2012 Blog Traffic Report

I must admit that this type of analyzing of my blog scares the crap out of me. Linking up and comparing myself to others, though, makes me want to crawl in the corner and cry. So, I'm jumping out there, listing this for all to see, linking up to others, and while I will read the others and look for clues on what to do in 2013, I will NOT compare myself. I know how to write, I take my time and think, think, think (sometimes to my detriment) about what I will write before I hit publish on a post. I overanalyze my pictures, graphics, layout, design, fonts, symbols, post titles, categories, tags, SEO keywords, paragraph alignment…(see what I mean by my detriment)…and I have fallen behind on way too many opportunities. I have apologized at times to my readers, my sponsors, my leaders, and (most importantly) my family, for the time spent on my blog or time spent wasting time on Facebook or rearranging my blogging calendar. I will do better in 2013, whatever that means, but for now, here it is… Be gentle!

Top 10 Referring Sites

1. Facebook – 5,194 visits
2. Twitter – 3,566 visits
3. Online Sweepstakes – 2,255 visits
4. Google.com – 1,999 visits
5. Planet Weidknecht – 1,706 visits
6. MamaNYC – 1,480 visits
7. Contest Chest – 1,208 visits
8. Simply Stacie – 1,059 visits
9. Bloggers.com – 905 visits (this one shocked me!)
10. Formula Mom – 888 visits

Top 10 Referring Blogs

1. Planet Weidknecht – 1,706 visits
2. MamaNYC – 1,480 visits
3. Simply Stacie – 1,059 visits
4. Formula Mom – 888 visits
5. Tales from the Nursery – 835 visits
6. Mom with a Dot Com – 570 visits
7. Practical Frugality – 515 visits
8. Still Blonde After all these YEARS – 475 visits
9. WIC Project – 467 visits
10. How Was Your Day – 450 visits

I am so happy to see some awesome blogs (and great friends) on this list. I can probably attribute most of this to giveaway hops, but I still love my friends for sending their readers my way!

Top 10 Most Viewed {non-giveaway} Posts

1. (#1) Rise of the Guardians Review – 1672 pageviews
2. (#8) Santa Paws 2 Review – 737 pageviews
3. (#13) SeatPets Review – 688 pageviews
4. (#32) My Family Story – 510 pageviews
5. (#76) WOMinfo Media Kit Review – 303 pageviews
6. (#85) Twinkle Toes Review – 270 pageviews
7. (#89) Dapper Snappers Review – 244 pageviews
8. (#95) King’s Bread Pudding Recipe – 222 pageviews
9. (#101) St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt Review – 211 pageviews
10. (#102) Secret of the Wings Toys Review – 201 pageviews

I cheated a little here, as you can tell, because my high pageviews come from giveaways and giveaway hops. While I'm not completely against reviews and giveaways, you will see a drastic drop in giveaways on my blog and much more about my family, with a few reviews mixed in during 2013.

Top 10 Keywords

1. seatpets: 246 visits
2. avengers toys: 202 visits
3. target prize egg winner: 193 visits
4. jack frost: 142 visits
5. low entry giveaways: 137 visits
6. going crazy wanna go: 105 visits
7. santa’s workshop: 94 visits
8. rise of the guardian coloring pages: 90 visits
9. prize egg winner target: 74 visits
10. pitch rise of the guardians: 55 visits

I had 14,443 visits from Search traffic in 2012 and that number makes me proud. My goal for 2013 is to have more searches for "family fun" and "humor" type search terms. I would also love to post more about safety topics and get search traffic from those.

I'm still working on my goals (not resolutions) for 2013, but laying all of this out really puts some things in perspective for me. This will help fine-tune my goals. Number One will always be to spend more quality time with my family, but incorporating that into some great blog posts that will also enhance my readers' families will totally warm my heart! <3

I am linked up with Simply Stacie (via Blogging with Simply Stacie) and also found the linky list at Sunshine and Sippy Cups.

What would you like to see on GCWG this year?!!