This third month of blogging has been rather interesting all circumstances considered…
Not surprisingly, I have slowed my posting cadence. The pressure was not sustainable, and I remembered my everyday life is my real life. That of play with my son, work to make money, love to make me whole, drive like a maniac to keep me completely honest.
I coined a term for the extreme blogging behavior I experienced for the first 2 months. Bloggimia. Read more here: The Bulimic Blogger.
My emphasis this month was definitely on quality connections vs. quantity. I am so thankful for the few good friends I’ve already met. And for your time, dear reader. Thank you for supporting my blog.
Let’s dive into the numbers, in a new format this time, so we can look at trends. Numbers are so much fun, aren’t they?
Oh and I don’t like the term “visitors”. I’d rather call them “pedestrians”. You may not ask why, because I don’t know the answer.
Blog Stats 1st Quarter (July-Sept 2010)
Here are my notes:
1- The number of visits this month has not soared like I saw in month 2. That’s a direct consequence of my “sustainable blogging” approach. (Read: not posting every day, not promoting every post and being more low-key in general).
2- Number of pages per visit is down from the second month, but not as bad a dip as the second month saw. I believe this is due to the fact that most of my visitors are now repeat pedestrians, they have seen many of my prior posts, are familiar with my blog and the average is now between 2 and 3 pages per visit. This also explains why less time is spent on my site.
3- The bounce rate is going slightly up, and I’m willing to bet it’s due to the diversification of traffic sources — with search engine visits growing steadily.
Bounce rate is the percentage of single-page visits or visits in which the person left your site from the entrance (landing) page. Use this metric to measure visit quality – a high bounce rate generally indicates that site entrance pages aren’t relevant to your visitors.
I’ve read a bit about bounce rates; the lower the better, we’re told. I believe for blogs, no more than 50% is best. But for high frequency updates, that does not make sense ; the very essence of such site is to offer new content on a single page each day (or so) — if your loyal reader gets just what s/he needs, then why would she/he not exit on the page s/he got done reading and move on with his/her day?
4- Just added Google Friends Connect (GFC) but don’t ask me (yet) how to easily review the blogs I’m following (they’re supposed to appear in my Reader… Hmm, that did not happen), I have not really used it myself, but it’s a popular option for others to follow your blog. So it’s now on my blog by popular demand! If you have not yet joined, please do so now! (Look left)
5- This month I also created my Facebook page, which you should like. Please. Will you?
Click to the left of this post (if reading this post on the blog) or go here. 46 people are liking me. It’s wonderful to be “liked”. But if you don’t “like” me, I will get over it. I think.
Facebook is a great tool because it allows for easier conversations, in particular polling (if your “liking” friends reply of course) than on Twitter. I have not used it a lot yet, but I’m finding it’s another good method to expand my reach. And to catch other bloggers’ posts I may have missed otherwise. I am already “liking” 60 other Facebook pages, essentially from bloggers.
6- Alexa rank is way up. I think this is not really based on traffic though. There is no way my blog is amongst the top 446K sites in traffic. Or is there? Well, a girl can dream, but there is something to be said about the Alexa toolbar raising your rank. I will let you Google that and draw your own conclusions.
7- Referring sites is a fascinating subject. At the beginning a new site relies on a handful of friends, therefore it’s very common to see the main traffic source be “direct traffic”, i.e. people who know of your page and type the URL in their browser or use a bookmark.
Over time, things change. Search engine traffic starts to pick up. I’ve seen a steady growth from referring sites (these are sites that lead to your URL, such as Facebook, Twitter, but also discussion boards you may be active with). Though last month was a bit down from the prior month, again, a factor of me not promoting as much. I cannot spend 3 hours a night on Twitter, Facebook and The Blog Frog. I’d like to at times. But it’s not necessarily the best idea…
8- No surprise in posting frequency, closer to 4 a week vs. 7 post a week originally. That’s a conscious choice of a grown woman with a job and a baby 
9- Yay for guest posts! I had the opportunity to publish several guest posts of varied subject matters this month, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Let me take a moment to say “Thank You” to Jackie, Cate, Expat Explorer and Nichole. I am very honored they accepted to host my words.
