Analysis And Growth Of Organic Traffic (Part 1)
By Marc on Jun 24, 2008 in Seo
Ok, I realize that if I want to make any money off of this blog or try to sell it in the future to recoup my initial investment I’m going to have to grow my existing organic traffic.
This being part one of the series and my first day spent heavily on the topic, I’m going to start out by looking into Google Analytics and finding out where I am now. Tommorows post will be an analysis of my current situation.
I took over ownership of onemansgoal on the 5th of April. Since then, here are the results and traffic I’ve seen from the search engines.
4/5/08-6/24/08 - 2,819 visitors
Google - 2,479
Yahoo - 206
Live - 54
MSN - 42
Alta Vista - 9
AlltheWeb - 3
I have received traffic from 1,456 keywords. Here are the top ten along with number of visits.
one mans goal - 212
onemansgaol - 169
one man’s goal - 82
top wordpress plugins - 73
best wordpress plugins - 58
make money online - 47
bryan clark scammer vic - 47
onemansgoal.com - 37
types of visitors - 37
Now, I realize that with the exception of 4 of those keywords most of them don’t do me anygood. So I’m now going to point out the 4 that I like and pull others from deep down the list that I’m going to be targeting.
- The first column is have many visitors I’ve received since April 1st on the keyword according to google analytics. The second is the daily search volume of the keyword according to wordtracker. The third is my google ranking for that particular keyword according to seoelite. Seoelite is really cool software and in my opinion a must have for anyone trying to increase their search engine traffic.
4) top wordpress plugins - /73/0002/#009
5) best wordpress plugins - /58/0004/#010
6) make money online - /58/1067/#0NA
10) types of visitors - /37/00NA/#001
11) understanding your alexa rankings - /32/00NA/#146
13) top best wordpress plugins - /21/00NA/#013
14) make money online free - /19/0030/#023
17) niche marketing - /15/0053/#0NA
18) making money online - /14/0164/#063
21) increase adsense income - /11/00NA/#002
25) top wordpress plugins - /10/0002/#009
26) make money for free - /09/0012/#018
28) make money - /08/0805/#105
30) adsense income - /07/00NA/#016
64) 101 wordpress plugin - /03/00NA/#001
65) best wordpress plugin - /03/0004/#0NA
75) increase adsedse clicks - /03/00NA/#005
76) increasing adsense income - /03/00NA/#002
78) make money online for free - /03/0076/#049
79) money online - /03/0034/#036
80) money online free - /03/00NA/#018
84) search engine friendly permalinks - /03/00NA/#001
88) wordpress plugins - /03/0046/#296
120) easy money online free - /02/00NA/#14
122) free make money online - /02/0017/#034
123) free money online - /02/0142/#099
124) free to make money - /02/00NA/#48
134) how to make money - /02/0365/#0NA
135) how to make money online - /02/0266/#211
151) make money blogging - /02/0036/#279
157) make money free - /02/0151/#046
169) online marketing - /02/0396/#0NA
Tommorows post will address these numbers and show the keywords I’m going to target and the “why” around it.
You can buy SEOElite here
Popularity: 6% [?]
24 Comment(s)
By Jimmy Joe on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
Why build traffic? Just claim whatever revenue and traffic numbers you want. The buyer won’t know the difference and you can claim that the traffic dropped when you sold it.
Works for some people….
By Hendry Lee on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
I was surprised to read comment from Jimmy. The readers would want to see proof beyond just screenshots or claims.
Great post Marc. Looking forward for part 2.
By Robert on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
Hello Marc - and great post. I would like to comment on what you said “if I want to make more money… then I have to grow my existing organic traffic.”
I differ on your theory as to how you make money on the the Internet. And I say this with sincere respect for what you are doing here at OMG because I know you’re working hard.
I see, as where your focus should be, is actually the most prominent piece of your blog - and that is the list you build / already have from your free blogging e-book that Bryan wrote.
In my opinion of course, I think that on the Internet, the money is “in the list”. If you think about it, there is a lot of things we know about the people that have request the free blogging book.
