HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Here’s a quick look at the state of the blog this past year!
#1: I started my own affordable web & blog design business. My goal for 2012 is to a) grow it & b) get my name out to local Maine Businesses who want an affordable site for their business.
all stats are according to Google AnalyticsFrom Jan. 1, 2011-Dec. 31, 2011 creativekristi.com has had:
- 73,384 visitors {54,895 have been unique visitors}
- 145,591 pageviews
- 64,585 visitors from the United States, 2,879 from Canada, 836-United Kingdom, 805-Australia, 373-Germany, 207-Brazil & at least 100+ visits from the following countries: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Philippines, Russia, India, Turkey, Spain, Malaysia, France & Mexico. {wow!}
- 28,149 people visited using Internet Explorer {Please download firefox from mozilla.com ! It’s a much better, fun-er browsing experience!
Pinky promise!}, 20,263 visitors were already using Firefox. Then there were large numbers using Safari, Chrome, Android, etc. - 4,980 visits came from a mobile device! woot! {the iPad won that one by a landslide, followed by the iPhone-you guys love you some apple huh?}
- The highest keyword search {besides people just searching for ‘creative kristi’} was “oreo cake balls” (click to go to that post), followed by “dr. seuss baby shower“. Surprising to me was that “painting laminate countertops” fell to #7 this year.
- 50.49% of all of my traffic came from referrals!! Aww Spread Bloggy Love!! Top referrers: PrettyHandygirl.com {2,554}, theinspiredroom.net {2,501}, thenester.com {2,454}, pinterest.com {2,233}, theletteredcottage.net {1,349}.
- 687 readers subscribe through feedburner {join us if you haven’t already!}
- 334 Google Friend Connect ‘followers’
NOW:
How about getting to sign up to improve YOUR blog for FREE this month? The 2nd round of Creative Kristi Classes is about to start! This time we are doing the sign up a little differently. I’m using rafflecopter and giving you different ways to ‘enter’ There are 10 spots only. rafflecopter will take all of the entries, double check them for me and then pick 10 randomly.
January 2012 class is about:
- How to Start a Blog
- How to write a post
- Basic HTML
- How to create a Fun Header & button
- Basic Blog Etiquette
- Best Blogging Resources
- Where to Find Linky Parties to get your name out there
- The beauty of Twitter
- Basic Monetization (Ca-CHING baby!)
- Feedburner set-up & optimization
- Google analytics/adwords set-up/optimization
- WordPress self-hosted versus Blogger–should you switch?
I know that seems like a lot to cover but we will! This is the crash course in how to create a blog, get your name out there, look professional from the get-go & where to learn more about blogging.
cool?
Ok go enter below!
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Tell Me with a comment: what are your 2012 Bloggy goals?
Have a happy day,
If you like what you just read please Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!
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I have a blog up, but all I can do is post a picture and some stuff about it. It doesn’t look amazing like yours and I so want to know how to share all my garden, craft and decorating ideas with people. I have lots of projects photographed and tons of info on gardening. I’m a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and Habitat Steward so I have the information at my disposal to share. I’d love to take your class and get my blog off it’s a**!
Stephanie
I want to update my overal navigation experience with some static pages full of great information (for new readers especially). **crossing my fingers for the win!!**
Jen from insideways recently posted..Reflecting on 2011
Jen make sure you enter using the rafflecopter box at the bottom of the post then! I realized you hadn’t yet!
Wow thanks Kristi!!! Done
Jen from insideways recently posted..Reflecting on 2011
Honestly, I’d like my stats to look more like yours. Mine were dismal and I want more traffic And for people to stick around after reading the post they googled for. Good luck with your goals for 2012 m
Pru, If you wanted to enter the giveaway-make sure you do so by entering in the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of the post
Good luck with your 2012 goals and if it makes you feel better it took me 3+ years to get those kinds of numbers 
To get people to stick around make sure you link to other posts that might interest them within the post (I did it 6 times in the post above) That also helps your SEO which might boost your stats as well 
I want to start blog this year. It has been on my bucket list and this giveaway came at the right time. I can’t wait to get going on a homeschool blog! Super excited to learn new things and make this a successful year for my family!
