I, as a humble computer user, tend to find myself in front of an incredible number of new blogs every day. I could easily go by 10 new blogs every day and not take a note of any of them. So, you ask, what makes me stay a blog and maybe keep a feed link.... well I'm about to show you.

Please note that my browsing speed is usually quite fast and every single item below could be done in about 5-10 seconds from when the page has been loaded. If I like the blog, this could go on for an extended period.

1. Their Blog Design

Yes, as a part designer it seems as though I'm partially biased towards website design. If a blog looks like the most ugliest website in the world, there's a good chance that I may have a quick squiz at the content, but then I'll leave straight away without a second thought.

The purpose of a blog design should be to draw people into the website straight away. Sure, I agree that content is king, but without it is like being a visitor at someone's house and all they're doing is jabbering away at you at the front door without inviting you in.

2. How interesting their content is

Sure, they can talk about what everyone else is talking about, but they can pretty much talk to themselves for all I can. I as a competent blog reader would much rather be reading something new any day compared to a new angle of an old topic.

3. How professional they sound

To be honest, I hate casual bloggers whom write as though they were professionals. Sure, if they were blogging on a content aimed blog it could be fine, but even in those certain situations I would rather be reading someone whom seems a little more human like rather than a business machine.

4. Their Post Frequency

Looking through the post frequency usually gives me a good idea as to how proficient a blogger is at his/her job. The closer together the posts are released, the more likely this blog has a larger fan base or is a lot more interested in what they talk about. The later is what I like.

By now I would be semi interested in this blog. This stage would just start to give me a chance to think about staying for good.

5. The average number of comments

Do they have an active and interesting community pushing this guy/gal on? I have to look at many of the professional blogs and just shake my head at the absence of comments. What is the point of blogging when there isn't anyone out there actively pointing the finger at you and saying that you're wrong? I would much rather have an argument with one of my visitors about a topic that I'm interested than have 100 stupid warm and fuzzy comments...

6. Their advertising

Advertising doesn't really worry me that much, unless it's a plague of Google adsense boxes. If it's not well targeted advertisements or well positioned within the blog I don't like it. Have a good look at Brisbane Is Home and you can view some well positioned Google adsense boxes that have a very targeted audience.

I must say, blogs are getting a lot better these days with the amount of advertising people have on their blogs. It seems as though having 6 125