Elements that make a blog complete

Content is king. Quality of posts rule. Readers relish and enjoy your blog because of your writing. All - true.

Even then, there are some features, when present in your blog doesn't add much value (atleast, conceived not to), but if not present has a huge impact on the reader experience.

These small details, when taken care of, makes the blog more reader oriented and makes the blog feel complete.

Let me list a few MUST features in a blog i.e., other than content.

ABOUT PAGE

When your readers convert to clients, the first page they search in your blog, is the about page. If that is missing, you are losing business directly.

An about page takes priority next to the blog itself. Because, it is where 'YOU' are presented to your readers and it is where you reach out to your readers in a personal level.

About page is where you could make your elevator pitch on what you do and also introduce your blog to your readers.


SEARCH

Search has become the new navigation option for many readers.

People, in impulse, try to locate a search option in a blog to navigate to areas of their interest. If present, it could help your readers to have a smooth experience in your blog.

You can search content in iPENthisBLOG here.


RSS

RSS is the mandatory part of any blog. Why? Because a blog has regular updates and expecting a reader to come every day (sometimes more than once a day) to your blog to read is asking for more.

RSS is the alternative for your readers' convenience to get updates from your blog easily for free. So, make the provision for your user's convenience.


CONTACT INFO

As pointed in about page, for your clients, readers to reach you and to network with you, you need to provide your contact info. Its priority is in par to the about page only next to blog itself.

If you do not want to be spammed, you could opt for many robust alternatives like using image of your mail id or contact forms available through zoho etc.,


NAVIGATION

Though search is available, a basic navigation option to access the about page, contact information, your portfolio, the archives etc., are a must.

Without these, a person landing on your blog's homepage would invariably leave the blog because of the difficulty in reaching the archives.


COPYRIGHTS

Even if this makes only for a single line at the end of your blog, this is very important as to what and how your blog posts and elements must be considered.

It could of help for many bloggers/media to know how your content must be treated.

Is it not evident - the content is mine and should not be copied? Yes, it is. Yet, it is better to be clearer from your side.


COMMENTS

This need not be said. Even then. Some blogs close the commenting options for many reasons.

I would say, comments section is the integral part of any blog and the only differentiator and a boon for blogs compared to websites.

Make the full use of comments section by opening up to readers and make it as robust as possible.

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Is there anything else, which you feel is a must to make a blog feel complete. Share your thoughts in the comments section. What elements could make the user experience great from good?

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