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Travel Writers Exchange Forum Home » Forum: Under The Microscope: Travel Blog Reviews - Recent Topics http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/forum/under-the-microscope-travel-blog-reviews Travel Writers Exchange Forum Home » Forum: Under The Microscope: Travel Blog Reviews - Recent Topics en-US Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:32:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/search.php jampen26 on "Under The Microscope: Wider Horizons of The Hairy Chef" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-wider-horizons-of-the-hairy-chef#post-2884 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:29:46 +0000 jampen26 2884@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Site: <a href="http://www.thehairychef.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.thehairychef.com</a> Author: James P Hi guys, I have recently registered my new domain name and transferred my old blog (about 5 months old) to this new address. I'm currently looking to improve the site, with the intention to generate a good readership for the column-style pieces I have published so far. I also have plans to start a new link on the site publishing video recipes (hence the title the hairy chef) although this is more of a personal interest type project,which I hope will both diversify the content and add a slightly quirky appeal to the site. I'd really appreciate thoughts and comments. Cheers James thetravelfool on "Site Feedback" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/site-feedback#post-2666 Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:07:10 +0000 thetravelfool 2666@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Hi folks, Fairly new to this whole thing and was wondering if I could get some feedback and suggestions on my site. Http://www.thetravellingfool.com Thanks in advance Bob Amandah Blackwell on "Under The Microscope: Urban Travel Blog" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-urban-travel-blog#post-2092 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:50:08 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 2092@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Website: Urban Travel Blog Link: <a href="http://www.urbantravelblog.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.urbantravelblog.com</a> What Works: 1) The website is clean and doesn't have a lot of clutter. 2) The blog posts are easy to read because of the white background. 3) Great bios of all of the writers. 4) The About Us page clearly states the "message" and purpose of the blog. 5) Complementing travel photography with travel writing. 6) Love the City Guides page. What Could Be Better: 1) Perhaps some color on the website. All white backgrounds are nice and clean but a punch of color could jazz up the website. 2) Make sure the links use the coding target="_blank" so readers stay on the website. I clicked on the Dublin Guide and wanted to listen to The Dancer by The Frames. When I clicked on the link it took me to YouTube and away from the blog. Clicking the "back arrow" isn't a big deal, but I prefer to stay on a website. Suggestions: 1) Perhaps move the Urban Blog on Facebook to the top. 2) Move the little "blurb" about the Urban Travel Blog from the right hand side of the blog to under the picture so it stands out. Maybe put it in a box under the picture so it stands out. 3) Maybe move the bookmark icons to the top as well as have them at the bottom. 4) Add some color to the website. 5) Use the coding target="_blank" so readers stay on the website. MB Abroad on "Under the Microscope: MB Abroad" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-mb-abroad#post-2537 Mon, 09 May 2011 06:12:58 +0000 MB Abroad 2537@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Hi! I would love feedback on my travel blog <a href="http://www.michaelbartolomei.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.michaelbartolomei.com</a> Thanks for reading. MB Abroad Amandah Blackwell on "Under The Microscope: Maria Staal" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-maria-staal#post-2179 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:17:34 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 2179@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Website: Maria Staal Link: <a href="http://www.mariastaal.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.mariastaal.com</a> What Works 1. Clean website. 2. The slide sorter is a nice touch. 3. The website's message/theme is clear. 4. Informative posts. 5. Liked the drawings. What Could Be Better 1. The background is a little busy for me. Perhaps a solid color or pattern that's not as busy. Suggestions 1. Move the social icons to the top. 2. Consider a different background. 3. Remove the calendar. 4. Move your "tweets" closer to the top. 5. Move the "Note to Visitors" under the "Welcome to my Website" on the right hand side. Trisha Miller on "Under The Microscope: VOLUNTEERS" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-volunteers#post-2036 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:32:07 +0000 Trisha Miller 2036@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Please use THIS POST to volunteer your travel blog to be reviewed by the community. If you would like to volunteer your travel blog to be reviewed, please follow these guidelines: <ul> <li>Understand that this may not be best for the faint of heart or thin-skinned - if you don't handle criticism well, even when constructively given, you may want to wait and try incorporating suggestions made to others first before you open yourself up to this microscope;</li> <il>You may suggest your site in the comments below, and we will try to get to everyone who volunteers by using our Forum to start the review process; <li>If there are a lot of volunteered travel blogs to review, please understand that if your site feedback or suggested changes are minor (which is good, after all!) it may not be chosen as a Featured Travel Blog Review Post for the blog (but you'll still be getting valuable feedback);</li> </ul> Thanks, Trisha Amandah Blackwell on "Under The Microscope: ThePlanetd" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-theplanetd#post-2104 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:31:05 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 2104@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Website: ThePlanetd Linke: <a href="http://theplanetd.com" rel="nofollow">http://theplanetd.com</a> What Works: 1. The website is easy to navigate. 2. The Featured Content slide show is a nice touch. 