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Should You Reorganize The Categories At Your Blog?

by Donna Maria

Careful categorization of posts is a hallmark of an effective blog. Recently, I tried viewing my blog as if I had never seen it before. I saw multiple opportunities for improvement. For example, I added a Twitter update widget to the upper right corner. I also changed the way my calendar of upcoming events is displayed. (See right column, under FaceBook.) I’m still working on that. I also noticed that my blog Topics (or categories), listed in the upper left, were out of control. There were too many of them!

Many posts were categorized under several Topics, making it harder to plan and organize future posts. If I was having trouble organizing my thoughts, I wondered if you were having trouble absorbing them. So I streamlined and reorganized the Topics, paring them down to the 6 main Topics listed in the upper left. Here’s how you can do it too.

  1. Look at what you blog about most. Taking stock of what you blog about most will help you streamline and plan future posts. My analysis showed that most of my posts are about Advocacy, Fitness, Leadership, Small Business Success, or Social Media. Everything else is either Miscellaneous or a sub-category of one of the main topics.

    Once you know what you blog about most, you can better focus your blogging efforts and make it more productive and efficient. This will save time and help you solidify your position as a “go-to” person in particular subject areas.

    The posts that do not fit under the main Topics can be placed in an area called, for example, Miscellany, Random or Just Fun Stuff.

  2. What do your readers respond to most? Take a hard look at which categories of posts generate the most conversation at your blog. These are areas you want to focus on and blog more about. Blog less about things people don’t respond to, and blog more about things they do respond to. There should be lots of posts in the Topic areas that your reader like most.

  3. Ask readers what they think. The best way to find out how your blog can be improved is to ask your readers. If you think you may need to consider reorganizing your blog Topics, ask your readers to offer suggestions. Ask them whether your blog is organized and easy to follow, or whether it’s confusing and jumbled. Is it organized and aesthetically pleasing, or is it random and jumbled with no particular focus.

    Ask them what they like and what they don’t like. Ask them if they’d like to see you blog about other topics. Readers have great ideas, but they frequently only share them when asked. Why not give them the opportunity to help you improve your blog?

Question: What do you think of my blog? Is it organized and easy to follow? Where can I improve?

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posted on April 2, 2010 ·

Facebook comments:

  • http://twitter.com/mainelementlove Tyrika Swails

    This is something I've seriously been considering tackling since my readership has grown in the past 6 months. I have far too many categories and tags. My only question is would you need to go back and re-tag/re-categorize older posts or would you allow them to fall into your designated default category?

  • http://thebeaddreamer.com/blog/ Charlene

    This is really a great topic and probably an area where I need to give it some thought and do some work. I see some blogs that have so many categories it is confusing. I probably have too few and also need to try and look at it from the perspective of the reader.

  • http://www.indiebusinessblog.com Donna Maria Coles Johnson

    I re-categorized everything manually. It was time consuming, but rewarding. I am pleased with the results. I didn't re-tag everything, but I added new tags when I thought it was appropriate. Hope this helps.

  • http://www.indiebusinessblog.com Donna Maria Coles Johnson

    So true! That's what I was thinking. When I go to a blog and see multiple categories with no real way to get a quick feel for what the blog and blogger are all about, I have to leave. If we are going to put information out there, we have a responsibility to organize it in ways that are helpful. Not only does it help our customers, but it helps our businesses. I love your blog!!

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