WFMW: Boosting your blog traffic
I am very interested in increasing traffic to my site and also beginning to build a home based business through it. I would like to do ebooks on simple living down the line as well as some of the other books I have started. I also would like to sell my handcrafted soaps on line. The trouble with all this desire is that I have a measly traffic count of 145 per day. Do you have any ideas, tips or suggestions for me? -Christina
Thanks for a great question, Christina! Although I'm by no means some expert on this subject, I'm glad to share what has worked for me. I've been blogging since May 2005 and currently am averaging (on good blogging days) about 2500-3000 pageloads per day which equals somewhere around half that many unique visitors each day. There are many, many much larger bloggers than me (who get 250 times as many unique visitors than me in a day!), but I'm completely thrilled and amazed with my "little" traffic count. It never ceases to baffle me that so many different people would take time to read what I write.
I never set out to "get traffic" though I'm not going to turn it away, by any means! But over the course of a year of blogging, here are some things I've learned that have worked for me:
1) Read Blog by Hugh Hewitt. This is my number one recommendation to all bloggers, especially beginning bloggers. Check your library if you'd rather not buy it.
2) Pick a topic. The biggest impact Hewitt's book had upon me was to pick a focus for my blog and to try and stay on track with that. About a year ago, I switched my blog title from "
3) Write often. Most people visit here everyday or at least every few days, because they know I update rather frequently. Once I started blogging, I've never run out of things to say or share! La Shawn Barber recommends that you update at least three times per week in order to have a regular readership. I would agree. I usually post something 1-4 times per day on weekdays and sometimes Saturdays. If I don't update for a few days, I start getting emails asking if I am okay. However, I don't feel tied down by my blog. I post when I have time and have something to share. I can leave it for a few days and not worry about it.
4) Write well. Now I don't claim to be a "good writer" but I do try to at least follow basic grammar rules, avoid repetition, and abstain from typographical errors (though I do make those regularly if a post is typed somewhat in haste!). After you type up a post, read over it before posting it, and then check it after you posted it to make sure it posted correctly (sometimes fonts or layout will be haywire and your audience will appreciate you for fixing this before they read it). How do you learn to write well? Well, write. :) That's one of the best ways to learn. The more you write and have people critique your writing, the more your writing will improve. In addition, read well-written blogs and books. By filling your mind with good writing and constantly practicing your writing skills, over time, your writing will improve.
5) Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you are not. Just be you. I want the blogger you read on these pages of my blog to be the same person you would know in real life. People like real people. It seems that is one thing which attracts people to this blog. I'll tell you about my struggles and trials. I'll admit to making mistakes as a first-time mom. You all know that my home is not perfect and I have bad hair days. However, this blog is not just about trials, it's also about triumphs. You all have cheered with us as we've reached milestones, forged mountains, and grown along the way.
6) Don't write for your audience. This one is one of the hardest to follow, but I really think it is important. When I first started blogging, I knew most of the people who read my blog and it was so easy to succomb to holding up every post in light of "What will so-and-so think if I say that?" As my readership increased and I started having some real diversity amongst the ranks, I realized that there was no way to please everyone. So, although I do try to be careful not to offend those whom I'm not meaning to offend, I also try not to think about specific people in my audience and let that guide what I say or keep me from saying something. Don't be afraid of hot-topics, but don't choose hot-topics for hot-topic's sake!
7) Engage and involve your audience. Don't be a know-it-all. If I have a question on child-training or homemaking, I want your input. If someone writes to me and asks something which I know nothing of or have no experience in, I will often post part of their letter and request your input. Collectively, there is so much more wisdom and knowledge and experience here than I could ever hope to have on my own.
8) Stay humble and be willing to admit when you make mistakes. Oh, this is another hard one, but is so needed. When someone brings a legitimate concern to me about something I've blogged on where I said something I shouldn't have or said it in a way I shouldn't have, I want to be willing to admit I was wrong and to humbly apologize. It's hard to do, but it is the right thing. You will gain much more respect by admitting when you are wrong, than by always being "right."