1) They’re looking to blog more effectively
2) They are probably a blog owner or soon to be
3) They are indirectly interested in domains, web hosting, traffic analysis, etc…
4) They are more than likely active on the web
All of these factors open up a near endless supply of affiliate promotions that would be a great value to your list.
I know this, because I’m also one of the people on the list since I a copy of the e-book. Yet, I’ve never received one email since receiving the e-book about any products that could help me in my blogging efforts.
So, you are striving for more organic traffic to increase sales, when I believe you should be focusing on what you already have (without neglecting the former), and find ways to extract value from your opt-in list.
Thank you for your time - and keep up the great work here at OMG!
By Marc on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
@Hendry - Thanks
@Robert - I agree with you, but I’ve never really been much of a salesman. Even in Real Estate I didn’t “sell” any of my clients. I showed them propery, found the answer to all their quesitons, treated them with honesty and respect. So when I came time for them to buy and house, something they wanted to do anyway the used me because they knew I wasn’t trying to screw them.
I want it to be the same way here, and in fact that is how it’s going to be. I want to find cool products that are well priced and work. So far I haven’t found any yet. However, I purchased seo elite 3 days ago and I like want it does. It helped put together this first post on my traffic stats and I believe using this informatin I will increase to visits to my blog and thus value. But into I know its true I not going to recommend someone else to spend their hard earned money on it.
I believe this way of think will help me make money down the line when I have build knowledge to supplement the trust I’ve already gained.
I agree the money is in the list and I believe increasing the visitors from search engines will help build my list.
Thanks
By Marc on Jun 25, 2008 | Reply
By Piss Biscuit on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
@ Hendry Lee: I think “Jimmy Joe” was “inferring”… otherwise the comment would be way out of place and borderline useless. Either way, a waste.
@ Marc: Dude, I’m going into the naughty bin and I’m pulling out ol’ faithful… K.I.S.S… and for those who don’t know, climb out from under the rock and “Keep It Simple Stupid!”
Let’s see what traffic can do for your site…
1.) Increased traffic increases your stats. Stats are important to show advertisers and buyers that you’re in it to play hard ball.
2.) Increased traffic increases the potential to gain loyal readers. Loyal readers are pretty damn important too. They are the ones who check on your blog twice a day (or more). Your loyal readers will keep your stats pretty even keel even if you don’t post for a few days or have more computer issues.
3.) Increased traffic increases the possibility for new feed subscribers. While sometimes e-mail subscribers don’t help out your stat counters… they are defiantly worth something. I’ve heard that each subscriber is worth about $18.00 each to a potential buyer.
4.) Increased traffic increases page views. As a potential advertiser, I really don’t give a squat about how many feed burner subscriptions you’ve got (unless it’s a review). My main concern, is how many times people will see my ad. This is a BIG factor in obtaining private advertisers.
5.) Increased traffic increases your comment count. The more people visit, the better your chance of finding new participants. For example… my blog sports a comment average of 18.5 comments per post. Yes, this does include my own, but the point is that comments inspire other comments. Active comments, shows that your blog is alive and kicking and that’s worth a ton to a new buyer.
6.) Increased traffic increases your ability to hone in on a market or niche. Using the key word tool just as you have done is great… but when you mix it with the “entry & exit” stats… you can start learning really quickly what people are interested in.
Well… that’s enough here… If you want to read my whole article on the value of traffic to blogs in general… stop over at the PB and have a read… I’ll be finishing it up in the next hour or so!
In closing the point is simple. Traffic in general is valuable. Very valuable. Once you have visitors, start narrowing the gap like your doing. Narrow to much though, and you won’t grow. See ya!
By theaffiliatepost on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
@ Robert: Really useful comment there. I know Bryan who built up OMG in the first place just did a great post on the money being in the list. Perhaps you read that??
