For website builders and bloggers
By Kowgirl
@Kowgirl (3489)
United States
May 22, 2007 8:48am CST
O.K. You guys I have something for all of you who build your own websites
or blogs.
It is the most 10 (11) mistakes that a website builder or blogger makes.
I have done 7 site reviews in the last 3 days and every one of them had at
least 3 of these mistakes. (not counting the misuse of words or their misspelling of some words.) And one was from a well known internet marketer. Boy was he suprised when I brought his attention to his first mistake.
One was so bad that I left the site before I even knew what the product was.
It actually hurt your eyes. So I thought this might help you to make your sites a more user friendly site.
#1. Using too large a graphic header on the top of the page
#2. Using "washed out" colors that make your website/blog feel drab or lifeless.
Or using colors that are WAY too bright.
#3. Using too many (4) colors on your website/blog (one being black)
#4. Using too many types of fonts (4 or more) on the same page
#5. Displaying your sales "message" on a dark colored background
#6. Using too many "tricked out" scripts at once which causes browser "freeze"
#7. Cramming way too much content into too small of a space.
(not enough white space)
#8. Using "busy" or "watermarked" background patterns.
#9. Using too small a font.(check your website in all browsers)
#10. Not clearly identifying your offer.
Here's just one more little thing that makes you website/blog look
like it was done by a 12 year old...
#11. Text that runs all the way across the page.
It makes it too hard to read.
500 pixels is enough
Hope this helps those of you who have websites/blogs or those who are
just building your website/blog.
Have a great day
Kowgirl
1 person likes this
5 responses
@manvik (981)
• Hungary
22 May 07
Hey kowgirl,thanks for sharing the tips.I have one blog.Can you review it please.Can you please tell me what are the mistakes in my blog.I shall be very grateful.my blog is http://www.manvik.blogspot.com
Thanks.By the way where is your kowboy?:)
@Kowgirl (3489)
• United States
22 May 07
:-) My kowboy is resting in peace. I have been a widow for 11 years.
I will take a look at your blog but don't get upset if you don't like what you hear back from me... Why don't you copy the 11 mistakes and check it to see if you need to make any changes before I check it. Then read the discussion I started about the use of color on your website/blog.
Have a lovely day
Kowgirl
1 person likes this
@Kowgirl (3489)
• United States
22 May 07
Honey, after 11 years I have learned to cope with the fact that he
has gone to a better place. So no need to be sorry for what you said.
It's not the first time I have been asked that.
I think it has a lot to do with my username! :)
I'm going to take a quick look at your blog now.
Thanks
Kowgirl
1 person likes this

@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 May 07
I was wondering if you would give a peeky to my websites and see what you think...I could use your input...The first one is the photo website over at Tripod..I started it over a year ago before I had my own computer, and I seemed to have an easier time adjusting color schemes..but now that I have a Mac I can't make the changes I like..a lot of website builders I discovered don't make nice with Macs...LOL
http://melneer.tripod.com
The second one I'm still building...I have to do a bit of HTML/CSS work on it like do a separate Navigation Bar...otherwise the homepage is "melneer" but some might not know that...
http://melneer.smugmug.com
If you want to pm me about suggestions rather than here will understand.
@Kowgirl (3489)
• United States
22 May 07
I have a question...Why does your website hang on the left side of the page and not in the center? Is the black space on the right to be used later or what?
My only suggestion is to lighten up the grey background just a little bit.
Other than that it is a great site. The pictures are nice and uniform.
I would change the URL if possible so it would give an idea of what the website
is about. Sometimes they wont let you do that with a free site, but maybe you could add to the one you have. Glossy buttons as links (on left) would dress it up a bit.
@Kowgirl (3489)
• United States
22 May 07
Smugmug....Black background with white text is not a good idea.
It makes it hard to read and hurts the eyes. The black background is fine when used to display pictures and it even looks good when used that way. Add a few more pictures to help eliminate the stark black background.
Change the upper part to a pale color with black text to give it some pizazz.
A light grey or even a soft biege or a very pale green even a very light yellow would look much better and make it easier to read. No matter which one you use you can put your link buttons in a nice glossy orange, it will go with any of these suggested colors and brighten it up a bit more.
@Kowgirl (3489)
• United States
22 May 07
OK I had a friend who builds websites look at smugmug and he said if you want to use the black background you need to change the text to something other than white, A very light yellow or biege text. Then increase the size by 1 and put a space between each line so it will be easier to read. This will take up more space but that way you can still use the black background.
@disvachic (10117)
• United States
22 May 07
Well thank you very much and its really appreciated.I am working on a website myself and got a few tips from a friend.She recognized a few mistakes I had made.I can always use more tips and iformation.Thank you.
@betshopboy (619)
• Singapore
22 May 07
Hi Kowgirl
Would you be so kind to review my site?
It can be found at http://betshopboy.blogspot.com
Looking forward to your honest critque
Thanks!
@mohit1123 (564)
• India
22 May 07
Its really helpful. Now i would make needfull changes to my site. Now i know why wasnt i getting people to view my site.
