Tech writer Tom Johnson does a nice job of outlining some good practices for creating a usable blog in his article Twenty usability tips for your blog.
Much of the advice Tom mentions now comes ready-baked into many blogging platforms, either by default or as a configuration option. I really like the article because it reinforces how important the details of implementation are to the success of a web project. Having a blog is great but doesn’t mean you have a great blog. Sweating the small details and making the technology work for your visitors means payoffs immediately and in the long run.
In the spirit of web collaboration, here are a few additional points to add to Tom’s list:
- Try to have a short, easy-to-remember URL. (Umm, yes: www.iworkindustries.com. Right.)
- Have clean URL paths that use words, not numbers, and preferably words related to the content of the page, like the title.
- Take risks with your content and writing.
- Move beyond just writing. Experiment with audio, photos and video, if appropriate.
- Be opinionated. Consider all the other websites out there that would gladly have the attention of your visitor. Now make sure you’re keeping their attention.
- Be personal. You don’t have to reveal your deep fears but you have to create your own voice and style and identity. People love to connect with other people. Give them someone to connect with.
- Use good verbs. In fact, use only good verbs. Deploy them like pace cars to lead readers through your posts. Rock your verbs and you’ll rock your readers.
Anything else?
