Anthony Nachor: Blog Review

[wishfulanthony]

I haven't had anyone review my blog extensively before because I had no idea on how to actually do it in the first place. Plus, it may be because of me being naive and afraid that I haven't put my site on the chopping block to be dissected for its strengths and weaknesses.

I'll make a deal: whenever I receive a comment about my site (let's be honest here),

- I will make sure to keep adding or maintain the features that have positive comments (like the menu bar works, links are working as they should, image quality).
- I will modify or remove things that you think don't work (like blog content, irrelevant entries, only one language for blog).

Plus, I will keep you updated on the progress as I go along on this review process. Remember: life keeps evolving, and the only thing that remains constant is change.

Review my website

[wishfulanthony]

News brief

I've updated my site to have my regular front page and a test home page that you can view so that you can compare which of the two home pages would be better looking for my site. Overall, more content have been introduced, particularly on a game that I am interested in sharing in, as well as new blog entries and an upcoming photo album change from my current topic on food to another travel theme.

Question: is my blog running well with the multiple contents, or does it need improvement and breaking down several topics into new blogs? I know I cover quite a lot of topics now, but I want to anchor them under one website where I share my passions on transport, gaming, and photography.

[Melody]

Hi Anthony! I will bite and review your blog.

By the way, I think the bay area is gorgeous. I lived in San Francisco from 2001 to 2004, and definitely loved that city. My second fave city perhaps, after Seattle.

I just clicked through the link in your first blog post. I will say it is a little confusing to have a home webpage and a blog as two separate urls. I kept thinking, is the blog something separate from anthonynachor.com ? And if it is, you probably don't want people to have to click a separate click to find the blog. The reality is that people don't like to click through things, so as much as possible, a blog that is designed to really hold readers should require as few clicks as possible to navigate.

I'd almost get rid of having a separate home page.

Speaking of clicks, every one of your blog articles is condensed. This means more clicking before any content can be read. I have to say, your headlines and photos are so effective, that for a moment it wasn't obvious there is more. I really think at least your first two articles (2 most recent) should show as full articles.

Your layout is super clean. It's easy to read. I rather like how you have a clear tab to find your social outposts. Your twitter page is a foursquare feed. Unless you're a celeb or verified twitter account, must people really need to be social to make twitter effective. Not just push out links. I always recommend reading, "Making sense of twitter - It's a never ending cocktail party." -- Just google that phrase.

Your writing is fine. For example, I totally enjoyed reading "New Music Discovery 2012." You did a great job of explaining why you liked that song, and your writing held my attention. And then I listened to the song, and I liked it too. Very well done.

By the way, I really love the images you have for your header. It's feels very warm and California. Well, I am originally from So Cal, and images of California enchant me.

I clicked on the photos tab. Very nice! I would watermark those photos if I were you.

Everything about the blog radiates that you're doing it because you love your content. I think your blog has a potential for real success.

Personally, I like blogs that have a "most popular posts" type widget - It provides your readers one more way to easily click on old blog posts without digging through archives - which most readers will not do. In fact, I think you could do a little more with internal linking to self-promote. When you write one blog article, if you can think of a related article that you've already written, including a link and plug for it at the end of the article.

For example, sometimes if I am writing about a coffee tasting event, at the end of the article, I might write something like, "If you liked this coffee tasting article featuring Casi Cielo, you might also like this previous article on Anniversary Blend." That's not something I've actually exactly written, just throwing out the idea.

Normally, I don't like blue on white, but somehow it works in your blog.

Some of your blog posts are little long. Actually, "Here comes the rain" is a good example of what I mean. First off, there is no way from the title and the first image (a home in Calif) to really get a sense on what that blog post is about. Your stories of living through a typhoon in Philippines is incredible, but yet your article headline does nothing to call attention to the fact that there is a great story of a kid and typhoon in the middle of your article. I would have changed the title somehow and shortened it up a bit. The history of typhoons at the end of the article then dulls the article a bit. The real story is YOU. I left you a comment on that. I think if people want to google and research typhoons they will, but make sure your story shines and has the spot light.

Whew. That's all I have to say for now. I could keep writing but I've got to stop. That's my review.

Your blog is solid. You have content. You have super photos. You write well.

[Cycle]

I found the blog was tidy and easy on the eye.
Your archives are not on the first page as you would usually expect on a blog. This however is not a problem and gives the site a more minimalistic quality (less clutter).
I liked the pictures. You live in a beautiful area.

[tbaoo]

find this part somewhat amusing, thanks, "If I don't publish your article, don't despair, as I will explain in detail what you can do to improve your next piece."