Written on December 25th, 2007 at 12:12 am by Darren Rowse

Best of ProBlogger - 2007

ProBlogger Site News 50 comments

Happy Christmas - I hope that you’re having a good one. I’ve got a bit day of family fun planned - but wanted to leave something here on the blog for those of you with a little more time on your hands to enjoy.

I thought I’d take this opportunity to look back on the year that was. Sure we’re a few days out from New Years - but I thought I’d bring my end of year review forward a little. This post contains some stats for this blog, highlights from the last 12 months of archives (in terms of popular posts) and a quick look forward at the year ahead.

So grab a cup of coffee (or eggnog as it may be), sit back and lets take a look back on the year that was on ProBlogger.

Best Of Problogger

2007 - Another Year at ProBlogger

As 2007 draws to an end I took a few hours earlier in the week to look back over the archives of this blog and to do an annual review. I do this every year, mostly for my own purposes, but last year also shared some highlights with readers so thought I’d do so again.

The year was a big one. On a personal front we moved house (bought/built and sold houses) and traveled in the US for a month as a family (as well as survived becoming parents of a toddler). In a business sense it’s also been massive with considerable growth in this blog and DPS (which has grown considerably faster than ProBlogger), b5 growing incredibly, redesigning ProBlogger and some wonderful opportunities to travel, write, speak etc coming my way.

Some Stats:

  • Posts: 895 (with a few days to go this will end up being around 300 posts less than last year. This decrease is largely because in 2006 I had a lot more ‘group writing projects’ and other series (like blogging for beginners) which had a lot more ‘bitsy’ posts). It is also because I traveled a little more this year (when I travel post levels drop to about 60% of normal levels).
  • Comments: 40,519 (nothing to compare it to from last year - but it’s way higher). This of course doesn’t include the million or so spam comments.
  • Visitors: 3.02 million (according to Sitemeter - AWstats show it as 4.4M - realistically it’s somewhere between the two figures). It’s around double last year.
  • Page Views: 5.86 million (again according to SM - AWstats shows it as 15.3M)
  • Subscribers: Currently sitting between 36,000 and 38,000 most days. This is up from around 10,000 a day this time last year.

Hot Posts:

Picking the best posts that you’ve written in a year is virtually impossible - so is picking favorite ones. This year instead of listing them by most commented upon and other notable posts I’ll just list 5 or so posts for each of the months that either caused good discussion, got attention on other blogs or that got a lot of page views.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Thanks

Finally I want to thank a few people (or a few million).

b5media - For starters the team at b5media who have enabled me to continue to develop Problogger. When you cofound a company that grows so quickly it can be difficult to know where to put your attention. b5’s been very patient with me and allowed me to keep a high priority on this blog. The tech team at b5 have also done wonders on the back end of this blog while the ad sales team have done a great job of monetizing it.

Guest Writers - This year has seen me rely more heavily upon a very talented group of writers. I’ve introduced new voices to ProBlogger both to help with my work load but also to add variety into the mix here at ProBlogger. Including the periods that I’ve been away there have been over 50 guests write on this blog this year - thanks to all of them. Particularly I’d like to thank Skellie who has become my first staff writer on ProBlogger over the last months. Her posts have been among the most popular on the blog this year.

Readers - This year has been an incredible journey for me here at ProBlogger. I’ve learned so much about blogging, communication, community and life - largely through the wider readership and their comments, emails and other contact points. I’ve met more of you in person this year than ever before (at different meetups) and I have to say that I’m really proud of the caliber of people who read this blog. Thanks for your suggestions, patience, encouragement and support in 2007.

2008 and beyond

Every year my wife and I set a little time aside on New Years Day to reflect upon the last year and to look forward (we write a few goals). Every year since we’ve been married (six years) we’ve said something like ‘maybe next year will be a little quieter’.

As I look at 2008 I immediately shove the thought of a quiet year aside - because I know it is going to be even busier. I already have some new projects in the wings (both personal and blogging related) which I hope to reveal in the coming months (although some of you have stumbled upon one of them already) and I’m sure if the last few years are anything to go by there will be plenty of other opportunities coming up.

What will ProBlogger look like in another 12 months?

I’m not quite in a position to share the next phase of the journey - but there will be continued development of this site in the year ahead. My top priority is to keep adding useful content to our archives (we’ll go past 4000 posts in the next few weeks), to facilitate community among bloggers and to resource them with as many helpful services as possible.

Stay tuned for the next steps in the journey.

Let me finish by wishing you all a happy holiday period.

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50 Responses to “Best of ProBlogger - 2007”

  • Fred

    December 25th, 2007 1:09 am

    merry christmas to you darren … and to all …

    cheers ….

  • fc

    December 25th, 2007 1:26 am

    hey its Christmas already in Oz!
    Merry Christmas Darren… it has been an eventful year on your blog ..with me becoming a regular reader and all.. :D :D

    as a reader my personal favorite were the 31 days to a better blog series as well as rediscovering your groove series..

    wish you a wonderful year ahead…

    ps: is it raining in melbourne? I don’t want the boxing day cricket match rained off…

  • Patrick from FierceDiscussions.com

    December 25th, 2007 1:38 am

    Darren,

    I wish you and your readers Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2008. Thank you listing the hot posts in an easy to follow overview. I will be browsing around.

    Patrick

  • Kevin @ Change Your Tree

    December 25th, 2007 1:48 am

    Thanks for all of your hard work Darren.

    We really appreciate your efforts and love reading your articles.

    Those statistics are amazing!! Great job!!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and all of your readers.

