Welcoming Constructive Feedback

[MsJosay]

Hi all I've made it to 15 posts so now I'm able to promote my blog. I've only been working on it for a couple of weeks (today I got a huge spike in visits as a result of my first Twitter mention) so it's still in it's infancy stage.
I'm planning on moving to a self-hosted Wordpress.org blog once I gain a solid number of visits/day. I welcome any feedback (as long as it's constructive). I know the layout isn't great right now but like I said it's a work in progress.
Also, I'm looking for feedback on the name of the blog - I'm thinking it's a little bland and do have an idea for a better name (I don't want to share the name and tagline publicly to make sure people don't steal it but if you are an established member of this community and PM me I will send you the info in hopes of getting some feedback.) Thanks for looking!

Gadget Girl Review

[Nathan]

I think you are doing a very nice job with your blog. I have a couple of recommendations, though.

First of all, if you ultimate plan is to move to self-hosted, then you had better do it soon. The longer you spend at an address, the more that address becomes worth, because it has been promoted and it is where your blog has "lived" for a while.

If you wait until you are getting steady traffic at your current address, then move to a new one, then be ready to start all over again with very little if any traffic at all.

That is the way blogging works. You have to build each address up from the start, and only a few regular visitors will follow you to a new place.

If you want feedback on the name feel free to PM me. I've been blogging for a while so I might be of help, and I also already have two blogs, with no plans to write another, so I'm not going to steal your idea.

One thing that you should really watch out for is that sidebar. Don't add any more of those links to BlogCatalog or other directories. First of all those directories are just about worthless as far as promoting your blog goes. Second, each of them is an open door leaking PR and visitors from your blog. In fact if I were you I would remove those links right away.

Just to give you an idea. I was on BlogCatalog for over a year, and got maybe 100 hits from them. It just isn't worth it, and I would have gotten more than one hundred search engine hits back if I hadn't been stunting my blog's growth with those link backs.

Let's see, what else.....

....theme. But you said that you were going to change that anyway, so I'll wait until you get a new theme before criticizing that. However, I will say that the blurry apple logo picture isn't that great. The rest of the beautiful white and clean theme is marred by the blurriness of that drugged out picture. Go for something crisp to reflect the rest of the crispness and the exactness of tone that you need for a gadget blog.

Hope this helps.

[MsJosay]

Thanks for all of the great feedback Nathan. The info on the blogcatalog chicklets it very informative, I'll definitely heed your advice. I'm in the process of looking for another picture for the header but again I'm changing some stuff around so I think I'll probably end up creating something of my own when I decide on a solid brand. Thanks again!

[Nathan]

I'm glad my advice could be a help to you. Take it from me, just about 100% of those directories aren't going to give you any traffic, or are going to give you minimal traffic. You pay more in the long run because of the links then you get out of it.

The plain truth of the matter is that no one is going to just give you traffic. They want something back out of it. And they want more than they are going to give. So watch out for free traffic schemes. The best way to build traffic is naturally, over time, as you attract people with crisp writing and sensible link exchanges will similar sites in your blog category.

[bbrian017]

Hi MsJosay

Thanks for sharing your blog with us!

I think your blog in impressive and could be used as a learning curve for many bloggers! You content seems original and unique! I love how you're keeping your sidebar clean and your blog loads very fast!

I would definitely visit your blog again after my first impressions today.

[MsJosay]

Thanks for the feedback Brian. I'm actually in the process of moving my blog (trying to get it done before it gets too big - taking Nathan's advice) and am moving to another template, just as simple and clean but with a little more of a personalized touch, I plan on posting it here to get some more feedback. I'm also glad to hear that you would definitely visit my blog again. Unfortunately I haven't received very many return visitors but I'm trying to keep my head up, the blog is still very new after all.
By the way, I checked out BlogEngage and really enjoyed the site, great job!

[bbrian017]

Hey thanks!

we could always use people voting! Hope to see you around!

p.s good luck with the move!