[K-Dub]

Hi.

In case you didn't know, I write 604 Foodtography (http://www.604foodtography.com/), a local Vancouver blog about restaurants & food. I started in February when some friends suggested that I stop uploading pictures of food to facebook and actually do something with them.

This is like the 4th time I've changed my layout/theme for my blog, and I just wanted to get some feedback on the looks and anything about the blog itself.

ie.. What do you like, what can be improved on, writing, info, pictures, etc..

Thanks RS. :)

[Ch28]

Personally I love your blog. I think it was voted as one of Vancouver's top food blogs last week...remember reading about it on Twitter

[Matsuda]

I love it too, I usually check it out for suggestions of new places to try

[Vansterdam]

i think you need to write more detail. some of the posts i saw i noticed that only the picture really helped. at least what i think.

although ur newer posts are preety good and detailed

[sonick]

Haha, i have you on my googlefeeds.

A fixed width layout with word wrap would make it easier to read for those with higher resolution widescreen monitors.

[tiger_handheld]

did u apply for the RS food guy contest?

[HonestTea]

Nice!

I'm going to be having a lot of fun on this site :)

[hotong]

nice blog man... keep up the good work!

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

i like ur blog
:thumbsup:

[K-Dub]

Personally I love your blog. I think it was voted as one of Vancouver's top food blogs last week...remember reading about it on Twitter

Thanks. I'm no where near the top though, I think I was rated as like 20th, but that's pretty decent. http://blog.letsgofordinner.com/2010/01/15/the-top-50-vancouver-restaurant-reviewers-bloggers-and-tweeters/

I don't put a lot of time into the blog as some of the others, but that's slowly changing.

I love it too, I usually check it out for suggestions of new places to try

Thanks. I read your photoblog too, didja know? :p

i think you need to write more detail. some of the posts i saw i noticed that only the picture really helped. at least what i think.

although ur newer posts are preety good and detailed

Yea, I've gone through weeks where I was just like, fuck it, I'm lazy and this will suffice. I'm a little nitpicky, either I do it perfectly or I just do it pretty simple. Guess you can tell when I take a couple hours to sit down and write.. haha.

Haha, i have you on my googlefeeds.

A fixed width layout with word wrap would make it easier to read for those with higher resolution widescreen monitors.

Aweeeesome. Do you have a lower res screen? I'm not sure what it looks like, but I think right now it's fixed and will auto fix for smaller screens.

did u apply for the RS food guy contest?

What contest? ;)

Nice!

I'm going to be having a lot of fun on this site :)

nice blog man... keep up the good work!

i like ur blog
:thumbsup:

Thanks guys :D.

I welcome alllll feeback and suggestions.. it's been a learning experience for me with this blog.

[Meowjin]

when am i taking you out for pho.

[dread604]

cool blog man :D

[sonick]

Aweeeesome. Do you have a lower res screen? I'm not sure what it looks like, but I think right now it's fixed and will auto fix for smaller screens.


Nah, I have a high resolution screen, I meant you should make the width of your body fixed so that you don't have super long lines that make things harder to read:

http://imgur.com/XNcdp.gif

[Groot]

this is awesome dude

[Amuse]

Nice, I like it.
I like how you take pics of the interior, storefront,etc
If you have a chance, you can take a pic of the menu with prices so it will be more consistant as some reviews have them and some don't.

[talentoverrated]

bookmarked :D

[K-Dub]

Hi all,

Lots has happened since I started this thread.

Not sure if you followed, but I won the RS food critic contest (though I would NOT consider myself a critic..just vocal and opinionated).. I was on vacation for 6 weeks this summer in Asia and I swear I ate the equivalent of my own body weight every damn week. Currently working on some mega posts for Taiwan, Philippines, Shanghai and HongKong... so stay tuned. :)

I'm trying to get back into a regular groove of posting, but it's a little tough when you're a full-time student. If only I had an iPhone or BB because at least I could blog during the downtime at school.

Anyways, here's a picture from my most recent post.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4785580219_f088f9d578_o.jpg

In the meantime...
follow me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/604foodtography)?
like me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/604Foodtography)
sub me on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/604foodtography)?

Thanks everyone! :)

[Mr.Jay]

u run 604foodtography?

I like your blog


checked out a couple of ur article now and its always been very informative plus the pictures are always real nice

[TekDragon]

It looks good, pleasing to the eye the way you have it spread. That being said, it took a bit before I realized how to "search" the site. What would be a nice feature (and not even Sherman has this) is the ability to search for cuisine and city at the same time. From just a glance, not able to do that on your blog.

Other than that, looks good. I'll be adding this blog along side with Sherman's Food Adventures now.

[K-Dub]

u run 604foodtography?

I like your blog

checked out a couple of ur article now and its always been very informative plus the pictures are always real nice

Yep, one man (90% of the time) show. Sometimes I get my friend to post something, but that's rare.

It looks good, pleasing to the eye the way you have it spread. That being said, it took a bit before I realized how to "search" the site. What would be a nice feature (and not even Sherman has this) is the ability to search for cuisine and city at the same time. From just a glance, not able to do that on your blog.

