What Catches Your Visitor’s Attention in the first 5 Seconds
A while back, we talked about what your visitors learn in just 10 seconds. It was revealing for many, because it illustrated the need to make adjustments for some bloggers.
Today, I want to approach a similar topic — relating to the first few moments on your blog, — but from another angle. This time, I want to talk about what actually catches your vistiors’ attention.
For this, we need only look at the first 5 seconds.
What catches your visitors’ attention in the first 5 seconds?
As with all posts in the Feedback series, I’d like to invite you to participate by posting a link to your blog in the comments section. I’ll personally follow your link, visit your blog, and reply to your comment with some feedback pertaining to what catches my attention as an unbiased viewer.
Leave a comment with the url of your blog to receive some feedback.
Christopher is the editor of FuelYourBlogging & FuelYourVenture. He’s an abstract painter striving to make full-time living from his creative work by the time he’s 30, and shares his journey at CreativeBlogger … Subscribe | Twitter | Facebook
I believe “Launch Your Ashes into Outer Space” is the only blog I have open to receive comments. I found this blog interesting, and would like to learn your reaction.
Jill –
Nice to see a personal blog full of good ol’ fashion banter :) thanks for sharing this with us.
A few things in the first 5 seconds:
- the header image
- lack of title
- menu points to forms of different writings
- twitter icon in header
- lots and lots and lots of categories!
Initial reaction to each:
- the header image is generic, so it doesn’t really help me connect with your blog. If this image means something to you or creates a setting you enjoy with your blog, awesome … but because your blog is all about writing from you, I’d really like to see the header image focus on you, the writer :)
- the header looks nice without it, but it might stunt the growth of your readership because they might not know how to tell people what they’re reading.
- the menu is how I discovered your blog was all about your writing.
- the twitter icon is great because I know I can connect with your blog in a way I can take with me on the go.
- confirmed your blog was all about your writing. for me, the about section you’ve included in your sidebar is something I usually read after the first 5 second once over.
Keep up the great work Jill.
I would love your thoughts! My blog is http://journalmissionalliving.wordpress.com/ . I write about integrating faith and life and family. Thanks!
Hi Sharon… thought I’d chime in since we are in the same space in the internet… the first thing I notice on your blog is the header image (nice image). One of the last things I noticed was the menu (seems a bit small underneath the header… could it be a bit bigger?)
I love what you are doing… keep rocking for the KING!
Hi Carey! Thanks for your thoughts on my blog. Making the menu larger is a great idea…I don’t know that I can do that. The menu is actually the names of my “Categories”. I’m using a .com wordpress platform. Maybe I need to consider self-hosting so I can have more control over the design. hmmm…
When you’re ready to take your blog to the next level, definitely go self-hosting!
Hey Sharon –
Thanks for sharing your blog with us. There were four things I noticed in the first 5 seconds:
- the header image
- the title of your blog
- the image of the first post
- the image of you in the sidebar
Due to the minimalist styling of your theme (2010 WordPress theme), it’s super important that these first few images grip your visitor and hold their attention or spark their interest.
Looking good!
I have one of each (self-hosted and wp-freebie) – and the benefits of the self-hosted are HUGE, if you can afford the $10 or so it takes each month to get it… the setup at first is a bit daunting, but not THAT hard… especially since you already have a site that you can transfer. Not that hard… blessings!
For sure — and you can ease some of that scariness by going with a host that provides the one-click install option … two I recommend from experience include Dream Host and Blue Host, not only because they’re easy to work with for beginners, but also because they make it so easy to install WordPress — and update it later, which is important.
I use dream host for most of my stuff, but I always recommend blue host for those interested in keeping it as inexpensive as possible. Here’s a post with the details:
http://www.fuelyourblogging.com/bluehost-and-wordpress/
We’d love the 5 second feedback: http://blog.experticity.com/
Hey Jen –
In the first 5, I was mainly focused on the actual design of the blog.
What first caught my attention was the depth the author’s images seem to have. After that, I was focused on the three dimensional banner above the sidebar with the social links.
I didn’t know what the blog was about in the first few, but that’s okay.
Nice work.
Hey Christopher, I know what I think catches visitors’ eyes on my blog but i’d love to know what you think! Address above; thanks
Here’s the address just in case – http://www.mildredtalabi.com – I blog about careers
Mildred –
Checked out three things within the first 5 seconds..
- the pink MT
- your image on the right
- the image of the first post
The image of you on the right had the most impact during my visit, because I knew right away who was writing what I was about to read. That’s a very important tool in connecting with your readers, and I think a lot of bloggers miss out on that connection when they don’t put themselves out front and center like that.
Keep up the awesome work!
That’s great feedback Chris, thank you for taking the time out to do this – it’s fantastic to hear from an expert that you’re on the right track!
I love this series of posts! It would be great to get your five second impression of http://www.urbangardenersinsight.com Thanks!
Thanks Hilery –
Here we go:
- author’s image
- logo
- green accent color
As mentioned above, it’s super important to put yourself out there for your readers if you hope to make a strong connection, and you’ve done that just as Mildred has by placing an image of yourself front and center so readers know who wrote what they’re about to read.
