Getting a Little Discouraged - Honest Feedback Requested | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

Don't get too discouraged. Maybe send some email to other people in similar situation and compare some numbers. You'll find that most new sites take a while to build traffic. Keep working at it. 

It took about 8 months for us to get rid of PR0 and most people that started last year were in the same boat. I would have lovea a PR1 after 2 months of blogging.

It takes a long time so give it some more. It took me almost a year before I got any real amount of subscribers and any decent advertising and commenting. Just stick with it and it will pay off. I think you are doing great already btw.

I want to thank all of you for your feedback!  I knew I was on the right track but had no idea where I should be currently.

I started The Frugal Toad as a way to combine two of my passions, Teaching and Personal Finance.  I am really having fun and enjoy interacting with you guys and all 3 of my readers!

Now…Back to writing,

Paul

Sustainable PF said:

There are a lot of affiliate ads on your site.

I put a lot on ours as well when I started and they rarely got clicked.  I've read that over advertising with what amounts to be visual clutter can hamper the experience the user has on the site.

Thanks for that SPF!

Hi FT,

You should not look at your numbers in 2 weeks. Think about advertisers….they do not really know where your site is going. They do not know you yet and cannot determine if you are a good "investment" or not. I gave myself 1 year. I would continue blogging for 1 year at that time I would "review" my site and determine my next move. I did make money before 1 year…it took 8 months. Most of the money I made defrayed the costs associated with my blog.

I agree with the other bloggers that you have a lot happening on your site. Visually, I do not know where my eyes are supposed to go. I find it cluttered.

Also, I know that the Frugal Toad is about personal finance. However, what makes your personal finance site different from other personal finance sites? I think the more you blog, the more you will clarify your "voice" and your "branding" and your site will be more prominent. There are many topics that I would like to blog about. However, I really focus on staying in my niche.

I received this tip from Sweating the Big Stuff. He asked me why I did not have a recent post section. I then added one to my site. I would put your recent post section closer to the top so that it is more visible….it is hidden at the bottom.

Super Frugalette said:

Hi FT,

 

You should not look at your numbers in 2 weeks. Think about advertisers….they do not really know where your site is going. They do not know you yet and cannot determine if you are a good "investment" or not. I gave myself 1 year. I would continue blogging for 1 year at that time I would "review" my site and determine my next move. I did make money before 1 year…it took 8 months. Most of the money I made defrayed the costs associated with my blog.

 

I agree with the other bloggers that you have a lot happening on your site. Visually, I do not know where my eyes are supposed to go. I find it cluttered.

 

Also, I know that the Frugal Toad is about personal finance. However, what makes your personal finance site different from other personal finance sites? I think the more you blog, the more you will clarify your "voice" and your "branding" and your site will be more prominent. There are many topics that I would like to blog about. However, I really focus on staying in my niche.

 

I received this tip from Sweating the Big Stuff. He asked me why I did not have a recent post section. I then added one to my site. I would put your recent post section closer to the top so that it is more visible….it is hidden at the bottom.

Right on Frugalette! Now that is what I needed to hear, something that I can improve on. Thanks for the feedback!

Hey FT,

Don't be discouraged. Your blog looks modern and fresh. You brand is really cool too. I know you don't want to hear this, but it takes time to build your brand. You have a PR! Took me 6 months. I've had plenty of 7 visitor days. Take the time to develop your style, and build your social media web.

Just keep swimming and you will at least have a shot at achieving your blog goals.

Hunter.

Hi Frugal Toad – you're only at 30 posts.  Look ahead to 100 posts. When you get there, look back and see how much you've accomplished.  Your blog and your very path forward may look quite different.