10- Getting money through my blog (“monetizing”) is not a goal. I’m just playing around with AdSense, trying to understand it better. Learning by doing. I doubt advertising will ever pay for my hosting, but again, that’s not the point. The point is, mommy ain’t blogging for the money…
How did I do?
Did any of these stats help you understand the performance of your own blog?
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This is so nice and clearly written. My husband wants me to do more with my blog, since I spend a fair amount of time doing things blog related rather than getting the sleep I should be getting.
It hasn’t been an experiment for me, it’s been a way to connect. And, in that sense: VERY SUCCESSFUL and immeasurable results. Beyond and surpassed my expectations.
FOr that, my blog gets an A+. The rest, I don’t know about.
But it still interests me to read. Just very interested in all things blogging, and finding people who can post on them clearly, as you have.
You have an interesting, unique approach to blogging that I find magnetic.
That’s why I come here. xo
Alexandra recently posted…SuperModel On My Days Off
Hi Empress! Husbands always have an opinion of their own, I wonder why… Oh I know, they’re male. That’s why.
I had no idea when I started blogging that I would connect with so many people, let alone make friends! That’s my degree of success too, now!
I am glad you liked the way I formatted the post — I just pasted a screenshot of a spreadsheet. Nothing to wizzardy
That you find my blogging approach magnetic, is the nicest thing I’ve ever read in my comments to this date. That means you’ll be back tomorrow! Yay!
You are on your path to be even bigger, girl!
I think that’s so awesome how you are keeping track of your blog from first month. Wish I would’ve known about that back when I started Tatter Scoops last year. Bounce rate will fluctuates but like you said nothing to worry about.
You have worked hard and I can tell because your posts quality are getting better by the day, you are networking a lot, I always get s smile when I see your little avatar in other blogs
Kudos to you, my friend!
Maureen @Tatter Scoops recently posted…Want My Mojo Back
Maureen, thank you so much, you will forever remain my blog buddy from 31DBBB and therefore I must credit you for my relative success — the feedback and insight you gain from a fellow blogger that supports you is invaluable!
Thank you, I am so happy to have met you!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Maureen and Maryline O, Maryline O. Maryline O said: Just posted: Blog Stats after 3 Months http://bit.ly/bOnIRb [...]
the only part of my blog stats I find interesting are the search terms. some delicious gems right there!
aussi (wish I could pull this off au Francais, but it’s been years since I spoke): I’m so happy to be a new reader!
How did I not think of that yet? I will definitely look at this some more for the month 4 milestone, thanks for the recommendation
I did post once about spam commentators, that goes along the same vibe of crazy stuff!!
Likewise, so happy to count you as a reader. En Francais ou dans la langue que tu préfères!
I love the way you analyze your analytics
I just stare at them and think…huh.
I have no idea how to read it.
I know followers of my blog and my twitter are going up and that is about it. I wish I had the patience to sit and think about my stats so I could understand trending and all that.
Oh and? I love your blog and I love chatting with you on twitter
Katie recently posted…Back To School Bonanza Guest Post 9- Sign Language
Katie, thanks for your kind words. I love numbers, so this was a fun post to write. I am starting to read a bit more about the science behind the blog, truly fascinating!
I still believe that bloggers who blog for the love of blogging and don’t really care about numbers are the happiest bunch! And that’s why I love the true, genuine vibe of your blog. You are the finest kind of reality blogger. I mean that.
We will have plenty more fun conversations!
You sound extremely smart and analytical! Well, you don’t just sound…you actually ARE! Way to go on your third month!
That’s right, and with the strict hairstyle and my dark glasses, I also know how to look the part!!