The logo is very nice!
Not sure why, but I found the green you use on your blog very attractive.
Nice work.
Thanks so much for taking the time to post your impressions – it is great to get that reinforcement on going the right direction!
I would love the feedback from you or any of your readers – http://www.christianhomeandfamily.com – I write on making Christ the center of the home.
Carey –
- author’s image
- title
- starter video
- social icons
It’s awesome to see so many bloggers making their picture available right on the front page! As mentioned above, it’s super important in terms of creating a stronger connection — and you’re achieving that excellently here.
Title caught my eye based on it’s size compared to everything else.
Next up, the starter video caught my attention, again because of how much real estate it takes up, but also because you’ve included an author’s image here as well. Great job man!
The social icons caught my attention as well, but for a different reason — there’s so many! If your readers are using all of them, awesome! If they’re not using some, consider focusing on the ones the are using. This will help prevent clutter on your blog, which in turn will create a better experience for your reader.
Hope all is well, keep up the great work!
Appreciate the feedback Christopher… I’ll look into some of your suggestions!
I would love your thoughts! My blog is at http://morselsoflife.com
Thanks!
Hey C.J., your site is cool – great looking header! The first thing I noticed was the header, followed by your signup options on the right. I love the color scheme. But, the Zzzounds stuff seems a bit overbearing. I thought somehow your site was audio related at first. For what it’s worth…
Thanks for the feedback! I’m wondering what you mean about the zzzounds? I didn’t see it when I went to the page. Thanks again!
The ads at the top and in the right columns… maybe they are random, but all of them were for the website http://www.zzzounds.com
gotcha – thanks! I’ve been thinking about removing some of them. Looks like it’s time.
Ads are placed based on the visitors search history, so it’s safe to bet they’ll be different for every user.
I’d recommend focusing on building the readership first, then selling ad space directly using skyscrpr.com if you’re hoping to monetize via ads.
CJ –
The nice thing about blogs with simple designs is visitors are likely to see a lot more in the same 5 seconds.
Here’s what I noticed:
- mouse
- title
- color scheme
- menu
- subscription / social options
Nice little touch and great way to brand your brand online.
Caught my eye due to it’s size on the page
Noticed the colors of your blog at this point … interesting. I dig it.
Glanced over the menu, noticed the About page in the menu, and moved on. Not sure why, but I’ve noticed I don’t actually investigate what the menu offers at first … rather, I just skim over it because it’s there then come back to it later.
Great spot for the subscriptions / social options.
Keep it up CJ!
Thanks for the feedback!
Hi,
I just started a blog and would really appreciate the 5 second test as well. Its a blog for Martial Artist to draw inspiration, to be absorbed in thought and a place of reflection.
Since I am really just getting started would like to your peoples thoughts to make sure I am on the right track.
http://www.martialmuse.com
Thanks
Erkan
Hey Erkan –
Thanks for sharing your link with us! There’s been a bit of trouble with our database, and we lost everything for a moment, but it’s back up so I’m more than happy to jump in and take a look at your site.
The first five seconds on your site forced me to study your beautiful logo due to the empty space in the right side of the header; this is great for branding, but also lengthens the time it takes for the visitor to discover your content.
Great work my friend!
Heyhoo Christopher and people in the comments.
Wow this got a lot of feedback. But hey free stuff.
In the case you have spare time and you are still doing this I’d appreciate a look at my blog
http://thinkersoup.blogspot.co.uk/
I have every intention of going ahead with it and planning to go self hosted when it gets to the first year anniversary. (Hopefully I’ll know a lot more about blogging then.)
Cheers!
Hey there Charalampos –
Thanks for sharing your blog with us here at FUEL! By the looks of your blog, I’m guessing it’s under construction. Hopefully you’re taking it to the next level.
In the five seconds I spent on your blog, I noticed your logo, title, and background. I gathered your blog is a personal blog full of your thoughts on various topics, but I couldn’t tell what topics. The static background is a bit old school in my opinion, so it dates the blog a bit.
I’d consider adding a tagline or description after your title so visitors can learn what your blog is all about with minimal investment (people are quick to bounce off your blog if they can’t tell what it’s about, because their time is valuable and they don’t want to invest it in something in which they have no interest). A brief description could remedy this and help people learn what it’s all about more efficiently, thus, preventing bounces.
Again, hoping you’re taking it to the next level.
I would really appreciate some feedback on my blog at http://www.oldgoatguide.com
It has gone through a couple of changes, so I *hope* it’s better…
Thank you,
Rich
Hey there Rich –
Thanks for sharing your blog with us … left a comment on your Jurassic Park post!
The first five seconds on your blog were very clear — I discovered the name of your blog and the description of what it’s all about, “computers, tech, and stuff.” The only other thing I noticed within that time was the appearance. Using neutral colors makes it harder for you to brand your blog, which may or may not be important to you — if it is important, then consider focusing in on a two-color scheme (one neutral and one accent … like white and red here at FUEL).
Thanks again for sharing, Rich. Stan Winston was a genius! Were you able to get to theaters for Jurassic Park 3D?