Last Updated on: December 10th, 2017
Surprise! Yes, you’ve just been invited to my surprise party! I’m posting today to “seize the moment” and to celebrate my blogoversary. Happy 1st Blogoversary to me!
YAY!!! I’m so excited! So excited, in fact, that I:
- created my first year blogging badge using PicMonkey. Like it? 🙂 If you want one like mine, let me know. I’ll see what I can do for you. 😉 (Just shoot me comment or an email. I can customize yours just for you!)
- am going ahead with a newsletter
- gave my blog a bit of a face-lift
- am seriously considering to moving to my own site
- couldn’t wait until Friday to post this!
I’m also feeling better from my recent surgery, too (sort of), so to kick off “the new me,” I’ve assembled a post I have been looking forward to doing for a while, even though blogging was the furthest thing from my mind the last couple of weeks.
Did you notice the NEW!!! widget yet? 😉
I hope so, and I hope you’re all signing up for it. I’m not making any promises here, but I do plan on giving away a few copies of my ebook, 20 Blog Post Must-Haves, which received a great review on Social Media Just For Writers. Given that I have not actively been trying to market this book, I’m happy it’s becoming a bit more known. I also plan on giving away some copies of my upcoming ebooks, too, so if you’re interested in those, make sure you sign up for my newsletter, as these opportunities are only going to be available to my subscribers, who will always get the “inside” scoop on things!
And thanks to Jeri, one of my comrades, for writing a great guest post on Molly Greene’s blog about Mailchimp. 😉
Hey. All this is getting me sidetracked. Uh, er, um . . . where was I? Oh yeah. Rejoicing! 😉
Happy ‘one year’ to me, happy ‘one year’ to me, happy ‘one year,’ happy ‘one year,’ happy’ one year’ to me!
Ok. I know I cannot sing. Sorry about that. 😉
Movin’ on.
Now that I’m now one year plus into blogging, I figured I’d reveal some stats to celebrate my one year blogoversary. You know, I can still remember the first time I got comments on this blog – what an amazing rush that was! (Confession: I still get a rush when I get them! I LOVE comments!)
Back in January of 2013, I began this blog. Mistakenly, I was under the impression that no one would want to read my posts and that I would essentially be keeping an online journal. How wrong I was! As it turns out, there are quite a few people in this world who care about what I have to say (sometimes!) and with all the guest posting I’ve been doing, I’ve been gaining readers each month, too. This makes my heart light and happy. 😀
Even though I started out on a free blog and had some misconceptions about what blogging really involves, I’m definitely getting better at it, have grown quite a bit (personally) this past year, and am excited for my writing career (which seems like a hobby most days).
Despite the fact that this is still a “small” blog, let’s take a look at some of the successes I’ve had with both my Alexa ranking and my blog’s readership.
You might be impressed at how far I’ve come! 😉 I know I am! It kinda makes me want to just keep blogging here. I may have to get my own domain name, though. Not entirely sure how that will work, but hey…
Alexa Stats
Watch the numbers get smaller as time passes…
July 17, 2013:
Sept. 16, 2013:
Oct. 21, 2013:
Nov. 2, 2013:
Nov. 21, 2013:
Dec. 15, 2013:
January 12, 2014:
Here is another way of looking at this same data:
| DATE | July 17, 2013 | Sept. 16, 2013 | Oct. 21, 2013 | Nov. 2, 2013. | Nov. 21, 2013. | Dec. 15, 2013. | Jan. 12, 2014. |
| GLOBAL RANKING | 1 588 132 | 754 990 | 596 144 | 557 867 | 461 124 | 415 436 | 375 317 |
| US RANKING | 676 420 | 173 498 | 165 917 | 176 745 | 109 448 | 136 311 | 132 248 |
| # OF SITES LINKING IN | 227 | 334 | 364 |
Basically, since I started keeping track of this, I went from
July’s ranking of: Global Ranking: 1 5888 132, U. S. Ranking: 676 420
to January’s ranking of: Global Ranking: 375 317, U. S. Ranking: 132 248.
Not too shabby for a having a free blog! 😉
APRIL 2016 UPDATE:
I just checked my Alexa ranking. Here is the screenshot I captured, which says that Wording Well is now ranked GLOBALLY as 486,280 and in the US as 518,210.