@ Marc: As an ex salesman myself I see where you are coming from but have to disagree for two reasons. Firstly, everyone of us is a salesperson whether we like it or not. What you need to do though is fully believe in the product. If you can do this then you will never even feel like you are selling….just promoting a service…or giving a recommendation. Secondly, it is more marketing than sales anyway. As long as you are not busting out an email everyday with the same rubbish on it like some people do then hey….these people opted to be on that list and you need to work it!!
Judging by Roberts frustration at a lack of email I would put him top of the list!
Just kidding Robert - a very valid point made.
By Robert on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
Great response! Maybe I would buy one of the products, or maybe not. The point is that with a list of hundreds, even thousands of opt-in subscribers, it’s really just a numbers game. I’m sure we’re all familiar with the 80/20 rule.
I’m quite sure that Bryan mentioned to me that over 300 people downloaded his free e-book within the first month of so (can’t remember exact numbers). By now I would guess the list would be approaching 1000 or more.
Again, this is not a random list that was purchased. I think AWeber is working the CMS behind the scenes so it’s a double opt-in / confirmation process. Meaning, this is a valuable, reputable list that if managed properly and professionally, would welcome emails and product offers from OMG.
And I’m just one of the thousands (if that’s how many) on the list. Like I said, maybe I’d buy - maybe I wouldn’t - but if anyone is experienced in sales, you have to get a lot of “no’s” before you get the “yes”. With a large, opt-in list, you continually have the opportunity to leverage the 80/20 rule.
Great post - great comments - and keep pushing for success!
By Missy (from G34 Media) on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
Never stop reaching for more traffic, but also leverage your existing one.
One more sidenote (if i may). Marc, if i were you, i would figure out who im trying to reach. Who is YOUR target market? Not Bryans, because Bryan is more advanced a blogger than you. Not your readers or whatever you read in some book. Figure out for yourself who you think you can reach, with your PRSENT skills and knowledge. Is it newbie bloggers, advanced bloggers, net marketers, etc?
What can you teach this group? What do you know currently? If you dont know advanced SEO, dont fake it, others will tell. Teach what you know.
Im not the smartest cookie in the box, so i would never try and appear it. Because it just wont work for me. Basically what im saying is that i practice what i preach. I teach what i know and share only what i think i can share semi-intelligently.
No more sidenotes. Keep up the good fight. Peace, Missy.
By Missy (from G34 Media) on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
One more thing, do you allow guest posts here on OMG? Let me know, i would love to contribute something, and i could be wrong, but maybe others do too.
Also do you belong to any blogger groups or communites, such as Blog Catalog? As bloggers we need friends, it is quite lonely a field. Not only that but it is really wonderful to be able to just have others bloggers to talk to casually, bounce ideas off each other, ask questions, etc.
Are you on Twitter? or any other social site? Do share your links and make lots of blogger friends. Let me know.
By Marc on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
@theaffiliatepost - My kneejerk responce to your first point was that I haven’t found anything I know to work yet. Than you brought up the point of it is more marketing than selling. Thats the way to look at it, thanks for the insight.
That comment jogged my brain back to real estate. I showed people houses that I didn’t think they would like. The wierd thing was they would walk into a house that I didn’t think they would like and they loved it. The reason I showed them the house was because it was a house in their price range in the area they wanted. Now if I apply this to marketing products. People want to make more money online. The product is in the “area” these people like “make money online” and as far as price range its up to them.
Thanks man, you comment really helped me clear things up.
By Marc on Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
Yes it is managed by aweber and it is a double opt-in process
@Missy - I know this is kinda the opposite of common norm of business, but I have no interest in defining my target market. Because if I’m trying to appeal to a group that doesn’t want me I feel this is pointless. I’m just trying to be me and hope people that like my style will find me thought internet searches and fellow bloggers.
I participe very little in social networking. It’s not that I don’t believe in it’s value, I just place higher importance in hanging out with my friends here in Durango. I love to play and hang out with my friends. Add 6 nights a week of work, this blog, and other projects and further study and I run out of time to do everything.
