Free Blog Consulting – One Time Deal

BY Dec. 21, 2009 47 Comments


In trying to improve my blogs community I’ve run exciting contests, offered free links, and now I’m providing you with free blog help.

What I’m offering:

  • Free Blog Consulting
  • Leave a comment below, with your questions, feedback request or anything.
  • I’ll reply to your comment, with as much information and advice I could provide.
  • For more info on my service see Blog Building.

Thanks for being a part of my community!

Online Business, Site News
  • http://jawaadahmadkhan.wordpress.com Jawaad Ahmad Khan

    Do you have any references for making an easy transition from wordpress.com to wordpress.org? (including how to begin make sufficient ad money to pay for hosting)…
    .-= Jawaad Ahmad Khan´s last blog post: Suspended YouTube Account? :( =-.

    • http://thetechguia.wordpress.com Guilherme

      I would like to know that too! =D
      .-= Guilherme´s last blog post: Facebook testing tool to push updates onto Twitter =-.

      • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

        Well one of the 1st steps to really making your blog known, becoming a serious blogger, and eventually making money blogging is buying a domain name and hosting. I use Godaddy, which costs $10 a year for the domain name (www.ben-lang.com) and $80 a year for hosting, there are other services out there that may be cheaper, such as Hostgator, Hostmonster etc. Consider it an investment, you pay that amount of money to take the next step in blogging and eventually it will pay off. It’s one great investment :)

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  • Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

    I would love to know if you’ve had any experience with a full blog redesign. I’m planning a redesign in the next few months but I’m scared of losing post data or things playing up.

    For example when I made the move to my current design from standard wordpress template my RSS feeds reset and showed all my posts again all at once in everyones RSS that was subscribed. Also some of my images in posts failed to show up.

    I’d like to avoid these issues in future updates.

    It would also be great to work on a redesign while my current site is still online then just ‘click a button’ when I’m ready to make the change over.

    Would love to know your experiences/advice!

    Cheers,

    Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hi Sarge
      Actually I have a lot of advice with full blog redesign :) I only just completely redesigned my blog about a month ago.

      First of all don’t be scared of losing data, you should backup your blog with ‘WP-DB-Backup’ just in case, but usually posts, plugins, comments etc. will all be transferred to the new blog.

      It’s not as easy as a ‘click of a button’ and requires a lot of work. Issues will come up of course, but they can all be fixed. While you are working on it you could use the plugin ‘Maintenance Mode’ so that visitors know that you are working on your blog. If you want to keep up your current design while editing my advice is to work on it live but switch it back after until its done.

      I know its difficult redesigning a blog, and many problems are encountered but ultimately it will pay off.

      If you need any more help please let me know. Cheers

      • http://moralde.com/ James Moralde

        Hey Ben, can you post an article where you could elaborate on the steps to take when you do a blog redesign?

        The more I learn about on-page SEO, the more I realize that my blog has a lot to be improved on. I’m considering redesign, theme change, etc. A post from you who, as you say, had just done a redesign earlier, would be great and would be most appreciated.
        .-= James Moralde´s last blog post: Bugs Bunny Poster =-.

        • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

          Hey,
          Thanks for the idea I’ll definitely consider it. If I do, I’ll let you know. Regards

    • http://fwebde.com/ Eric B.

      It can be helpful to setup a local server on your computer, and copy over the files and database from your live site, and work on the theme locally with a copy of your site, to test everything that you are using.

      That’s what I always do for my projects, including the redesign for my blog (just today, actually :) )
      .-= Eric B.´s last blog post: Free WordPress Theme: SnapBlog =-.

  • Mikkel “DaneBlogger” Juhl

    Well I don’t think I have anything, if there is going to be anything I will contact you definitely!

    Awesome idea Benjamin!
    .-= Mikkel “DaneBlogger” Juhl´s last blog post: Why You Comment On Other Blogs =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hey, must mean that your blogging is going very well! Let me know if I could help you anytime. Thanks Mikkel!

  • Clinton Skakun

    Hi Ben,

    I would like some advice in have more interaction, more comments and more targeted traffic to my blog posts.

    Thanks in advance:)

    Clinton Skakun
    .-= Clinton Skakun´s last blog post: Finding Your Blog Niche, Advice from an non-Expert =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hi Clinton,
      Community is something I’ve been focusing on for a while now which is why my posts have many comments and are interactive. Some ways that I do that are: offering freebies, contests, CommentLuv, top commentator widget and networking with other bloggers. The more of those you do/have the more active of a community you will have.

      Regarding targeted traffic, there’s: Adwords, any type of targeted ad, Twitter could help, forums, blogging networks…

      Nice to hear from you Clinton :)

  • http://www.guidegoods.blogspot.com Ed

    Well how do your get traffic.
    .-= Ed´s last blog post: How To Get Free Prizes =-.

