More on trying to analyze stats.
After further investigation, I’ve discovered that the internal linking at Entrecard is what is confusing my cPanel as well as Google Analytics.
Here’s what I found.
The link showing advertising (both cPanel and GA) is http://entrecard.s3.amazonaws.com/adspot/xxxx where xxxx is a variable that I’ve not yet deciphered. I say that because on one day, I drilled down to find icon “xxxx=a” and then on another day I drilled down and found icon “xxxx=b”… neither of which were directly related to where the recorded click total could be matched.
In simple English that means I haven’t yet found a way to reliably verify traffic sent my way from Entrecard at the individual site level.
So what’s a gal to do when she really wants to spend her EC wisely?
Since I run four different blogs in four different categories with at least three completely different goals, I’m setting individual strategies.
The two blogs which are specifically business, Success Notes (Book Category) and Ask Me Why… Work From Home (Internet Marketing) are designed to feed each other. My ultimate goal is to earn Preferred Customers and Associates in my BookWise business.
That means I”ll advertise on sites that speak to audiences who are likely to be interested in my business.
For Shari’s Gone Country (Personal Diary), I’ll advertise mostly with “friends” or people with whom I establish a relationship. I’m not sure yet what criteria I’ll use… message delivered by blog, comment levels, shared interests, etc.
My Fantasy Golf (Sports) blog is kind of a no-brainer. I’ll advertise that amongst the sports blogs first, and then amongst friends who have an interest in sports. Finding others who love golf would be a plus.
As you can see, some returns I’ll measure based on “social aspects”. Others I’ll based on pure traffic with a nod (when I can identify it) to specific visitor actions.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I just use the internal stat tracking from entrecard.