I’ve been receiving quite a lot of traffic from the seriously addictive [tag]StumbleUpon[/tag] web site, but to be honest have been somewhat frustrated with the lack of return visitors, lack of comments and lack of people sticking around on my site.
I just realized that 99% of the StumbleUpon traffic has been to posts displayed on a single page layout. In simple [tag]Wordpress[/tag] terms what that means for my [tag]custom theme[/tag] is:
The cymru66 header
The post contents
The cymru66 footer
What has been lacking (and I don’t know why I didn’t realize this before) is my custom sidebar. The same sidebar that contains all my “cool stuff” – my [tag]BlogCatalog[/tag] widget, my subscribe to RSS links, my search feature, my [tag]Technorati[/tag] and StumbleUpon links, my hand-picked affiliate advertising links, my categories, my archive list…….need I go on? Basically anything that could possibly keep a visitor on my site has been missing. No wonder people don’t hang around!
Anyway, a quick 2 minute edit to single.php and I think I’m good. Nothing appears to have broken and I’ll keep an eye on my stats to see if it changes anything.
If you’re reading this, please stick around. Please click a few links. Please feel free to leave a comment. You’ll be welcome back anytime!divx up pompeii lost samaritan the divx online divx silk appaloosa movie download reign of terror aka black book the online
Hey steve…
I don’t think that’s the reason people don’t hang out that much at your blog.
In contrast I had all those feature in my blog but it took ages for the page to load…I hate it that the pages took too long to load but in the same time I couldn’t just omit all the widgets as most of them are required…if I’m participating in affiliates campaigns or blog directories for instance…
Sigh!!! I think you just have to keep on posting posts which get people to read…and make sure it’s an interesting one
Hope you will make it in the end…
Comment by sexyinred — May 14, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, you’re probably correct. Write good content, make it interesting and genuine readers will keep coming back.
Maybe I cover too many topics on my site and I should branch out to several different sites?
Decisions, decisions…
Steve
Comment by Steve Speirs — May 14, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Stumblers don’t often stick, but they’re good for your Alexa rank (and ego!)
More blogs are good, but addictive
Comment by Chris Lodge — May 14, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Well, I’ll be a regular visitor. You write well, and I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. And some of those syumblers will stick…and the more there are, the more will stick.
Comment by johno — May 15, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
I wish you had editable comments
correction: “stumblers” not “syumblers” – a “syumblers” is a drunk stumbler.
Comment by johno — May 15, 2007 @ 9:48 pm
We’re all working on gaining that elusive traffic that will stick. Good content + time will hopefully do the trick. Best regards! Your fellow “syumbler”
Comment by AgentSully — May 16, 2007 @ 8:53 am
One more thought: unless I missed it, I would suggest adding an “about” page. This way you can let your readers know what your blog is all about.
Comment by AgentSully — May 16, 2007 @ 9:07 am
lol Steve… you are too funny. I too am addicted to stumbling.
I would suggest that What would Seth Godin do plugin and comment relish plugin.. I am going to use it for my photoblog… i sent you the page with the plugins.. yes?
Comment by Susie — June 8, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Yes you did, thanks. Just need to find a few minutes to download and install them…
Comment by Steve Speirs — June 8, 2007 @ 9:15 pm