If you’ve ever wondered whether all those blog posts you’re pouring your heart and soul into are actually doing anything for your business, you’re not alone. Blogging can be a game-changer for driving traffic and conversions, but only if you know how to track and analyze your efforts.
In this episode, we’re diving deep into blog analytics—what tools to use, what metrics to focus on, and how to ensure your blogging strategy is actually working for you.
Why Blog Analytics Matter
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why blog analytics are essential. Simply put, without analytics, you’re just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. You won’t know if your posts are ranking, if they’re driving traffic, or if they’re converting that traffic into inquiries or sales.
Blog analytics give you the data you need to make informed decisions, adjust your strategy, and ultimately, grow your business.
Tools You Need: Google Analytics and Google Search Console
To get started with blog analytics, the first step is to set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console on your website. These two free tools are so important for understanding how your blog is performing.
- Google Analytics: This tool shows you how many views your website is getting, where your traffic is coming from, and how users are interacting with your site. For example, if you post about a new blog on Instagram and see a spike in traffic, Google Analytics will confirm that your Instagram post drove those visitors.
- Google Search Console: While Google Analytics tracks overall site performance, Google Search Console hones in on your search traffic. It tells you how many clicks you’re getting from Google, what keywords people are using to find your content, and your average position in search results.
What to Track in Google Analytics
Once you’ve got Google Analytics set up, here’s what you should focus on:
- Views and Sessions: Views count how many times pages on your site are viewed. Sessions track visits from individual users. For instance, if someone visits your homepage, about page, and blog post, that counts as one session but three views. Keeping an eye on these numbers helps you understand user behavior on your site.
- Pages and Screens: This section shows you how many views each page on your site is getting. It’s particularly useful for tracking how well specific blog posts are performing. For example, if if a specific blog post is consistently getting views, that’s a sign it’s resonating with your audience.
What to Track in Google Search Console
Google Search Console is where the magic happens for understanding your blog’s search performance. Here’s what to keep an eye on:
- Total Clicks: This shows how many clicks your site has received from Google searches. The goal is to see this number grow as your blog content matures.
- Total Impressions: This metric indicates how often your site appeared in search results. While impressions don’t guarantee clicks, they show that your content is being indexed and is visible to searchers.
- Average Click-Through Rate (CTR): CTR is the percentage of people who saw your site in search results and actually clicked through. A higher CTR suggests your titles and meta descriptions are compelling.
- Average Position: This metric reveals your average ranking for all the keywords your site ranks for. Over time, you want to see this number rise as your SEO efforts take effect.
Advanced Analytics Tips
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, here are some advanced tips to make your blog analytics even more powerful:
- Track Keyword Performance: In Search Console, check the “Queries” tab to see what keywords are driving traffic to your posts. If you notice keywords that you haven’t fully optimized for, consider updating your content to include them.
- Monitor Blog Traffic Percentage: Calculate the percentage of your overall website traffic that comes from your blog. This helps you understand how much your blogging is contributing to your site’s success. You can do this by dividing the total clicks from blog posts by your total site views.
- Add a “Where Did You Find Me?” Question: Include this question on your contact form with options like “Google/SEO/Blog Post” to track how many inquiries come directly from your blog. This is a simple yet effective way to measure the direct impact of your content.
Final Thoughts on the Key Metrics in Google Analytics and Search Console
Blog analytics can seem overwhelming at first, but by focusing on the right metrics, you’ll gain insights into your blog’s performance that can really help you understand how your content is performing and what people are connecting with.
Remember, SEO and blogging are long games—it can take 6-12 months to start seeing significant results. But with consistent effort and tracking, your blog can become a powerful tool for driving traffic and growing your business.
If you’re interested in outsourcing your blog content, check out our Back Pocket Blogger service. And if you prefer to DIY, our “Blogging for Business” course is packed with strategies to help you succeed!
Check out these posts next:
- Promoting Your Blog on Instagram and Other Social Media Platforms
- How to Attract Ideal Clients Through Blogging
KP’s design journey began in book publishing, but she fell in love with the truly limitless possibilities that web design presents. Since then, she’s been helping photographers and creatives become the no-brainer option for their dream clients before they even get on a call.
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8/28/24
Published On:
Krystianna Pietrzak
