Photo author: Nikolay Bachiyski

After the old repository at themes.wordpress.net kicked the bucket quite some time ago (and by that I mean stopped accepting new themes), most free theme designers decided to host and offer their content on their individual websites. This wouldn’t be a problem if they weren’t just so hard to keep track of. If it weren’t for established bloggers posting articles such as “10 minimalistic Wordpress themes”and so on, it’d be nearly impossible.

But a couple of weeks back, Wordpress announced an attempt to integrate a new theme repository into their “extend” program - and it seems to be picking up steam nicely. Today (August 4th), for example, there’ve been 6 themes added and there’s still time left for more. The top few themes have already gathered a few thousands of downloads each, which is kind of cool.

Browsing through the directory however, you get a feeling that there could be a lot more better themes getting this kind of exposure. So if you’re a theme designer, or know one, let them know they can submit their masterpieces to the Wordpress Theme Directory to get the recognition they deserve.

Photo author: mollyeh11

Assuming your blog has more than one page of posts you’re going to have some links at the bottom of each page reading to navigate to older posts or to newer ones. They are an essential part of your blog’s navigation and can be useful when trying to keep a visitor on for more.

I have seen my share of instances when those links read something like “Next” and “Previous”, or something similar, which can be pretty confusing at times for the reader. As an example, Josh is reading page 4 of your post index. He worked his way down from the 1st page, trying to take in all the useful info he can get from your blog. He reached the end of page 4 and wants to go to page 5, but isn’t sure any more which link to click,”Next” or “Previous”… he clicks the wrong one and ends up on page 3. Of course, this is frustrating for Josh. Now he’d have to go back to page 4 and click the other link to get wher he wanted to be.

Many times the Joshes reading your posts simply decide it’s not worth it and simply leave, to find the information they need elsewhere. You just lost a few potential page views. Want to avoid that? Of course…

[Read more]

Photo author: tantek

To have or not to have a blogroll? A blogroll is usually used as a link exchange tool and although of little value SEO-wise this can help increase both blogs’ readership. So from this standpoint the answer to the question above varies with your blog’s size. When you just published your blog - pretty much useless, since few people will link back to you (of course, there are exceptions). When you have a somewhat established readership - yes, these are the golden times of a blogroll. And finally, when and if your blog reaches “legend” status within your topic, the answer is still the same, yes, but make sure the ones that remain are truly deserving and worth the space the links take up.

No matter how small or big your blog is, you decide if it’s useful for you to publish a blogroll. And if you do publish one, take note of these tips: [Read more]