5 Things that Make Me Click Away
I see a lot of different websites and blogs every day, partly due to my entrecard addiction. A lot of them are awesome and well done. But I’m finding a common theme among the ones that make me click away and not return. For what it’s worth, here’s my list
Gratuitously dropping the F bomb. I’m not generally offended by the occasional colorful word, but when I see the F word in the title of a post or article or repeated throughout, that’s a turn off.
Buried in Ads. Many of us try to make a buck with advertising. But, if there is nothing but ads above the fold, or the content is so buried amongst text ads that I need a decoder to find it, I’m going elsewhere.
Slow loading. I’m impatient. Unless it’s something I really want to see, I won’t stick around for a minute or two for a page to load.
Blinking, flashing, scrolling. Graphic ads are fine, but if there are so many of them squeezed on a page that it looks like a bad impression of Times Square and I need sunglasses to look at it, chances are I’m going away. With my short attention span, too many distractions prevent me from seeing the content.
Eye-crossing colors. Some colors look great together, but that doesn’t make them easy to read. I can’t even cite the specifics, but I know it when I see it and if a headache starts to emerge after the first paragraph, i have to click away and go get some Motrin.
So there’s my list. Hey, I’m no expert… it’s just my opinion. Anyone out there agree or have anything to add?
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
Karen Halls
I stumbled upon your site a few days ago and boy am I glad! I am a relative newby in the world of blogging and have gleaned some great information here. Thank you for sharing your expertise and opinions without having a hidden agenda….that is my pet peeve–if you are hawking a particular service be honest up front. I hate, hate, hate dishonest bloggers whose primary purpose is making a buck rather than educating, entertaining or sharing(and if they are good, the money/readers will follow) I loved your “5 things that make me click away” and will be giving my blog a serious look-over using your list. I am constantly revising (or even scrapping and starting over) my blog design and it helps to see what an impartial visitor might find attractive or distracting. Great read!!
I agree with all of the above, but ad blogs that just are there to make money. No point, no real writing. That totally irks me.
I found you via entrecard tho, so I guess that makes me an addict too!
Karen – Thanks for stopping by! glad to have you here, and I’ll try not to let you down.
DH – Thanks. I agree, I don’t mind someone trying to make a buck (aren’t we all) – just so long as they are straight about it. I write reviews, recommendations and promote things as if I were telling a family member or friend. I won’t promote something that I wouldn’t want my own family to try.
When it comes to your blog design, just pay attention to what you don’t like on other sites and try not to do those things. Conversely, study sites that you DO like and pay attention to the details.
Mary-Frances - Right on. If a blog doesn’t have a heart and soul behind it, it isn’t much of a blog. I don’t think there’s a cure for EntreCard addiction yet, so I guess we’ll keep on keepin on.
Great post! I have to say that entrecard is a great tool for finding good blogs. I hate when blogs are drenched in ads, but an ad optimized and well designed theme for a blog is not bad. Look at Zac Johnson, thats not so blaring ad filled but does have a lot of advertisements. It is a careful balance.
Ryan – I’m with you. I don’t mind ads at all, so long as they don’t take over the whole experience.