I would love to win a place in the class. My blog goals are to grow my readers & explore different ways to make income from my blog
Stacy recently posted..Happy New Year-My Very First Vlog!
Stacy-make sure you enter in the rafflecopter box at the bottom of the post then! I noticed you hadn’t entered that way yet!
Oh, man – what are my bloggy goals? I have a bunch – I guess because I’m so new! I want to of course increase readership and traffic, I have a list of great posts in the works that I want to work through, I’m lined up to do a couple of guest posts and I’d like to do several more next year, definitely want to continue to improve the overall appearance and functionality of my blog, would like to go to a conference (or three! haha) and I’d like to make some bloggy buddies for mutual encouragement and accountability! Well, that’s PART of the list of course! Here’s to a great 2012!
Rhonda @ Abide at Home recently posted..I love being a Mama! Insufficient – who says!!?
I jumped into the whole wonderful world of blogging just today! The blog I created today was more as an experiment, so I can get my feet wet, and will be a personal account of my journey back to wellness.
My ultimate goal is to craft a comprehensive blog for my farmers market garden business that will be a destination for local growing advice, and inspiration for my friends and customers.
I’m so excited! And I will be thrilled if I win, because it will vastly shorten the learning curve – I need that crash course if I want to get my garden blog up and running before the market starts in the spring!
Heather-Lin Brannon recently posted..Where it all began…
I hope to share more on my family blog and perhaps make it a bit, ok a lot, more professional looking! Maybe even monetize?!?!
I follow you on all of the above, but I’m not sure I have entered?? Help please.
Debbie
Debbie recently posted..Did you know,
Debbie, there is a grey box directly under the giant words “Enter Here” up there in the post. It offers you to sign in with facebook or use your name/url. Do that and then you will be able to get more options to enter as well.
This is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for! I’ve had a blog for close to 2 years, but I haven’t done much with it. I’m a writer & spokesperson, but I just need to be tech savvy. You addressed all my goals for learning about blogging in your talking points.
Andi, make sure you enter to win a spot in the classes then! Up there in the post under the my signature are the words “Enter Below:” and right below that is a grey square box. Use that to enter.
Okay…NOW, I have entered! Thanks, Kristi!
Andi recently posted..Sweaty Moms Running Club: Join the Revolution!
I would love to take my blog to the next level-1) more subscribers (finding ways to make it easier for people to follow and how I can create buttons for my blog and so I can share friends’ buttons); 2) connection with other bloggers (via links, bloghops, etc.) and 3) seeking advice from those who have gone before me on do’s and don’ts would be SUPER helpful! Thanks for inspiring me to work on my blogging goals for 2012-really helps to see them in writing!
Sherry-I usually make goals in 3 month time frames and revisit them then. I find if I make broad yearly goals for my blog then I need to break it down so I know how to measure it. I think your goals are like most bloggers
Enter the giveaway for spots in the class if you’d like! Just use the rafflecopter grey box in the very bottom of the post!
So, this must be a sign because one of my bloggy goals this year is to expand my blogging knowledge and get a custom design! And I was totally looking at your design site this morning! I found this giveaway via twitter, and I couldnt believe what I was seeing! I will be definitely contacting you shortly for some design work
Lauren recently posted..Genevieve Gorder’s New Rug Line
Lauren, thanks for the comment! I’m currently re-designing my blog design site so it will look totally different in a week or so! YAY! I think your goals are good ones & totally do-able! I look forward to your sign up form
Happy New Year!
Our blog stats are so similar!! My goal for 2012 is not to compare myself to other blogs! It is easy to feel small & insignificant next to the huge home blogs but when you focus on the numbers and think “holy cow, that many people read what I have to say???” it really blows me away. Congrats to you – you are a self-made success and I have no doubt you will complete your goals. My other goal is to plan more posts ahead of time.
Erin @ Two Story Cottage recently posted..Christmas 2011 Recap
Oh Erin, my goal is to always plan, write & schedule posts at least 2 days in advance…but yeah it doesn’t happen! and I am most certainly not a self-made success! I get lots of help & links! It’s all about spreading the love!
Let me know if you want to collaborate on a series or something some time!! Happy New Year friend! xo
I do not have a blogg but have really a been thinking that I would love to start one. Inspire and motivate others as well as myself. So if you would enter my name, thank you.
