2 Create a Website Blog

How I Doubled My Blog Traffic in 2 Months

Filed Under: Blogging, Build Traffic 485 Comments

I just got serious about blogging in December of 2007.

I had a blog on Blogger.com for 2 years, but rarely updated it.

Then in November of 2007, I installed Feedburner and discovered I had 430+ subscribers. I was shocked due to the fact I hardly ever blogged.

I didn’t want to lose those subscribers or the traffic, so I decided to challenge myself and see if I could generate an even larger readership.

After switching to WordPress last December, I got more serious about my blog efforts.

I subscribed to Darren Rowse’s blog, ProBlogger.net – a very informative and inspiring blog to newbies and seasoned bloggers alike.

Then I started doing some key things…

1. I am More Selective With My Topics

When I had my Blogger blog, I would often re-write information that was already on my site. I didn’t put much effort into the subject matter of my posts.

(Yawn!)

Now, I’m much more selective. I try to think more about my audience’s needs and what they would find interesting.

And even if I choose a topic that has been blogged about a lot, I try to add my own spin to make it unique. For example, how many articles have been written about “How to Write Good Content” or something similar?

Too many, right?

Well the reality is, most people don’t write good content and they find it a chore or get writer’s block.

So I blogged about this very issue and addressed it from a new angle in a blog post titled “Is Writing Content a Chore for You?” An email I received inspired much of the content in the post.

2. I Make Use of Some Handy WordPress Plugins

Some people go hogwild on the WP plugins. While there are some really cool ones out there, you don’t want to make your blog so plugin-licious that it’s difficult to navigate and read.

You can have too much of a good thing, but there are a few that really come in handy.

Two plugins I believe made a difference in my traffic and readership have been the SiteMap and Related Post plugins.

The SiteMap plugin is important because it generates and submits your blog’s sitemap (an XML listing of all your posts) to all the major engines. Once you install it, the plugin works its magic automatically.

Some of my posts get found in the search engines only hours after I create them.

The Related Post plugin is useful because it encourages people to read more of my blog. It helps them discover posts they might not have discovered had they not seen the “Related Post” link at the end of a blog entry.

Before installing this plugin, I noticed my most recent posts always received 95% of the traffic. Now, older posts are getting more traffic.

3. Visual Appeal

I doubt my graphics have made a huge difference in my traffic, but every now and then I get an email or comment from someone who says they love my blog images and graphics.

One lady says she can’t wait to see what kind of graphic I’ve created to go with the post.

Some of my graphics include pictures of people and things found on Photos.com (I’m a subscriber because I want to make sure I have rights to use the images on my site.)

Usually I’ll add my own flavor to the images with good ole’ PhotoShop.

However most of the graphics like the one in this post were created by me. Learning PhotoShop has been a great asset to my business.

While the content is what really makes or breaks a blog, a few appealing images and graphics can help round out your blog’s appearance and give it a more professional feel.

4. I Blog More Often

Blogging more often is not always a good thing. If you don’t have anything interesting to say then no point in blogging just for the sake of blogging.

It’s not worth losing your subscriber base so be sure your posts have substance.

When you blog often, the search engine spiders will visit more frequently, and this could help your traffic. Blogging often also keeps your subscribers coming back regularly and keeps you on their radar.

5. I Interlink My Blog With My Main Site

I am fortunate enough to have a site that already receives over 7,000 visitors per day, so of course that’s a huge help. When I create a new post, I look for relevant content on my site and provide a link to that entry.

When I used Blogger, I didn’t cross promote all that much. Now, I’m much more conscious of opportunities to interlink the two. So if you have a website and a blog, keep your eyes open for ways to link the two together.

6. Competitor’s Blogs Keep My Juices Flowin’

First and foremost I want to make it clear that I am not suggesting you copy someone’s content. Not only is it illegal but it’s highly unethical and dishonest.

But there’s nothing wrong with getting ideas from another blogger’s topics.

For example, if you see a blogger has written about the iPod Touch features (a topic that is overdone); rather than just re-wording what they wrote, create your own entry but take a different approach.

