How to Grade Your Blog

By: | February 14, 2015 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
Grade Your Blog

Will Your Blog Get a Good Grade?

Will Your Blog Make the Grade?

Do you find your self comparing your blog to others?  Are you concerned your blog doesn’t measure up as favorably as other blogs you’ve been reading?

We are told that we should not compare the beginning of our blogging journey to someone else’s middle.  However, it is human nature to make comparisons.  Insecurity is a common trait, one we might feel when comparing our blogs to others.

Why not take my short quiz?  Grade your blog, and then you’ll know if your blog makes the grade and measures favorably against others.  The best part–no one will know the results but you.

Take the Blog Quiz!

1. Do you have a tagline that says what your blog is about?

2. If yes, is your tagline between 15 and 65 characters?

3. Do your blog posts have subheads?

4. If yes, are they between 15 and 65 characters?

5. Do you have a way for people to share your blog posts?

6. If yes, have they been sharing on Twitter?

7. If yes, have they been sharing on LinkedIn?

8. If yes, have they been sharing on Facebook?

9. If yes, have they been sharing on Google+? (If no, 7 Ways You Can Increase Your Blog Traffic Using Google will explain how to get readers to share your content on that social media site.)

10. Do you have colorful images?

11. Do your images have descriptive alt. tags?

12. Do you have two-word tags?

13. Do you have three-word tags?

14. Is your blog fast loading?

15. Do your readers spend time at your site?

Blog Reader Engagement

Your readers should be engaged and spend time at your blog.

It’s Time to Grade the Blog Quiz!

Count the number of “yes” answers.

If you answered yes to 14 or 15 questions, congratulations, your blog got an “A”.

If you answered yes to 12 or 13 questions, your blog got a “B”.

If you answered yes to 11 questions, your blog got a “C”.

If you answered yes to 9 or 10 questions, your blog got a “D”.

If you answered yes to less than 9 questions, you have some work to do, at least according to Quicksprout.com which was my source for the criteria.

The report card idea was all mine.  I’m a teacher.  What can I say?

Readers, this post talks about the importance of sharing.  If you think this criteria can help other bloggers, please share.

Based on Quick Sprout’s ideas, I offered 15 criteria for blog assessment.  Is there any additional criteria you think should be added to this list?  I look forward to your views.

 

 

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Carol,
      Thanks. One girl got a bad grade, but I told her I’m here to help with blogging, so I didn’t feel too bad. Besides, it was QuickSprout’s criteria. I thought my “teacher spin” on it was cute too. Thanks for writing. I hope all is well with you.
      I am opening all your Emails so you get the traffic.
      Janice

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you so much for the support of my writing. I’m glad you found it helpful.
      Janice

  1. john doe

    Sometimes results are the hardest thing to accept. Thank you for an eye opener.

  2. CASSANDRA

    In your opinion. . Should we include share buttons at the top of a post or the bottom. . I have seen both but just asking about pros and cons of both. .

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      I haven’t heard. However, I went back into the post and added your question at the end and encouraged readers to answer which one works best in their experience, top or bottom. You can go back in and click “notify me of new replies”. Otherwise, I will keep you posted. Janice

  3. laurenlvmthorpe

    Oh no not good for me but fairly new at this so will try some of the ideas thanks

    • Janice Wald

      Not to worry. That’s why you have me to give blogging advice =). I’d love it if you followed my blog. You said you’re “new”, are you looking to increase your followers? I have a follow to follow directory. I am on it; we could do a Follow for Follow. Check it out. http://wp.me/P5jxvv-2m
      Thanks for writing me. Janice

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  5. Kristen from The Road to Domestication

    This is a good idea! I got distracted by a couple of questions in the quiz so I’ll have to come back to it LOL Thanks so much for linking up at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again this Friday!

    • Janice Wald

      Hi!
      Thank you so much for the kind words. The validation means a lot. I had fun writing it due to quiz and report card theme. Thanks for writing.
      Janice

  6. humblelittlehomestead

    Oh man, my score wasn’t too high. Thank you for the great tips… it helps to know what direction to go for improvement!

    • Janice Wald

      My pleasure. I had fun with the report card format. Thanks for following me back this week.
      Janice

  7. Christina

    Oh… but you don’t have easy follow buttons. Only share buttons! Hard to give you Likes or Follows.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi. I would greatly appreciate both as I am trying very hard to grow my readership. The like button is under the share button it’s right under the Linkedin Button. Follow should be on the top and bottom of the homepage.

  8. shawn

    Nice spin on the topic. Everyone can improve at least one area of their blog 🙂 Thanks for the criteria.

    • Janice Wald

      Hi,
      You got so many responses to your great idea. I hope some people see me way down at the bottom of the comment list and come visit me LOL. Thanks for your prompt reply and once again for your great idea.
      Janice

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  10. mrshsfavouritethings

    This is a really good idea. There is so much to remember when you are blogging that it is good every now and then to review your blog and see how it is doing and can be improved. Thanks for sharing. Hugs Mrs H xxxx

    • Janice Wald

      Thank you for the kind words, and your compliment on my idea for my post. I’m a teacher. A report card wasn’t too big a reach, LOL. Thanks for writing.

  11. mummascribbles

    This is a great little checklist! There’s so much involved with blogging, it’s easy to forget stuff! Thanks for linking up with #twinklytuesday

  12. Holly Jahangiri

    Close enough! (I can live with an A- …) I’d add, “Do you make it easy for readers to comment, or do you make them jump through flaming hoops until they think, “Nahhh, it wasn’t that important…” and wander off?” And “Is it easy to find your way around, and find your way back?” And “Do your external links open in a new window, so that visitors aren’t thrown off your site, making it harder to find their way back?”

    • Janice Wald

      Hi Holly,
      Thank you for writing me and taking my quiz. When I put in external links I always click open a new window. I agree with you I get frustrated trying to leave comments for people sometimes. Thank you for visiting.
      Janice

  13. Queen_Cassiopeia

    Thank you for sharing this blog. My score is 12, but I want to do more.
    After all, I think my blog needs some fixing. 🙂

  14. Janice Wald

    Hi,
    Thank you so much for taking my quiz, and writing me. Thank you as well for following my blog this weekend. It’s been nice getting to know you.
    Janice

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