting against the question of what the hell I’m doing with a blog (ahem, my life, *cough*).. what is my why and purpose.. Big question. I would appreciate if you could have a look and feedback to me your impression of my about page. Thank You in advance and I’m happy to reciprocate should you require feedback also ❤ Amanda

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