Blogging has become an essential part of good online marketing. Most people have either connected a blog to their site or link to one hosted elsewhere. A blog page has many different aspects, which makes it easy to ruin. Here are my top ten:

1. Hiding the RSS feed

No visible RSS feed might be the most frustrating thing ever. If I find a blog that inspires me, I want to subscribe right then. If I search for 5 minutes and can't find the feed, I'll probably leave and never come back. If you want to retain readers, keep your RSS feed at the top and bottom of your page. (Also, consider offering email subscription, too.)

2. Captcha doesn't work to comment

I admit, I am guilty of this one. For two months no one could leave comments on posts because my captcha created impossible to decipher words. Finally someone told me and I fixed the problem. Check your captcha!

3. Requiring a log-in to comment

Most Wordpress blogs don't require a log-in unless you add a plugin for that, but some other blogs do. Sure, this deters spam, but it also deters serious responses. I know I will usually fore-go commenting if I have to take an extra step. Note: this is not because I am lazy, but because I am busy. Forcing people to log-in disrespects their time.

4. No structure in posts

Some blog pages show just part of a post, while others show the entire thing. I don't really have a preference, but if you show an entire post, make sure to give it structure. (Actually, give it structure anyhow.) By structure I mean paragraph breaks, headings... They call it, letting your writing "breathe." People except one idea to stop before you begin the next one. Structure helps signify those changes.

5. Design doesn't mesh with website

Sometimes blogs are embedded into a site, or just linked to the main page from another host. The design of the blog may not match the rest of the site. The clash of designs can range from disjointed branding to omg-my-eyes-are-burning.  Strongly consider integrating your blog; or at least matching your blog with the rest of your site.

6. Blog content doesn't match goal of website

Your blog should play a part in your marketing. If your blog content is too personal or isn't useful to clients its not functioning in your favor. Make every post work for you in some way. Sit down and think about the goal of your website and your blog. They should be complimentary.

7. Fifth grade writing skills - sometimes you should pay for content

Not everyone can boast beautiful writing technique. I don't mean you need an English degree or the best grammar. Just make sure your writing is readable. If you just don't have good writing skills, consider hiring someone or buying content. Don't give up on a blog just because you can't spell, but if you're not willing to invest the time, pay someone else to.

8. Not using your own work (or at least claiming its yours when it isn't)

DO. NOT. STEAL. Copying may be the highest form of flattery but its not worth it. If you get caught, imagine how that would destroy your credibility. Plus its just wrong. You can point to other blogs and even quote them, just link back and give credit.

9. Not taking advantage of Titles

Even if you don't display entire posts on your blog page, readers will at least be able to see titles. Use your titles to keep people clicking! This is a great way to convert a causal browser into a possible client. Your posts may already have good information, but your titles aren't urging people to click RIGHT NOW!

10. Clutter

It happens far too often. You spend hours adding links to your blogroll. You play with all the fun plugins and options. Its easy to suddenly have a blog just covered in random crap. Live by this rule, only add things you would click on someone else's blog.

So ends our series on How to Ruin Your Website! Was there any particular page you would have liked to cover? Which page do you struggle with?

No one is arguing anymore about the power of Twitter. After Ashton Kutcher's showdown with CNN and the appearance of Oprah, Twitter has pretty much hit mainstream. However, its not often that a company gets to feel part of something even bigger.

We've done some consulting and design work for the Dallas County Young Republicans, and run their Twitter account. The DCYR took a keen interest in supporting the much-blogged Tax Day Tea Parties. Here's what WFAA has to say:

I got some time during the filming (which took way longer than I realized it would) to chat with David Schechter about what he thought of Twitter, personally. He told me the potential for having twitter and traditional news work together was incredible and he was excited to be a part of it. We're excited to be a part of it too.

If you are interested in using social media to further your business or movement, Veribatim is offering a number of classes right now in the Dallas area and we'd be happy to send you more information: contact@veribatim.com

About a month ago, my watch broke. I've been meaning to get it fixed but just haven't found the time. So the other day, I'm at a party with a group of friends (all in their twenties) and I happen to ask: "What time is it?" Every single person in this group grabs their cell phone to check the time. Of course, I had my blackberry with me, so I could have gotten it out too, but it didn't even occur to me that not one of my friends would bother to have a watch. Then I thought, why have one? You've got a phone.

Of course, this made me think. Cell phones are becoming more and more important in our everyday lives. So the question of giving your business a mobile presence looms. People of all ages are going the "smart" phone route. The average business person has one because either their work or their kids talked them into it. I've said before that paying a ton of money to get a mobile website isn't the best solution for everyone (unless you are a social or shopping website). However, there are a few things you can do to help mobile-savvy users learn about you.

First, have you bothered to check out how your website looks on a mobile phone? If you haven't, try an emulator. Some websites look better than others. This website is readable but the images are wonky. However, other sites can be unfathomable. So here are some tips:

1. Make sure your information is in all the major online directories. Have you bothered putting your business info into Yahoo, Google and the YellowPages? I do searches for information on handy-men, car shops and restaurants from my phone on a regular basis. If a business's information doesn't show up in one of these directories I won't even know they exist.

