Traffic is an important measure of a blog’s success among the community, and helps to set the rates essentially for advertising revenues for the site. But with so many different systems and trackers, not to mention some potentially problematic sources, the numbers might not be quite ‘right’. Now by that, we mean that the numbers may not actually be reflected accurately, and the type of traffic that you are getting may be the wrong kind of traffic. The kind that hurts more than it necessarily helps. There are certain measurements of progress that are set as the standards for your blog, but what happens when these measurements falter? There are certain networking outlets that are touted as being the best for drumming up traffic, but what happens when their beats throw off your rhythm?

An Alexa exclusive!

Let’s take Alexa, for instance. One of the gold standard trackers that ranks your site and not only that, but reports it. This valuable tool is quite popular…with those in the know. But what about the rest of those who aren’t as quite plugged in to the program? Don’t they come to your site? Doesn’t their traffic count for something? Not with Alexa! And Alexa’s ranking matters to advertisers, but it doesn’t give you an actual head count. The internet serves billions a day, and from years of experience in dealing with the average user, it’s clear, that a large percentage aren’t plugged in! Their not to sure what a toolbar is, let alone, an Alexa toolbar. Ask them, and you’ll probably get a response like, ‘You’re a toolbar!’ And why don’t they track all of your traffic? Why only ‘their’ traffic? What’s with all the discrimination, Alexa? That’s not cool.

Got your Google on?

Then of course there’s Google page rank. Once again, a benchmark that carries a lot of weight when it comes to establishing your blog’s status among the swollen blogosphere. After all, it’s Google. The name is practically a household one. So what could go wrong with that? Um, random ranking much? Somehow they can manage to track, organize, and search almost every site on the web, but they can’t keep their tracking mechanisms, well, on track?

The numbers can inexplicably change for no reason, or take an extended leave of absence. And don’t bother trying to figure out how your rank is determined through Google. What algorithm do they use? We’re not even sure they know. Hell, given the randomness equated to it, they may use different ones with regularity. Keep mixing it up, and keep the bloggers guessing! Could they be any less reliable? Maybe. If they were called Technorati. But we won’t go into that again. We covered it with Respect My Authority!

Stumbled and fallen!

Stumble Upon is one of those ingenious ideas that come together with amazing forethought and ingenuity, bringing a more ADD approach to surfing the web. Site surfing through stumble, for the channel surfer in you, is the shallow approach to the world wide web. It’s considered a huge traffic generator for your site, but is that sustainable, maintainable traffic? Try again. You see, as much potential and merit as the network contains, it also brings with it an unpredictable flow of traffic than can throw off your numbers, especially if they don’t hang around. Bounce rate of 75% anyone? Wonder if they at least all have an Alexa toolbar?

So what do you do?

So how do you make sure that you are getting the right kind of traffic for your blog? Some people will say consistent, quality posts are the key. Some will say that advertising is the way to go. Some will say that networking is where you’ll get your numbers. And some will tell you that it’s all a crapshoot, and the linger is a thing of luck. Maybe it’s all of the above or some random combination. Personally, we think it’s lucky mix of well advertised and networked quality posts put out consistently. That’s the foundation to building any blog up. And if you build it…they will come…and hopefully have that frickin’ toolbar!

Where to network

As for networking, here is a list of sites for designers to go to share their works and spread their words.

The Creativity Wall

Fuel Your Creativity - Submission Page

Knowtebook - Submission Page

My Ink Blog - Submission Page

Brush King - Submission Page
For Photoshop Brushes Only

VectorTuts - Submission Page

CrazyLeaf Design Blog - Submission Page

Naldz Graphics - Submission Page

Loon Design - Submission Page

Sharebrain - Submission Page

Go Media Zine - Submission Page

DesignM.ag - Submission Page

Abduzeedo

Noupe - Submission Page

ZaBox

Design Bump

Design Float

Graphic Design Links

Votetime

Arbent’s Designer Directory