9) Link frequently and liberally. If you find another post which you liked or found interesting, link to it! The blogger will love you for it and just might return the favor sometime. In addition, link to and promote blogs you like. Not only is this a great way to show appreciation to a blogger but it will often land you on their linkroll as well.
10) Enjoy the experience!
Other ideas at no extra charge!
Here are some other ideas that I have heard work, but have no necessarily tried myself:
-Join BlogAdSwap - BlogAdSwap offers a two for one ad swap ratio. For every two ads that are displayed on your blog, one of yours will be shown on another blog in our network of blogs.
-Join blogging "leagues" - there are thousands of these and I'm sure a few would be a fit for you.
-Put a link to your blog in your email signature.
-Send the link to one of your better posts out to friends and family. Or, be really pro-active and try sending it to some of the bigger bloggers whom you think might be interested (I'm not a "bigger blogger" but I love it when people send me the links to their blog posts which they think I might be interested in posting about. I can't promise that I will, but I'll consider it.)
-Submit posts to Carnivals - again, there are thousands of these and I've heard that participating really boosts your traffic and introduces your blog to many who have probably not heard of you before.
-Comment on other blogs - well-written regular comments on blogs can often bring a nice stream of traffic your way.
-Submit posts to Works-For-Me-Wednesday and other such weekly "columns" - there are, once again, many of these out there. I'm always encoutering new ones in my little blog-hopping adventures. If you host one, feel free to comment here and tell my readers about it. I'm even considering starting one of my own for kicks, but I'm still keeping the wraps on it while I consider it more thoroughly. Is that something people here would enjoy?
These are some things that have worked for me and some things which I've heard have worked for others. I know this list is not exhaustive by any means and I'd love to hear your input and thoughts.
Remember, though, as the article I posted recently talked about, our goal in blogging should not be to get more traffic, but to glorify the Lord in all we do. I'd rather have 2 readers and be glorifying the Lord, than 200,000 readers and be glorifying myself.
posted by Crystal Paine at 9:20 AM
9 Comments:
Wow! That is a lot of information. I had no idea there was so much "out there". Thanks!
Thanks, Crystal. It really can get overwhelming sometimes. I've learned that for my own sanity, I just can't live by my sitemeter. It's a helpful tool to see who's coming from where, and to make sure the same weirdo isn't hitting 1,000 times a day, but it's just too in my flesh to feel disappointed if I don't have as many readers as I'd like. It's good to step back every now and then, evaluate why you're blogging in the first place, and just trust the Lord to do whatever He wants with your writing. As is the case with everything else in life!
Thes are great tips. II think I'll read up on some of your suggestions. Lovely site, by the way!
Kelly
Home of Pass the Torch Tuesday
Crystal
So glad you wrote this. I have been wondering about this as well. I have started a blog and want to glorify God. I do want ladies to know about it if it will be an encouragement to them. Thanks for the advice.
Thanks,
Benita
www.homeschoolblogger.com/Benita
That is a great post. Thank you for the book recommendation. I was able to reserve it at my library!
This is off topic, but I am writing to let you know that there is a 48 hour prayer chain started for Susan Godfrey (you are on her blog's list of friends). Please spread the word so we can cover this family in prayer.
In Him,
Amy
Thanks for these great tips, Crystal. I have been trying to think of ways to boost our blog traffic so we can have more discussion. In the past when we've asked questions for ideas, we'v gotten like 2 responses! I hope some of these ways help!
Your site is wonderful--FULL of substantive info and heartfelt posts. A lovely combination.
Thanks for the tips...I have this closet "dream" of "doing something" with my blog...but so far, it's just a dream. It needs fine tuning, direction, and truthfully, there are just sooo many good ones out there already.
Crystal, this was great. Thanks for much for all the helpful tips!
Blessings,
Claire
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