Maybe your post could be something like, “10 Reasons the iPod Touch is Better Than the Zune”. You’re writing about the same topic, but you’re taking the content in a new direction.

Not to mention you could capitalize on a new audience – people looking to compare the Zune and the iPod.

I encourage you to take a look at your competitor’s blogs, get ideas and look for ways you can create your own fresh, unique content.

7. I Switched from Blogger to WordPress

I wrote a post about this a while back, but it is worth mentioning again. I really do believe WordPress is a much better platform because of all the plugins and flexibility.

Blogger is probably easier to setup, but WordPress is pretty user-friendly too – especially if you have a Web host that offers CPanel. (I use HostGator and setup this blog in 5 seconds.)

I have much more control over my layout without having to edit the raw code (like you do with Blogger). Plus, WordPress breaks up the template into separate files so it’s easier to figure out what file controls what section of your blog.

Not to mention, WordPress has much better design templates, in my opinion.

And as I said above, additions like the SiteMap Plugin also help get your posts spidered and indexed faster.

8. I Craft My Titles More Carefully

I discovered titles that pose a question or contain a bit of shock value generate the most clicks. My recent entry “Would You Like $57,000 In One Month?” has a little of both.

Usually my newest post wins the “Daily Traffic Award” but this post is 2 weeks old and still beats out my newer posts on some days.

Taking time to develop a good title can make a huge difference. Particularly since more and more people use RSS to keep track of their favorite blogs.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make that title count!

9. I Give Away More Freebies

Who doesn’t love something free, right? Plus, it’s a great way to build loyal fans and viral traffic (because they’ll tell others who tell others and so on.)

But I have to be careful with this one because I want my freebies to have value. I hate it when I see Webmasters giving away items that have been distributed over and over again, or freebies you can find anywhere.

How insulting and unoriginal.

If you want your freebies to go to work for you, take some time to develop something useful and unique.

Here are some of my favorite freebies I’ve offered from my blog…

10. I Share My Personal Success

I wasn’t comfortable doing this at first. I felt I was bragging, but I slowly found it builds credibility. And I noticed other successful people often do the same thing.

If you’re trying to teach people how to do something, it helps to show them how your advice has worked for you.

While I don’t offer specifics about my income, I may display an AdSense check here and there or remind people I am making a living online.

It’s important that my audience knows I am actually walking the walk since I often talk about making money. See my record AdSense video below.

In Conclusion…

Doing the above things has not only helped double my blog’s traffic in 2 months, and my subscriber count is up by nearly 100 subscribers.

Which of the above strategies can you implement on your blog?

And if you’ve done anything to help boost your blog’s traffic that I haven’t mentioned here, feel free to share.

Comments

  1. I agree with you. This post is truly inspirational. I like your post and all you share with us is up to date and quite informative, i would like to bookmark the page so i can come here again to read you, as you have done a wonderful job……

    Reply

  2. Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about creating my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Cheers

    Reply

  4. This a good topic. me i use social networks to bring some visitors in my site.
    sometimes i buy traffic.
    for you it was easy because you have had a site wich has a high traffic

    Reply

  5. Hi Lisa,

    Interesting post and discussion. I found that creating unique content is key. It takes a bit longer to start building up SERP and traffic, but once you hit critical mass, authority sites will link to you and also ask you to provide guest posts.
    What obviously does help is to start building up links and cross-promoting your articles do help with the building solid SERP’s.
    Good luck and thanks for your information and tips. They are really useful.

    Michael

    Reply

  6. Updating your blog regularly with unique and interesting topics, will attract more visitors on you blog. Nice information on how to generate more traffic to your blog. I bookmarked it for future reference.

    Reply

    • What? You find WordPress complicated? I think you have set this in your mind. WordPress is very easy and user friendly to use. If you are new to wordpress then you need some time. Take your time and you will get adjusted. I use wordpress for my blog.

      Reply

  10. Thanks buddy. . .i recently start making my site all this info will help me a lot . . . .i m gona try all techniques on my site. . . .i will be helpful if you tell me what more i can do with my site

    Reply

  13. Great article! I have been following your blog for some time now and I truly enjoy the advice that you give to your subscribers. I know your site will definitely help a lot of people online who are looking for ways to succeed at internet marketing and making money online.