As to guest posting, this series is leading up to the ways I’m going to gain my content. I’ll let out the first part now, anyone who would like to guest post on OMG can. However, two rules are in place. First, your guest post will be on a topic I choose (a long tail keyword) and also you will need to write a second article about making money online so I can bookmarking demon it and submit it to all the article directories in order you rank your guest post higher. However, if you write a truly amazing article on the subject of your choice I will post it if I felt it gave value to our readers. So let me know, you can be first.
By Going2Oahu on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
I’m attempting the same goal with my blog, so I was very interested in your post. Good luck as you make this journey!
By Marc on Jun 27, 2008 | Reply
By Rob on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
I’m trying my best to get into optimizing my keywords, but I guess I’m not trying hard enough. I’ve only had my blog open for a little over a week, I know, but I have already starting seeing hits from google. That encourages me, but I’d really like to see some more.
Long story short, I’m subscribing to your blog.
It looks like it’ll help me!
By Marc on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
Also, thinking to the future as keyword because more and more competitive those who know seo are going to be stoked. I’m going to start learning it right now and in 5 years I should be pretty good.
By mary on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
Marc, good to see you are learning the right things! Screw the list. Get more organic traffic. Do you think Robert is going to buy all the stuff you send him in the emails?
Do you think Piss is going to buy all of your ebooks and such? Do you?
There are two popular online business models. One of them is to build up a ‘readership’ and gain their trust…so you can sell them stuff more easily. It’s easier to sell things to people who ‘trust’ you. Me? I delete every IM email I get. I never look at them. I used to when I was new to the game but not any more.
The other popular model is to target super niched-out buyers keywords and provide the product they are already looking for. I’ve made more money that way myself.
SEO ELite is an awesome tool! When you analyze your competition you’ll see that they always have a ton of themed anchor text links. Have fun with it and you’ll definitely learn alot about how to scale the rankings by studying other peoples linking schemes.
Keep going!
By mary on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
AND you have BMD??? Where are you learning this from? I don’t know what you have been reading but keep reading it!
I’ve been using BMD since the day it came out. Takes a while to really learn how to get the most out of it.
Do you have article submission software? If not, get the one from Brad Callen. It auto submits to a ton of article directories and saves serious time.
By Marc on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
As to way I bought it. Bryan has been recommending I buy it since day one. Also, I read blogger unleased and vic was talking about running it all day on three P.C’s everyone isn’t really all that differnet but persons get in the way.
I’m coming up with a post and I want it to be an ongoing thing. It’s going to be called a “Gentalmans Debate” that not supposed to be sexist but I like the way it describes that concept.
When Bryan and you aurgued you both put on top quality content that didn’t exist before trying to prove each other wrong. Wait up, I’ll just make my post now. Should be up in a few hours.
Article submission software is going to be my next purchase. I need to learn BMD first.
By Piss Biscuit on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
@ Marc & Mary: Nope… likely won’t buy e-books… but… Marc, when you start using all those softwares… let me know how they pan out. I’d like to see an actual review. If they turn out to be good… I’d click a link.
By mary on Jun 28, 2008 | Reply
Good for you Marc! BTW…I went to Bryans blog…he hasn’t had BMD that long. He didn’t even know what it was until he went to bloggerunleashed!!! As vic would say LMAO!!!!
Just to set the record straight, I wasn’t trying to prove Bryan wrong. I know it seemed like it but I wasn’t. I was really just trying to show you that there is another (More E$$ective) way to make money blogging.
I don’t think any of the folks who regularly visit your blog mean you any harm…I just think they are like the blind leading the blind.
Perhaps Bryan and I should have our own talk show!
By Marc on Jun 29, 2008 | Reply
Interesting to think of using the high power of a blog to make a review and rank for a product you can earn an affiliate commision on.
@Mary - I don’t know how he found it all I know is that he uses it and likes it. Vic is usings it and I feel he knows what he is doing. I’m glad it found its way to me and I can try it out.
I thank you for helping me learn. I meant the commenting was good. When you got exicted, for whatever reason, the quality content coming out was great.
By One Year Millionaire on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply
Keep working hard at it… you will rise up there!
By Marc on Jul 19, 2008 | Reply