Unique Visitors - An Analysis

Posted by Barbara Swafford on Monday, November 26th 2007   
Filed in: Archives, Blogging Lessons, Stats    Tags:

Have you looked at your statistics to see how many “unique visitors” your have?

Is the percentage of your unique visitors high, or low?

Does it matter?

Today’s Lesson

Being analytical, I love to study my blog statistics.

One number that stands out, is my “unique visits”, or “new visits”.

For my OM blog, my unique visitors percentage has always been fairly high - +/- 94%.

Without getting too technical as to how “unique” or “new visits” are counted (different statistical programs use different methodology), I attribute that, to the fact that I blog about random subjects. My ObservationMountain.com blog is totally non-niche.

I visualize a reader searching for one bit of information, arriving at my blog, reading what I wrote, and moving on.

This blog has a unique visitor percentage that has ranges from 42% to 81%.

That tells me that I’m getting more return visits, from loyal readers.

So, is it better to have a higher, or lower percentage of unique/new visitors?

I think it depends on your subject matter.

Think about your search habits.

During the process of researching, you may find a great site that you want to spend more time on. You may bookmark the site, or create a link to it. When visiting that site, on a regular basis, you become a “non-unique” visitor.

But, on the other hand, if you do a lot of research online, and bounce between dozens of site, you are a unique visitor to many sites.

Today’s Assignment

What is you goal for your blog?

Do you want your blog to be a popular reference site?

Do you want a blog that provides random information to the masses?

Or……………….?

Share your thoughts.

Tags: Blogging

4 Comments

CatherineLNo Gravatar said on November 26th, 2007     

Hi Barbara - I stopped looking at my stats so much now. But I do like looking to see what new keyphrases people found me under - some of them are hilarious.

I suppose that I hope my blog becomes a reference source that business owners both new and old will keep referring back to.

[Reply]

BarbaraNo Gravatar said on November 26th, 2007     

Hello Catherine,

Studying the “search strings” can be a real eye opener, and like you said funny, at times.

Your blog is a great one for business owners, as well as those that may be contemplating starting a business. Your advice, questions you pose, and the stories of your experiences, are timeless.

[Reply]

Ian DennyNo Gravatar said on November 26th, 2007     

I think I can appreciate the need to keep on topic when it comes to a blog - particularly on a given topic.

I suspect though that I like the idea of not having structure and being able to write about whatever comes to mind. Maybe I need one for fun!

But if I do that, it will be 3 I’m authoring and some dilution may not be helpful.

I think maybe I’ll turn one into something a little more free and easy to give me the outlet for whatever comes to mind.

[Reply]

BarbaraNo Gravatar said on November 26th, 2007     

Hi Ian,

Staying on topic with a blog, at times, makes it easier to find things to write about, however, a non niche blog is a great way to share life’s lessons, opinions, etc…and not have to worry about a specific subject.

Having two blogs is lots of work, so I can imagine adding another one would only add more to one’s plate.

One thing about blogs, is that they have a tendency to take on a life of their own. With that being said, won’t it be interesting to see what we all are blogging about a year from now?

[Reply]



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