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.
Fuel Your Creativity - Submission Page
Brush King - Submission Page
For Photoshop Brushes Only
CrazyLeaf Design Blog - Submission Page
Naldz Graphics - Submission Page
Go Media Zine - Submission Page
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I just found a problem with Design Float, or at least an annoyance. I tried to float this article but it appears since not enough other people have floated articles I have submitted I can only float 2 articles per day. I understand why the do it but it’s irritating. Thanks for this article a bunch of the ones you listed at the end I had never heard of.
Thanks for the feature of Votetime I think the links fed to twitter is a big unique imho ;) >250 followers now!
Big fan of all the above but didnt know about Graphic Design Links so off to check it out now Thanks!
@curtis — Yeah, I don’t care for the 2 article a day rule either. Like you said, I understand it but it can get frustrating at times too. Thanks for trying to float the article though :D
@styletime — No problem, thanks for the nudge to my forgetful little mind ;p. I agree that the twitter plugin that automatically tweets posts is awesome but we have an article focused on twitter coming up that talks about it so we left it out here.
Thanks for the mention of FYC! Submitted to most of these today but found a couple I didn’t think of to submit to — so that’s always a plus! Great post with lot’s of good info.
Nice list, thanks for the inclusion of MyInkBlog :)
thank you for adding knowtebook.com
Design your way also has a link feed-> http://www.boogiesbc.ro/blog/design-news/
@ Adelle, Andrew, and Knowtebook.com no problem at all! Thank you for helping to grow the community with all that you do!
@ boogiesbc, sorry about that. Thanks for the heads up. We’ll add it to the list!
Great article!
However, we’ve actually had some good traffic from stumble upon, but I expect that’s a lot to do with our types of post. More image heavy, lots of links, less content, stumble users tend to enjoy that more than other stuff.
@ Nick — You wanna the epitome of irony…the day after we posted this, we got a huge flow of Stumble traffic on our Typography series, and it was pretty good. Low bounce, our feed was screwed up though so I don’t know if we gained some readers or not, but they hung around…so boy are our faces red. hehe
Thanks! I cannot tell really how much I evaluate this post — almost 5 new user submission places for me — lovely thanks!!
Great article=)thanks for compiling some blogs having link submission=)thanks for the include.keep it up!!!
Ronald