Let me review your blog!

Jon

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
32,378
Points
283
Age
42
Location
Leeds
I’d sort of like to. I know there is a great resource on here to get started so it’s really a case of sitting down and doing it!!
don't let that offer on the right hand side with Kloudhost go to waste before the 31st!

you have no idea how much of a discount I wangled for you all!! lol
 

Andrew

Super Helpful Superstar
Staff member
Joined
May 2, 2017
Messages
1,695
Points
313
Age
39
@Queen Jess just clicked onto this and it looks really lovely. I don’t know anything about critiquing blogs so for the lay person, it looks great on the eye. It feels really calm, if that makes sense, and I’d totally read your stuff based on seeing this :)

She spent ages on the theme so she’ll appreciate this! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lizziew24

Queen Jess

Money Shed Royalty!
Staff member
Joined
Nov 28, 2017
Messages
1,186
Points
313
Age
42
Website
www.circuseveryday.co.uk
@Queen Jess just clicked onto this and it looks really lovely. I don’t know anything about critiquing blogs so for the lay person, it looks great on the eye. It feels really calm, if that makes sense, and I’d totally read your stuff based on seeing this :)

Wow thanks :) I had a bit of a blogging crisis yesterday after fighting with the theme and trying to add a header picture for over an hour. I think that's just what I needed to keep going.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lizziew24

Jon

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
32,378
Points
283
Age
42
Location
Leeds
https://moneyskipper.com

Hi Jon, I know that you had a look on my site recently and said I had good content but it would be great if you could give it a full review.

Much appreciated, thanks,

Danny

Design

I found the design of your blog to be a bit all over the place. When i'm scrolling down the front page the embedded tweet seems to take control of the scrolling mechanism a bit. The blog is called MoneySkipper but the background appears to be some kind of animal and that combined with an offers sections + matched betting gives new readers a pretty confusing sense of what it is your site is going to offer them. I would choose ONE concept for your blog and stick to that throughout.

The use of the Instagram feed at the bottom is clever but again i'm not sure the content matched the domain name and just creates confusion. With a domain like MoneySkipper people are going to come for you for money related content FIRST and it's that that you need to place the biggest emphasis on!

The static share plugin down the left-hand side works very well and isn't intrusive at all. The widgets on the right-hand side are also well used for your ads.

Content

The content in the posts I found very well written with a great flow to them. You make great use of images to break up the posts and any banners you use to generate money fit in very naturally with the post. Your personalized featured images for each post are very well done and should make for some eye-catching promotion through your social media channels.

I personally hate pages like https://moneyskipper.com/quick-links/ as it's just a list of things which very little context. You would be better of breaking them all up and making separate blog posts for themes / blogging tools / cashback sites etc so that the reader will feel more compelled to click on those links and they will have been convinced to by the content around them.

Thoughts for the future

You need to make a decision on which way you want to take your site content wise. I'm not convinced money and wildlife is a natural fit so you either need to think about a more generic domain name for the site or you cut one of those two topics and just focus on that!
 

MoneySkipper

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Dec 20, 2017
Messages
28
Points
133
Age
33
Location
Colchester
Website
moneyskipper.com
Thanks for the thorough review and your honesty. When I first created the site, I was a bit worried about mixing two genres together, but I thought there would be people who have a passion for both, like myself and they could choose what section of my site to look at. However, I understand how it can be confusing, especially from visiting the homepage. My whole concept including the name, logo and categories was blending the money with the nature, but from your advice I'll try and make things clearer or separate the two themes.

I'm glad you like my contents though, that is very reassuring so thanks.
That's fair enough about my quick links page, it was just as a convenience page for anyone. I am planning to create proper pages though like you mentioned.

I've definitely got some thinking to do now.

Danny
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jon

Jon

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
32,378
Points
283
Age
42
Location
Leeds
Hello
I wouldn't mind a review - you can find me over at http://www.glitzandglamourmakeup.co.uk

thanks:)

Design

The design on your site is amazing. Everything from the eye-catching header to the layout works well for a beauty-focused blog! The widgets are well placed and you've made excellent use of pictures/photos throughout. Your menu system is also well laid out and easily accessible from every page. For as much content is on each page it doesn't feel overly cramped up at all.

Content

The content itself I found to be very well written with a great flow to your posts. You make excellent use of both internal and external linking in the posts.

You've integrated your multiple social media channels very well such as YouTube etc.

Your 'Work with me' page (http://www.glitzandglamourmakeup.co.uk/work-with-me) - You should have the email addresses on there turned into clickable links so it makes it easier for potential clients to contact you..

Thoughts for the future

You need to install an SSL Certificate to get your blog https as Google de-rank non-secure websites such as yours.

