How to improve your blog’s user experience
I started blogging in 2008. What began as a hobby gathered momentum and in 2015, I left my full-time job at the University of Oxford to work as a freelance blogger, writer, stylist and photographer. Through my blog, I’ve written and photographed for magazines, spoken at conferences and events, collaborated with brands and in 2016, I won an industry award.
Today my blog supports my coaching business and gives me an online space to share my thoughts, ideas and creativity. I write about coaching, personal and professional growth, wellbeing, simple living and creativity. I enjoy having a creative outlet that supports my business. It’s a wonderful resource to have.
Today I’m sharing a few simple questions to help you improve your blog’s user experience. I hope these prompts will enable you to nail the basics, making your blog easier to navigate. Please be aware that this is merely a starting point because when it comes to blogging, there is no limit to what you can do!
Questions to help you improve your blog’s user experience
First impressions
Is it clear what the blog is about?
Do you have an about page? Is the information up to date?
Does the blog feel organised with consistent branding and imagery?
Are all the images up to date? Do they include the alt text?
Are all the links working?
Navigation
Does the blog have categories? Are they easy to find?
Does each post encourage further reading?
Can you navigate between the blog posts?
Is there a search tool?
Audience building
Are there ways to subscribe/follow the blog?
Is there a mailing list?
Are there social media channels?
Is all the above easy to find?
Marketing
Do you widely share your blog posts?
Are there simple ways for your audience to share your blog posts?
Can the images be pinned on Pinterest?
Commercial
Have you included your contact details?
Are you interested in collaborations? If so, do you have a media kit?
Do you offer any products or services?
Are all the above easy to find?
Search engine optimisation
Do you optimise your blog posts to improve SEO?
Have you tested the site speed and addressed any recommendations?
Have you removed any broken links?
Does the blog load correctly on phones and tablets?
Are you regularly checking your blog traffic to see what’s working?
Data and security
Do you have the following: terms and conditions, privacy policy, cookie policy?
Is your site secure?
Are you up to data with your data responsibilities?
I’m sure you will already have much of this covered, but if you haven’t, I hope this post will be a good starting point. Sometimes all it takes is a few simple tweaks to improve things for your readers and help your search engine optimisation.
Blogging for business
If you’re interested in some further support, I offer a tailor-made one-to-one blogging for business coaching session to help you grow your audience, generating traffic, leads and sales. My blogging for business coaching is designed to meet you where you are, covering your specific needs and objectives. If you’re interested in hearing more, please get in touch to book a free introductory coaching call. I very much look forward to hearing from you. Here’s what my clients are saying about my coaching.
Further reading
Five quick and easy steps to a stronger online identity
How to process your inbox and unlock more time
Practical tips to help you reach your goals
Thank you, as always, for stopping by. I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Until next time, I’ll see you over on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Such a useful process, and a fun way to spend a couple of hours just talking ‘blog’ this list is superb ! Xx
Thanks so much for all your help on Saturday! I hope you have a great time in London.
This is such a great post! I keep thinking about my ‘about me’ page….. It’s soooooo out of date!!!!!!
Thank you, Kirsty. These things can look dated so quickly, especially when our brands are constantly growing and evolving. I hope you have a lovely day!
Really good questions here. It’s got me thinking!! X
Thank you, Lucy. Let me know how you get on!
Saving this checklist and making the amendments!
Thanks, Ashanti. I’m pleased you found it helpful.
It was lovely meeting up with you both! Wish you were both closer!
Thank you for a great day!
Such a great idea Natasha, I’ve pinned for future reference x
Brilliant. Thanks so much, Jen!
This is a fab list and I definitely need to do a bit of a blog spring clean! X
Thanks, Lori. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
Such great tips. I will have to use them to refresh my site too. Thanks Natasha. x
Thank you, Geraldine. I’m pleased you found them helpful. Have a great weekend!
Fantastic list of questions and it’s definitely got me thinking about my own blog! xxx
Thanks, Kimberly. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
This is so helpful. I’m doing about half of these things, but there is so much more I can do. I need a brain storming rock ‘ n’ roll blogger meet up like this
Loving a brain storming rock ‘n’ roll blogger meet up!
This is a great idea! It has prompted me to have a look at my own site :) x
Thanks for stopping by!
Great advice – please can you give my blog a quick audit when we next meet (as well as cake and a photowalk of course!) xx
Of course I can! Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Oh wow, this is such a handy list, taking it and hopefully will check these items off in my way overdue update!
Thank you! I’m pleased you found it helpful.