Hello Friends! With Hanukkah and Christmas fast approaching, I’m guessing most of you are pretty busy right about now! But I hope you’re not too busy for this. I came across a web site a couple of weeks ago that I’ve been chompin’ at the bit to share with you! It’s called Peek and I love it, and you’re gonna love me for sharing it! Not only that, it can really help you gain some valuable insight into your website. Sometimes I feel like I’m stuck in a rut with my blog, but when someone else points something out that could use a little tweaking, it kinda gets my rear in gear, kwim?
Here’s how it works: Once on their site (link below) simply put in your URL, the email address you want the results sent to, and you’re done. Just go about your business of saving the world, and in less than 24 hours, you’ll receive a video of someone ‘critiquing’ your website…yup, the good, the bad, and all the rest. So you need to put on your big girl panties and be brave, ’cause whoever is checking out your site isn’t going to like everything.
As for me, a comment was made about the color of my MadMimi subscribe option in my sidebar. It was bright red and I have to admit I didn’t like it either, but hearing someone else articulate that (he specifically said it looked too ’90’s’) motivated me to change it. Another HUGE issue, at least for me, is that my site is not mobile friendly. You DO know that a big portion of users are viewing our sites on mobile devices, right? (Don’t worry, I’m not. I’m lucky I can read on the iPad version).
So…want to know if your site is responsive? That’s really easy to do also. Just click here and enter your URL and you’ll get your results in seconds. There’s also a link once you’re there to help you if you want to get your site up to snuff. It doesn’t always involve code, so don’t get nervous! Sometimes a plug in will do the trick, like Jetpack if you’re on WP for example, and I’m sure Blogger has a few as well.
Ready? Just click here for a look at the Peek website and an easy way to try this yourself. Feeling nosey and want to see the results of my mobile test? Click here. If you decide to do this, remember to have your site tested on a desktop and a mobile device as well. (Peek makes it easy because once you’re there they will ask, and they’ll also send you a follow up email reminding you.)
Oh, and did I mention it’s free? You get to request a test up to three times a month and a really cool feature is it doesn’t even have to be your site! You can test any website out there. So go ahead. Test out that blog’s website you love (or hate).
One caveat: the people who are testing are random people, so they may or may not fit your target market. If you have a Mom blog and a 75 year old retired lumberjack is checking out your site, chances are he may not get what you’re trying to do so take the critique with a grain of salt. In my case, I didn’t really change anything that wasn’t bothering me in the first place. I still have a few things to work on but I’ll get to them in due time. There’s also a paid version which gives you more options and you can even select your target market to check out your site, and there’s lots of other cool features.
Give it a try and I’d love to know what you think!
In other news…
We had the grandkids this weekend for one last visit before we leave for two months. We took them to see A Christmas Carol at a cute little local theatre Friday night, and last night we went to a holiday light show called Bright Nights. I’ll share some pics soon, but suffice it to say it’s spectacular and most likely unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
In honor of our possible upcoming RV purchase, my friend picked this up for me, totally tongue in cheek ;).
In year’s past, I made some very cute gingerbread houses with our oldest grandson which you can check out here, and this weekend we had fun today assembling this one. Thanks Elaine!
Nana Diana says
I am always a bit scared of sites like that, Doreen, because I am SOOO untechy. I am afraid that even if they suggested changes I wouldn’t be able to make them. Hmmmmm…do I dare? lol I’ll let you know!
How funny about the Trailer Park Santa kit. THAT is funny! xo Diana
susan says
Thanks for sharing, Doreen. I already contacted peek and left my info. Can’t wait to see the results.
Sounds like you had a great weekend with your grandchildren – grandkids are the best, aren’t they? And we get to see things thru their eyes which can be magical.
Doreen says
Good for you Susan! Let me know how it goes.
susan says
Hi Doreen – I received my results from Peek. I was critiqued by a professional photographer and it all began quite nicely – she told me she all the things she liked. Then, at the very end, she told me all my photographs were blurry. I burst out laughing. I had read awhile ago that all your pictures shouldn’t be perfect, that you have to let people know you’re a real person who makes mistakes. Well, I guess, the cat’s out of the bag – I’m a real person that makes mistakes!
I liked it and would do it again and yes, I’ll try not to include so many blurry pictures. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Dewena says
I bet they would certainly ruin my day! I can just see my husband coming home to find me in tears because Peek had hurt my feelings! I’ll leave that to you braver souls but it is intriguing.
