Blogger App Review: Blogger.com Vs. Blogger App for iPhone- For the Blogger Within
A Brief Blogger Overview
My fellow bloggers know that blogger.com has so many features that make it easy to track your page views, traffic sources, and your comments.Very recently, they have integrated Google+ comments with Blogger for more traffic and more visibility to all readers.
The simple yet efficient analytic tools and interface of blogger.com is the reason blogger is so popular among writers all over the world. Whether it you're an expert in cyber security or a scholar on knitting scarves; Blogger makes it possible to get your knowledge out to the masses.
And this brings us to the blogger app for iPhone.
1. Posts
Using the Posts icon; you can edit, view, or delete any of your posts; although you cannot add gadgets, as they are displayed in HTML.This also means any advertisements you have cannot be edited, nor can you add any advertisements. For those of you who do not monetize your blog, this is not an issue. For those of us who like to make a passive income; this will bring up a bit of a problem!
One thing I do like about the Post icon, is that you can add labels/ tags. I did not expect that on this particular app seeing as I was disappointed in a lot of the features.
2. New Post
The next icon on your main screen is "New Post". I was surprised to see that this is the same layout as the first two icons of the very top of the screen- the Camera icon and the Compose New Post Icon- I do not see the pointing having three icons for the same task.
Usimg any of these icons, you can create a simple post.
There are six -very basic- areas to add content;post title, post content, labels, select location, take a photo, and choose existing photo.
3. View Blog
The next icon is View Blog- and it is just that-you can view your blog-that is all. You can view the mobile site or the web layout.
You cannot edit your blog from here, as it does not take you to the actual website. Also, you are not signed in, and you cannot leave comments.
It seems like you are viewing the blog as just another reader- with no affiliation to Blogger.
4. Settings
The last icon is "Settings"- in which you can do very little. Instead of blog settings, you are left with simple viewing settings.
Here are your options:
1. Sign out
2. Switch blogs- for those busy bloggers with multiple personas or topics
3. Change image resolution ( for your viewing pleasure, not the reader)
4. Change post order- change the order in which your blog list is viewed; date created, or last updated.
5. Send feedback to blogger
6. View policies, terms of use, etc
The "Settings" section is very under utilized by the creators.
I did utilize the "Feedback" option- suggesting to add tools similar to the website.
All in all, the App has a long way to go. It takes more than a simple layout to keep writers in the web world. Let's step it up Blogger!
