Edit: 2 May 2015, after speaking to some blogger pals, I took some immediate action and decided on a few of these straight away! The latest updates are in italics!
I've got so many decisions to make at the moment regarding my blog, taking it forward, my limitations and what I can do whilst working full time.
The word decisions probably sounds more exciting than it is but I've been thinking about the blog a bit this week ;)
1. Should I move over to Wordpress?
Yes, now just got to bite the bullet.
2. Should I buy a domain name?
I did it! I now own www.larabeeuk.co.uk!
3. Should I scale down a bit because I'm struggling to keep up?
4. Can I up the pace and perhaps find a new more part time job?
5. Deciding on a new blog template for a makeover.
6. Deciding to turn down a couple of review opportunities.
7. Deciding to register with tots100.
I did this one before the post went live.
8. Should I give up completely and use that effort to progress my career?
Re-asses this on 1 Aug, can I find a way to maintain balance whilst doig both?
9. Deciding which old blog posts need re-working.
10. Deciding which old posts should be removed.
For now these posts are part of LarabeeUK's history so for now they are staying.
11. Deciding whether to still write some out of date posts for future use.
Yes, I'll be grateful this time next year, or the year after!
12. Deciding on a May blog plan.
13. Deciding to review my huge list of categories again.
14. Deciding what to put on my revamped 'About' page
15. Should I ditch my LarabeeUK Facebook page?
I've decided to commit to keeping it until 1 Aug and re-asses
16. Should I use google analytics?
Although it's a lot of thinking, I am feeling quite re-energised and enthusiastic towards blogging and the way forward, whichever way that will be.
I hope you have all had a great week! Can't wait to catch up with everyone's words this week!
I am constantly thinking like this, but I think you have to do what you feel is right, what you enjoy and also a bit of what is realistic. Good luck with your decisions.
ReplyDeleteI moved from blogger to WP in November& it was the best decision ive ever made. I am now self hosted & the options are amazing - design wise, comment wise and just the freedom on how it looks wtc. My SEO has improved dramatically too. I would say to do it sooner rather than later as it wipes your comments & stats but you soon build it back up. It's pretty easy to sort out your own domain & pretty cheap - a co.uk is about £3.99 for a year I think! Blogger was limited on mobile device look & skewed my stats as the blogger counter includes spam. I cheated & paid someone to move me but it wasn't all that expensive & it was fuss free and I'm useless with coding wtc! I can pass on her details if you are wanting to go down that avenue xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Beth, that's fantastic advice. I think I am decided on going to WP but it's just taking the jump, I'd loved he details please, I might try myself first but would be great to have as a backup. Off to find my own domain xx
ReplyDeleteI moved to squarespace (from blogger) last November and don't regret it at all. My stats on hibs100 did dip for a while and that was disheartening but this month they're back to where they were when I changed (well up a little bit actually). Good luck - and as with any decision, once it's broken down and part of it is made, the rest sort of seems to follow :) #wotw
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephanie, I'm not sure when it will be but a move from blogger is definitely on the cards. It really helped to get it all down last week (sorry I'm so late in replying!) and clear my head, I've enjoyed it much more this week. xx
DeleteWow! What a lot to think about! You have to do what you think is right for you! Wishing you the best of luck x
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim, I'll get there :) x
DeleteRemember what I said...don't go wearing yourself out! You do an ace job as it is! Full Time at work, full time Mummy and full time blogger, you never have a break from any of it and you are amazing...always here to support you just don't go making yourself ill!! :) X
ReplyDeleteThanks hun x I know you are. I appreciate you always being there despite how busy *you* are xx
DeleteWow, that is a lot to be thinking about and trying to decide on. It's so hard getting the blogging balance right, I think. And then as well as keeping up with actually writing, promoting and commenting, there are all of those background things to be doing, too, like the emails, admin, design and so on. I hope you manage to make some decisions. my advice would be to break them down, just one step at a time, for what it's worth x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
ReplyDeleteThanks Jocelyn, although there's lots to do to get where I want to be, I'm trying not to overwhelm myself. When I first started, I didn't do the reviewing, promoting, linkies etc so it seemed a breeze, taking it more seriously really is a full time job!
DeleteSorry this reply is so long after yours x
That is a lot to think about! I agree that WordPress self hosted is better, I've had other blogger blogs before, hope it's easy enough to transfer! And I didn't realise you worked full time too! I don't know how you do it! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Jenny, it's definitely the way to go, I'm just not sure when I'll do it. Currently talking to someone who can do it for me quite reasonably. Lots still to think about.
DeleteApologies that this reply is so late xx
I was following a group and they have paid ops and I cant join because my platform doesnt allow that. Now I am thinking should I move but I dont have money to do anything to move forward. I wish I have more resources and options. I dont sadly. But I know how you feel. Goodluck with any decisions! #wotw
ReplyDeleteThat's so frustrating isn't it? I'm concerned that my plans are going to cost me more self-hosted I could do everything I want to do in blogger but there are still loads of reasons to move, it's going to take me a while to work out my best option, but I'll get there.
DeleteSo sorry it's taken me so long to reply, I really appreciate your support xx
Lots of thinking there. Don't burn yourself out though. I have loved designing my blog in blogger over the years and Wordpress seems scary and costly, not looked into it completely though. I think most people would love more time and money to spend on their blog but you've just got to make of the time you have. Have loved seeing the crafts you have done with T, as Amelia gets older will be checking them out! xx
ReplyDeleteThat's what scares me too Louise, I'm worried I'll get in too deep and it will start being too costly, got lots to work out :)
DeleteAw thanks for your kinds words, I'd love to see what you an Amelia get up to as she gets older x
Apologies this reply is so late xx
Fab to read you're feeling enthusiastic about blogging after making these decisions. I used to be on BlogSpot and really didn't like it. I've never regretted moving to Wordpress - better functionality, themes, everything really. Looking forward to seeing the new blog xx #Wotw
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh, I think it will be a long, slow process, but I'll get to where I want to be eventually, thanks for the info on wordpress, appreciate that!
DeleteSorry this reply is so late xx
I think if you need to scale back the blogging, but don't give it up - I think you've made so,e good choices to wait until August and see how things go x
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura, I think getting it all down helped and I convinced myself I wasn't going to give in without a fight!
DeleteI've got lots of thinking to do but I'll get there eventually.
Thanks for the comment, it means a lot and sorry its taken so long to reply xx
Wow, you have a lot to think about. Keep going lovely lady, but try to have time for you (ha ha pot kettle, but you know what I mean!) Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x
ReplyDeleteThanks Aby, saw your post this week too, it helped to know that people you think have it altogether still have concerns and challenges.
DeleteSorry this reply is so late (case in point!) xx