Blog Usability – How to Reach Your Blogging Happy Place

Congratulations!  You’re a blog owner.  It has a catchy name.  After submitting a blog post, you’re amazed at the inbound traffic.  The ads in your sidebar are paying your mortgage.  People recognize you on the street as that “Cool Blogger”.  Next year, you’ll retire to some tropical island because your blog success is like winning the lottery.  Or not.

A focus on the usability of your blog can help create a happy picture much like the one you’ve just read.  First, let’s begin with the vision for your blog.

Vision

What is the purpose of your blog?  The ease and availability of blog software has made blogging an option for nearly every type of web site.  You can entertain. Inform. Sell products. Offer opinions.  Market your company.  Perhaps you simply want to write from your heart and your personal blog is your journal.

What is the value of your blog to your readers?  Are you writing for yourself, your industry, your business, or company?  Sometimes blogs are so well written that readers become fans even if the topic raises eyebrows.  One of the best written blogs I ever found was filled with hilarious stories by a male escort.

Will your blog benefit readers?  If your blog is part of a resorts web site, do you offer personal reviews of properties that your readers can use to help them choose where to go?  If you operate a news blog, do you check facts, go by press releases or have investigative blog reporters on your staff?

Who is your target market?  If you’re an artist with a blog, you may hope to inspire someone to purchase your artwork.  Perhaps you want to convince them that your next show is worth attending.  What writing style can you use for art lovers looking to purchase good works of art?  When blogging industry news, do you write in simple terms or use technical jargon?  Who will be reading your blog?  Professionals?  Peers? Strangers? Friends?  Customers?

There may be related goals such as “to teach”, “inform and sell my book”, “news and a bit of personal life”, etc. When you wish to combine topics, communicate your objectives to your readers in your blog description or About page.  Attempts to hide your true purpose or “fake out” readers may injure the credibility of your blog.

Blog visitors determine the usability and purpose of your blog based on the layout and content. When considering your target readers, consider demographic information such as age, gender, computer experience, geographic location and education.

Requirements Gathering

By now, it may have suddenly occurred to you that your blog isn’t just for you.  Gathering requirements is an exercise in organization and better planning for your blog.  Try to do this before you spend hours searching for the perfect blog template.  The end result is better overall usability because of your close attention to small details and greater understanding of what you want to create.

We’ve begun by thinking about your blog’s purpose.  Now, we’re going to list business and functional requirements to help you meet your goals.  Whenever you add an element such as an ad, “chicklet”, link or new page that cannot be directly traced back to a high-level goal, it will likely result in a distraction or it’s an unnecessary addition.

For example, what do you want your reader to do on your blog (if anything)?  Do you want them to buy your book?  Do you want them to learn more about you or your business?  What would you like them to do after they leave your blog?  Can they recommend it to others, order services from your other web site, click to other blogs, visit your main site, read your resume or contact you?

Decide the main purpose of your blog.  This is your “parent” requirement.  You can have more than one.

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