    Great job and keep up the great work! I can’t wait to see what new content and advice you’ll give next.

    Sincerely,

    Jamie Boyle
    Business Owner

    Reply

  15. hi lisa i have been following you on youtube, about blogger and adsense advice. i,ve been up for two months now, and i have made in the first month not much but it is a learning curve, thank you for all your great advise, its alot to absorb so i will have to replay and re listen to your youtube advice about blogger and traffic as well as content seo thanks a bunch tony

    Reply

  16. 3: I get tons of spam comments everyday saying something like “hey, i like your theme, here’s my link: …” DOn’t get offended but they send these out to hundreds of bloggers automatically.

    Reply

  19. Really great content Lisa! and I found so many other articles I want to read on your blog too. That’s my main problem, use so much time reading. I have decided that I will implement some of the good ideas on my blog every day.
    Thanks a lot Lisa. And Wow! 7000 visitors a day – one day I will have that too…

    Be yourself and be happy, never stop dreaming!

    Happy Natural Life,
    Kristin

    Reply

  22. Nice post I have read many post about seo and how to increase traffic to blog but this one was the best of them.Also your website 2create a website is very informative about how to make a website.I have made a blog on blogger named http://sachinjagtap007.blogspot.com. Feel free to surf and if you have any opinion about do tell me

    Reply

  23. I am also looking for ways on how can we increase the traffic for our website’s blog. I’ll follow your advice. I really hope they work. Great post by the way.

    Reply

  24. Thanks for the article!! It is not only a good information for a new blogger like me but also very inspiring. My blog for now is only in making-phase but your website and tips inspires me to continue even more faster. Good luck!! 🙂 )

    Reply

  25. Thanks for the art?cle!! It ?s not only a good ?nformat?on for a new blogger l?ke me but also very ?nsp?r?ng. My blog for now ?s only ?n mak?ng-phase but your webs?te and t?ps ?nsp?res me to cont?nue even more faster. Good luck!! :))

    Reply

  26. As I go through your article, I notice that there are traffic generation techniques that are new to me. Thank you for sharing your new insights.

    Reply

  31. Dear lisa Very nice post about traffic. I am your fan. I have created my blog that address is http://2-createablog.blogspot.com but there is problem with it that i checked my webmaster tools account there is an error that crawl errors restricted by robots.txt how can i remove this error please help me in this matter every on this blog can help if he knows the answer.

    thanks in advance.

    Reply

  34. Thank you, Lisa
    Very helpful information and written very well. We are starting the blog for our website beHidden.com and I feel very lucky that I red your post. Thank you for your time and I look forward reading more on your writing.
    Thank you,
    Leon

    Reply

  39. A great post, once again, by Lisa.
    As always, back to the basics of know your audience. I, and other bloggers, can’t stress this enough and it is something that needs to be drilled in from day one. If you don’t know your audience, you really can’t inform them or provide any valuable topics for them to read through.
    Thanks, Lisa! Keep them coming.

    Reply

  43. Thanks..For Good tips! I am planning on transferring my blog from Weebly Builder to WordPress this weekend, which should help me get indexed without the typical errors I would receive with Weebly. From there, I plan on building my readership with great posts, networking, and freebies. Can’t wait!!

    Reply

  44. Good tips! I am planning on transferring my blog from Weebly Builder to WordPress this weekend, which should help me get indexed without the typical errors I would receive with Weebly. From there, I plan on building my readership with great posts, networking, and freebies. Can’t wait!!

    Reply

  49. A good post, and very nice observation about topics. If you’re professional blogger, it’s hard to pick fresh and extremely interesting topics everyday, but you have to invent something every day not to lose readership, and become popular at east to extent when blog pays for itself.

    Reply

    • The tag ‘id’ is used to identify one particular element as different from other similar elements. ‘Class’ on the other hand can be applied to a group of elements. For example, you can attach the class ‘about’ to all layers on the ‘About’ page of the site, giving them the same font attributes, background etc. But you can make the search box different from the other layers by giving it the id ‘search’, and changing the font colour.

      Reply

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