Blog designs and how contributions are assembled vary significantly among blogs. If you compare two popular weblogs, the money blog network, http://www.moneyblognetwork.com, and the Corante Hub, http://web.corante.com at the initial entry of the blog there are two distinctively different visual formats and contribution strategies. Personally, I prefer the money blog network as I feel that it has a more personable enticing format, compared to the Corante Hub which has a high tech visual format.
The money blog network is a blog that is actual composed of five Internet personal finance bloggers that have united together to create according to them a “first-of-its-kind personal finance blog network designed to put personal finance wisdom, best practices and commentary just a mouse click away”.
The money blog network is structured with a three up column format with the blog articles in the middle column. The blog uses a large reader friendly font. Each article then clicks to the complete article, i.e., “sub” blog. Each sub blog has additional advertising. On the left side column the “network” blog lists sponsor links using ads supported by Google. Each sponsor link has a title, short description, and displays the URL address. On the right hand side is a listing of the network member’s blogs, about the network, a subscription offering to their newsletter, and the recent posts organized by category. This blog is truly capitalizing on networking blogs together that have the similar subject matter, money, in mind.
The Corante Hub is also structured with a three up column format with the blog articles in the middle column and the editorials on the left hand side column. The posts in the middle column primarily use each article header as a marketing link. The editorials on the left hand column use a smaller sized column which make article reading a bit stressful on the eyes. Not to mention that the entire Hub uses a small font. On the left hand side Corante uses to offer additional information about themselves and provide a few marketing links, primarily Amazon.
According to Corante they are using a “new publishing paradigm”. They have three hubs interrelated; a marketing hub, a media hub, and a web hub. They provide contributions from a variety of independent bloggers. Just like the money blog network they have united their hub on a similar theme, technical advances.
Personally, although this may be the “new publishing paradigm” I find it too busy and my clicker gets lost or can not find its home. Plus I am overwhelmed trying to find items of interest, there is just too much too review. Although, I did find this interesting article on 20 best practices.
Please share your comments on your impression of the network verses hub style of aggregating contributors.
This is an excellent analysis of the two blogs. The operators of the Money Blog Network would be happy with your opinion.
Posted by: Bud Gibson | March 27, 2006 at 03:56 PM