  • http://shirleyszone.com Shirley

    I don’t have any question, Ben.

    All I have to say is that good luck with it :) .
    .-= Shirley´s last blog post: 57 Great And Helpful Posts To Keep Your Mind Afresh And Engaged As A Blogger =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Ok thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it! Regards

  • http://www.guidegoods.blogspot.com Ed

    How do you get mor epeople to comment on a blog and how to get backlinks
    .-= Ed´s last blog post: How To Get Free Prizes =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hey thanks for asking another question. Well @ClintonSkakun already asked about comments and interaction above, you should read that if you are interested. Backlinks is still something I’m working on, it comes from: commenting, blogs finding you and adding trackbacks, search engines. Cheers

  • http://internetjobscams.blogspot.com chandan

    I want to ask Ben, that what are your link building strategy? I am working hard for building backlink for my blog, so I want to know your strategy.
    .-= chandan´s last blog post: Work at home | Freelancing PDF converting job =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Thanks for asking. What I focus on is: submitting posts to social networks, commenting on other blogs, trading links with other blogs, participating on forums, and writing search engine friendly posts that way many people could find them when writing articles and link back to me.
      Happy Holidays!

  • http://www.techfreakstuff.com Tech-Freak Stuff

    No questions for now. But it feels good to see people helping Bloggers in their problems. Keep up the good work!
    .-= Tech-Freak Stuff´s last blog post: How can I be so so lucky? =-.

    • http://www.ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Great, that’s what I’m all about :)
      Happy Holidays!

  • King Sidharth

    Meh!meh! (Me! Me!)
    Please let me know how I can improve my blog. btw… it’s going to get a huge redesign that’s why post frequency is a bit low.
    .-= King Sidharth´s last blog post: Chanting for Beginners =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hey, sure!
      1. I love your header,the design is very cool.
      2. Your footer has a huge space underneath it with nothing in it… I would recommending adding widgets there if you can or removing the space.
      3. The cpmforest ad at the bottom right is a bit too big for the space allotted.
      4. Personally, I think you should change the site’s font to something else.
      5. If your contemplating a theme redesign, definitely check out WooThemes (they’re the best.)
      6. A top commentators widget would be beneficial for you and commentators.

      Good luck, please let me know if you need any more help!

  • http://www.corylevy.com Cory Levy

    Hey Ben – to piggy back off of Sidharth’s comment. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on my blog: http://www.corylevy.com.

    Thanks.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Sure, I’d be happy to. First of all I like your simple design, maybe you should some more color here and there if you can though.

      Here are some more things:
      1. Your title should probably have more than your name for SEO purposes.
      2. Your archives on the sidebar if you can try to move the number up next to the year, it would save space and look nicer.
      3. This is your choice, but I’d advice you to remove the meta from the sidebar…
      4. Instead you should add a feedburner subscription service to the side, and an rss button.
      5. If you are interested I think most blogs use little social media icons, retweet and facebook share buttons instead of the “Share This” button.
      6. Nice to see that use Disqus, great commenting service.
      7. Your projects page is so impressive! I’d love to hear more about your entrepreneurship career :) plus awesome resume!

      Nice to meet you Cory, I’d love to chat sometime. If I can help you in any other way let me know. Best regards.

      • http://www.corylevy.com Cory Levy

        Thanks for your feedback, Ben! I made most of those changes. However, I can’t figure out how to get the social media icons on my (wordpress) blog.

        Also, do you have any title suggestions?

        Lastly, would love to chat sometime soon. Shoot me an email: cory AT corylevy DOT com.

        • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

          No problem, to get those social media icons you can use the plugin “sociable” or many others that exist.

          For your title I would use “Cory Levy 18 Year Old Entrepreneur” or use something that people would search for on Google and you would want them to find you.

          I’ll definitely send you an email. Cheers

  • http://www.guidegoods.blogspot.com Ed

    how do i make connections with other bloggers like Darren Rowse and Copyblogger.

    Plus how do i get more followers on twitter
    .-= Ed´s last blog post: Write For Us =-.

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  • http://technascent.com Uttoran Sen

    Hi ben,
    looking foreword to hear your feedback and suggestions on my blog :)
    .-= Uttoran Sen´s last blog post: 2010 Plans – Big Dreams =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hi Uttoran,
      I’d be happy to share my feedback and suggestions.

