Photo Blogs and Statistics
I have moved my photo galleries to Smugmug, and I would welcome visits and comments. www.rakmilphotography.com
When I moved my photos to Smugmug from WordPress.com, my statistics appeared to increase a 100 fold, except they didn’t.
I plugged my site into Google Analytics and was immediately overwhelmed. After much filtering and research I discovered that WordPress counts page views and visits while Smugmug counts views of each pictures. Smugmug also counts your un-logged in visits (as would WordPress if you don’t use cookies or use someone else’s browser).
Google Analytics counts everything, country, city, time on page, etc. It compares visits versus views, what browser was used and the language on the browser. There are smart phone apps that simplify Google Analytics.
Some sites send email notices when you are visited, and urge you to visit the most popular posts of the person who visited you. This has the effect of taking early postings and making them ever more popular posts at the exclusion of newer posts. Most people do not know this and just look at those and not the rest of your site. It would be better if they sent out messages containing your latest posts. In other words, most systems have flaws.
While knowing the details of your Web traffic analysis helps businesses target their efforts, what does it mean for people like me with a photo blog?
Having been obsessed with statistics, I had to ask why they mattered to me. The answer I think is that as amateurs, artists, practitioners and professionals we want our efforts to be seen, as much for the under-rated ego boost that results, as for the fact that something we have put our talent and effort into is the lesser for being locked on a disk drive.
Hope this helps!
Very useful – thanks for the research
February 2, 2013 at 07:15
Interestingly, I did it the other way around. I’ve had SmugMug, before my WordPress blog. I started blogging, and embedding SmugMug pictures, as well as links to my gallery. Also publicized to Facebook via WordPress, I just upgraded this year to power account, and I’m still exploring my options, good luck with your transition.
February 2, 2013 at 10:45
Interesting answer as to why stats matter.
February 2, 2013 at 16:01
Thanks. I hope
February 2, 2013 at 16:02
I have thought the same thing about the ‘most popular’ posts message. Cool post. Good luck with your new site.
February 3, 2013 at 17:46
hummm…makes ya’ think…
February 20, 2013 at 08:48
I’ve noticed that I get likes but no views on WordPress. odd.
February 20, 2013 at 09:49
You should mention this in the Support forums, at the very least they will acknowledge there is an issue.
February 20, 2013 at 13:10
thanks for the suggestion
February 20, 2013 at 22:53
Very interesting!
February 22, 2013 at 06:23
I too really dislike the ‘most popular post suggestions’. Not only because it skews the visits to my blog, but also because I receive the same suggestions over and over again…. I visited you new site: it looks good, but I hope you will keep posting here as well!
February 25, 2013 at 10:15
I will post here with links to the new site where, frankly the pictures look better.
February 25, 2013 at 10:18
I started with Smugmug and stay there for my galleries and sales fulfillment. Unless I do not know something, WordPress does not protect pictures whereas Smugmug does. While I choose to display large so people can see, at least you can’t right click and download, can’t protect from screen print though. Didn’t know if you knew this. I love WordPress as it is a friendly community and I love getting to chat about the photos in ways I cannot with Smug. So there’s room to have both!
Oh, the thoughts on the stats are interesting too. I did’t expect to be so concerned about it but find it nice to have a tangible way to know pictures might be enjoyed. A photo is worth nothing if not seen after all!!
March 18, 2013 at 20:00