Data Data Everywhere

Written by on May 12, 2010 · 23 Comments

Matthew

You can get visitor numbers, page views, page views per visit, bounce rates, numbers of ‘likes’, number of subscribers, conversion rates, number of unsubscribers, commissions and sales.

Lost?

The truth is there’s a lot of data out there for you to immerse yourself in. But whilst you’re immersing yourself in it, you’re not focusing what matters. Making your website a business.

“Hold on right there Matthew, I’m not wanting my site to be a business, it’s a charity/fan site/how to/my random thoughts (ego) site, I’m not looking to make money, I have quite enough, thank you”

That’s absolutely fine. But the truth is your site has a purpose doesn’t it?

So, what’s the goal for your site?

You do have goals don’t you? If you don’t, then how do you know if your website is doing what you want it to do?

Sit yourself down and think of some goals for your site. No not just getting more traffic, be specific. What do you want for your site?

If you have your goals already, wicked.

Now, what information do you need to support your goals?

Note here, I’m talking information, not data. You want facts that support your business, not boost your your ego.

For example; If you’re looking at generating a passive income from product sales then you need to know what your conversion rates are; i.e the number of folks visiting your site – how many of them actually buy anything?

Then when you have the metrics you need that support your goals ignore everything else. That’s right ignore!

They are a distraction. For example say you were looking to have an increase of 1200 mailing list subscribers in the next 12 months that’s a little over 3 a day. So, if you were only tracking page views and you were getting 3 conversions per 100 page views (3%) and your page views suddenly doubled. Is this a good thing?

Well it is if your conversions increase to 6, (based on 3%), but it’s not if it stays the same or declines. All that extra traffic and nothing to show for it.

Focus on what matters, focus on getting the right information to support your business.

So, what do you think, what matters for your business?

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23 Responses to “Data Data Everywhere”

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  1. Krish - lifesher says:
    May 12, 2010 at 10:58

    Well explained one matthew.I completely agree with you.Unless we have a goal set for the things we do in our life,we cannot do the necessary work for it and get succeeded with it.Keeping a specific goal helps us to work in that direction rather than working blindly..
    .-= Krish – lifesher´s last blog ..How To Actively Take Control Of Your Success – Steps To Success =-.

    Reply
  2. Matthew Needham says:
    May 12, 2010 at 12:40

    Thanks for the comment Krish. You definitely need to set yourself a goal, and a target to aim for.
    .-= Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Wednesday Wisdom =-.

    Reply
  3. Mo "Mad Dog" Stoneskin says:
    May 12, 2010 at 13:20

    Charities, fan-sites, how t0s, random thoughts, the question I keep asking myself this. Can a humour blogger turn into a business? It is a question I’ve asked time and time again, and so far I don’t have the answer. Well, the answer is probably “yes” but it has hard for me to pinpoint the path to this. I’ve dabbled in this, that and the other. I.e. ads, affiliates and a few other bits and bobs. Would love to chat to you more on this.
    .-= Mo “Mad Dog” Stoneskin´s last blog ..The Fury of the Porcelain Gods =-.

    Reply
  4. Mike Roosa says:
    May 12, 2010 at 14:02

    Matthew,
    I think for me I want to just get page views right now. Of course I want to build a list and sell something, but right now getting views and trying to increase those views each week is a goal I have. With a new site, I think it’s important just to get people there and hopefully someone will talk about you on there blog!
    .-= Mike Roosa´s last blog ..Forum Marketing Ninja Tip #4 – How May I Help You? =-.

    Reply
  5. Jean Sarauer says:
    May 12, 2010 at 14:10

    What matters for me at this stage is finding out what promotional strategies are most effective at bringing in new readers. Where are visitors coming from? How long do visitors from one source stay on the site vs. visitors from another? Paying attention to this is really helping me focus my efforts.
    .-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..When Bad Things Happen to Good Bloggers =-.

    Reply
  6. rob sellen says:
    May 12, 2010 at 14:33

    I don’t think every blog can be a business, I don’t even think alot of people even want to build a business really, seems so many say, “Oh I just do it for fun”… yet as you say, there must be some sort of purpose.

    Those who just blog for the fun of it, their purpose could be as simple as a release for them, something to make them feel better, lighter, etc.

    Maybe their aim should be how to to release more for better results. :)
    .-= rob sellen´s last blog ..Are we bloggers missing readers? =-.

    Reply
    • Matthew Needham says:
      May 12, 2010 at 21:07

      Rob, I disagree with you. Every website is capable of being a business (to some extent) but not every blog owner will want to be a business.

      Take for example Giveabrick.com that’s a charity, but it’s all about generating revenues for the charity.

      But I do agree that for those that have no desire to be a business, then that’s fine too….the blogosphere is big enough.

      Thanks for the comment!
      .-= Matthew Needham´s last blog ..Wednesday Wisdom =-.

      Reply
  7. BrandonBurgh says:
    May 12, 2010 at 15:52

    Matthew,

    Great points. If you are able to double your optins, double your stats of your One Time Offers, and double the number of people who confirm their email, that is an 8 fold increase, just by using the SAME number of visitors to a site. Imagine then, an increase in traffic of double…now you are talking 16X the results. SWEET!

    BrandonBurgh
    .-= BrandonBurgh´s last blog ..Oil Rig Hopping – The FISH are Worth the Money =-.

    Reply
  8. Julius says:
    May 12, 2010 at 20:45

    making people aware of the needs of others is one of our goals in our site. In relation to that, we’d also like to promote to our readers that we can help them make their products fit those needs.

    I like the example you gave. I’ll work to mold it into a technique we can specifically apply.
    .-= Julius´s last blog ..Do Blind People Use a Special Keyboard? =-.

    Reply
  9. Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey says:
    May 12, 2010 at 23:26

    This is so true! Whether your goal is go make passive income off your site or fan site, the fact is you need to know what numbers your producing so you can know what you need to improve. Very helpful information indeed. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  10. Eric says:
    May 13, 2010 at 05:39

    I just wrote down some ideas of goals I have for my blog actually. Just a rough draft to get started with some simple ideas but better than what I had before which was absolutely nothing.

    I agree that it’s important to make sure you’re getting the right information and following it closely because that way you know where you are and can go even further in time.

    Great article Matthew! :)
    .-= Eric´s last blog ..Having No Money Can Make All The Difference =-.

    Reply
  11. Matthew Needham says:
    May 13, 2010 at 13:10

    That’s brilliant news Eric! Starting by setting your goals is the first step to success.

    Now the hard work is making them happen!

    Good luck my friend!
    .-= Matthew Needham´s last blog ..How to write your ebook (part 3) =-.

    Reply

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