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What is the biggest mistake you made when setting up your blog? (9 posts)

Topic tags: blogging challenges, blogging mistakes, comments, setting up a blog, widgets

Laura Kelland-May said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
I am wondering what is the biggest mistake you made when setting up your blog. Was it bad colours, poor layout or wrong template.
I think there has been a definite design change over the last few years and formats and colors are being upgraded accordingly.
~Laura
@lkellandmay | # | Top
Rogier Noort said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
Oeh, sensitive question.., you want us to admit we did something wrong?Well.., OK then…For my personal blog, content, thinking ahead, planning (at least some) articles… and taking time to actually write.I like to be more ‘behind the scenes’ and let others write.,. so that’s an excuse.
Also, for our corporate blog.., do not start to fast. Having a blog for the sake of having a blog is a bad idea, the whole convince/convert routine is a very advisable concept. The atmosphere, culture and acceptance has to be there for it to be successful.
Of course, design, layout, calls to action, stuff like that is important.., but without good (and regular) content it is meaningless.
Better to have a custom install with good content than a very nifty design without it.
Sorry about not answering your question… or not picking one of your choices.
Cheers…
@rogiernoort | # | Top
Dea Irby said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
not self hosting to begin with… now I am starting all over again with a self hosted site, choosing the right theme is so important, one that has all the bells and whistles you need (I’m using Smallbiz theme with WP now) @lkellandmay
@deairby | # | Top
Joan Muschamp (Fagnani) said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
@lkellandmay mine was actually related to my website, and the choice of template I used from my host instead of a WordPress site. It is supposed to be a WordPress plug in, but it has very limited functionality.
So as a result I am trying to find the time to convert and learn WordPress so I have a better site overall and a really functional blog.
@joanmuschampfagnani | # | Top
Kathy Bernard said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
Oh Lordy, I messed up everything. I didn’t realize I could work in “compose” mode for months (and boy was I bad at HTML), I didn’t figure out I could add pictures for years, I did my hyperlinks all wrong (so they actually didn’t open). I’m sure there are many more things I did wrong.
That’s the blessing of blogging … when you start out, hardly anyone is reading what you wrote so as your audience grows, so does your abilitiy to produce the blog. It’s good practice to try, fail, improve, and perfect.
Kathy Bernard, Getajobtips.com
@kathybernard | # | Top
Laura Kelland-May said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
@rogiernoort – Thanks for sharing. I only ask because I know I have made a few, Just as @deairbyI started out with a wordpress.com site and switched over to a wordpress.org site.
Providing great content is the most important and picking a great template is also important.
~Laura
@lkellandmay | # | Top
Dea Irby said
10 months, 3 weeks ago:
ouch! glad you have the “live and learn” attitude, and truly you grow with your audience @kathybernard
@deairby | # | Top
Clara Mathews said
10 months, 2 weeks ago:
The list is long..
1. Didn’t do keyword research for best domain name
2. Didn’t start building an email list until this year (I could kick myself for that one)
3. Didn’t have a clear business model in mind. (still working on that)
@claramathews | # | Top
Mac said
10 months, 2 weeks ago:
too much time in customization of a theme that I didn’t keep.

for most people on blogger or wordpress.com the biggest waste of time is being on blogger or wordpress.com
@richardmclaughlin | # | Top