      1. I like the simplicity but I think that the church design (crosses) don’t really fit with your blog (technology.) So maybe you should look into a new theme if that interests you.
      2. Your title: Cradle of Evolving… You should probably change it to something more search engine friendly like: tech news, technology magazine etc.
      3. In your header “Enter 468×60 Banner Code Here” appears instead of an advertisement, no big deal.
      4. In your subscribe box personally I don’t think you should have all of the buttons for each service: Google, Yahoo, Netvibes etc. just use one button for all of them.
      5. The friends box, maybe you should fill it up a bit more, maybe even add me ;)
      6. I’m not a fan of having a meta box on the sidebar, I would say remove it.
      7. Nice to see you have a very active community which is always great.
      8. On each post I see a “starton” button at the bottom thats not so well placed. I’ve never heard of that service so I would say take it off or place it in a better area.

      Looking good! Let me know if I could help you in any more ways.

      • http://technascent.com Uttoran Sen

        hi ben, that’s a great review,

        i can’t change the theme, i love it :( but i did a few changes to it. the magazine type display looked good, atleast to me :P but it had some problems. The categories and posts at the top of the page, no matter how old got comments always, while new posts at the bottom of the category did not received enough comments, so i made this change finally. Now its no longer a category display and is a simple new-posts-at-the-top display, just like any other blog. I took this idea from hellboundbloggers :)

        The title, is surely not a seo title, though a homepage title would not matter much, i want the search engine visitors reach the inner articles so i use good titles for individual articles, so i would not worry about the homepage title. I like that slogan, the domain means the same too :)

        the header is now fixed, i had removed that in the past but looks like a theme bug that empty header ads box brings back that line… now its removed with the title lol, hehe

        removed a few subscription services, rightly pointed out, thanks,

        i don’t have a friend box yet, but have the top commentators list and hope to see you there :D

        removed the meta, lol was too lazy to type in the wp-admin so kept it for a one click entry to the admin panel… silly me :P

        thanks, i love my community, and always keep working on it, its what keeps me blogging,

        you haven’t heard of starton :(
        its mine :P hope to see you there :) and will fix the button,
        .-= Uttoran Sen´s last blog post: 2010 Plans – Big Dreams =-.

        • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

          Hi
          Wow I see a lot of smilies :)

          If you like the theme keep it, always the bloggers choice. Yeah there are always certain problems with themes. Glad you fixed most of the things I suggested. I never have heard of starton, very cool that it’s your, I’ll definitely check it out!

  • Ruben | OurBlogLog

    Hey Ben excellent website ,n case you do have a chance to help a fellow blogger , i wanted to know what the plugin for retweet button on top of the post is, also if you know any good plugins for “Digg Me”.

    I can’t find one that looks nice with a retweet button. =/

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hey
      Well I have the perfect plugin for you: Digg Digg. It has different options for retweet, digg, facebook and more buttons. It’s an amazing plugin so check it out.

  • Ruben | OurBlogLog

    5 star rated , thanks alot , working on it now.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Your welcome, enjoy! Please feel free to ask more questions :)

  • http://www.Millionaireat24.com Aaron Darko

    Hey Ben,

    Great on this blog. You really care and thats the key to winning in business.

    I have just recently started my own blog and i am not technical at all so could you critically analyse my blog please.
    .-= Aaron Darko´s last blog post: Why The Rich Get Richer and The Poor Get Poorer =-.

    • http://ben-lang.com Ben Lang

      Hi Aaron,
      Sure I’d be happy to.

      Firstly I really like your theme, looks great, and your logo is nice.

      Here are some suggestions though:
      1. Your home page should probably be posts not an about page.
      2. For right now the Y.E.S ad that you have takes up a lot of unnecessary space since there is nothing to the left of it…
      3. Add some more widgets to your footer.
      4. Fix your feedburner widget, its a bit messy. Plus you have two email subscribe things, try to combine it into one.
      5. Disable Disqus on pages.
      6. Add a contact form instead of your email address on your contact page, there are many plugins for that.

      Good luck!

      • http://www.Millionaireat24.com Aaron Darko

        Hey Ben,

        Thanks for the pointers. Ive done all you said apart from combining the feedburner subscription box with my getresponse subscription box, i dont know how to do that?

        Also under ‘Featured Posts’ i cant seem to get little photos to appear next to the summary of the post, any ideas?
        .-= Aaron Darko´s last blog post: Why The Rich Get Richer and The Poor Get Poorer =-.

        • http://www.ben-lang.com Ben Lang

          Hey
          No problem, I dont think you could combine them but maybe you should just use one of them. I’m not sure it depends on your theme try googling it or post it in the WooThemes forum.

  • http://twitterdownline.com Twitter Followers

    Ben,

    What is the best way to get more twitter followers from your blog? What would be the best way to set your blog up for that?

    Thanks,

  • Cooper

    Hello,
    I have been working on putting together a “sobriety” blog/journal. I need to present a very “discussion friendly” atmosphere and right now, I am having trouble locating a theme that lists this as a feature. I have also contacted many wordpress theme stores and they will not offer ANY assistance at all. Do you have any suggestions?

    Thanks, Cooper