Visual Aesthetics – 9
Top 10 Web Hosting has a relatively clean look, with not so many visual elements that can overwhelm you. The only thing that takes away a tad bit from the visual experience is the mixture of colors, especially the ones in the header/banner.

User Friendliness – 10
You won’t get lost looking for the Top 10 Web Hosting. For starters, the several categories available are easily found on the right side. You can further navigate the blog by looking at the tags and recent posts.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
Anyone who has had to scour the Web for a suitable web hosting provider will know how tedious it can be. Top 10 Web Hosting makes it easy, thus enjoyable.

Useful Info – 10
The ultimate strength of Top 10 Web Hosting is the useful information that it gives the readers!

Overall Experience - 9
Top 10 Web Hosting makes it convenient for users to find specific information on a wide variety of web hosting providers. You can even find discounts and sales, which are even more attractive. In the market for a web host? You know where to go!

Visual Aesthetics – 9
Webmaster Blog has a simple look with a lot of white space that makes it easy on the eyes. However, the blog posts are displayed in different styles – some are cut really short for excerpts while others are much longer. It would be good to make this uniform.

User Friendliness – 10
The blog is quite easy to navigate, especially with the relevant links found at the top of the page. For example, to find posts by categories, you just need to click on the category link and you’ll find navigation to be even easier.

Reading Enjoyment – 10
I am no webmaster, so there were quite a good number of posts that I was not sure I understood, but what I was able to relate to, I found quite enjoyable. While the niche is highly technical, most of the writing is pretty straightforward, making the posts enjoyable to read.

Useful Info – 10
Definitely the strongest point of Webmaster Blog. Whether you are new in the scene or you have been working on one of the areas of expertise the site focuses on for a while, there is a lot of knowledge to be picked up in the blog entries.

Overall Experience - 9
Webmaster Blog is a must-visit for anyone who works as an Internet professional. Not only do you get to pick up useful tips, but you also get the chance to interact and network with people who are in the same field as you are.

CGIndia

This large site has a wealth of information with all the latest on computer animation, graphics and other areas in the field of tech design and architecture. Impressively updated several times a day, every day, CGIndia covers interesting news, reviews, and tutorials, and a very useful Google in-site search box to find what you need in their massive archives.

Visual Aesthetics – 7

The impression I got when I first entered this site was that it was geared towards the professional, with serious colours, and obviously a lot of content within. Just scrolling down to the bottom of the homepage seemed to takes ages, as there was just so much information there (mostly in the form of news clips) – which had the tendency of creating an overly “busy” feel to the site.

User Friendliness – 7

This site was fairly easy to get around, loading time decent enough, and a basically neat design, with the categories on the left hand column and all the entries taking up the rest of the page. Again, my only complaint was the somewhat overwhelming feel – I dont know if it was the dark colours and sheer volume of entries which is not bad in itself (admittedly, content is king!), but it just made me feel slightly snowed-in, a sort of sensory overload if you will.

Reading Enjoyment – 7

Designers, animators, architects and others in the industry will, no doubt, enjoy getting their daily fill from this site. And although I am none of the above, I have to say that I did find some interesting bits which made me wish I knew more about this fascinating technology which now manages to be part of our everyday lives.

User Info – 9

Certainly, the information found on this site scores the highest points. The news is current and regularly updated, there is alswys a good photo to back up the entry, and the links all seem to be in working order.

Overall Experience - 8

Decidedly a “bookmarker” for anybody in the graphic/ animation industry, as this site can save you a huge amount of research if you want to keep up with the trends.

Technorati Tags: technology, tutorials, grahic design, hosting, useful

The Internet Marketing Journal

As this blogger knows only too well, Internet Marketing can be a labyrinth of deception- a world of smoke and mirrors, where everything is promised and little is delivered. One day reciprocal linking is good for your site, the next day it is bad. Google Pagerank was supposed to be the end game, now it is just a spectator sport. And the list goes on…..

So where does one go for honest, unbiased and “no axe to grind” help? 99% of all websites offering such help, even under the guise of it being “free”, are trying to sell you something. If not now, then later. Forums? You are as likely to be led astray by some teenager from Turkey as you are put on the right path by an IBM employee.

The Internet Marketing Journal is one place that you can visit and know that you are geting in-depth, updated and balanced information.

Visual Aesthetics – 7

As I write this, the Word Press skin seems to have been changed- so what was an attractive layout of blue is now a rather bland white and a non-descript header, using an all too common theme. Overly commercialised as well, giving way too much glory to the “featured links“.

User Friendliness – 8

Everything works on this blog. Navigation, links, archives and an excellent directory. Clean-cut and professional. Hits the mark efficiently, if not beautifully.

Reading Enjoyment – 7

Too much SEO “news“- which for most of us gets tedious after a while. But for insiders- this blog may be a superb read, or for those who want to get into the Internet Marketing rat race.

User Info – 8

One really can learn how to create successful Internet Marketing campaigns. There is comprehensive advice about Internet Marketing, Email, Brand and Interactive Marketing, as well as Search Engine Marketing

Overall Experience – 7

As someone who has searched at great length for a blog that lays out some basic IM techniques without trying to sell me something, I have to say this isn’t bad at all.

