Admit it. As a blogger, we are statistic junkies. Why else would they make it so easy to look at all the juicy details of who’s visiting and what posts are most popular? Here’s a little bit of my blogging statistics for 2012.
Top Posts of 2012:
- Making Honey Oatmeal Goat Milk Soap with 4581 views.
- How Do You Tell if Your Goat is Bred? with 3393 views.
- Goat Teeth with 2527 views.
- Goat Info. with 1999 views. Granted, it’s a page not a post, but still…
- A Couple of Goat Pregnancy Notes with 1738 views.
- Farm with 1248 views. It’s another page, and with that many hits, I should update it.
- Anemic Goats with 1225 views
- Stages of Goat Pregnancy with 1225 views.
- Record Keeping for Goats with 1219 views
- About with 868 views. Goodness, do that many people really care about who’s writing this blog?
Number of Hits:
As I prepare this post, I’ve had a total of 195,481 hits on my blog since I started it July 13, 2010.
This has been a great year of growth for my blog. I hope to see it continue growing in the coming year.
Views per month:
- January: 7870
- February: 8452
- March: 10,131
- April: 9907
- May: 10163
- June: 9790
- July: 10,223
- August: 11,037
- September: 10,086
- October: 10,851
- November: 10,630
- December: 10,713 (estimated)
About half of my blog hits come from search engines. The rest come from my loyal friends and followers and the memes that I link to.
Referring Sites:
The top 5 referring sites, not including search engines or e-mail or hosting sites are:
- Homestead Revival. They are one of the hosts for the Homestead Barn Hop.
- A Goat’s View of Eden Hills. This is my goat Millie’s blog.
- The Prairie Homestead. They are another host of the Homestead Barn Hop.
- Window on the Prairie. This is a great farm blog from Kansas, and Suzanne and her husband are excellent photographers.
- Jenny Matlock. Jenny hosts Alphabe-Thursday.
I’d like to give a great big thank you to these sites.
Search Terms:
I sometimes get a chuckle out of the search terms that bring people to my blog. There are times I’m sure people are really surprised when they find a farm/goat blog because I know it’s not what they were looking for… Am I really the only person to post pictures of a mucus plug?
Top 5 Exact Terms:
- Goat Teeth with 400 (Add goats teeth and you get 579)
- Eden Hills with 206 (with Eden Hills blog/farm it is 400)
- Hamburger Potato Soup with 178
- Gumbo with 162
- Nikon D3100 with 157
If you look at clusters of search terms it really gets clear what kind of posts bring me the most hits.
- Other Goat Terms: 1613 This includes those goat teeth terms and 210 hits on goat wattles, and I dont’ know how anyone got to my blog with “ugly goat” but a few did. Other topics of interest include anemia, physical therapy, slings, udders…
- Goat Pregnancy: 1416
- Soap Recipes (most for Honey Oatmeal Goats Milk Soap): 1096 This includes soap recipes without lye (137), which just isn’t going to happen.
Snickers
I think the biggest thing I take from this is that people find my blog looking for goat information. I would say I also get a lot of Facebook friends who want to ask advice and a lot of e-mails asking for advice. I will tell you right here, my first answer is usually to consult a vet because I am not a vet and only have the experiences with my goats and the research I’ve done to help me out. It’s scary to hear how many people are without a vet close to them though. I do always answer these questions, but I’m not sure how much help I really am.
Now to the Question.
I’ve noticed recently that even though my views are holding steady or growing, I’ve not had as many comments. I guess the best way to fix that is to ask what you like to see here. What do you want to see more of in the coming year? While I will always stay faithful to my farm and vision for the future, do you like the how-to posts or the cute animal pictures? Do you want more crafts or more serious farm topics? Is goat health a priority or just for fun kinds of topics? Do you want more recipes or photography even marginally related to the farm?
Linking to Macro Monday, Mosaic Monday, Sunday Snapshot, and Homestead Barn Hop.
Teresa
Eden Hills 
(fyi, sometimes the snow falling gives me trouble in getting a comment box to load)
i can only give you my personal opinion. i don’t do recipes but know lots of folks love ’em. i don’t raise goats, but enjoy learning a few things when you post about them. i have a hard time with animals being dressed up – don’t care if its goats or dogs or whatever. that’s just me. 🙂 and i love photos – especially farm photos.
i do hope your blog continues to grow with larger and larger following!
I always love the input. It’s easy to see what search items get people here, but it’s nice to hear from the ones who actually take the time to comment.
I always find something interesting in your posts, Teresa. I love the photos of the goats and other animals most of all, though – especially with your sweet narrative.
Thanks. You’re very kind.