Other than that, looks good. I'll be adding this blog along side with Sherman's Food Adventures now.

How are you "searching" the site now? Through the drop down categories list, or the clickable categories & tag links at the bottom of posts?

I do have a google custom search box up top, but it doesn't do what you want to do exactly.

I'll look into if that's possible on wordpress.

Thanks!

[TekDragon]

How are you "searching" the site now? Through the drop down categories list, or the clickable categories & tag links at the bottom of posts?

I do have a google custom search box up top, but it doesn't do what you want to do exactly.

I'll look into if that's possible on wordpress.

Thanks!

Searching with the drop down box. Also, thanks for maintaining the site as well as having good updates on there.

[K-Dub]

Most recent post -

Nine Dishes, 960 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC (http://www.604foodtography.com/2010/12/02/nine-dishes-960-kingsway-vancouver-bc/)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5207762649_371b51383b_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5207763421_498669fc84_b.jpg

[Mr.Jay]

Go review X-Site for me

I keep hearing good things but don't want to make the trip there due to lack of free time

[K-Dub]

Go review X-Site for me

I keep hearing good things but don't want to make the trip there due to lack of free time
I've heard good things regarding their daily specials, and I have been there 4-5 times.

The last time I went was couple years ago and it didn't leave me too happy. I think it was something regarding my Chicken Caesar Wrap, but it probably is just an off day.

IIRC, they have <$10 steak daily, and daily $5 specials, like steak on Mondays.

I think it's good value for the money, and is really attractive to students, especially those from SFU. Not gonna win awards, but if you go with the mindset that you're getting decent food for very little money, it's pretty good.

[Culverin]

Not gonna win awards, but if you go with the mindset that you're getting decent food for very little money, it's pretty good.

Some things are decent, like pastas and stuff.
Some are better like calamari and $10 steak.

I think the burger and chicken souvlaki platter really stand out.
I think they charge like 6ish for the burger on special, and 8.50ish regular.
It comes with potatoes and salad. They could charge double that and I'd still think it's ok.

[Ronin]

Go review X-Site for me

I keep hearing good things but don't want to make the trip there due to lack of free time

We went there for a RS meet a few years ago. I remember my steak being dry.

[racerman88]

nice blog K-DUB

[unit]

We went there for a RS meet a few years ago. I remember my steak being dry.

its a 5 dollar steak dinner..... its supposed to be mediocre at best.

[K-Dub]

Hey everyone,

I'm cross posting this for more exposure.

2 years have gone by since I first started blogging, and it’s been a wild experience so far, and I hope it will continue.

Unfortunately, my 2 year web hosting plan is set to expire on July 8th, 2011. Additionally my Flickr account is set to expire on May 6th, 2011.

Both are essential to this sites continuation, and as I currently am a full time student with no job, I have no cash to pay for these 2 services.

I need to raise a total of $300 ($250 for 3 years of hosting + $50 for 2 years of Flickr).

I’ve set up a Paypal donation button, please consider donating if you’ve ever found this site useful. :)

http://www.604foodtography.com/2011/03/12/please-donate-to-keep-604foodtography-alive/

Thanks you RS. :heartsmile:

[Ronin]

For one thing, you might be paying a little too much for your hosting.

Second, you need to set up with some ad networks...even just small ones or Google Adsense. At the very least your site will pay for itself.

[K-Dub]

For one thing, you might be paying a little too much for your hosting.

Second, you need to set up with some ad networks...even just small ones or Google Adsense. At the very least your site will pay for itself.
I'm with Bluehost, and it's 36months @ $6.95. Seems okay to me? and of course, + 2 years of flickr for $50.

I do have an ad up, it's from Foodbuzz but I get so little from it (cause of traffic). I think each month I get like $0.50 deposited into my sad paypal account. :D

Google adsense doesn't pay much, if anything. Or maybe I'm doing this all wrong? I'd love it if the site could pay for itself, but baaaaaaah. Help me Ed.

[Ronin]

Adsense is shitty but you get decent traffic so you should be earning at least enough to pay for hosting, etc.

You should also sign up with Text Link Ads and the like. They're relatively cheap ads that most people use just to grab a link from a higher ranking site. You won't get as much as a big site but you could still get about a $15-20 a month price (of which you get half and the ad company takes half).

Food blogs are actually very hard to monetize since most of the bigger affiliate networks won't have all that much in that category. However, you can still make a decent amount of money with them.

Don't worry about it not paying much. That shit adds up and you will want to sign up a few. I'm no expert...I don't monetize as much as I probably should.

So you need approximately $100 a year? That's incredibly easy to earn through ads. You'll probably end up making a few times that without much trying.

[BlackZRoadster]

Full time student with no job? How are you going to have money to eat at all these places to write about them?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Razor Ramon HG]

Can't you just the renew the domain for the year, and just pay for hosting monthly? Then you don't have to pay upfront all at once. Or at least that's what I do with mine.

