Comments on: Numbers – A Love Hate Relationship

By: Jannie Funster

Jannie Funster — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:39:37 +0000

Hi Barbara!

I have not really looked at my Analytics for numbers in maybe 2 months, but I have checked it for those strange SEO words folks land on my site by.

I do smile when my Alexa number goes down, and frown when it goes up. But — am I really doing all I can to get it lower?? I think not. Blogging can become a full-time (with over-time) job if you really want to work it. How bad do I want to better my numbers? Am I dedicated enough to get to a higher Google Pagerank? How big a reach would I like to have? How important is this to me in my life?

And, I’m not sure if you know it or not, but I have set myself on a blog-posting schedule of MWF, (started it last week, with Wednesday being mostly for photos with a short commentary,) and will see if or how a schedule affects any numbers — kind of an experiment, if you will. I’m not sure if I’m shooting myself in the foot with that or not, in terms of how often people come back to my site. Maybe when people do not know when you’ll be posting, they like it better. I’m not sure, and hopefully it cannot do too much damage to experiment with it. I’ll try it for a couple of months and see what I see. Then see what I see a couple of months after that.
.-= Check out Jannie Funster´s awesome post: (And I Thought “Leaven” Was Just A Bread-Baking Thing!!) =-.

By: Ching Ya

Ching Ya — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:23:51 +0000

Barbara, I must admit that numbers scare me at times, tracking stats was once a hectic task for me that later I ended up checking once every 2 months. Only when I reviewed past year performances I realized there’s a need to be reasonably keeping a record if we wish for improvements. I stick to Analytics and check it at least once-twice per week to find out traffic source and content popularity so I can plan ahead for post ideas.

If the stats failed to impress, apart from disappointment it’s best to stand right up and work on modifying and adjustments. Will try not to freak out though. lol..

Thanks so much for this brainstorm, Barbara. I’m happy to be here.

@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
.-= Check out Ching Ya´s awesome post: 7 Productive Things To Do When You Can’t Blog =-.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:14:15 +0000

Although numbers might not mean anything, it is really satisfying to wake up and see a jump in Alexa Rating, Pagerank, or Visitors. Even if it doesn’t benefit drastically in the financial sense, it’s a feeling of accomplishment.
.-= Check out Ryan´s awesome post: New England Barn In The Winter =-.

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:50:35 +0000

Hi Karl,

That’s a good point. Most blogs will go through the hills and valleys. All we can hope is the lows don’t stay low, and eventually we end up with a decent “average”.

P.S. I hear you about Alexa being flawed and I’m guessing most statistical programs are to some degree.

By: Barbara Swafford

Barbara Swafford — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 08:46:23 +0000

Hi Dennis,

That’s a great way of measuring success. And you’re right, increases tell us we’re on the right track.