Blog to Success!

[Xeno]

Ok...now that I have everyones' attention... I thought I would post this here as I did in another forum I participate because I think this is going to become important.

It's no lie that Blogmania has exploded with popularity with people, but also for those who run adult business. Nothing wrong with jumping on the bandwagon and expanding and taking advantage of the pro's of it eh (lol...yes I'm Canadian)...

Well, I cannot really speak for other Link Directories or Link Lists, however, I am seeing a trend -- or more so, a series of problems beginning to arise. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing Blogs and blogs getting submitted and many of them offer something great. So what is the issue?

First Problem:
Just as it happened with Free Sites...webmasters got into using and submitting their sites with the same look, layout, style, colours...in other words, using the same templates. AS you probably seen with LL's and directories, they established Rules of submission of not wanting the same templates used over and over.

Why is this an issue? Well when a surfer enters a LL or Directory and begins to check out listed sites, the surfer will start to see a trend of sites that all look the same; only to decide to forget about looking at more sites because they think, "Well, the next one will be the same" or "Hey, these are all the same sites!" So the LL traffic goes down, surfers spend less time at them, in-turn, this also affects additional sites which you may have listed and would result in low to no affiliate sales if your site's purpose is to generate $$.

This phenomenon is now moving into the realm of Blogs....People are setting up multiple blogs but they have fallen into the trap of using the same old templates over and over and over and over. Surfers will begin to think they are all the same and will begin to move on.

Solution? As tempting as it is, and believe me, I can understand why you want to use something that is already there and easy to use and QUICK, try to go with something unique. You will have far better success with your Blog with surfers, Link Lists, and Link Directories....not to mention if you get high ranks in the search engines! But it also gives your Blog a personality.

I know some blog software makes it very very difficult to understand how to create something totally unique from scratch (I saw one the other day and I was horrified at their concept), but it can be done. Right now I have 3 Blog design requests....hence I do web design.

Second Problem:
Again, I know people are jumping on the bandwagon of "Blogamania" but easily getting confused on what a blog really is. Here is a simplified definition of what a Blog is:

A blog (short for Weblog) is a personalized website utilized as an online journal of thoughts, ideas, articles, and sorted in a reverse chronological order of an individual rather than an organization. Otherwise, why not just have a typical website? Blogs will often include pictures, or other media, and most have a column of links to specific resources or other websites. They also generally allow visitors to make comments, like having an advanced guestbook. Weblogs are also considered to be part of a community, all linking together in one way or form.

What we see happening now are people falling out of this concept and turning blogs into mini link lists, affiliate link farms, and mini tgp galleries. If you want to do this, that is fine, however, why not just make a website? Best advice? Maintain the concept of what a Blog should be and use it for this purpose. You can still take advantage of them to market your other network of sites, but lets keep it to what they are...otherwise, the net will just get flooded with crappy boring blogs.

I think sooner or later you will start to see LL's and Directories begin applying strict rules on Blogs...I already know of 3 big ones and a 4th who is about to place new rules in their submit form.

1. Think about if you REALLY do want a blog or if it's just to be like everyone else? Remember a blog is personalized and unique.
2. If you have something to say and want to share information, then start a blog;
3. Do you want to go maintream with your blog or keep it simple and basic?
4. If you are serious about it, grab some paper and pencil and make notes on what you want in it, what links will be coming in and exiting, among others...
5. If it's to be used as a gateway or mainstream, go for a custom unique design...not template;
6. Get a good domain name for it so it helps with Branding it;
7. Create a schedule of keeping it updated...a Blog is not "a create it and forget it kind of thing"

Weblog Design
I know its probably a hard thing to accept what I just said above, but if you REALLY want to succeed with your blog and fight for top search engine rankings now (and yes its going to get very hard fast because 1000's are jumping on the blog thing), I urge you to consider carefully how to proceed with one.

Need a starting point?
Most everyone will know where to get started with a blog script or provider, however, here is a tiny list but there are others out there:

1. Blogger
2. WordPress
3. Serendipity

If you need custom design work done for a Blog, there are a few designers at NetPond who might be able to do this work for you. I am one of them because I also have a mainstream web design business (but not limited to any specific types of sites)...PM if you have questions or need advice.

Long story (tutorial) short....try to stay within the concept of what a Blog is, and try to be unique with them. Remember, these kind of sites are personalized to the creator...why be like every other blogger out there. Make a name for yourself and get known! That is how it's done and how your blog will stand tall and rank high not just in the search engines, but in user reviews!