Readership Stats:
Watch the numbers get bigger as time passes…
As far as readership goes, here are some pictures that show the growth of my little blog:
Nov. 2, 2013:
One month later, I was really impressed with the growth! Especially considering my first month of blogging barely registers on this scale. Hey, we all started out as a little blip at first, didn’t we? 😉
Dec. 2, 2013:
Today, this is where I’m at:
The day I had my guest post on freelancing success published on Make A Living Writing became my best day EVER:
Who says guest posting doesn’t pay off? (Oh yeah, NO ONE.) 😀
I realize that these stats may not be super-impressive to most people, but I feel as though I’ve attained some level of success with my free blog. Wouldn’t you agree?
For my first year of blogging, I have to give myself an A+. 😀
I also have to give you an A+ as well, since I couldn’t have done this all without you.
My goodness, I feel like a movie star on stage at one of those awards shows: “I’d like to thank…” (LOL)
Thanks for making 2013 one fabulous year! I love you all!
I hope 2014 goes just as well, or even better. If I can ever get my next book out there, it just might…
UPDATE: As of April 30, 2016, these are my monthly stats:
Note the decrease in March 2016. This is because I changed themes. As a result, one of my plugins broke some links and Google de-indexed my site for having so many 404 pages. Geez!
Here is another screenshot that shows the yearly stats for Wording Well, as of April 30, 2016. Note that in 2015, I published 52 posts (one a week).
My goal for 2016 is to surpass the 400K mark! 😉
YOUR TURN:
Did you sign up for my newsletter yet?
Want me to make you a “badge” for your blog?
Or do you have something else you’d like to convey?
Whatever your thoughts, share them in the comments, please! 😀
thanks for the insights and all the best with your blog
Thanks, Tanya! 🙂
wow, u got awesome traffic 😀
nice job
For a fairly new blogger, it’s not bad. 😉
It’s tough to make a dent in the blogosphere!
Many congratulations Lorraine on your one year blogoversary, you have achieved so much and you should be very proud of yourself and all you have accomplished in one year! I look forward to reading about more successes to come and to sharing our blogging journey together as we both travel along our writing paths – and stick to it 🙂 Also, to enjoy the journey! So glad to have met you – Sherri x 🙂
Thanks, Sherri. I look forward to sharing my successes with you! 😉
I’m glad we met, too. And hopefully we can keep each other on track!
Write on!
Write on indeed 🙂
🙂
Hi Lorraine,
A big congrats on reaching your first year on your blog. There are wonderful times ahead and I hope your successes triple in your second year 🙂 HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!
Regards,
Vijay
Thanks, Vijay! I hope so, too! 😀
Hi Lorraine; so glad to hear about all your progress and that you are recovering so well from the surgery. I can remember the days when my site was unranked by alexa and its only been in the last four months or so that my site broke the top 1 million on alexa. and that wouldn’t have happened for me either without the help of friends like you and the wonderful communities of bloggers that follows you. i’m now in the top 600,000 on alexa worldwide. we are both doing pretty well. and i hope there never comes a day when getting comments isn’t exciting. smile thanks again for sharing and take care, max
Great stuff, Max! You should be proud of yourself, too. 🙂
Happy Anniversary Lorraine… Barbara
Thanks, Barbara! 😀
Wohoo!
Congratulations, Lorraine 😀
One year of blogging is certainly an awesome achievement (perhaps the most difficult milestone of blogging)!
The numbers are awesome too…so, guest posting paid off, huh? 😉 It’s really encouraging to see people achieving success with their blogs (motivates me to put more effort..and try and achieve my own goals :D).
Anyways, I wish you good luck with the future of this blog! I am sure it will be great.
As for the newsletter, I have signed up already..all I have to do is confirm the email address 😀
Jeevan, what the traffic pics don’t tell you is how many people are landing on my blog for my two most popular posts – the one on the Liebster award, and the the one on Managing Google Circles. THAT’S what makes my numbers so high. In actuality, only about 33 people read my posts on any given day. (Big sigh.) However, the opportunity is there to convert those newbies into regular readers, so there is potential for me to be “read” by more people, and I’m grateful for that.
