July 26th, 2010
You may remember that at the beginning of the 31DBBB challenge, I analysed my blog statistics using a variety of methods. Well, the time has now come to see what one week of this challenge has done for those stats.
To be honest with you, I wasn’t particularly optimistic. I’m one of those people who pretends not to be bothered about the stats, while watching them out of the corner of my eye and wondering what I’m doing wrong. Why aren’t they going up? Why did I lose followers on Twitter? And why oh why does the FeedBurner count fluctuate so drastically??
Admit it.
You do it, too.
Bearing that in mind, I tentatively decided to go ahead and look at this week’s stats. Here goes nothing…
Huh.
It’s not as complicated as it looks, honest! And you know what? I’m actually pretty pleased with the way my stats have performed this week.
Almost everything is on the up (except the bounce rate, but that being down is actually a good thing!). The only stats that performed badly were my percentage of new visits, and my Alexa rank. I’m not sure the new visits is that big of a deal – because it means that more people are returning for a second (or even third!) look at the blog, which is great. Thank You! And as for the Alexa rank, well, I really didn’t know much about that before the challenge started – and I still don’t!
Now I’m just terrified that they will all be bad next week – and also I really hope that they don’t revert as soon as this challenge is over!
More important than the stats, though, are the ladies I have already met through this challenge – and the people I have yet to meet. What an awesome bunch we are, huh? I am already sure that I have made some firm friends, and I have definitely come across some blogs that now have a well-deserved spot in my Reader.
All of which is far more important than what the statistics are doing.
In my opinion.
Which is correct.
Obviously.
Oh, and just a quick heads-up for you guys. August is my bloggy birthday! That’s right, on the 16th August, The Thought Bubble will turn 1! Can you believe it? Part of me can’t believe we’re a year old already…and part of me can’t believe I’ve been going for only a year!
In honour of this most auspicious event, I have decided to dedicate the whole month of August to the celebrations! There will be (my first ever) giveaways (donations and ideas gratefully received), fun and games…and a special little something for the 16th itself. Obviously I can’t do this without you…it would be a little pointless to be sitting here drinking the cocktails on my own.
Although…
Stay tuned for details…you do not want to be missing this 
Yay congrats on the improvement in your stats! That's great!! I like how you did the whole +/- columns, I need to do that! And happy (early) blogiversary! 1 year old, how exciting!!
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Yeah ! You've done a GREAT job here Boo. I'm sooo happy for you. <3
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On top of providing some fascinating numbers, you have lovely handwriting! I can barely read my own, Your site design is quite nice and in keeping with your theme. I'm over from the 31DBBB. Take care.
Wow! Your blog is doing really well! I know you have a new reader in me! I'm sure next week's stats will be even better too! I love the 31DBBB!
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Thanks for posting your stats! I posted mine in the forums. I am seeing alittle more traffic but my blog needs alot of work. Yours looks great, love the colors and logo.
Kelly #31DBBB
Hi! Found your post through the #31dbbb Twitter discussion. Congrats on your anniversary! I know I'll be checking in for the giveaways and fun!
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I'll drink cocktails with you anytime hunny!!! Well done on the massive improvement in your stats but I thought you were awesome already xx
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Well done to you! That's a great improvement! My stats have gone up a bit too yay
I must say Google Analytics looks very impressive, is it difficult to install etc (with me being pretty useless at such things!).. x
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I love Google analytics. Although I find it's better to check monthly rather than weekly. Some weeks are good, some are not. Monthly shows a better picture of overall stats.
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Feedburner will mess with your mind! I have to agree with you, I'd like to pretend that it's no biggie, and most day I do succeed, but then I'll go peek. I need to add Google analytics to my new place, but I'm scared to death to mess with my self-hosted wordpress world.
Pretty sure I'd implode the whole darn thing. And I know for sure that would not be good for traffic.
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Thanks for visiting my blog! So glad you've seen good numbers for your stats! I've been keeping a spreadsheet too but didn't think to add that last column to visually track the change! So neato! Happy early blogoversary!
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