Is adding this value added feature feasible?

  • Unknown's avatar
    barryb64 · Member ·

    I could use some technical feedback about adding my own daily devotionals to my blog. By technical, I am referring to site traffic and page ranking. On Inspiration Point (http://inspiration-point.org) I already have a “Verse of the day and know this is not the same thing.

    I’m not sure if it is adding value to my site, though. A devotional is a Scripture + the person’s thoughts on it. The more I give thoughts to a daily posting of it, the more I’m liking the possibility. I could use some objective feedback here. Would something like this improve my site visibility? If so, how much improvement can I expect? Would it be better to get something automated or self written?

    One main reason for this idea is the difficulty in posting something daily. The stuff I’m writing doesn’t seem to come in a format that I can quickly do a write up. My thought is a daily devotional would be more doable. Hence the need for comments. Thanks in advance!

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • Unknown's avatar
    absurdoldbird · Member ·

    Do a search on the forum (and in Google) for SEO, that’s Search Engine Optimization. And also, if you want more traffic to your blog, read this:

    http://en.support.wordpress.com/getting-more-site-traffic/

    I’d suggest you also look for Timethief’s posts here in the forum as she’s an expert on SEO and such.

    I’m sorry if this doesn’t quite answer your question in the way you’d wanted, but it’s a start.

  • Unknown's avatar
    timethief · Member ·

    @barryb64
    I don’t believe that widgets like the one you point to increase blog traffic. I have yet to locate any widget that does. IMHO your blog is in a HUGE niche that’s based on sharing scripture that’s readily available to all. I believe that to attract Christian readers to your blog you need to have content that’s original and unique from all other content in that niche and that will be a supreme challenge given the number of Christian blogs there are.

    Here are 25 basic steps to take to increase traffic to any blog:
    1. Structure a reader and search engine blog;
    2. In blogging content is king create unique, high quality content so publish fresh content frequently;
    3. Learn basic SEO so you can use keywords effectively and apply basic SEO to your headlines, blog and posts;
    Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the “natural” or un-paid (“organic” or “algorithmic”) search results.
    4. Make your blog posts look professional;
    5. Create at least 4-6 pillar posts and continue to create pillar posts;
    Pillar posts are also referred to as flagship content. Pillar posts are comprehensive posts that offer great value to readers as the contents are timeless in nature. They define you as having authority in the niche you blog in.
    6. Select and link to appropriate anchor text;
    7. Leave meaningful comments on related blogs and encourage comments on your own blog;
    8. Develop relationships with other bloggers so you can build a blog readers’ community around your own blog;
    9. Support the blog centered communities on related blogs by commenting on them and promoting posts from them;
    10. Link to authoritative sources in your posts;
    11. Deep link to your earlier related posts in your new posts;
    12. Assign appropriate categories and tag your posts with care;
    13. Link to related authoritative blogs in your blogroll;
    14. Provide RSS feeds for subscribers;
    RSS (Rich Site Summary or really simple syndication) is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. Many news-related sites, weblogs and other online publishers syndicate their content as an RSS Feed to whoever wants it.
    15. Having a well designed theme is important, evaluate your theme for effectiveness, and if required, create a new header, make improvements or replace your theme and reduce page loading time;
    16. Avoid cluttering your blog with widgets that lack reader value and slow page loading time;
    17. Buy your own domain and domain mapping;
    18. Verify your blog with the three big search engines.
    19. Get organized, use an online to do list by developing a blogging workflow;
    20. Join social networks and social media sites like Facebook and use Twitter, Friendfeed and other Free RSS directories to promote your blog posts;
    21. Promote your blog through social networks, online groups, and selected directories;
    22. Develop a social media time management strategy and stick to it;
    23. Submit your latest pillar article to a blog carnival;
    24. Become a guest blogger on sites with higher page rank than your own site.
    25. Create newsletters and/or ebooks for your subscribers.

    Note there are tutorial posts in my blog that support learning how-to do the foregoing.

  • Unknown's avatar
    barryb64 · Member ·

    Thanks for the set of tips, timethief. I take it that my current set of blog posts would be considered “pillar” posts. The devotional posts would be good for daily traffic draws. I just need to remember to just make a quick short comment on the Scripture and not a long post. :)

    So, my RSS feed widget is the equivalent of adding spice and it doesn’t help with site traffic. Ok.

    You are quite right. It is a challenge to come up with unique content.

  • Unknown's avatar
    timethief · Member ·

    Hi Barry,

    So, my RSS feed widget is the equivalent of adding spice and it doesn’t help with site traffic.

    I wouldn’t remove it but I also wouldn’t expect it to result in much traffic.

  • Unknown's avatar
    barryb64 · Member ·

    Hi timethief,

    Just thought I’d give an update. I’ve gone a head with the devotional idea. Thought it would take a lot time. It turns out to be something I can do, quickly. I was able to quickly bang off three such posts.

    I am still able to focus on my “pillar” post and can relax a bit. In fact, I am working on a new one now.

    Using the list above and what I felt inside, I’ve gone and wrote my own thoughts for the devotionals. I will have to come back here and review the list above. Yes, I know there is an article for each one. :)

    Since I was using a cooking metaphor earlier, I guess you can call my “short” posts the vegetable and the pillar, the meat. The widget simply give the site its flavor.

    Love to hear your cooking metaphors for blogging. :)

  • Unknown's avatar
    auxclass · Member ·

    So, my RSS feed widget is the equivalent of adding spice and it doesn’t help with site traffic.

    It helps with traffic on my site – when I have a new article visits from the RSS feed start showing up within an hour

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