Do you get much traffic on the making money / blogging tips posts? If not it may be time to cipher off the content into a separate blog as your URL / design is very much geared towards beauty/fashion and it kind of looks like the money making bit is 'tagged on' a bit.
 

kathcake

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
82
Points
138
Age
36
Location
Kent
Website
www.glitzandglamourmakeup.co.uk
Thanks @Jon for the review. They're quite popular on Pinterest, i'm not sure I could do a whole other blog for just money making - I do like writing the occasional post and putting it up as i'm sure my readers could do with a bit of extra money :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jon

Jon

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
32,378
Points
283
Age
42
Location
Leeds

Design

You need to either make your logo have a 'mask' background or change the background colour to be the same as the rest of the grey colour at the top.

I would also shove the widgets ALL on one side rather than both as it sort of squashes you content a bit in the middle I feel.

The community hub page does nothing so dump that link off your menu. Also I would move the alignment of the menu in general more into the middle of the page.

Good use to social share buttons on each page...

I like the 'next story / previous story' widget that comes up when you are looking at content. Good way to show other people relevant stuff they may like!

Content


The content that's up there is very well written and very easy to read. You need to link to more external sites and also internlink your content more as I could barely see any of that.

You also seem to be missing featured images on each of your blog posts as each one is just 100% text.

Thoughts for the future


I would drop the donate button at the bottom. If you want to earn money easily from your existing content just put in some AWIN links or at the very least use your TopCashBack referral link.

I'm also not sure the 'Because you care about you' slogan works but I could be wrong on that front as it's an area you will know better than me.

Finally chance the email address on your blog that you want people to contact you at from moneymental@moneymental.co.uk to something a bit more personal.
 

leighc10

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
17
Points
123
Age
48
Location
Hertfordshire
Website
www.footballgiftsonline.co.uk
Hi Jon

If you get 5 mins would you be able to give a quick review of www.premierleagueheroes.com which is my blog about ex Premier League footballers and what they are doing in retirement.

As you can see I have Adsense and Amazon Affiliate links on the site but neither bring in too much. The majority of money that comes in from the site is via sponsored blog posts.

Would appreciate any feedback.

Cheers
 

Andrew

Super Helpful Superstar
Staff member
Joined
May 2, 2017
Messages
1,695
Points
313
Age
39
Design

You need to either make your logo have a 'mask' background or change the background colour to be the same as the rest of the grey colour at the top.

I would also shove the widgets ALL on one side rather than both as it sort of squashes you content a bit in the middle I feel.

The community hub page does nothing so dump that link off your menu. Also I would move the alignment of the menu in general more into the middle of the page.

Good use to social share buttons on each page...

I like the 'next story / previous story' widget that comes up when you are looking at content. Good way to show other people relevant stuff they may like!

Content

The content that's up there is very well written and very easy to read. You need to link to more external sites and also internlink your content more as I could barely see any of that.

You also seem to be missing featured images on each of your blog posts as each one is just 100% text.

Thoughts for the future

I would drop the donate button at the bottom. If you want to earn money easily from your existing content just put in some AWIN links or at the very least use your TopCashBack referral link.

I'm also not sure the 'Because you care about you' slogan works but I could be wrong on that front as it's an area you will know better than me.

Finally chance the email address on your blog that you want people to contact you at from moneymental@moneymental.co.uk to something a bit more personal.

Thanks @Jon I shall get tweaking :)
 

Andrew

Super Helpful Superstar
Staff member
Joined
May 2, 2017
Messages
1,695
Points
313
Age
39
Design

You need to either make your logo have a 'mask' background or change the background colour to be the same as the rest of the grey colour at the top.

I would also shove the widgets ALL on one side rather than both as it sort of squashes you content a bit in the middle I feel.

The community hub page does nothing so dump that link off your menu. Also I would move the alignment of the menu in general more into the middle of the page.

Good use to social share buttons on each page...

I like the 'next story / previous story' widget that comes up when you are looking at content. Good way to show other people relevant stuff they may like!

Content

The content that's up there is very well written and very easy to read. You need to link to more external sites and also internlink your content more as I could barely see any of that.

You also seem to be missing featured images on each of your blog posts as each one is just 100% text.

Thoughts for the future

I would drop the donate button at the bottom. If you want to earn money easily from your existing content just put in some AWIN links or at the very least use your TopCashBack referral link.

I'm also not sure the 'Because you care about you' slogan works but I could be wrong on that front as it's an area you will know better than me.

Finally chance the email address on your blog that you want people to contact you at from moneymental@moneymental.co.uk to something a bit more personal.

I've now updated to a new theme as the old one didn't let me do most of what I wanted. The only annoying thing now on the new theme is that the comments section is right at the bottom of the page. I think tomorrow's task is going to be to find out how to either move the comments section further up the page or figure out how to add some kind of 'leave a comment' button at the bottom of each post!
 

Jon

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
32,378
Points
283
Age
42
Location
Leeds
Hi Jon

If you get 5 mins would you be able to give a quick review of www.premierleagueheroes.com which is my blog about ex Premier League footballers and what they are doing in retirement.

