Making blogs usable

Extending the principles of Web site usability to Weblogs, Jakob Nielsen offers these top 10 mistakes and how to correct them:

1. No author bio.
You need one to establish credibility.

2. No author photo.
It makes you real in the reader's eyes.

3. Non-descript headlines.
Descriptive titles help readers -- and search engines -- find relevant information.

4. Unpredictable links.
Anchor text should tell readers what they'll learn by following the link.

5. Buried nuggets.
Some posts have lasting value. Direct new readers to them.

6. Calendar navigation.
Categorize and archive posts by topic.

7. Irregular publication.
Build readership by posting on schedule -- daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.

8. Topical mishmash
"Specialized sites rule the Web, so aim tightly," Nielsen says.

9. Unprofessional posts.
Write as if your future boss were reading it.

10. Host domain name.
A Web address ending in blogspot.com or typepad.com screams "amateur." Brand your blog by buying your own domain name.

Per item No. 5, see the new list of favorites from my archives in the right-hand column.