Jan 29, 2018 / Community Pool

Community Pool

Where WordPress bloggers support each other with feedback and advice.

Have you just published a new post and are dying for some feedback? Are you redesigning your blog and could use some layout or design advice from your more seasoned peers?

The Community Pool is for peer feedback and advice. Looking for more specific information? Check out some of these resources:

Tap into the wisdom of The Daily Post blogging community and leave your question here in the comments. Others can then click through and offer input either on your site, or in the comments here (feel free to indicate which you’d prefer).

Looking for more information about custom domains, advanced design options, and other enhancements for your blog? Find the WordPress.com plan that’s right for you.

Are you a new blogger looking to share your very first post? We have a special forum for bloggers just like you in our weekly First Friday posts.

To help us make the Community Pool a productive space for discussion, here are some tips and guidelines you might find useful:

  • While you’re not required to, we encourage everyone who requests feedback to also reply to at least one or two other bloggers who need some help. Spread the love!
  • The Community Pool comments section can get quite big — and starting duplicate threads doesn’t help. Thanks for not posting the same question more than once, as well as for not starting numerous threads in a single Pool.
  • If you’re looking for quality feedback, be as specific as you can. Questions about a particular post tend to draw more comments than ones about entire blogs. Questions about specific design elements are more likely to be answered than ones asking for general layout advice.
  • We discourage leaving links without a more substantive message or question. These are often overlooked by other bloggers, and we frequently remove them to make the comment reading experience smoother. Also note that including multiple links in your comment might automatically put it in the moderation queue, which will delay its publication.
  • Please keep all comments civil and constructive. The idea is to have fun — it’s a pool, after all!
  • 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.
  • If you haven’t looked at our Commenting Guidelines in a while, now might be a good time.
  • No running on the deck.

Looking for free, self-guided courses to help you get started with your blog (or revive a dormant one)? Check out our current offerings at Blogging U.

Show Comments

1,467 Comments

Comments are closed.

Close Comments

Comments

  1. I’d like to invite everyone to come by and check out a creative writing piece, “Welcome to Winter 2018.” Winter is alive and well in the Virginia mountains. This is a short prose piece from the mountain perspective. Comments and feedback are always welcome, and please leave them in the comments section of the post page, and click the like button on the post page. If you like what you see, feel free to browse around, and follow along so you don’t miss anything as I post several times a week. Thanks in advance.
    Drew

    Welcome to Winter 2018

    Liked by 5 people

  3. Bloggers, teary confession: I had a funny uncle.

    Introductions.

    If that successfully got your attention, it’s true. He still makes really bad jokes.
    My first post raves about what my new blog is about; so drop in, settle down, cuddle up. Be sure to follow too, if you like what you see!
    Or maybe that’s just my troubled childhood talking. (I’m kidding, sorry)
    Thank you!

    Liked by 5 people

      1. haha thank you very much!
        well, i could say the same about your blog but it honestly wouldn’t be enough; and this im not saying for the follow!
        Best of luck with the blog!

        Liked by 2 people

  5. I often wish I lived in a book sometimes too haha just read “stood up” and loved it. A common everyday thing starts a journey to the unexpected. Sounds like a good strart to a book if you ask me ✌️

    Liked by 4 people

      1. Wow thanks I appreciate that a lot. I’ve been trying to work on finding my blogging voice the past little while so I’m happy to hear there might be some progress. Really appreciate the words and feedback. I had a chance to check out your blog quick and sounds interesting! Definitely going to explore it some more. 😁

        Liked by 2 people

  6. Hello blogosphere!
    I’m not a new blogger, but I recently deleted my blog (as hard as that was to do) and started fresh. There’s only a few posts on my current blog, but I’m working towards a schedule to make sure I make time for this blog while also managing my job, family, and household. Any advice is appreciated!

    http://mamaisahandful.wordpress.com

    Liked by 6 people

      1. Thank you so much! 🙂 I truly love writing, and I used to much more than I have time to do now. My first blog was pretty good – but I lost the ability to be anonymous when I plastered my name all over it. And, it lost its “sparkle” for me. I felt like I couldn’t be who I wanted to be, and had to filter what I said….and I’m not about that life. Hoping this time around I can keep the identity thing in check!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I definitely agree! The anonymity is probably one of my favourite parts about blogging but it’s great that you got back into it! I can’t wait to read more of your posts!! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Estofado de pollo – that’s a chicken dish isn’t it? In terms of feedback, I like the original photos; it’s obvious that care has been taken over the shots and they’re nicely interspersed with the text.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Wow, this blog has a really professional looking presentation, which is half the battle for getting readership. Also, I think a lot of people will find this content useful; it’s well structured and not overly long, which helps.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I’d like to invite everyone to come by and check out my poem, “Dire Wolf.” My first poem written in 2018, and first new poem in a while. The inspiration came from listening to Coast to Coast A.M. in the wee hours of the morning on a freezing night. Comments and feedback are always welcome, and please leave them in the comments section of the post page, and click the like button on the post page. If you like what you see, feel free to browse around, and follow along so you don’t miss anything as I post several times a week. Thanks in advance.
    Drew

    Dire Wolf

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Really liked this post! Probably more pictures than I’d tend to use but this is probably due to the personal nature of the post. Great read!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. The colours and the culture, in all, looked really stunning! It shows that it was really an incredible experience and that, in itself, is, I think, a success as a blog post!

      Like

    1. I’ve already commented on your post but your blog is so incredible and I just wanted to comment on here so I could let other people find your stuff as well! 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    2. First of all, welcome to the community! I’ve had a look at your posts and I really love your writing style. Do you use tags within your posts? If not, you could be missing out on a wide range of tags – often a great way to link people together who have similar interests.

