How (Un)Popular is WebWord?
I’ve been having fun with WebWord metrics recently. It’s enjoyable to look at the numbers to figure out what is going on. What does it all mean?
I recently found out that, based on the Computers and Technology Weblogs directory for Yahoo Australia and New Zealand, WebWord is relatively popular.
It is interesting to me that WebWord is even on a list which includes Slashdot, Gizmodo, Scripting News, Joel on Software, Daring Fireball, Google Blog, asterisk*, molly.com, and O’Reilly Radar. At this point in time, WebWord ranks 50th on a list of 240 technology blogs.
Based on this kind of information, I get all puffed up. But then, I look at the dearth of comments and I cry in my beer. If the site is popular and I get a lot of traffic (relatively speaking) why don’t people participate more? Is it difficult to comment? Do you refuse to interact with me because you think I smell like old cheese?
Maybe the Google advertisements put you over the edge? ;-)
April 14th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I like reading your site, and I visit at least every couple of days, but the last comments I made were about the usability of this site itself, and there was no comment in response and no action taken regarding my comments.
I wasn’t mad, or even much annoyed about that, but it didn’t encourage me to post more comments.
April 14th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
I do comment when I’ve got an opinion on something you’ve said… otherwise I’d just say “great link, thanks!”
April 14th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Maybe it’s because the comments link is below the Google ads like you said! I know it’s only a micro detail, but it may make a difference… This is the first comment I’ve posted, but I do check this site fairly regularly for items to read.
April 14th, 2006 at 9:15 pm
There are definitely several little issues with the site. I’m ashamed that many of the problems are related to usability. I appreciate the feedback. Keep pinging me on it and eventually I’ll get it fixed. I will!
April 15th, 2006 at 3:59 am
hhmmmmm gorgonzola
April 15th, 2006 at 5:53 am
I visit WebWord every single day without fail, often several times a day. I read almost every article posted. And I never feel the need to comment. Most of the time I find myself simply reading, agreeing, and moving on - satisfied.
As for usability glitches…blog software innit. I come here for the content. I actually find the default WordPress interface reassuring, faults and all.
April 15th, 2006 at 9:31 am
I’m also a (nearly) daily visitor. I’ll try to be more “vocal” on the site. But let me just say now, you asked for it. ;)
April 15th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
I am an occasional visitor and commenter. I have forums for most of my interests, and this is the one for usability. Not quite a forum, but I like it. You can only listen to Jakob Nielsen for so long. :)
April 17th, 2006 at 12:36 pm
First off, you need to share some of that beer. That’d get more comments.
Second off, I have the same issue. I have received two pieces of feedback about my dearth (Mr. 25-cent words) of comments.
1) I write well enough that people take what I say and think, “I agree,” (or some such response) and no one wants to leave “I agree” comments.
2) What I write about isn’t interesting to anyone, and perhaps I should take up another pursuit that doesn’t involve inflicting my opinions on the webified world.
My guess is that it’s a little from column A, a little from column B.
Or maybe it’s that usability is basically boring.
Of all the writing on the web, writing about design for the web is such a niche area and tends to be filled with people who all agree with each other (more often than not). Usability being a subset of that niche makes for more agreeing on a topic that really doesn’t pique anyone’s interest.
Have you tried writing about knitting?
To me, your site has never been about usability. It’s been about doing the right thing on the web. Be it business, communication, technology… your focus is about how to make all those things flow better for all involved.
I do that too, when I am not writing about tornadoes, and I think the title of my blog is a bit limiting from that perspective.
But I ramble. Though I did give you some more comment fodder. Now let’s see some responding! :)
April 17th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
“It’s been about doing the right thing on the web.”
Yes, maybe even doing the right thing period. It just so happens that the web is a load of fun and games right now, but I don’t mind talking about the design of cars, or the usability of telephones, or the best way to write a book. It is all about doing it better. About, doing the right thing for the right people at the right time.
April 18th, 2006 at 2:22 am
Maybe some of us read your site using RSS, so we’re lazy. Also, I think that if you tend to make strong positive or negative statements, people will either agree or disagree, usually strongly, and they’ll be inclined to leave comments. You don’t want to start flame wars now do you? ;-)
I also agree with what Mathew says about usability being a niche area. I think that people who read your blog have an interest in usability, professional or otherwise. The percentage of the general (Internet) population that cares about usability can’t be that big.
Also, when your posts require an action (like this one) usually people do respond. Otherwise, unless they have something insightful to share, people will not be inclined to comment.
Finally, you’ve got the traffic, be thankful. Some of us don’t have that. :-)