Top 5 Websites for Content Curation

Hello readers! Time has flown by really quickly and it's almost the end of the month! I have had a lot of time to think about my current situation and it's safe to say that I definitely have it all together now and will be able to continue with the blog as normal. Now I know I promised a change in the content structure a few weeks ago and I can confirm that today will be the first post where I will be listing the top 5 websites of different categories! Finally I can pick up where I left off earlier and keep moving forward from now on. Anyway lets dive in, shall we?

In this post, I am going to be reviewing 5 particular websites that are some of the best in the field of 'Content Curation'. For those of you that don't know, Content curation is a form of online content management which involves a process of collating information from various sources that fall under a certain topic or category and placing them into an online feed or newspaper format. It's a pretty simple setup in my opinion, as funneling content into one feed helps to gain interest from audiences who enjoy reading about particular topics. Another great thing about content curation that it allows the author's work to be more recognized in the feed itself, leading to more visitors to the author's website and potentially include an increase in ad revenue. With that being said, here are the top 5 best websites specializing in content curation in no particular order:

1. Flipboard

Flipboard is a content curation platform dedicated to providing the best news-related stories from different areas of interest. The site itself is easy to use as all you have to do is create an account and select categories that you prefer reading about. Once completed, Flipboard will automatically search for articles from those categories and place them into a 'magazine' for your personalized reading needs. It's a pretty neat website to use as the functionality is crisp and smooth, works without any issues. Bonus points if you have a Samsung phone as the mobile version of Flipboard would be automatically downloaded in the app folder, perfect for personalized reading on the go. Excellent presentation of the curated stories and easy to read as well. It is suitable to a general audience.

2. Scoop.It

Scoop.It is a content marketing site that works in a similar way to Flipboard, however the only difference is that it's only suited to professional individuals or businesses who are looking to research various content sources and publish the best content in their chosen field in order to curate an online feed. When registering with Scoop.It, you need to have your own website and add topics of interest related to the company you work with. (e.g technology, business, finance). From there Scoop.It funnels through content from these topics and places them into an online newspaper format. It also gives you the opportunity to distribute your feed to other social networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and more; perfect for spreading your curated content to other channels and increasing professional brand/awareness. Another simple website that functions well for businesses, with great editorial/distribution features and represents professionalism in a new light. 

3. Paper.Li

Remember when I wrote about two of my reviews being published into Paper.Li's content curation platform a while ago? Well I definitely have some good things to say about this site. Paper.Li allows you and people within your professional network to curate content dedicated to your business or individual needs. There is also an interesting feature on the site where you can add special integrations that assist on the more technical side of things such as  analytics, email marketing, automation and much more. I can't think of another website that thinks outside the box of general content curation and strengthens the capacity of sharing curated content elsewhere. Great stuff. Also functions well on mobile. An excellent set of features and works like a breeze.

4. Pinterest

You might be wondering why I decided to add Pinterest in this list as it is usually regarded as a social network. However the presentation and format of this site is strongly influenced by content curation and online content feeds, but in the form of images and artwork. Again, it allows you to choose topics/genres/themes of interest which are increasingly vast in the photography and art scene, so you basically have many areas to choose from. Pinterest a nice mix of content curation and social networking and is suitable to the general audience. I think that the functionality on both desktop and mobile can be improved a little bit as well.

5. Pocket

This is a relatively new website that I came across recently. Pocket is a web service that allows general content curation that flows through one channel called a 'Pocket'. In this site you are given the opportunity to save important content to read later. Pocket strongly relies on the idea that saving content for later reading is a valuable time-saver where you don't have to read through your curated feed all at once. You don't even need to miss a story as it's all right there in the Pocket. a pretty neat concept for a new platform and I would recommend it to all the busy people who don't have time to read curated content during the day. Pocket is an interesting platform that might need some to future minor improvements down the track but overall a good site with neat presentation and use of concept.

That's it guys my first top 5 list is completed for the week! I hope you enjoy this new content and let me know what you think in the comments. See you again for a full website review next Monday! Thanks again!

Website Review #9 - Blogger.com

Hello guys! I'm back for another review so let's get a move on!

Today I will be reviewing Blogger.com. That's right, I am going to be reviewing the website that I use to host and publish my blog, and let's just say that I have some great things to discuss about this classic platform. Let's dig a little deeper into what makes this site tick:

Blogger is a blog hosting website that has been owned by Google since 2003. It provides basic blogging features and tools to help aspiring bloggers and content writers build and service their blog in a hassle-free manner. One of the main reasons that Blogger stands out from various blogging platforms is that its suitable for anyone who is ready to start a blogging career regardless of experience and knowledge, as it is willing to help guide you through some of the more technical stuff such as adding code, understanding analytics and the usual Search Engine Optimization instructions. Basically, Blogger will do most of the hard work for you; it works in a similar fashion to a normal website builder, except most of what you would be doing is done automatically. Typical things like designing separate pages, organizing your own layout, adding buttons and other integration features manually is obviously very time-consuming, however when you create a blog with Blogger, you do not need to bother with any of this; all you have to do is pick a template, customize the homepage, add your blog text and your done. The layout and themes are automatically setup and you do not need to worry about doing this yourself.

