A Final Thought

So what makes a blog good? In the past few days I have intentionally avoided addressing the more obvious answers to this question. Content matter, for example, would seem to be an obvious choice, as would the frequency with which a writer posts. Still, as I have attempted to show, there are less recognizable strategies that are equally important.

My experiences as a reader have led me to believe that good blogs facilitate an enjoyable reading experience. Banners that incorporate a harmonious mix of imagery, text, and visual design play a significant role in developing a blogger’s identity and can attract the attention of like-minded audiences. The presence of contextual clues can allow readers to interact with posts regardless of their subject matter. Links that require too much work, or that are misleading, can prove frustrating. Links that are precisely worded, however, and that lead directly to referenced sources, promote a more enjoyable reading experience. When these strategies function smoothly, they are likely to go unnoticed. Their absence, on the other hand, can be quite conspicuous.