Poppy says
Wow, very interesting…and free! You are such a courageous blogger, my friend, for not fearing the feedback, but then again, House Honeys is such a happy and entertaining place! Btw, your holiday header is charming! How I’d love to take a ‘peek’ into those pretty homes!
Have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Poppy
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Sounds like a wonderful time with the grands and I like your kit, ha ha! 🙂
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
I’m probably not brave enough to visit that site! LOL! The gingerbread kit is pretty funny.
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
I did it ! Here’s my review …http://peek.usertesting.com/result/9747025314581?autoplay=true
Doreen says
That’s great Debra! He sounded very nice and like he ‘gets’ what blogging is all about. Did you notice he kept yawning?? lol
Feral Turtle says
Looking forward to some feedback!! Love your trailer park gingerbread…haha.
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
I love this idea…but then again a bit afraid of what they will say!..ha!….and that Trailer Park set is just too cute and funny!!!!
Jane says
I have to give it a shot, Doreen. Always curious as to what may be a big negative on my blog.
I LOVE the kit for the RV…very cute! You must be so excited! Maybe you can cruise into Chicago (or Michigan or Asheville) sometime and we can meet!
Jane xxx
Celestina Marie says
Hi Doreen, this sounds like a great site for some up to date insight on our blogs. I will check it out! Sounds like you had fun with the grands and love the gingerbread kit.
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs
Julie says
Hi Doreen, thanks so much for the info on the peek website. Not sure if I want my blog critiqued! LOL! Sounds like you had a nice weekend with your grandkids. You are so lucky to be going away on vacation for two months. Take care and have a nice week! Julie
Carrie@Northwoods Scrapbook says
What a great and useful tool Doreen! I will have to remember this one. Since I’m still pretty brand new and still adding things to my site and figuring it out…I’m not ready to be more overwhelmed yet! Lol I’m actually still deciding if I’m going to keep figuring and learning things on my own – or find someone to help put things more together for me.
I’m still enjoying the process either way! So do you go away like a snow bird each year?? That’s the goal for my hubby and I one day…to snow bird away some where for the majority of the winter.
xo
Linda Chapman says
How FUN!!!! I am waiting for my results now!!!
We lived in our RV for 7 months after the quadruplets were born! My daughter and hur husband lived down in the Houston area and that RV was such a blessing! We spent Christmas 2012 in it. Now we use it out on Louis Dean’s son’s ranch!
Will SO enjoy following you – where ever you go!!!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
I’m so going to do this, Doreen, thanks for sharing. I pinned it too. That trailer park Santa Kit it too funny, but just so you know, I consider you about as far from trailer park as anyone I know… Not that there’s anything wrong with trailer park, by all means, trailer park can be pretty cool… Not saying you’re not cool, either, oh boy, hahaha… See what can happen when you try to pay someone a compliment, LOL.
cathy@my1929 Charmer says
Thank you for some really great resources! I’ve got my big pants on and hope I don’t soil them:-{. My site is not mobile friendly either, oh me, oh my! But it will be interesting to receive their viewpoint, I do cry easily and get over it easily too.
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel says
Thanks so much for the tip Doreen. I just signed up. I guess I better put my thick skin suit on. lol. Love that trailer park kit. Sooo cute!
Alycia Nichols says
I would be terrified to go on this site! I’m with Dewena…my husband would come home to find me shivering and quaking from any harsh criticism that I felt unfair or unwarranted. My skin is skeleton thin, and I don’t know that I would ever recover! I’m cool with constructuve criticism, but if I felt the least bit under attack I would be a blithering basket case!!!
Maybe I will vow to get braver in the new year and be able to face the music!
Doreen says
No way! That’s not the Alycia I have come to know and love ;). If anyone messed with you, I’m pretty sure they’d find their butts at the top end of a wood chipper.
kelly says
Gosh, I’d love to hear what someone would say about my blog, and then again, I don’t. LOL! If it’s someone that wouldn’t normally be interested in what I share, then I don’t really care about their opinion. Know what I mean? It’s good to know that there is a free service like that out there though if I should decide to give it a try. I’ve never seen a camper gingerbread house before. That’s so cute!
SharonFromMichigan says
Doreen, I can’t believe I never signed up for updates to your post! Anyway, when I tried to sign up using the button in your sidebar, it said “cannot display page”. So I used the link you had in your post and that worked. Of course it could be the computer I was on too. The Trailer Park Santa kit is a hoot! I’ll have to earmark the Peek site in case I start a blog after I retire (5 1/2 months to go – Woo Hoo!)