[Mr.Money]

Full time student with no job? How are you going to have money to eat at all these places to write about them?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

x2 wtf,wtf.

[6793026]

Not trying to be an ass but you need to revamp your site. It looks like a site a kid put up on his first HS project. Re-vamp it, get some color on it, have it setup so it looks way more professional. People have the attention span of 3 years old now, if you don't have enough picture per 2-3 paragraphs, they zone out.

have a look at a few highly rated food critics and learn how their site is different. Ask yourself why YOU are on the site reading for 30 mins, compare it to your site and you'll know what I mean.

Once you do that, your traffic will go up a fair bit.

[Culverin]

Actually, what are the top food blogs you would suggest I check out for comparison?

I'm not much of a writer, but if you've noticed, I've posted up some of my stuff. Just a pretty newb home cook learning more and more and I'd like to journal that for friends and maybe more?

[Ronin]

Not trying to be an ass but you need to revamp your site. It looks like a site a kid put up on his first HS project. Re-vamp it, get some color on it, have it setup so it looks way more professional. People have the attention span of 3 years old now, if you don't have enough picture per 2-3 paragraphs, they zone out.

have a look at a few highly rated food critics and learn how their site is different. Ask yourself why YOU are on the site reading for 30 mins, compare it to your site and you'll know what I mean.

Once you do that, your traffic will go up a fair bit.

K-Dub's site is one of the higher rated ones in Vancouver. It looks fine.

[K-Dub]

Adsense is shitty but you get decent traffic so you should be earning at least enough to pay for hosting, etc.

You should also sign up with Text Link Ads and the like. They're relatively cheap ads that most people use just to grab a link from a higher ranking site. You won't get as much as a big site but you could still get about a $15-20 a month price (of which you get half and the ad company takes half).

Food blogs are actually very hard to monetize since most of the bigger affiliate networks won't have all that much in that category. However, you can still make a decent amount of money with them.

Don't worry about it not paying much. That shit adds up and you will want to sign up a few. I'm no expert...I don't monetize as much as I probably should.

So you need approximately $100 a year? That's incredibly easy to earn through ads. You'll probably end up making a few times that without much trying.

Will look into that at the end of the week, thanks Ed. Or maybe I should bug John Chow..:fullofwin:

Full time student with no job? How are you going to have money to eat at all these places to write about them?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

x2 wtf,wtf.

Easy, go out and eat with my parents!

Also, I see myself doing lots more cooking/recipe stuff now, especially with the higher food prices and cost of going out to eat, cost of gas, etc. I'm still a student living at home so it's coo.

Can't you just the renew the domain for the year, and just pay for hosting monthly? Then you don't have to pay upfront all at once. Or at least that's what I do with mine.

Rather pay it all at once, it's cheaper that way.

Not trying to be an ass but you need to revamp your site. It looks like a site a kid put up on his first HS project. Re-vamp it, get some color on it, have it setup so it looks way more professional. People have the attention span of 3 years old now, if you don't have enough picture per 2-3 paragraphs, they zone out.

have a look at a few highly rated food critics and learn how their site is different. Ask yourself why YOU are on the site reading for 30 mins, compare it to your site and you'll know what I mean.

Once you do that, your traffic will go up a fair bit.

Constructive criticism duly noted, thank you. I'm no designer nor am I a super techy person, as it's nt my background, so all the stuff that is up, is through my own trial and error. I'd rather the site not be too flashy or what not, just simple and easy to read/navigate.

Also, I'm no food critic. Food critics don't "blog"..though I suppose now the line is getting blurred. And if you mention Sherman, Chowtimes, Followmefoodie, VancouverSlop, etc.. I actually don't read majority of their stuff all the way through, and if I do, it's a very very quick skim.

I used to have good traffic, then ...the entire blogosphere got saturated!

K-Dub's site is one of the higher rated ones in Vancouver. It looks fine.

Thanks Ed, I think it's only because I've had it established longer. I admit I could do a lot more with the looks of the site, but that'll have to wait till I can dedicate an entire weekend to it. :)

Thanks everyone for the comments, criticism, suggestions, etc.

[J____]

i didnt like bluehost. On webhostingpad now. $1 a month unlimited bandwidth. My site has no issues and is up 99% of the time. Tech support is pretty good for me too despite some reviews. I'd send an email and always get responded to within 24 hours, usually less than 2 hours.

[SecludedGirl]

I've been using adsense on my site, and I've noticed I haven't been earning much unless people click on the ads... it also counts by the amount of traffic you get on the site, but I don't get enough traffic for it to really amount to anything.

I'm sure your site would benefit much more from it =)

[Ronin]

Have you found a revenue source for your blog yet, Kev?

I removed adsense from my blog. I've signed up for the Foodbuzz featured publisher program...gonna check out how their ads work.

[abdulclamwacker]

Hey guys, if you need some web hosting, I can probably get you some free local hookups. Let me know your disk and bandwidth trends so I can see if it'll work out? PM me.

[K-Dub]

Wow, I have not posted in this thread for a while. Badabump.