Shelley, make sure you enter the giveaway using the grey box at the very bottom of the post (it’s under the giant words “Enter below”) then!
I am so excited for a chance to win a spot in your class! My sister and I just started our blog in September, and we are still trying to figure it all out
My goals for 2012 are to have a more consistent posting schedule, network with other blogs of our size, submit more projects for features, and start making a little money (to fund future projects!) Thanks for giving us this opportunity to learn from you 
Holly @ My Sister’s Suitcase recently posted..Winter Tablescape {and Toilet Paper Snowflake tutorial}
I have been blogging all year and have just learned in December that it can be a viable way to grow my business. I run the Kraaft Shaak in my small town and we allow the public to come in and craft using our tools and supplies (or bring your own) and pay a flat fee to use the space and so on. We als offer classes and products for sale.
My issue has been not know what or HOW to do anything beneficial to grow the readership or popularity.
My goals this year are simple. Increase Traffic. But I think I need VALID content first! LOL I am looking forward to learning if I win and super excited to learn from you as I have subsrcibed now. Thnaks for the offer for these classes, it gives HOPE!
As a freshman blogger I have so much to learn! I hope by this time next year I will have much more knowledge about HTML, organizing and editing photos, WordPress, and blogging in general. Of course I’d love to increase readers. After years of entering blog give-a-ways, I’ve never won. Hopefully my time has come, as I could definitely use this. Thanks for doing it!
Fyi, I have been checking out your blog since October’s 31days on an rss feed. I am in Kenya. So, another country to add to your list for 2011
. I have enjoyed your creativity!
lynn Pottenger recently posted..Finished Nativity sets & kids’ Christmas
Lynn, Thanks for subscribing to my blog! I saw Kenya on the list but only listed the first few that had over 100 visitors this past year!
Get your friends to read and maybe I’ll be up over 100 from Kenya next year 
(hey there’s a new goal for me! Kenya!) I’m also looking for a reader from Antarctica so I can say I’ve been read on all 7 continents LOL Thanks for the comment! I hope you have a wonderful 2012!
Considering that I live in the absolute middle of nowhere and most of my friends live in huts without electricity or running water, I don’t think you will get many more from here. All the same, it has been fun reading your blog and I have shared with a couple of my missionary teammates. So, a few from Kenya, but maybe not the 100 you want.
Antarctica is ambitious considering no one really lives there – only visiting scientists for a season or two. Good luck with that one!
Make a friend of one of the scientists though, and you got it made.
lynn Pottenger recently posted..Finished Nativity sets & kids’ Christmas
haha Well then I guess you have to visit 100 times
(Just kidding!) I’m thinking a scientist that is going to Antarctica probably wouldn’t get much out of my blog but it’s good to aim high right?! LOL
I just launched my blog yesterday (Jan 1)! All I can do in a few words and hit publish. I have no idea how to to the behind-the-scenes stuff. My blog plans for 2012 are to become a consistant blogger, learn the html stuff and build a following. Ultimatly, I’d like to start making an income from my blog. Your class sounds perfect!
Yay!! I’m glad you are already trying to learn! Make sure you enter by using the grey box directly below the large words “Enter below” which is at the very bottom of the post!
I would LOVE for my stats to look like yours in 2012, that would double what I have now
I’m a new blogger (about 2 months) and would love the opportunity to participate in the class! I started blogging to inspire more creativity in my life. A couple of my goals for 2012 is to expand my photography skills and improve my writing skills. Your class sounds perfect!
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Been a long time “family blogger”, but started a new one for my adventures in making our house our home. Just signed up for the Haven conference as well! So excited, would love the class. My goals for the blog: get all social media connected, get analytics going and growing, and post several times a week.
Sara-make sure you enter the giveaway by using the Large Grey Rafflecopter box at the very bottom of the post
Would love to have you in the class-I think your goals are very achievable!
Oh my! I am so anxious! I hope I win (man, that sounds awfully self-serving!!) haha! I just had to come back by to see when the cut off was!
::keeping fingers crossed::
Rhonda @ Abide at Home recently posted..Late night humor-Tragedy among Shakespearean Snowpeople
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