what else on blog domains?

[ronnie]

Have you exhausted all possible ways of getting traffic to your blog? That would be my first avenue. I agree with Walrus, the pages can add up pretty fast. I have so much unfinished crap so I've never thought of doing anything else with the blogs I have on the root. But I've just kept posting away, well not always me making the posts, but anyways, I've found they continue to grow with traffic. That is, the ones that are interesting.

I would rather see them grow with SE traffic or reader traffic. I guess I see my blogs as something that grows over time. Sure much better than a submit and forget free site that will die out pretty quick. I personally would rather make more posts on my blogs, or make more blogs, than spend that time making sites, but thats just my opinion...

ronnie

[ponygirl]

Originally Posted by ronnie

I would rather see them grow with SE traffic or reader traffic.

yes, me too. I guess I'm just used to being able to instantly divert traffic when I build something new, like a hub. I just didn't really like the idea of linking to my blog from a freesite, so wanted to see what everyone else was doing.

I don't think I've exhausted all other methods of getting traffic to a blog, not by a long shot, but the 'rules' for blogs are so different than what I'm used to. I definitely think I need more hardlink trades, and to submit to more places, but I was also worried about how many hardlinks to add. Again, still in that freesite mode where I only put so many on a page. I guess I just have to get out of that fs/LL mode of thinking.

Obviously I'm still very much in the learning stage.

[ronnie]

Originally Posted by ponygirl

yes, me too. I guess I'm just used to being able to instantly divert traffic when I build something new, like a hub. I just didn't really like the idea of linking to my blog from a freesite, so wanted to see what everyone else was doing.

I don't think I've exhausted all other methods of getting traffic to a blog, not by a long shot, but the 'rules' for blogs are so different than what I'm used to. I definitely think I need more hardlink trades, and to submit to more places, but I was also worried about how many hardlinks to add. Again, still in that freesite mode where I only put so many on a page. I guess I just have to get out of that fs/LL mode of thinking.

Obviously I'm still very much in the learning stage.

Ya it is hard, you know when you build a free site within a day or so you'll have good traffic and after doing it for a while you might have pretty good idea how much. Although I have some free sites that are quite old and still get traffic, it's not vast amounts, they sure drop off. I guess blogs are something you let mature. You do your best to SEO you posts and your sure to hit at least a few here and there. Most of mine get steady traffic, over time probably much more than a large number of free sites altogether.

You could always be picky on who you trade with, alexa can give you some idea if there's traffic on a site or blog.

ronnie

[Preacher]

First of all, I agree with Walrus' idea on the cat specific linking. So if the free-site is Asian based, link to an Asian post without calling it a blog. That's a great idea!

Originally Posted by ponygirl

...but the 'rules' for blogs are so different than what I'm used to. I definitely think I need more hardlink trades, and to submit to more places, but I was also worried about how many hardlinks to add...

Two questions here actually. One is what are the rules on hardlink trades as far as limits go. Ever seen Boogie's blog? If you have you'll know that there are no set guidelines for outbound links in 'links/blogroll' sections and I've never seen a trade declined because of it.

The more important question is what will I gain from these hardlink -- read non-organic links-- trades.... that's the tough one. It is my theory that based on current se algorithms and reported reciprical trade penalties, I don't think 'hardlink trades' can be looked at as search engine boosters any longer. I would look at the traffic of the place you plan on linking to and treat it as a traffic trade. The unfortunate thing about this is that it makes submitting to more high trafficed blog listing sites more valuable then merely a link trade with a partner blog. I say that is unfortunate, because I would much rather link to a fellow blogger then to blog hub/index/link dump etc...

Mind you that's not going to stop me from linking to my fellow bloggers, and this of course is just a theory.

[walrus]

Originally Posted by Preacher

The more important question is what will I gain from these hardlink -- read non-organic links-- trades.... that's the tough one. It is my theory that based on current se algorithms and reported reciprical trade penalties, I don't think 'hardlink trades' can be looked at as search engine boosters any longer. I would look at the traffic of the place you plan on linking to and treat it as a traffic trade. The unfortunate thing about this is that it makes submitting to more high trafficed blog listing sites more valuable then merely a link trade with a partner blog. I say that is unfortunate, because I would much rather link to a fellow blogger then to blog hub/index/link dump etc...

Mind you that's not going to stop me from linking to my fellow bloggers, and this of course is just a theory.

I pretty much agree with your theory which is why I think the pingback topic is a good and timely one. Trackbacks / pingbacks and comments are organic links and thus much more valuable than link exchanges and although grandmascrotum may be having some type of problem with her little group, I think doing something like that is becoming more important, long run.

I personally think the problem she is having is that it is scheduled and not random. In other words, Google is able to see a pattern to it and if nothing else begins to wonder about it.

But then again, thats just my opinion and we all know how much opinions are worth!!!

[ponygirl]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Two questions here actually. One is what are the rules on hardlink trades as far as limits go. Ever seen Boogie's blog? If you have you'll know that there are no set guidelines for outbound links in 'links/blogroll' sections and I've never seen a trade declined because of it.

yes, I've seen that and that's cool.

Since I'm so 'SE challenged' lol, I generally look at link trades as traffic trades anyway. I didn't want a whole bunch of directory listings, I'd rather have the blog links too. I always check out the other blogs when I'm surfing a blog just to see if there's anything interesting, and I rarely surf blog directories, so in my mind, blog links are more valuable.

Walrus - I've been following that pingback thread and I must admit, it's pretty confusing to me I think I have to find out more about it so I know what I'm doing

[walrus]

Originally Posted by ponygirl

yes, I've seen that and that's cool.

Since I'm so 'SE challenged' lol, I generally look at link trades as traffic trades anyway. I didn't want a whole bunch of directory listings, I'd rather have the blog links too. I always check out the other blogs when I'm surfing a blog just to see if there's anything interesting, and I rarely surf blog directories, so in my mind, blog links are more valuable.

Since I have two blog directories...that really hurt

Originally Posted by ponygirl

Walrus - I've been following that pingback thread and I must admit, it's pretty confusing to me I think I have to find out more about it so I know what I'm doing

I'll spend some time thinking about a good explaination of them today. Seems there is enough confusion I could add it to my tools site.

[ponygirl]

Originally Posted by walrus

Since I have two blog directories...that really hurt

but I have yours listed...you're special
actually, my point was for the tons of them that have seemed to spring out of nowhere...everyone's jumping on the bandwagon I guess.

Originally Posted by walrus

I'll spend some time thinking about a good explaination of them today. Seems there is enough confusion I could add it to my tools site.

that would be fabulous - I really relied on those tools when I started up & still refer to them. They're a great resource, thanks for taking the time to do them.

[walrus]

Originally Posted by ponygirl

but I have yours listed...you're special

Hmmm they told me that when I went to school too! Put me in special classes....gave me a special education...so I do feel honored.

Originally Posted by ponygirl

that would be fabulous - I really relied on those tools when I started up & still refer to them. They're a great resource, thanks for taking the time to do them.

I've been roped into doing a feedburner thing too so I'll post both of them on the tools site in the next couple days.