2. Get a blog. One of the few things a mobile browser doesn't ruin is text. The majority or Wordpress sites, even basic ones, are relatively easy to navigate on my phone. So if you're not already blogging, here's another reason to do it.

3. Social Media. A number of social media sites are already geared for mobile users (Twitter, Facebook). So take advantage of that. Even if your website isn't iPhone-perfect, you can still stay in front of your clients and customers by being active on one or multiple social media sites.

4. Opt-In Email. If your blog has an email option, or you send out a regular newsletter, you can reach your mobile audience this way as well. If you haven't considered an email option for your blog or some kind of e-newsletter, you might want to!

These are just a few quick ways to make your business accessible to mobile users. I'm sure there are lots more, feel free to add your suggestions!

If you've done any sales or offline networking you know the drill: Meet someone, exchange business cards and then do the ultimate magic move: get coffee. You meet at your local Starbucks, or if you're adventurous, a non-chain locale. You both grab your cup o'joe and share. This is not a sales pitch, not a marketing strategy, this is a get-to-know-you-and-your-business hour. This is a relaxed, comfortable environment to share with someone about your passion and find out more about theirs. Afterward you usually feel like you know this person better and understand the "niche" their company fills. If you have any synergy, you establish it, and often you will exchange any referrals on the spot or in the next few days. Sometime the results of "getting coffee" or having a "one-on-one" aren't apparent for months. But then again some of my most enthusiastic clients came from someone who was never going to use my services but talked me up to their friend.... someone I had coffee with once.

Getting Coffee can be a powerful, personal way to establish your business. So why is blogging like getting coffee? The first websites were cold, impersonal tools used mostly to get a sale out of someone. Now we have a new aspect to web, a more social aspect. And it is a fact that humans, as a whole, are social creatures. A blog is an awesome way to "get coffee" with someone you might never have a chance to meet in person. Here's why:

• Neutral Ground: Most blogs are informal. The website itself carries all the "official" business information, but the blog gives you a chance to loosen your tie, roll up your sleeves and breathe in that espresso atmosphere.
• The Little Things: A blog let's people see what's unique about your company. Maybe you are a business law firm, but you happen to really be passionate about 503 (c) companies (nonprofits) and have lots of experience starting them. Or maybe your background was originally in the IT field and it makes your perspective different. These are all things that might not be appropriate in the "official" side of your website, but in your blog it can gain you an individualization. Its the small things that set you apart, so share them.
• Establish a Rapport: Trust is huge. One of the great things about getting coffee is being about to establish if they are the kind of person you would be comfortable referring to or not. Often you can discover information their background, their family life, their personality... in a blog you can reveal all these things and it builds trust with your readers. The more they feel like the know the real you, the more they will trust you.
• Spill the (Coffee) Beans: Share your secrets. Often, when I meet with someone, I like to find out something that isn't common knowledge. Share something that's not common knowledge on your blog. It doesn't have to be incredibly personal, it can be an industry secret. If people feel like you are being upfront with your facts they will be more willing to come back to your site in the future.
• Q & A: Getting coffee with someone always involves conversation. Its an opportunity to ask questions and get feed back directly. I have no background with real estate. So when I have coffee with an agent I can ask them all kinds of questions without feeling stupid: "Is the market really as bad as the news says?" "What do you mean by 'flip' a house?" "What's a good mortgage rate?" They ask me basic questions too: "What do you mean by SEO?" "What's the difference between a link & url?" and "How does social media work?" The point is, a blog can be a conversation with your readers. Answer the questions you know they are asking. And make your blogs open-ended enough so that your readers feel comfortable asking you questions and even seeking out your advice.

If you get in the mindset that blogging is like getting a chance to get coffee with hundreds of individuals around the world, everyday, you might suddenly see the awesome potential blogging for your business has. If you already blog, consider what people ask you during a one-on-one and what the hot topics seem to be. If you don't think the results of blogging can be as dramatic as getting coffee, think again. I love sharing links to my favorite blog sites with people who are looking for that information and I have made sales because other people did the same for me. People refer to those they like and trust. So make your blog trustworthy and friendly and see what happens.

Yup, its exactly what is sounds like, a blog and a wiki all in one magical place. A bliki allows you to write in a blog setting but provides community to go with it. Your readers can blog along with you, respond, edit, change, link... its all there in one place. I think a bliki really reminds me of a forum (remember those?) with a blog-twist.

Some of the above graphic may look a little daunting but overall it shows that you can have blogs, user pages, wiki-type definitions, and more. Its a neat little tool that for some people will be very useful. If you like a lot of feedback and get motivated by discussion, a bliki may be the answer for you.

Cynthia Wunsch, classical musician and voice-teacher extraordinaire, has a bliki: the Unlikely Entrepeneur, that I have had the opportunity to collaborate on. This is a great example of a bliki just starting. Check her out, not only does she have some great content, but she is an awesome example of a business that isn't usually associated with technology stepping out and making the internet work for them.

Side Note: A bliki is also something great to get involved with, even if you aren't the owner of one. A bliki can give you an opportunity to promote your website (if it is applicable to the theme of the bliki), as well as linking to your site through a userpage. Just like commenting on a blog, being actively involved in a bliki may bring you traffic if you are making thoughtful and appropriate comments.