Wow, you and your blog are doing very well. Congrats! I just love coming here to see your goats, they look like fun critters. Keep up the great work, I am happy to come and visit. I wish you all the best in 2013, Happy New Years!
Thanks. I love sharing the goats with everyone because they are so much fun!
This was fun! I am a statistics junkie too…it’s so much fun to see where people are referred from, and what they’ve tried to look up and ended up with my blog. I enjoy the variety of things that you post, and I usually read every day. Sometimes I don’t comment when I’m really busy (like lately) but it’s not because I’m not enjoying the content. 🙂
Glad to hear. I know how hard it is to get around to visiting blogs.
Well, I like ALL of your posts! I really like the diversity, keeps things interesting. I have learned about goat health, enjoyed the cute pictures and have picked up some amazing recipes!
I say, Keep On Keeping On!! 🙂
Thanks. I try to get some variety because I don’t want it to get boring, but I also know that means sometimes I’ll have posts that aren’t as interesting to some.
I agree with Candy. I don’t currently have goats but want to some day. I love every post. I might not leave a comment, but trust me, I share it with my hubby every evening.
That’s nice to hear. I resisted goats for a long time, and I can’t imagine living without them anymore. 🙂
I agree with Candy! Perfect the way it is. 🙂
Thanks. You are too sweet!
By the way, I love that shot of the ladybug on the candy cane. I bet he was in sugar heaven!
I’m going to have obese diabetic ladybugs. 🙂 They really like hanging around where we spill wine too. 🙂
I love all of your content. I think for me it depends on the time of the year or the time of day when I read your blogs. If it is around a holiday or late at night I’m not as likely to respond. I do read every sentence of every blog and enjoy all of your pictures. Just share your journey!
Glad to hear that. I hate to go with the information from the search engines only. I like to know what my loyal readers want more of too. 🙂
I enjoy seeing the goat mosaics that you do. As I don’t raise goats or know anyone who does, you’re a unique blog in my experience. You’ve got some great numbers there! I’d not worry too much about comments in light of them.
It’s not as much worried about the comments as wondering what my loyal readers enjoy. I don’t think I’d want to do all serious goat health posts, but that is what really draws hits in the search engines.
We have a lot in common so I enjoy all of your posts. But to be more specific I really like posts about goat health and other herd management type of posts. Eg. I really enjoyed the post about Joe’s feet (is that weird? :D) and I really appreciate you keeping us up to date on health issues that come up in the herd be it internal parasites, mastitis, etc. because I like to learn from the experience of others and these are things I’ve either faced as well or might in the future and like to know how others have dealt with them. I really liked the posts from the market you did this summer too. I really like your recipes (and the posts about making wine, don’t forget to update us on that mead!) because you aren’t a frou-frou cook and I usually have the ingredients in my cupboard! And lastly I really enjoy soap related posts! Please keep us updated on your soapy creations. If I really had to think of a suggestion for future posts (here’s my nerdy side coming out) maybe you or Myson or Millie can do goat profiles. I really like to know who’s related to who and I absolutely nerd right out when I see a photo and don’t recognize or know a lot about a goat in the background. I know they probably aren’t as friendly as the ones that are usually featured, but the nerd in me really wants to know! 😉
Love this response. I really do hope that my experiences and lessons learned the hard way can help others before they get in that situation. I never know how much to talk about individual animals or the choices in breeding and how far apart they are related. I actually have genealogies on all the goats clear back to their ancestors that came to the farm. 🙂
I love stats! I want to do a post with my most popular posts, too! I think your content is good! I find I get more comments when I ask a question at the end of my posts! Just like you did! heehee! Happy new year!
Thanks. I do hope you have a wonderful 2013!
I tend to not comment just because that’s how I am. I enjoy seeing how you live, and how the midwest operates. I found the corn fascinating, and always enjoy the goats. I enjoy anything farm related, particularly small farm, as it relates to our own operation. I am not a cook, so I ususally don’t pay too much attention to your recipes, but I am sure many others enjoy them. My opinion, should you like to know, Is pretty much keep up what you have been doing, it seems nicely balanced and I always enjoy your posts.
Thanks. It is nice to hear I’m doing okay. 🙂
love your photos and reading your blog is always fun!! Happy New Year!
Thanks. I hope 2013 is a great year for you as well!
Interesting stats, I rarely pay attention to mine, but guess I should look more often. I have learned more about goats from reading your blog, although some of it is over my head but I do love looking at their cute faces and antics.
Everyone comes away with something different from each blog – often, as in my case I don’t have time to comment.
I do understand about the lack of time to comment. I do try to put lots of pictures up so people can at least enjoy them if they don’t want to take the time to read. 🙂
I rarely visit my stats pages, interesting reading about yours. Btw, I love your last photo. Wishing you a Happy New Year.
