Nov. 30

My blog produces some interesting stats. I can’t access the site right now, so don’t have the very latest numbers, but since I left Vancouver almost a month ago, over 700 “individuals” (that is, separate IP addresses, and not spambots) have visited my site. Daily traffic is steady at about 100.

As you would expect, most visitors are from Canada where most of my friends are. The next two biggest sources are the U.S. and China. About 70 per cent are just passing through, and leave the site within 30 seconds. The next biggest group (6 per cent) stick around for 5 to 15 minutes. Most others are somewhere in between.

Many of you link through my Facebook page. This makes sense, since FB friends know that a new article has been posted, and don’t have to keep checking. Those who are not connected to me through Facebook can “subscribe” (it is free of charge) to the RSS feed of my blog and get my posts automatically. Just click on the little orange button beside the word “Follow” at the top of www.patrickokens.com.

The days that have generated the most traffic are transitional ones – when I am departing or arriving. However, the day I braved Beijing roads on a bike also prompted lots of interest. Unsurprisingly, new locales and mortal peril make for good reading.

I’m sure there are things I could be doing to generate more blog traffic, and I welcome advice on search engine optimization (from real people, not spambots). It is exciting to see my readership growing. But I’m not obsessed with the technical side, and will focus on the writing. If I keep my stories true, original, and brief, and my friends keep reading them, I’ll be satisfied