If you have been blogging for sometime you have probably noticed some traffic loss to your WordPress blog at some points in the year. Normally this is down to natural processes and not down to anything too severe, like the world has suddenly hates you, or loss of quality in your blog.
Seasonal traffic
Some blogs will be read more at certain times of the year more than others. Any blog that is hobby based tends to pick up traffic in December and January, but loses traffic in August to November. The reason for this, is that products are bought in December, and tested in January. The result is more traffic through the Christmas months and just after.
If you notice a dip in traffic in certain months of the year, and a rise during others, try and find out why. Once you have established the cause of the rise and falls, you can then capitalise on it. So if for example you find your blog is being read in December because it features a certain products, maybe write blogs reviewing them, and then in January write blogs offering beginners tips. This way you make full use of the seasonal trends.
Topical events
It is possible that you will see an increase in traffic if a current event occurs that has a connection to your blogs content. Many music bloggers saw huge traffic spikes when Michael Jackson died for example. Obviously as the events pass, so will the traffic.
The key here is to try and maximise your readership by posting related content to the event. Tread carefully with peoples sensibilities though, especially if the event involves a death or a tragedy.
If possible try and write about an event before it happens. Large sporting events could be a good one, as this will be ready to be pulled through on search engines once the event starts. If you already have content in place about the teams, predictions, and so on and so fourth, then you already have a foot on the ladder.
Posting frequency
Much of the advice about this topic is to post as much as you can. In actuality, the key is to post consistently. Too many posts and your posts will be lost in the ether, too few and people will lose interest. If you post daily, try and limit them to two to three a day maximum, and post no fewer than twice a week.
This way people have time to read, digest, share and comment on your posts, while not losing interest because you have not posted for a long time.
Shift in search rankings
Blogs are very SEO friendly, and can rate you high on search engines if optimised in the right way. Every so often however, search engines change their algorithms and this can cause a severe loss of traffic, as you no longer rank on page rankings.
Should this happen to you, don’t panic. Check you have not violated any Google rules as this may have caused your site to be pulled from the page rank. If you have not, then resubmit your site via Google Webmaster tools. This should result in traffic increasing to your site again.
Promotion
If you have taken your foot off the gas a little when it comes to highlighting your blogs, then you may find a decline in traffic follows. The way round this is easy, put your foot on the pedal and flaw it.
Keeping traffic is a priority if you are a blogger, and it is a source of income, so follow this article and maximise potential whenever you get the chance.
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September 7th, 2009 at 9:29 am
may do some seo for my blog
November 1st, 2009 at 9:42 am
Thanks, this keeps my site going hence it happen to loss internet traffic. Thanks a bunch.
November 26th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Another reason might be your blog being hacked (and traffic being diverted elsewhere). One widespread WordPress breach only redirected visitors elsewhere if they were coming from Google. Most bloggers would not recognize such a breach if they are usually only accessing their blog directly. A drop in traffic is a good indicator that something is actually wrong.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Thanks for the great info C I loved reading it! I always love browsing your blog. Have a fantastic day!
February 14th, 2010 at 1:57 am
Thank you for your effort was truly excellent
April 1st, 2010 at 5:21 am
I agree with Peter, bloggers really have a hard time of recognizing any breach and if your blog is being hacked already. A degrading traffic is one reason in which bloggers will be warned of that there is something wrong about the blogsite.
April 19th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Great article. I found, another good way of ‘updating’ your blog in the eyes of the search engines is to comment on comments others left on your website, than ping that page.
May 2nd, 2010 at 4:46 am
Great article, I agree with the last comment. It is more effective responding to the comments of the other viewer than pinging each page.
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Popularity really is important when it comes to blogging. If you really want to get notice you should have lots of audience.
June 24th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
So true! I have noticed that most of us do not read rules carefully. That is why we are not aware that we are violating one of it.
June 24th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Is it really possible that my blogs could get hacked? Thank you peter for that information. At least I know what to do to protect my blogs.
June 25th, 2010 at 8:26 am
We really have to be very careful with those hackers. So protect your blogs.
June 25th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
This article is right. Current events will help us create traffic. I suggest a topic that never dies, not just current ones and the next days no one would be interested with it.
June 25th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Ok ill take your advice about posting frequency. I guess you’re right. Thanks!
June 26th, 2010 at 3:13 am
I say take and action if ever you notice that there’s something wrong. Traffic loss is such a pain in the neck!
June 26th, 2010 at 3:58 am
Ariane is right! I hate traffic loss.
I hate hackers!
June 26th, 2010 at 4:27 am
Is there anyway that we can detect those hackers? Anyone please help.
June 26th, 2010 at 4:32 am
As what peter said that if you’ll notice that there is drop in traffic that could be a possible sign.
June 26th, 2010 at 6:29 am
If you have read the information mentioned above. Then you would have some ideas about traffic loss.
June 29th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
It sounds normal that i panicked when i had traffic loss. it is because i really don’t know what to do.
June 29th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
you dont have to worry that much marie.. i guess you already have an idea on what to do with that traffic loss after reading this post.
June 29th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Band lover is right. just take note with those things you have learned from this page. anyway if you miss something you can still read this again. I bookmarked this.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Since I’m a newbie, I’m not very good in the terms used like traffic. But anyway I’ve search for it and now I understand.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:33 pm
That’s great VJ, good that you have search for it. Welcome to blogging world.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Hackers, why did they even exist. They destroy everything!
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
That is why we need to learn how to at least detect them. We have to protect everything. We worked hard for it and that we should take care of it.