Glad you stopped by. I admit, I’m a statics junky in other areas as well. It might be a sign of something, but I’m not sure what. 🙂
I live in a city and have 1 cat, so we have really nothing in common, but I read your blog every day, and Millie’s, because it is so interesting to see how farm life really works. I love your animals and the fact that I know their names (my favorite is MJ). I have made a few of your recipes. You always have a variety of posts so I think most people are happy. I say….just keep on doing what you’re doing. It’s just a slump with the comments and they will come back.
Thanks. I do adore my MJ too. He’s such a gentle giant. 🙂
oh my goodness, that’s almost 200,000 more hits than my blog in half the time! YoWsA! LoL! =) You go girl!
Very cool pics & I love the shots of Snickers & the Cardinal =)
It really is people looking for goat information and soap recipes. 🙂
Stella! I love Pyrs.
Actually, I think you cover a nice balance of subjects on your blog. I really enjoy visiting each day.
Thanks. Stella is a hard one. She’s never far enough away for me to take her picture. 🙂
For me, I enjoy reading everything you post. In fact, I’ve read each and every post-even though I haven’t commented on many. I’ll tell you, this past year, your blog has been a bright spot of normal in my home, no matter what you’ve written. What I really love though, are the goat health posts. I love how in depth you are willing to go to a. make an informed post, and b. to make sure your goats are healthy. The goat poo post was awesome!
Of course, I love your recipe posts too, and have tried quite a few of them! I *still* go back to your mozzarella post for reference.
So, from my point of view, I’m great with more of the same, for posts, or what ever you want to share. 🙂
Thanks. It’s nice to hear that people do enjoy it. I never know if I’m doing too much of one thing.
I generally enjoy anything you post Teresa — living on a farm as you do, but with not so many goats (none actually!) I find I appreciate the photos of the goats of course and of your cattle. I wouldn’t worry too much about the comment numbers this time of year — mine have dropped dramatically, but I suspect that because I don’t host the memes any more.
You have a great blog and I’m so glad to have met you here. 🙂
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Thanks. I do value your opinion as someone who has such an awesome blog. I hope 2013 is very kind to you!
Happy New Year Teresa! I love the photos of your animals the most, but I always enjoy visiting your blog.
Thanks so much. I hope you have a great new year!
Wow! You have had a great year.
I love stopping by to check out your latest cute animal photos. 🙂
Thanks. It has been a good blogging year. I try to make some of my posts informative to help other goat owners.
For the coming year, I would like more goat health, esp care of pregnant doe, emergency how to treat, what to feed, anemia in goats. Always cute animal pics, loved the New Year hats!
Crafts.
Thanks, Tracy
Thanks for this input. I’ll see what I can do. 🙂
Hi Teresa, i’m one of your silent blog stalkers! 🙂 I have your blog favorited into a home made web page with about 50 other farm blogs I visit regularly. I don’t think there’s any post here that I haven’t learned something from, or that hasn’t brought a smile to my face from the photos. My reason for not commenting is two fold. One, the format when i’m reading the blog doesn’t show the comments and I don’t usually think about them. I had to return to the top of the blog entry and click on the comments link to get here. Secondly, since I follow so many blogs I wouldn’t ever know when to return to a previous comment to see any replies or comments that came from it.
Why am I here? I’m hoping to have my own little farm in the next 3-5 years so I’m trying to learn as much as I can, really embed myself in all the possible wonders and troubles that i’ll be putting myself in front of when i make that jump. Nothing beats first hand experience but that experience can be a little less daunting if there’s at least a little bit of foresight thrown in.
I hope you have a new year just as beautiful as you are and I look forward to continuing to learn from your wonderful blog here!
–Allen Castle
Nice to hear from you! I’m glad you are able to take away useful information. 🙂
I am thinking that I have left comments in the past, and shall continue to do so in the future, as best that is possible. Sometimes, I do run late. I enjoy leaving and receiving comments…it gives great support and encouragement. Love the goats, love Snickers, Happy New Year~
Thanks. I love when I get to interact with my readers!
I’ve been noticing less comments as well, but I blame in the fact that I haven’t been as good at returning comments from others the past several months. I’m one of those people who’s closest farm animal vet is 35 miles away and they don’t have a clinic–just do barn calls and only a few days a week in our area. I’ll be one of those people who is googling in case of an emergancy! It was really interesting seeing a breakdown of your stats. Though I don’t have that many of them on my blog, recipes and how to posts consistantly do bring traffic from search engines. As for me, my favorite posts are simply photos…though I do think you have a good mix of things.
Thanks. I’m not a vet, but after nine years, I might be able to help you out if you ever have a question. 🙂