Blogger Homepage - Spacious design and excellent graphics that represent
simplicity on a new level.

Another thing that I would like to point out is that Blogger is 100% free to use, and you do not even need to pay to get all of the special features to take your blog to new heights. How many times have you tried building your own website or blog only to find out that you have to pay a hefty price for a 'Pro Upgrade' for some of the most important features to enhance your site's online presence? That is rubbish, with Blogger all of the features are simply handed down to you without having to pay a single dollar, and it is especially convenient for someone whose goal is to completely fulfill their hobby or career without having to deal with pricey online plans to boost credibility in the competitive online content writing market. This is my suggestion to you: If you are planning on creating a blog without having any unnecessary obstacles getting in the way of your content writing goals then it would be best to start with Blogger.

I remember checking out Blogger for the first time way back in around 2008-2009, when it was just about to take off. I was bored one day and decided to experiment with blogging for a while just for fun to see what it would be like. It was actually quite enjoyable to start off with, despite having little to no knowledge of blogging at the time. Fast forward to today and I never would have thought that I would be using Blogger to its full advantage and actually attempting to use it seriously this time. Now that I have extensive knowledge about content writing/blogging I seem to understand how the whole process works and I am excited to see where this takes me in the future.

The Blogger account portal shows off a special 'behind-the-scenes' look at what goes on into making a blogalong with the various tools and features to help enhance it. Here is the account portal for my blog as an example.

The first few steps of creating a Blogger account are simple; you simply sign in with your Google account, find a name for your blog, create a URL with a custom blogspot domain (or if you want to get a proper domain you can buy one online), pick a template for your blog homepage and that's it. Each of the templates on the blog has it's own layout so you don't have to create one yourself, and you are free to add any of the special widgets to your blog layout such as labels, blog archive, RSS feeds, links, images and more. Other simple tasks include creating blog posts, adding text to new pages and customizing the homepage. It's a pretty basic setup if you think about it, compared with other blogging platforms where you would have to endure complex processes that are incredibly time-consuming for the user. If you would prefer making some money from your blog then you are welcome to try Google Adsense if you are eligible or registering with various alternative ad networks to help you boost revenue by placing ads on your blog.

In the end, I think that Blogger is the best hosting platform to start off with if you prefer a more basic approach to blogging before moving on to more complex setups. The site oozes of simplicity and represents it very well. It is incredibly easy to use with smooth functionality and provides you with the best assistance to creating your first blog. Basically, Blogger will be with you every step of the way and is the first step in your content writing journey.

Final Rating: 10/10

Thanks for reading my review!

Website Review #1 - Pureprofile.com

Hello again. I hope you are interested to read my first website review! This is the first time that I will be doing something of this caliber so I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you!

Today I will be reviewing Pureprofile.com. This has been a personal favorite of mine for many years that I am very excited to write about.

Pureprofile Homepage - Very appealing to users and instantly draws you in with its bold colours, minimalist style, and positive affirmations. That's a 10/10.

For those of you that don't know, Pureprofile is an Australian-based survey website and online rewards program that allows users to participate in short paid surveys to earn various rewards such as gift cards, movie tickets and real cash. Now you might be thinking that this is just like any other paid survey site on the web, but with Pureprofile, it is a little more different than you might think. Let me tell you more:


When you create an account with Pureprofile, you will be automatically directed to the user portal, where you will be given the opportunity to answer a series of general lifestyle questions from several categories (e.g finance, health, technology, etc.) in order to build a personal profile. Once you have provided sufficient answers, you will be given a list of hand-picked surveys that are tailored to the preferences you choose for your profile. For example, if you answer a question about the type of financial products you currently own or a question about your health conditions (if you are willing to disclose), then you would find a short list of surveys that are loosely based around your answers. Just remember that the more you answer questions on your profile, the more survey invitations you receive. How about that, a survey site that is willing to take your personal preferences into  consideration! That's pretty top notch.

Pureprofile User Portal - This is where you will find profile questions, surveys and the total amount earned. Calm, quiet and atmospheric design, very simplified and is easy to navigate. 

