Elanso

(www.businessandblogging.) You know when you see it.

It’s that special something that makes you pause when you see a blog and think to yourself, “I’ve got to come back here.”

You may even bookmark that blog for future reference. Why? It’s the “Wow” factor at work.

Browse through any list of the most popular blogs and you’ll notice instantly that there’s something compelling about these blogs - something that immediately draws the reader in.

Recently, I had the opportunity to “surf” through various blogs as I was doing some research. I was truly amazed at how many poorly done blogs there really are.

Perhaps the badly done blogs exist because folks have the idea that simply creating a blog was enough. Perhaps they are out there because the bloggers don’t know any better. Perhaps the bloggers don’t even care.

My point is: these blogs are failing in their purpose. They aren’t effective. They aren’t conveying information and they aren’t reaching new readers.

The “Wow” factor is something that every blog needs (especially a business blog), but few bloggers really understand.

Here’s something important to keep in mind: a blog is an online representation of you (or your company). If your blog is mediocre, what does that say about you?

What makes a “Wow” factor blog?

The “Wow” factor occurs when the elements of a blog come together in just the right way.

Easton Ellsworth of BusinessBlogwire is doing an excellent job of comprehensively analyzing blog elements in his series, The Ultimate Blog Review Guide. Liz also dealt with the question of what makes a blog good in her post: Business Blogs: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

A “Wow” factor blog has to be more than just good. It has to be a show stopper in every area.

Here are the ten vital elements of a blog that no blogger should ever ignore. Handle these elements well, and you have the “Wow” factor. Mess up here and … no “Wow.”

1. Design - A design should capture your attention and pull you in to the blog. I’m amazed at how many bloggers use bland, basic blog designs when there are so many attractive blog templates available (some for free).
2. Images - A compelling photo or graphic can make the difference between a blog that’s humdrum and one that makes you say “hmmm…”
3. Audience - A blog should keep its primary audience in mind. A blog should be about what it is about. If a blog is supposed to be about cooking, the readers shouldn’t find posts on the blog about the blogger’s car, the local weather, or the state of the economy.
4. Content - Well-written, relevant content is the cornerstone of any good blog. Too many blogs are riddled with poorly written contant that has no relevance to the blog’s topic or the blog’s readers.
5. Name - Ideally, a blog should have a memorable name that is related to its purpose and content.
6. URL - A blog’s URL should be easy for readers and potential readers to find and remember. If possible, the URL of the blog should be related to the blog’s name.
7. Responsiveness - I find a lot of “blogs” that have the comments turned off. Whenever I see this, I wonder why the blogger has even bothered to present the material in a blog.
8. Contact Information - It’s always good to know how to reach the blogger with questions. For a business blog, however, contact information is essential.
9. Honesty and Accuracy - Without these, a blog is just a waste of time. It always annoys me when I am researching and I come across a blog with bad, or wrong, information.
10. Traffic - While traffic is the natural outcome of having a “Wow” factor blog, a wise blogger will take measures to make sure that their material finds its way the appropriate readers.

What about your blog? Does it have the “Wow” factor?

Why, or why not?

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