That’s an impressive result for three months and you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished! Also proud of how you’ve scaled back to honour your “real life”. Stats show that many blogs disappear after 6 months; I think that’s probably due to unsustainability and you’ve nipped that in the bud.
Sandi Amorim recently posted…Will it be an “I want” or an “I will” life
Hi Sandi! Thank you for this comment, it summarizes exactly my thought process through this post of 800-ish words
Real life is top priority.
Blogging flexibility is too rare. So many bloggers set strict rules for themselves, that make them miserable whether they break them or not.
This is a great lead-in to next week’s topic – stats! You’ve done a great job with how you’re organizing and looking at your data. I’ll be interested in your comments on the topics next week.
I’m still fooling around and trying to understand GPR and Alexa PR.
gigi recently posted…Inside Jokes- Bad Blogging
Hi Gigi, or shall I call you the master of Back to School / Back to Blogging!
Can’t wait what’s in store for next week now. Woot!
I have not gotten near Google Page Rank yet, but I understand the longevity of your site plays a big factor especially if you are not actively seeking backlinks (my case). I look forward to learning more though!
Love the term “sustainable blogging” This stuff can suck your time like nothing else, well except for laundry. But I’m glad you have stuck it out. I heard most blogs only make it this long. Wouldn’t want to lose you!
Andrea recently posted…Can an abortion be a kindness
Hi Andrea, thank you!! Thank you for understanding sustainable blogging. Thank you for not wanting to lose me.
So kind. I’m all warm and fuzzy inside now
#8 is sooo true for so many bloggers. I, as you know, have been busy with life and therefore the ole bloggy blog has been a bit neglected. At first I was freaking out, but I’m not anymore because I don’t think anyone *really* cares! Another case where “quality not quantity” fits the bill.
Thanks for the awesome info!
PS I liked you on Facebook!
Sadly, you are right, there is not Blog Police to give you a ticket if you miss a daily post or if you can’t write every post with the same quality.
Even if it’s just YOU 
I’d say almost nobody cares. But the “almost” makes all the difference
This was a great post! I like how open and transparent you are with all of us. I think I’ve come to the realization that money cannot be my motivating factor. It really isn’t at all, but…you always think, hmmm…wouldn’t that be nice? I still appreciate all of your kind words to continue blogging when I felt like throwing in the towel not too long ago. And, girl, 4 times a week is still a lot, I think! You go, girl! I try to post 3 times a week and that is more than enough for me. Maybe I’m lazier than you.
Kelley recently posted…The Cheeseboy is HERE!
It would be nice to get the cherry on the cake, but at the end the day what feeds your soul is the cake
You know, frequency just happens for me, I really avoid posting if I don’t much to say! But often? I’m finding inspiration in my every day and so the post is out moments later, I hardly ever schedule posts, I am a blogger of the now!
Reason #91 (3mos+ 1day!) why I love you & your blog! Runner, mom, writer, worker, fast car driver, number crunchers. Can’t wait to toast a nice red wine for your 1 year anniversay!
Kelly recently posted…Wordless Wednesday- Battlefield
It’s a date, see you in July for that bottle
Unless your blogiversary comes first in which case…
Very thankful for your loyalty, and your love for my blog. I really am touched. Some people actually take some precious time out of their busy day to read what I want to say! Awesome
You really did a great job explaining the stats here. It actually made me take the time to log on to my own stats to see how things were going. Thanks!
L. Eleana recently posted…A Tale of 3 Bloggers
I completely agree with you about bounce rate. If you have people coming back, they aren’t going to look beyond the post of the day. Also, I think the more you grow, your bounce rate is naturally going to be higher because you are getting more exposure.
Like everything with statistics, bounce rate is just another number. Whether or not we worry about it is up to us. I think it holds little value, personally.
liz recently posted…Word Up- YO!- Edition 18
Congrats on making it to the 3 month mark! I often wonder what the magic number is – where your numbers grow/sustain without you having to do a lot of promotion.
Unplanned Cooking recently posted…Wine pairings for our dinner party