3. Like the Advice and Favorites/Top 10'S 4. Great content that's up-to-date. What Could Be Better: 1. My eyes immediately went to the right hand side and looked at all of the ads on the website because they stood out. Perhaps you could tone down the ads or rearrange them. Suggestions: 1. Move the Twitter widget to the top. It felt like it was "lost" to me in it's current position. 2. Move Dave's Photography to the top, either under Connect with Us or below the newsletter subscription sign up box. 3. The theme color reminded me of Halloween (my favorite holiday). Some readers may prefer a theme that isn't so dark. 4. Consider moving India Travel Services and Africa Travel Services to the top. They seem lost between the affiliate ads and Twitter widget. 5. Create a custom logo or make your picture larger. It seems to get lost within the black background of the website. 6. Consider moving the following to the right hand side or the top: Advertise.Where Are We Now?.Blog Directories. 7. Make the Contact Us in the top, right hand corner larger or move it. Amandah Blackwell on "Under The Microscope: Ali's Adventures" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-alis-adventures#post-2075 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 09:08:24 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 2075@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Website: Ali's Adventures Link: <a href="http://aliadventures7.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">http://aliadventures7.wordpress.com/</a> What Works: 1. Clean website - not cluttered. 2. Blog content is current. 3. Photos are a nice touch. What Could Be Better: 1. Expand the About page. You mention that visitors can ask you tips. How can they contact you? Add your email address to the About page or incorporate a Contact page. 2. A theme that has a touch of color. Sometimes all "white" themes wash out the content and context of a blog. A "punch" of color could spice it up! 3. Add more pages. I saw your "guest post" for Brooklyn Nomad. You could create a page titled My Guest Posts or Portfolio (showcasing your travel writing). This way you can direct people to your website if they want to see samples of your work. As I mentioned before, you could add a Contact page. Suggestions: 1. Add social media icons. 2. Consider changing the theme; add some color 3. Consider adding a custom logo. 4. Make the subscription to the blog stand out. 5. Add videos and photos of your trips. 6. If you want to earn some extra cash, consider putting affiliate links (not too many) on your website that are aligned with your niche. 7. I like your tagline: WINDING MY WAY THROUGH THE 7 CONTINENTS OF THE WORLD. Your About page indicates that you enjoy sharing your travel tips. You could incorporate this aspect into your blog or take the blog in another direction such as guiding people through the 7 continents. You could provide tips and "how to" posts. I read The Joy of Planning post. You could provide visitors with this type of information for each continent and country. 8. You may want to ask yourself these questions: What is my goal for the blog? What do I want to accomplish by having this blog? (Blog about my travel adventures? Earn some extra cash? Teach people about traveling to the 7 Continents of the World?) Amandah Blackwell on "Under The Microscope: Travels and Escapes" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-travels-and-escapes#post-2125 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:07:58 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 2125@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Website: Travels and Escapes Link: <a href="http://www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.travelsandescapes.blogspot.com</a> What Works: 1. Clean website -- nice n' bright. 2. Website is up-to-date. 3. Nice pictures that make you want to pack a bag and travel. What Could Be Better: 1. I wasn't sure what the focus of the website is. What's the "message" to the readers? Is the website a blog? Is it a picblog? A combination of the two? I wanted to know more. 2. I wanted to read more content with the pictures; I wanted to know about the places. Did you visit all of these places? If you did, I'd like to know about your experiences. 3. I wanted to know more about you. I scrolled down and found the About Me which told me a little about you but I was interested in knowing more. 4. Add more pages at the top such as About Me, Our Mission, Contact, etc... Suggestions: 1. Consider moving the affiliate ad to the bottom on the right hand side or choose a smaller design. 2. Move the About Me that's on the right hand side of the website to the top (right hand side). 3. Create an About Me page and other pages. 4. Move the Blog Archive (right hand side). Perhaps it could go below the About Me or Followers. 5. Move the Followers that's on the right hand side to the top; perhaps below the About Me if you move About Me. 6. Consider writing more content with the pictures. Amandah Blackwell on "Under The Microscope: Kaleidoscopic Wandering" http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/under-the-microscope-kaleidoscopic-wandering#post-2098 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:58:52 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 2098@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ Website: Kaleidoscopic Wandering Link: <a href="http://kaleidoscopicwandering.com" rel="nofollow">http://kaleidoscopicwandering.com</a> What Works: 1. Nice and clean website that's easy to read. 2. The website isn't cluttered with ads. 3. Like the featured article box. 4. Like the Travel Tip. Does this change daily or weekly? What Could Be Better: 1. Move the Facebook widget from the bottom to the right hand side. This way people will see it straight away. 2. Have the Twitter widget on the right hand side so people can read the "tweets." Suggestions: 1. Consider taking out the travel writing links from the About page and create a new page called Portfolio or something else. It seemed like the My Photos, My Virtual Life, etc... could have separate pages or combine them with a Portfolio page. 2. Think about moving the More About Me to the top. 3. Consider moving Archives under Categories. 4. There's a lot of white space because the website has a white background. Consider a theme with a dash of color. My eyes kept going to the right hand side where there's a lot of white space. Then again, it could be the graphic designer in me that's being "nit picky" about white space. It seemed like the information on the website was "squeezed" together