When I started providing free reviews I decided to use a simple system to determine which Web site or blog I review: first come first serve. There were exceptions in the past where I didn’t feel that the Web site was appropriate for this blog. Since I passed on a few sites today’s review comes at a most opportune time.
The blog I will be reviewing today is called 1 million Love Messages, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it appears that the timing couldn’t be any better.
Web Site: 1 Million Love Messages
Description: 1 Blog, 1 Million Love Messages From All Around The WorldYour name and e-mail address.
Design 
The design of 1 Million Love Messages consists of the standard content on the left and double sidebars on the right. Even though is the same as thousands of other blogs, the author has added a few more navigational elements to the design. At the top is of each page is a menu bar that contains such common items as the Home and About links. At the top of the navigation sidebar are more navigational elements containing such items as a “Love Forum”, guest book, and contact links.
I did check out the “Love Forum”, which opens in the same template in the section reserved for content. There doesn’t appear to be much activity in there, but a forum is dependent on visitor numbers. The site does have 100 subscribers, so maybe visitors are viewing the forum.
The one downside I did find with the design is the font size. It is a little small and can be hard to read for some visitors. I am not a fan of pink, but for this site it works. The author has also included other colours such as blue into the layout so the site isn’t entirely pink.
The footer of the blog contains several links that aren’t as important to the blog, or for visitors. An example of such links are the “Recent Comments” section which is nice to have, but isn’t a major navigational element.
Overall, the design of the site is well presented it is easy to navigate. The additional menu bar and links at the top of the sidebars provide less clutter to the already busy navigational sidebars.
Focus 
The focus of the blog is well presented to any visitor that visits the site. From the title of the blog, to each post, the author has easily kept the focus of the blog. Even though many of the posts contain videos and images, these provided additional messages of carrying the focus.
This is one blog where the focus is well defined and represented in every part of the blog.
Content 
This is where 1 Million Love Messages really shines…to some degree. Many blogs contain only text, such as Technically Easy. While this may work for some niches, it can get pretty stagnant in others. The Web is full of other communication methods, so it is nice to see sites use various techniques to get the message across.
This blog uses various content methods in the posts. Posts can contain anything from the standard text, to images, and videos. As I read through some of the posts, the author also includes a few joke love messages to sort of add to the enjoyment of reading the posts.
The one ting I didn’t notice, however, was the lack of written content at times. For the YouTube videos, there isn’t written content at all to perhaps explain the video, or what the author thinks about the video. Other posts have simply a one line quote from a historical reference. An opinion from the author will enhance each post.
I did enjoy reading and viewing many of the posts as the author did keep each post small which made them quick to read.
Spelling and Grammar
Although many posts contain little text, I had a hard time to find any real spelling or grammar mistakes. The author has definitely taken the time to spell and grammar check each post before publishing.
Overall
With Valentine’s Day approaching reviewing a blog that has a love theme seemed appropriate for this week’s review. This is a well-designed site, with a nicely focused niche. The content is lacking at times in text, but the addition of images and videos add to the enjoyment of the blog. This is one site worth visiting this Valentine’s Day.
If you liked reading this post, consider following Technically Easy through the following:
on February 12, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Yes, keep telling yourself you were merely “reviewing” the site. Your poor wife might believe you someday.
on February 15, 2008 at 2:48 am
I keep my wife informed of all my wheelings and dealings with Technically Easy.