When you click into a desired survey, you will be redirected to another link where you will answers a few general demographical questions (e.g age, postcode, date of birth, etc.) which will determine whether your answers match the demographic that the client is looking for. Now, like any other survey website, just remember that you won't be accepted into every survey. Each survey is different and is suited to various demographics. Clients who conduct surveys do not want to waste any time dealing with the wrong candidates for research studies and are very selective of who they think matches their preferred demographic, so be prepared to be dismissed from a few surveys for not qualifying the first time. But don't give up because there will always be a survey that you will be qualified for.

When I first started using Pureprofile, I was screened out of several surveys until I began finding suitable surveys that matches what the client is looking for in terms of demographics. That's when I started earning from 10 cents to $4.00 for each survey that I was qualified for. The amount of money is small, but it will build up overtime with frequent visits to the site and successfully qualifying for surveys. It just takes a little drive and persistence. But there is a positive behind this, because for each unqualified survey you receive an extra 10 cents to add to the total amount earned, compared to other survey sites that leave you empty handed for not qualifying. Yes, I was just as surprised as you are when I found that out the first time. Not bad for a little bonus, don't you think?

In terms of cashing out, Pureprofile rules state that you need to reach $20.00 to redeem for rewards such as real cash in your bank account, Hoyts movie tickets and online gift cards. Generally, other survey websites allow you to cash out via PayPal but if you prefer to have hard-earned cash in your bank account then this is the option for you. Here's another little easter egg for you, Pureprofile is in partnership with a company called Raiz which is an Australian micro-investing service that can take the total amount you've earned and give it a massive savings boost overtime by investing in small sharemarket stocks. You will see your savings skyrocket! If you are ready to up the ante on your extra cash then I say go ahead and try it for yourself! This may seem too good to be true but I can assure you that Pureprofile is definitely telling the truth with what they say in terms of their rewards program, no hidden traps to be found here as this I can tell is legitimate enough to believe.

Pureprofile Rewards Page - Shows a list of the rewards that you can redeem with your account balance. That's pretty much it. No dramas. 

So in conclusion, I would say that Pureprofile.com is definitely a tick in my book. Fantastic website and excellent choice for rewards that knock it out of the park. The web design is lovely, minimalist and not so 'in your face'. The website is easy to access and is free of any viruses or malware. The amount of content and information is reasonable. I am impressed by the overall feel of the website, as it is very positive, happy and inviting to the user. Remember that anyone over the age of 15 can sign up for Pureprofile. It is legitimate, free to join and there are no hidden charges in between. Pureprofile is a strong competition compared to other survey sites on the web. I suggest you try it for yourself and see what you think.

Final Rating: 9/10 

There you have it. My first review. Let me know what you think in the comments section. Feel free to share your opinion as I enjoy hearing opinions from others. I will be listening! See you again on Wednesday for another website review! Thanks again!

Introduction

What is your idea of the 'perfect website'? Have you ever struggled to find a website that best suits your needs and circumstances? How many times have you stumbled upon a particular site only to find out that it is not what it seems?

Let's be honest, finding the perfect website isn't easy. There is always a handful of disadvantages behind even some of the more popular sites on the Internet these days. They can be in the form of false or misleading information, poor web design, functionality issues, lack of content, privacy concerns or viruses and malware. These are just some of the hidden traps that can easily drive away potential customers and decrease web traffic.

In order to find the perfect website for your current circumstances, you'll have to remember the magic word - Research. Research is the key to identifying all the pros and cons and sort through your options to find the best one. However in today's fast-paced world, most people do not have the time to turn on their computer or mobile device to spend hours on searching for the right website when they want to find content and information as soon as possible. But I am going to do all of the hard work so you don't have to.

Learning about how websites work has been a big interest of mine for many years. It is always fascinating to see what makes them tick and how they spark interest from different demographics. I have been working with computers for as long as I can remember and I am always finding the positives and negatives of any website that I go to.

Sometimes, the company website can generate a make or break first impression on potential customers. If a company does not have a properly functioning site, these customers would leave without a fuss, therefore the company falls victim to bad reviews. Which is where I come into the picture.

In this blog, I am going to take charge in reviewing websites from many different categories and assessing them on key factors such as design, functionality, user/customer focus, content and overall presentation. When I review websites, I try to take these things into consideration and give the best possible rating for each one so that you, the reader, can have a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of a particular site and make your own decision as to whether you want to keep using the site or move on to another one. In the end, it is all up to you. Even if you disagree with my final observation, it doesn't matter, as I am always open to second opinions from the readers. As I am reviewing all types of websites the general audience for my blog is for everyone (families, businesses, youth, adults, etc).

Remember, a website isn't just a website. It is an important asset for businesses to boost their online presence, connect with customers around the world and increase credibility. This is just the way the web works.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading my reviews! I will post an update regarding my posting schedule later. See you soon!

Photo downloaded from Freerange Stock Photos.