That’s why numbers and stats are not always believable, and why I don’t put too much faith in them.
Of course, it’s always nice to brag about big numbers. 😉 And with the publication of THIS post on Wednesday (I couldn’t wait for Friday!), I have had the best day ever on this blog, with 305 views. (33 readers of this post, though. I didn’t pull that number out of thin air.)
So, now I think I have to do some more re-vamping and maybe get my own domain and hosting. Sigh. I’m just not sure I’m ready to make that move, though. It’s kinda scary.
But I think it’s the next logical step towards looking more like a pro. What do you think of this? I know you’re a fairly new reader (we bumped into one another on Adrienne’s blog first, then Harleena’s – I remember!) but I’d like your opinion nonetheless.
Who do you host with? Do you like them? What do you recommend for me? I’d really like to know.
Oh, and thanks for signing up for my newsletter. 🙂 I’m obviously still learning, but movin’ on up in the blogging world. 😉
It’s alright, Lorraine 🙂 The numbers will grow – I am sure of that 😀
Yeah, it’s best not to focus in the numbers (although there is no harm in using them..after all, numbers are the best way to track our progress with blogging…and tracking is important to improving).
Great!
No worries there, Lorraine. I think you are ready (you have been ready…yeah, I know it’s scary…I remember when I first moved to WP. But, luckily I had friends to help me you – you too have that benefit, so don’t worry too much :D).
I use Web hosting Buzz. I can’t say anything much, since I have only been hosting with them for about 3 months now (and I wasn’t using it for the first 2…so technically, about 4 weeks).
Have I had problems? Sure, a lot of downtimes. But, the team has been very supportive and they have helped me through every ‘crisis’.
As for my recommendation, I really don’t know. I haven’t been in the blogging industry for a while now (well, I got back about 6 months ago….but, I still don’t know much about the web hosting industry…I would have recommended Host gator, but I have been hearing a lot of complaints about those guys).
I think I will have to more research before I commit to anything, but your input is very helpful, and I appreciate it.
For now, I’m going to go with the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
I don’t think I get enough traffic to make the move just yet, either, but maybe once I start publishing books, that will all change. Here’s hoping, anyway! 😉 *Fingers crossed* 😉
Congrats Lorraine! Thanks so much again for visiting and posting on my blog! Following you -:)
No problem, Victoria! I just finished posting the project on Roxanne’s timeline, so pop over and comment on it if you’re serious; she may have questions…
Did you want my new newsletter, too? If so, you need to sigh up for it separately. 🙂
Thanks for the follow, regardless. (I’ve never done a newsletter before, so not sure how it’s going to work yet. Still figuring it all out!)
Good luck with Roxy!
I’m not on FB therefore I cannot comment to her.
I would be happy to sign up for your newsletter. Just give me a bit as I’m swamped this morning.
Thanks again!
No prob. On both counts. 🙂
Awesome Lorraine
You are not so far behind me. I gotta get my ass in gear!
I have three guest posts lined up this month, so I think that is really the key. And I plan on quite a few more if I can come up with the topics!
It is funny how if you get out there, get active on Social Media, it all comes. I see you do that for sure (your SM numbers are also impressive).
I was plateauing a little at the end of 2013, but had my best day ever on Tuesday, so perhaps 2014 is off to a great start.
I know you will continue to do well, but don’t forget to get busy with your writing. The blog is only a means to an end, and it took me 2013 to realise that and get on with my actual goals
ashley
You are sooo right, Ashley. I DO need to get busy writing. I’m starting to, though. And guesting posting is a great way to make connections. I’ll be more likely to get help from others in the long run (with book promotion) if I establish the contacts now. Having a good history will others will help in that department for sure.
Since I am not a fan of social media per se, I’m not doing too badly, huh? 😉
Network, network, network!!!
And you’re doing great, too, I’ve noticed, in a lot of departments, too. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back once in a while, my friend. 😀
Hi Lorraine,
Congratulations and celebrations for making it through the 1st year 🙂
I can just about feel your happiness, especially after having celebrated my 3rd recently. Those stats are impressive, and keep going dear friend – you’d surely reach greater heights in no time. Loved the PicMonkey badge you made as well.
Thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous 2nd year ahead. Happy New Year, and enjoy your weekend 🙂
Harleena, I’ve been meaning to visit you, too. Saw your comment on Jeevan’s blog and liked the title of your latest post. Will head there soon.
Blogging does take a lot of time if you’re doing it right. Or should I say growing a blog? That’s the hard part.
Congrats to you, too, for all of your accomplishments! 😀
Happy anniversary.i was not able to catch the post the right day. Hope, you are feeling better.
Thanks, Bindhurani!
I’m still in pain and actually went to see the surgeon today. Got a bit of bad news, but nothing I can’t deal with.
Nice of you to comment.
Congratulations on your one year anniversary. You picked a perfect day to start a blog ;).
Stopped by from the IU blogfest.
Thanks for stopping by, RJ, and for commenting. Nice to meet you! 😀
Happy Blogoversary, Lorraine!!!
You have done so well in such a short period of time!
Keep it up!
I am very happy for and proud of you!
Thanks, Toby, my Fearless Leader! 😀 I know you are, and I will. 😉
Happy Blogoversery, Lorraine! (This is a legit word, you say? :D) May 2014 be even more awesome for you and your blog 😉 Opening the wine now – celebrating your 1st year of blogging not only being a successful one but so so sooo fulfilling for you – as end of the day, THAT is the most important thing. Get well soon, blog more – and have fun along the way!
I am glad to see you’ve decided to go forward with Mailchimp – i am sure there is a blog post coming up some time soon where you’d tell us how you like your new tool 😀
Oh, probably! 😉
I’m still learning, but doing it more confidently these days. 🙂
Thanks, Diana, for everything. Yes, blogoversary is legit. You’ve never heard of this? I was sure you had…
yes, i’ve heard of it – never pictured it as a legit word. is it actually in a dictionary? i thought it’s like… hm, i don’t know – possimpible 😀 cheers!
If it shows up in Google search and is used by many, it’s a word. Since it seems like it’s been used for YEARS, yes, totally legit. Not sure if it’s in the Oxford English Dictionary, though. 😉
The cool thing with language is that new words and names are being invented daily. Whether they catch on is a whole different ball game. But look how adding an “r” has made Tumblr, Flickr, and Triberr popular. Maybe I should coin the term Blogr or Bloggerr? LOL Or maybe coinr? Or, dare I say, fuckr? Now I’m really LMAO. Am I a laughr??? Good Lord, I’m getting silly now. 🙂
You’d think I was drunk. 😉 (I’m not. Seriously. I wouldn’t be able to type if I was.)
Thanks for the laugh and the good times, Diana. I’m sure someone else will chuckle at this.
…Chucklr?
Okay, I’d better go before I get really stupid. 😀
Happy blogoversery You’re doing it right. Congratulations!
Thanks, JR! 😀
The thing I love about stats is that they give you the validation you need as a blogger. Yes, people are reading your blog! Yes, people are finding your blog! Yes, are subscribing to your blog! And all of those are wonderful feelings for all bloggers alike. Congrats on your blogoversary, and keep up the great work!
Thanks for the badge offer, but I don’ neeeed no steeenkeen’ badges!
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Yes, Gus, stats are a good way to prove that others are really reading my articles. Even though most people come here for the posts displayed in my sidebar that really have nothing to do with me and my blog at all. Other than the fact that I wrote them! LOL
I guess it is good that Google loves me so much, though, because she keeps sending me traffic, and I’m grateful for that. 😀
Some people take an interest in me and my writing, and if I’m ever going to sell books, I will need buyers. However, I need to write those darn things first. 😉
And yeah, I know YOU don’t need a badge. It’s kinda girlie, I’ll admit it, but for a non-graphic artist and non-techie like me, I was pretty happy I was able to make it look so cute. 😀
You were a guy last time I checked. 😉
Happy Anniversary! I’m so happy for you and I wish you even greater success in 2014! Way to go!
Thanks, Jo Ann! I’m so proud of what I have accomplished in one short year. Who knew? 😉
Happy Blogoversary! 🙂
Thanks, Kim! 😀
Congratulations! WooHoo!! You’ve done a fabulous job. I hope you speed down the road to recovery from the surgery. Continued success~
Thanks, M.K.
I’m doing my best! 😀