As you can see I have Adsense and Amazon Affiliate links on the site but neither bring in too much. The majority of money that comes in from the site is via sponsored blog posts.

Would appreciate any feedback.

Cheers

Design

The design I found on your site to be really well done. The content is very well laid out and being a site that is quite content heavy in terms of text I feel images are really at the forefront of most pages which is excellent.

The logo works well with the colour scheme with the colours being matched throughout the entire site.

The Menus are well designed and the recent posts regardless of what category they are in the widget on the right is a very clever idea to introduce people to new content. As an example of how well I think it works I'm a Norwich City supporter but I live in Leeds and I saw some content for Leeds players on the side and I clicked through to look at that.

Content

I found content to be very well done. I went through a fair number of players and everything is there from stats to social media links to connect with that play and videos of them.

I know you've got the links through to replica shirt companies but I would find ways to funnel your affiliate links in a bit more. So have lines like 'Pick up some great Norwich City merchandise here!' with links through to ebay etc.


Thoughts for the future

I think you are missing a trick not implementing football odds widgets into this site. I would sign up to Gambling Affiliation and put one of their Premier League odds comparison widgets down the right-hand side so that football fans can easily have a quick bet on their team.
 

leighc10

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
17
Points
123
Age
48
Location
Hertfordshire
Website
www.footballgiftsonline.co.uk
Design

The design I found on your site to be really well done. The content is very well laid out and being a site that is quite content heavy in terms of text I feel images are really at the forefront of most pages which is excellent.

The logo works well with the colour scheme with the colours being matched throughout the entire site.

The Menus are well designed and the recent posts regardless of what category they are in the widget on the right is a very clever idea to introduce people to new content. As an example of how well I think it works I'm a Norwich City supporter but I live in Leeds and I saw some content for Leeds players on the side and I clicked through to look at that.

Content

I found content to be very well done. I went through a fair number of players and everything is there from stats to social media links to connect with that play and videos of them.

I know you've got the links through to replica shirt companies but I would find ways to funnel your affiliate links in a bit more. So have lines like 'Pick up some great Norwich City merchandise here!' with links through to ebay etc.


Thoughts for the future

I think you are missing a trick not implementing football odds widgets into this site. I would sign up to Gambling Affiliation and put one of their Premier League odds comparison widgets down the right-hand side so that football fans can easily have a quick bet on their team.
Thanks for the feedback Jon - very much appreciated. I have been meaning to improve my affiliate links for a while now and is 100% on my 'to do' list.

I have also dabbled with affiliate display ads from the likes of Ladbrokes and William Hill but never got anything from it. I will have a look at Gambing Affiliation and may try again - thanks for the tip! (no pun intended!)
 

cazkins

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
499
Points
163
Location
South West
Website
invisiblyme.com
It's very generous of you to do this, Jon!
I'm almost scared to ask as I'm sure there are a lot of negative things to point out, though I'm keen to improve in whatever ways I can - any chance you have time to take a little look-see at my blog to give me your thoughts?

http://invisiblyme.com/
 

Jon

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
32,378
Points
283
Age
42
Location
Leeds
It's very generous of you to do this, Jon!
I'm almost scared to ask as I'm sure there are a lot of negative things to point out, though I'm keen to improve in whatever ways I can - any chance you have time to take a little look-see at my blog to give me your thoughts?

http://invisiblyme.com/
Design

Your blog is very well laid out and easy to follow in terms of the flow of the pages but I feel you are missing some kind of menu system. You have 46 pages worth of posts and while I can see you have a category selector on the right-hand side but I just feel that big black bar at the top could be better used for navigation reasons.

The 'You may also enjoy' slideshow at the bottom and a graphical representation of how many people have liked a post I think works really well.

Content

Your posts are really well put together and are extremely easy to read. You make good use of the featured image with each one having both a relatable image and a description of the post. You also make good use of images throughout your longer posts to break the content up a bit.

I've noticed you don't seem to interlink your content much. This is a key thing as when Google crawls your site it can bounce easier from post to post and it also helps direct readers to other content they didn't know you had instead of going elsewhere to find something about the exact same topic.

Thoughts for the future

I know you are running a few ads down the side but with how many products get mentioned in your post I think you are missing a trick by not running something like Skimlinks or using Awin to affiliate more of your content!
 

cazkins

Money Making Megastar!
Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
499
Points
163
Location
South West
Website
invisiblyme.com
@Jon - That's a lot more positive than I was expecting, especially as I always feel behind with my blog & content of late. The things you mentioned, with the page categories at the top to add and doing more with affiliates are both things I had wanted to do, and I'll have to make sure to interlink between posts more, too. Thank you so much for taking the time to have a look & give me your feedback - you've gone above and beyond, thank you! :)
 

Members online

No members online now.

Amazon Discount Finder Tool

Find hidden 80%+ savings on Amazon products



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forum statistics

Threads
7,380
Messages
199,737
Members
11,387
Latest member
jbniche1