Technorati Tags: internet, seo, marketing, search engines, serach engine marketing, marketing blog

Site Critic

Site Critic reaches professional web designers who want reviews, design ideas, and simple instructional articles to help them improve their craft. While it may be too technical for the casual blogger, it’s a good resource for both industry practitioners or anyone who wants to learn how to make a better website.

Visual Aesthetics – 9

Well, this is a website about how to make better web design, and they clearly know what they’re talking about. Simple, clean layout that’s easy on the eyes and leads the eye to the information you’re looking for.

User Friendliness – 10

Fast download time, information is neatly organized for intuitive navigation, articles well archived for those who want to read up on a particular topic. What’s not to love?

Reading Enjoyment – 8

A technical topic like graphic design can be difficult to explain, but this website manages to do that. Information is broken into easily-digested chunks and illustrated with clear examples, plus a ratings system alerts you to the best articles (and the worst).

User Info – 10

Very, very useful site. The articles touch on all aspects of web site design, from layout to text to search engine optimization. There’s even a separate section for Web newbies who need more step-by-step guidance.

Overall Experience – 9

Bookmark. Now. And check frequently. It gives valuable advice, and without charging those membership fees required by some other websites.

An Internet Marketing Tutorial for the Rest of Us

Ready to make money online? On this blog, Randy talks about Internet Marketing techniques, such as Search Engine Optimization, and how to make it work to your advantage.

Visual Aesthetics – 4

The mass of ads within the posts make the page look messy and are extremely annoying. The main text begins in the lower half of the page which is awkward and it is also too wide for a normal screen size, so one has to scroll back and forth constantly. Lastly, the main photo seems inappropriate and dull. Low marks here.

User Friendliness – 6

This blog could benefit from for a “search this site” option, an “index” or a detailed list of “archives”, all of which are absent.

Reading Enjoyment – 8

The site means business- you can expect a handful of technical terms which are gibberish to most of us. So be advised to begin with the oldest posts, which contain introductory discussions and explanations on the various SEO terms, as some of the current posts are difficult to follow for ignoramuses like ourselves.

User Info – 9

Aside from informative posts on making money online and how to promote your site, this blog also warns about protecting your computer from spyware, phishing, scams, and Internet worms. Randy points the user to useful websites for improving traffic to your site.

Overall Experience – 7

This blog could be a useful tool for those who want to make a start earning on the Internet. None of Corey Rudl’s flair, mind you.

Google Tutor

At first glance, today?s top search engine, Google, seems the minimalist affair. True enough, google.com itself does not have many bells and whistles on its home page. You get a clear, clean black-on-white interface, of course with that signature colorful Google logo. Who would know that it goes deeper than this? Google, after all is more than just search?and even the search aspect itself is so rich with features and functionality that the average user would perhaps only touch on a minute aspect of this powerful Web tool.

Enter Google Tutor.

It?s a blog all about Google! And it?s not just like the shallow common, I love Google type of blog. Google Tutor actually goes in depth and tries to explain to the reader in layman?s terms how to maximise use of the various functionalities of the slew of Google services, and also news on what the search expert has been up to lately.

Visual Aesthetics ? 9

Recently redesigned, Google Tutor now features a cleaner, lighter interface. There are adverts on some areas, but the focus area is always on the copy, which is readable enough, so we don?t mind the presence of some sponsored links. The colour scheme is eye-catching, and so is the placement of elements on the three-column layout. Some posts have relevant images on them, which I find appealing and likely to catch the attention of the reader.

User Friendliness ? 10

In terms of readability and navigability, Google Tutor fares well. The links to the important and interesting articles are prominently placed above-the-fold, meaning it?s viewable even without having to scroll thru the site. The essential links, such as static post links, external links, and important advice are also prominently marked and are easy to find. The site is also categorized into the various Google services, so one can easily find tips or updates on his topic of interest. The copy size and contrast are also adequately readable.

Google Tutor also caters well to both technically-adept readers and also those not too well-versed with technology. You won?t feel lost, from whatever side of the spectrum you are coming.

Reading Enjoyment ? 10

Who doesn?t love Google these days? Many are quite curious as to how to maximise their Google experience, and Google Tutor is the first place to visit for useful and entertaining takes on what?s new with Google. Expect regular updates and witty remarks from Google Tutor?s talented set of writers.

Useful Info ? 10

Google Tutor is as useful as there is a vast set of Google applications. In short, you won?t run out of useful insights and updates from for the simple reason that Google is also a vast store of knowledge in itself. From the latest updates to the most in-depth of special commands, to unpublished functionalities or supposedly secret hacks and workarounds, this blog has it all.

Overall Experience ? 10

Google Tutor deserves a Bloggy Award for being able to demystify the magic that is Google and explain its intricacies in a language not alien to the rest of us who are not experts in technology, and still pack a wallop for people looking for more than your usual default Google functionality. This is a blog you?ll surely want to bookmark and visit regularly.