Pro Blog Design in 2007 and Beyond
December 31st 2007
This blog is roughly 5 months old now, meaning that 2007 was both its best year ever, and its worst year ever. All in all though, I enjoyed it.
As a last tribute to the year, I'd like to share with you some stats from the blog, highlight the best posts incase you missed them, and then make a few resolutions for the next year.
In 5 months I've written 83 posts, which have gotten a grand total of 1877 comments. That rounds off to 23 comments per post; a fact that I'm immensely thankful to you all for!
What's more is that if I included all of the nice comments left by those chatty wee spambots, it would be 83 comments per post. Wow. Thanks spammers Akismet!
The Best Posts This Year
August
- Feedburner on The Page, Regardless of Stats
- New Window for a New Link?
- Full Posts vs. Partial Posts, on the Homepage
- Does Valid Code Help Your Blog?
September
- Good Design Looks Good. Period.
- Why I’m Using a 3 Column Layout
- Separating Trackbacks from Comments
- How To Style Author Comments Differently
October
- 30 Ways to Improve Readability
- Why You Should Use A Sideblog
- Why Post Images Should be on the Left
- Get RSS Subscriber Count in Plain text
November
- What Time Is It Where You Are?
- 5 Mistakes I’ve Found in A Lot of Blogs
- How To Set Up a Sideblog
- Surround Yourself With Beautiful Things
December
- 10 Tips For Designing Photoblogs
- Prioritize Your Blog Into 5 Distinct Groups
- Displaying Images in Photoblogs & Galleries
- What Is Design Clutter?
New Year's Resolutions
- To still be here in a year's time. Blogging is a lot of work sometimes, but the rewards are always worthwhile. I'd never forgive myself if I gave up because of a little rough patch.
- To release at least one free theme. I've spent so much time designing for clients lately that I haven't had any time to design for my readers. That needs to be remedied.
- To sort out my posting frequency. My posting rate has been all over the place recently. I won't be going back to the daily routine from the first month, but hopefully I'll improve upon the jittery rate from the past month!
- To properly replace the Top Commenters widget. I removed the widget a while ago to make room for the sideblog, but I want to replace it properly. I'm not sure what exactly I'll do, but I'll definitely do something to rewards the commenters here.
And lastly, there are a lot of people that I'd like to thank, from commenters to linkers to friends. I would bore you to tears if I went through them all though, so I'll just mention the two that are most to thank for the blog's growth.
Darren Rowse, for letting me guest post on his fantastic blog 3 times, and Smashing Magazine for including me on their blogroll. The people they sent this way rocked of course, but not quite as much as the sheer honour it is to be recognized by 2 such sites as those. Thanks guys!
So, that's that. Bye bye 2007. Hello 2008!
Twitter
December 31st at 10:34 pm GMT
Comment #1
Michael, those are some great milestones! Especially considering the age of your blog (mine is even younger still).Recognition by Darren and SM is worth it's weight in gold when you're just starting out.
December 31st at 10:44 pm GMT
Comment #2
Wow Michael, you've done magnificently in 2007! I can't wait to see where 2008 takes you. Your blog has always been a favorite of mine, so here's hoping it continues to grow and sees many more successes with the new year.
December 31st at 11:11 pm GMT
Comment #3
Michael, Congrats on the success of 2007! As far as your resolutions go, you better still be here in a year. Good luck with balancing your work in 2008.
January 1st at 12:38 am GMT
Comment #4
Great going Michael...I am sure you will continue to prosper in 2008 as a blogger and a designer and will reach greater heights!!
January 1st at 3:27 am GMT
Comment #5
Hi Michael, I am glad I followed your blog, otherwise I would have to spend, like, a month, to read up on your best posts! :DHappy New Year to you! And may the new year brings you more hopes, joy, success, happiness, love and all things sweet and beautiful!
January 1st at 5:22 am GMT
Comment #6
Your blog is one of the few I visit on a regular base (well...not lately due to real life, but otherwise...)
It also influenced my own blog a lot...heh...what I'm saying, you are still influencing me
I'm looking forward to all your posts you'll publish this year.
Happy New Year!
January 1st at 6:32 am GMT
Comment #7
Good luck with your goals. Especially #3, I've found that difficult recently too!Happy New Year
January 1st at 8:08 am GMT
Comment #8
You have achieved a lot in these 5 months. All the best for the new year.
January 1st at 12:51 pm GMT
Comment #9
Happy new year!!!
January 1st at 5:45 pm GMT
Comment #10
Happy new year, and happy blogging!I look forward to another year reading your blog.
January 2nd at 4:05 am GMT
Comment #11
Way to go on a successful year with this blog! In such a short time after discovering it I've been able to learn some good lessons and get some really valuable insights to help my blog out.All the best in '08!
January 2nd at 4:36 am GMT
Comment #12
I'm glad to know you from the start and to be influenced by you :DCheers for the tips, pal! You'll go far!
January 2nd at 7:36 pm GMT
Comment #13
Aaron - Thanks. The recognition is worth its weight in gold at any time I think. A complement from anyone will always mean something.
Tay - We've both had great first years by the looks of things!
Steven - If I'm not, you have my full permission to write me an angry letter about it.
Abhijeet - Thanks. Hopefully your blog will be one of those heights!
Pelf - I'm glad I joined Authority Blogger and had the chance to meet people like you. All the best for 2008!
Marco - I'm influencing you? Yikes. Well, don't be surprised if everything goes pear shaped.
Kristarella - It's hard, isn't it!?! Happy New Year to you too.
Madhur - Same to you.
My-Hou - Back at ya.
Matt - Likewise. All the best for 2008!
Malcolm - Thanks. It's always good to meet a reader for the first time. Hope that you continue to find something worth reading around here.
Pablopabla - I'll never forget that start. If I hadn't bumped into people like you, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere!
January 6th at 2:06 pm GMT
Comment #14
Hi Michael - that's a GREAT roundup!
And you know I am waiting for that FREE theme to be released
January 6th at 4:33 pm GMT
Comment #15
I've just discovered your blog and I feel I've been missing out a bit of 2007 :(, I'll keep on eye on you guys from now on though ;). Happy New Year btw !
January 6th at 7:01 pm GMT
Comment #16
Hey Mark - Me too! I wish it would just happen already.
Tibi - Welcome. I'll see you around then.
January 6th at 7:37 pm GMT
Comment #17
Thats impressive that your blog is only 5 months old, and you have over 700 subscribers! Congrats
January 6th at 7:43 pm GMT
Comment #18
Thanks Brad. I think I've been pretty lucky there.
January 10th at 10:15 pm GMT
Comment #19
We have been reading you blog for quite some time now and really want to congratulate you on how far you have come in a mere 5 months.Of course, you provide information people are interested in. This is why you are as big as you are.Keep up the great work in 2008!
January 10th at 10:57 pm GMT
Comment #20
Thanks guys. If you ever have a question you'd like me to write about, feel free to shoot me an email.
January 12th at 2:21 pm GMT
Comment #21
Michael you are an inspiration. Thanks for doing what you do. I have learned so much from you. I haven't been around as much because I had a crazy last few months, but hopefully I'll be reading more frequently again now!!!Blessings.mz
January 12th at 3:33 pm GMT
Comment #22
Zabs - Thanks. It has been a while indeed! I hope everything is going well with you. I should have sent you an email, but it's been hectic here as well. Seems we both need to sort out a better schedule for the new year.