As many of you readers know, Clifton B. has Sitemeter Peeping Disorder. I constantly check the traffic of my site to see how many hits I am getting and where they are coming from. Being new to the blogosphere, this is my first year encountering the effects of holiday traffic. Good grief as of Thursday morning my traffic has slowed to a crawl. Holiday traffic sucks! I am off a good 200 hits per day.
So in order for me to maintain my sanity and my hit average, I am going to let you all in on a little secret. Google can bring traffic right to your door. By linking to popular search terms found on Google Trends, you can get people clicking on your blog.
Tonight a brief look at Google Trends finds that people are really looking for information on the University of Florida [Florida Gators], head football coach Urban Meyer. Urban Meyer held a press conference to announce that he is stepping down because of health issues. Meyer is said to suffers from a heart valve muscle defect.
Now by linking all these terms for this very popular story, I should get a boost of traffic. Mind you, even though ABC is a political blog, you would be surprised at how many people not searching for politics see the title "Another Black Conservative" under their search term and click out of curiosity.
Some find that they share the same political point of view, others not so much. However, in the end we both gain something. I get much needed hits and they get an example of black conservative thought.
Yeah, I know it is a shameless thing to do, but damn, holiday traffic really sucks!
Via: Google Trends
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20 comments:
You're tellin' me.
Not just on blogs, but over on the comment sections of C4P, it got downright sparse. Still not up to fullpower.
You have a great site here. I have one myself where people from around the world come and debate on popular issues. I am telling you this because I believe you can provide some valuable insight to the readers and other debaters.
Also, I'd like to exchange links with you. If you agree, please leave me a comment under my "Compadres" page letting me know when you have placed my link on your page and I'll return the favor.
Keep up the good work.
Jason
DEBATEitOUT.com
Does it mean I'm not committed to blogging because I don't really worry about the stats? It's enough for me to get through all the ones I want to read . . !
So you're using "Urban renewal" to boost your traffic?
I was on course to hit over 30,000 hits this month, and then came Christmas. Santa didn't deliver traffic, but I can't complain. People need to be spending time with their families and refueling for the fight ahead in the coming year.
I wish I could remember where I saw the link to your site....... am simply delighted that I did follow it. It's a favorite. Thank you, Clifton!
I noticed the same thing. On Christmas Eve and Christmas, my hits were cut in half. I also check Google Trends daily to see what's interesting, but I only write about a hot trend if it interests me personally.
Uffa:
Well on one hand it is nice to know that everybody is focusing their attention on what matters ... family and friends. On the other hand I am stunned by the drop off. Whew! I cannot remember the last time I had so little traffic.
Jason:
Thanks I will add you to my blog roll shortly.
Janie Lynn:
No it doesn't mean that. What it does mean is that I am a wee bit too obsessive compulsive. I get addicted to thinks like my blog stats and please don't even ask about my BlackBerry.
Mike:
Welcome to ABC. "Urban Renewal"...very clever!
Bungalow Bill:
I am not even coming close to November's totals. I will have to plan better for the drop off next year.
I am glad my readers are with family and friends. I myself blogged very little on the 24th and not at all on Christmas.
Janelle:
Thanks, I always enjoy your comments. You bring a very nice perspective to ABC.
Stogie:
Yes, my hits were off by 50% too! Left Coast Rebel turned my on to Google Trends. You can get some instant boosts from picking the right story. Thank you Urban Meyer!
Thanks for the reminder. I meant to start doing this when LCR brought it up a while back.
I need to do something to get more than 3 hits a day. My traffic is pathetic.
The way I figure, traffic is always down when people are home and not at work, where it seems most web surfing is actually done.
Does your stat counter count the people who read your via google reader? I actually read you on Christmas day before we headed out. Kids were playing w/their new toys and dh was napping. :)
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I can't remember where I came across your link, but I really enjoy your blog.
Chris W:
Google is very useful for upping the hit counter. Also try commenting with links on the bigger blogs (Malkin, Hot Air, McCain, etc). You will be surprised at the amount of foot traffic.
Me:
You are correct. The best time for traffic for me is 11:00 am weekdays. Clearly the working hours LOL
Motherhen68:
Oh yeah Sitemeter and StatCounter both pick up those hits as well. I am glad you found my blog as well. Also glad to hear you snuck in a little down time during Christmas. I wish I had some LOL.
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