      Liked by 2 people

    4. I really liked your photos, and you’ve achieved what you wanted with them; they are definitely really emotive. I saw two of your poems although I had trouble loading the page for “Hush” – not sure why. Please don’t think I’m speaking out of turn, but have you looked into using punctuation as a tool as well? I think you could frame the words and add just touch more potency to what are already evocative lines by adding some end-stopping in some places for instance. I think it could really suit a poem like “hush” because it already has short, staccato sentences.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Hmm, this is so taboo, you might find it difficult to get feedback! But I guess that’s the point of your blog, to help overcome stigma enough that people can benefit from the hindsight of your experiences.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re exactly right, unfortunately. I think it’s like bringing condoms to the counter at the drug store…you feel like you’ve got to mix in a lot of stuff so nobody notices. I actually get a ton of private messages, which is great, and people realize pretty fast I don’t judge anybody, from the most conservative of Christians to the most liberal anarchist. Judging is what is keeping us from discussing this addiction openly.

        Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi! just read your blog post, lol what got me was you living on an “off-grid jungle homestead”, this post was really cool. My only thing and you can ignore this, the post felt like it ended kinda abruptly but still liked it 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

  18. Hello dear bloggers!
    I’m back this week after a while. My photo blog Full Frame Images has 3 new posts where I show my first printed and framed photograph ; then, series of street photography in black and white… My second print and framed work will be ready tomorrow. Stay tuned 🙂 I would like to invite you to visit my blog and please subscribe. Let’s stay connected. I will follow you back. http://www.fullframeimages.wordpress.com

    Cheers 🙂

    Liked by 9 people

    3. So very inspiring! I’ve been working on cutting down my usage as soon as I realized that it was as good as an addiction; but posts like these, I think, will help me take that last step; so thanks; it really is a wonderful post!

      Like

      1. Thank you for your kind words. It is a behavioral addiction actually, the unhealthy use of phones. Not all teach is bad but I feel we reliant far too much and the tech companies have cracked the code on how to keep us hooked… there is a book called “Irresistible” by Adam Alter and he talks about how far away ppl in the tech world stay from what they made. THanks your your wonderful comments

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Hi guys

    I have recently started my blog and although nervous, I’m also excited to share my thoughts and past experiences in hope of inspiring at least one person.

    I would love a bit of feedback on my newest post and if there’s anyone who can relate I would absolutely love to hear about it.

    Here is the link:https://theuntitledone.wordpress.com/2018/01/27/the-saddest-thing-about-betrayal-is-it-never-comes-from-your-enemies/

    Have a fantastic day all !x

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Hi, I like your post, it is very poignant. There are a couple of things you need to alter on your site… Your tag line “Doubt Kills Dreams More Then Failures Do” you just need to alter the spelling of “Then” to “Than”, and you have an uncustomised text widget in your side bar, make use of it 🙂 Other than that, don’t worry, we were all beginners once and we have all fel that anxious nervousness you are feeling about putting ourselves up on the page. Good luck with your blog and keep up the good work 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Hey Beckyy, your post on Harry Potter gifts is very informative. There are a few things that you could alter on your blog to improve the layout. The menu (when you click on it) dominates the page, perhaps change it to a drop down. Also when I click the “Blog” button, the blog description line (this is where you will see your blog) dominates the page, with your writing all cramped up down one side. Get your work in the middle of that page 🙂 Do those things and you will be golden. Hope this helps and keep up the great work.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Ahh thanks. I didn’t even know it did this! I’m not sure how to change it but I’ll google it and try to figure it out. Thank you!!

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Different devices display differently 😊 just so you know I was checking it out on an iPad. When you’re customising you can look at how it displays for the different formats (tablet, desktop and phone) so just remember to look at those before you publish 😊👍

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Thank you so much for your feedback! I checked out your site and love the name! I also enjoyed your posts about your Michigan farm and your projects like crocheting.

        Liked by 2 people

  24. Hi everyone! Took a break recently whilst I got back into the swing of my studies. Written a few posts in the last few days I’d love for you to take a look at. Really want new blogs to follow too, please feel free to comment and I’ll gladly take a look at your content.

    Liked by 5 people

    3. I love your blog; and how it’s not particularly about anything really, but it’s still somehow so personal and so relevant and such a pleasure to read. Well done!

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Hello everyone,
    I’m a noob.
    I love philosophy in a creative way and I like sharing my experiences subscribe to my blog.
    You won’t regret it!

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Hey – you got the follow you wanted 😉 I can’t wait to read your posts!!
      And don’t worry! I’ve been doing this for a month now and I’m still a massive noob!

      Liked by 3 people

  27. How can I drive traffic to my new website? Right now I’m relying on word of mouth and Google console. I use my social media platforms to share but i’s not something consistent to be honest. My main site is RevivalinChrist.com

    Liked by 5 people

    2. Just keep doing what you’re doing and get right in with the blogging community and the traffic will soon follow! : )

      Liked by 2 people

    3. Categorise and tag your posts. Using tags like postaday, postaweek (I literally can’t push these enough as these have always helped me) mean that they show up in the reader for others that use the same tags. Also just post regularly, and traffic will come. There is no magic formula to drive people to your site, so just keep at it. Also as the nonalcoholic student said, interact with other bloggers. Visit their sites, comment on their posts as they will come and visit yours in return. Post in community pool and intereact with the people that you see on there as you will make friends with people and encourage people to visit your site.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I loved your post – commented on it on your blog. One thing is I am having a hard time finding the follow button on your blog. I don’t know if it’s just me, or if you don’t have one, but I think having one will help out!

      Liked by 1 person