Ok, I took the BLOG plunge

So I took some time over the holidays to creat a new blog. I didn't think it would be as difficult as it was, but I had to learn about Wordpress and how to customize what they call the Theme. My idea was to create an "open" site where people could post their gripes! This way, visitors would create new content without me having to do it all.

It is called today's gripe (http://www.todaysgripe.com).

I had read about all the other monetized blogs out there, so I put in advertiser links to "Stress Relief" type products and/or services. Hopefully, I can add more advertisers as the site grows. Most advertisers want to see a minimum number of page views, which I obviously don't have yet since the site is so new.

What took time was trying to find plug-ins that would control spam and allow anyone to post a topic on my blog. I finally found some and I think I have them set-up properly. We'll see how this works. So, if anyone here has something to gripe about, please post!

Thanks.

P.S. If you post a gripe, I left the option of having your "post name" link to your website (if you have one). You can use posts to create link-backs to your respective websites to help with search engines.

Good luck with your blog! I like the idea

Just a suggestion. You should check the main font color, it shows dark-gray so it's difficult to read with a black background. I'm using Firefox if that helps.

Unable to view black area with Mac/Firefox.

Ill forgive you this time for not hosting with us ;-)

Tom C.
www.aptohosting.com
1-866-404-9090
tom@aptohosting.com

I like the concept, but Jorge is correct, it is difficult to read. I had to highlight the text in order to read it. Overall, I think this site has a lot of potential.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I tried fixing the color problem. In Explorer, it looks fine. I just had not tested it in Firefox. I got the body fixed so the white background shows. I still have some more learning to do using the Theme.

Tom, sorry about not hosting with you. I just followed the advice on a couple of Wordpress forums. Once I am more comfortable with all this, I'll consider transfering.

Haha just giving you a hard time!!!! If you decide to switch, I will give first month free and free domain ;-)

Thanks,
Tom C.
www.aptohosting.com

I wish I had thought of this. I took someone's advice and highlighted the text to read it.

They are all good gripes. Mr. Gripe is right on. I hope the text problem gets fixed.

Keep griping!

The design is pretty clunky... I don't know what that huge black bar is doing separating your content from your sidebar, while your content falls off into your background. It visually forces people out of your site. Check out a site like http://www.waiterrant.net/ for a similar setup but a very user-friendly interface. And definitely put the "post your rant" link above your RSS links in the sidebar...and larger. You want to primarily encourage people who interact, not passive subscribers.

When I added comments, I was redirected to a page that required that I type in a code. I don't understand the need for that. It's just an encumbrance.

In Safari (Mac) it still views as a black background with gray lettering, hard to read. I did try it in Firefox and it has a white back ground and black text.

In most blogs it keeps out spam robots

I love the site, and I'll write you some content later. (Loving the link-back feature!) Let's hope you get some good, stimulating content like Ofuzi!

Love it. Some days I love to just whine....

Good luck!

Congrats, I really like the domain name too.

congrats, great site. You've solved the toughest challenge in blogging...getting a constant flow of decent content.

I predict your site will be a success.

I'd suggest targeting your ads more to a gossip mindset rather than a webmaster crowd. Here's a suggestion that may work for you:

http://www.glammedia.com/publishers/...isher_network/

Can you do anything to improve your blog's search results? I forgot the url. I searched for "daily gripe" and didn't find yours among the top results.

Just curious. Thanks.

Thank you everyone for all your great suggestions. I am trying to implement them. One great tool I did come across is this;

www.browsrcamp.com

It is supposed to help you "see" your website thru the "eyes" of a MAC/Safari user. Keep the suggestions coming.

As for the search engines, I have submitted a site-map. I did notice once you submit a new website, it usually takes about 90 days to get listed. I think one way to speed up the process would be to pay an SEO company. I will be researching them and see what I come up with.

Hey, I wouldn't pay for a SEO company. The best way to get listed in search engines is to add meta tags and a meta description to your html. Place links in your sidebar, trade links with other people, try and get articles submitted to social sites. Then wait and your rankings in search engines should increase.

Good luck,

Andrew

Here you go:http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04...free-seo-tips/

Check that article and site out. It's strange when things happen like that. Just what you needed.