  • Aditya

    December 25th, 2007 1:50 am

    I think you meant 1.53 million, not 15.3 million

  • Sangesh

    December 25th, 2007 1:54 am

    Hello Darren,

    It was a pleasure going though your blog all the way this year. It has definitely helped me to improve my blog skills as well. I hope it did for other bloggers as well.

    Hope to get better articles from you in the coming year.

    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008 to all Problogger.net readers.

    Cheers.

  • Linux Operating System

    December 25th, 2007 2:02 am

    Merry Christmas to you Darren, and to all of your readers from Go2linux.org !

  • Mike Goad

    December 25th, 2007 2:04 am

    I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this year and have learned a lot from it. I’m looking forward to learning more next year. Best wishes for the holidays and New Year for you, your family and ALL of your readers from Arkansas, USA.

  • Linux Operating System

    December 25th, 2007 2:05 am

    Here in Bolivia is still Dec. 24th!, and it is Christmas for you already!, now we can really say. “What a small world” and thanks to Internet!.

    Again, have a great time all of you, readers of problogger.net!

  • Husbandhood

    December 25th, 2007 2:07 am

    Is North America the only place in the world that says ‘Merry’ instead of ‘Happy’. I think I first noticed that while reading the the first Harry Potter book.

    Great job Darren. You blog simply amazes me.

  • kid blogger

    December 25th, 2007 2:37 am

    WOW you have a hell of good stats. CONGRATS! If I would have 5 mil. page views :)

  • Deb Ng

    December 25th, 2007 2:53 am

    Best Wishes for 2008, Darren. I look forward to seeing waht the next year brings.

  • Wayne Gilchrist

    December 25th, 2007 2:56 am

    Good stuff Darren. I am a loyal reader of this blog. In fact, this is one of 3 that I must read daily. The information on this blog has help me tremendously in developing my blog.

    Keep up the great work. I look forward to what is in store for the upcoming year.

    Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

  • NIMONY

    December 25th, 2007 2:59 am

    Merry Christmas It’s December 25th in Australia :D

    Thank you for those nice posts. I’ve learn many things from you.

  • Minic

    December 25th, 2007 3:11 am

    Here’s to a more fruitful blogging to everyone this coming year… Merry Christmas…

  • Positive Flow

    December 25th, 2007 3:15 am

    You are the #1 source for blogging information, I thank you for your hard work! What you give to the people will come back to you in ten folds, you deserve all the prosperity you get. Have a Merry Christmas & Great New Year from Vancouver, Canada!

    Cos.

  • Zach

    December 25th, 2007 3:19 am

    Merry Christmas, Darren!

    It’s December 24th here in the U.S. I don’t get how the time change works.. :-)

    Good Luck in 2008, and keep up the great work!

  • jd

    December 25th, 2007 3:25 am

    Nice rundown on the best of!

    My favorite part is your posts address key questions, and you practice what you preach. More importantly though, you manage to talk “with” your audience vs. “at.”

  • Lara Kulpa

    December 25th, 2007 3:33 am

    Great recap, Darren!

    I’ve heard Happy Christmas only from those in Australia or the UK. Here in NY, USA we usually say “Merry” - I wonder what the reason for that is… probably some Christmas song from long ago or something.

    Darren - Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all the joy and love from my heart to yours and your family’s! I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday! :)

  • Ruchir

    December 25th, 2007 3:36 am

    It seems that I missed many of your popular articles. Time to catch up…

    And Merry Christmas :)

  • Amanda

    December 25th, 2007 3:59 am

    I am a relatively new subscriber, so it’s helpful for me to see some of these other popular posts from the archives so I can read productively while the rest of my family are sleeping after Christmas lunch!

    I’d also like to congratulate Skellie regarding her staff writing here at Problogger. I recently discovered her blog (thanks to one of her guest posts) and think her writing is among the best I have ever read!

    Thanks for the great content and productive advice. I hope you and your family all have a wonderful Christmas, Darren! Best wishes for the new year!

  • Cifra

    December 25th, 2007 4:17 am

    I’ve been a Problogger subscriber since early 2007 and I must say it is the best blog abotut blogging ever!

    No-one else was able to withhold your level of quality throughout the year - outsanding posts, insightful articles and interesting tips - and for that, I thank you.

    Merry Christmas, Darren!

    P.S. - Still no response from the b5media job board. Will keep trying!

  • Darren Rowse

    December 25th, 2007 6:20 am

    Thanks for your well wishes all. Yes it’s Christmas here already - we like to be first.

    fc - no rain yet, looking nice so far. Go Aussies!

    Aditya - no I mean 15.3M not 1.53

  • Omar Yesid Mariño

    December 25th, 2007 6:48 am

    Darren, I have to say that I am sure you are one of the smarter minds on Internet… and again, you are a winner. I read this blog 5 days at week and it is impossible for me to explain everything what I have learned here.

    Merry Christmas for you and your family!

  • Karen (Misc Mum)

    December 25th, 2007 8:32 am

    Merry Christmas Darren, it was wonderful to be a (small) part of Problogger this year and I wish everyone a great 2008 ahead.

  • Mark

    December 25th, 2007 10:11 am

    Merry Christmas to everyone!

    I have been a subscriber to this blog for only a few weeks and have already received great value from the site. I am looking forward to 2008 and all of the great ideas that will come along.

    Mark

  • KiwiPulse

    December 25th, 2007 11:37 am

    Merry Christmas Darrin, Your articles really helped me to start with my blog. Your blog have all the resource that a newbie needs to know. I have read your blog daily and it’s still an inspiration for me. Have a great holiday!

  • Guardian Angel

    December 25th, 2007 2:05 pm

    Hi Darren! You have been successful with your stats and great posts. I have been learning a lot from your site since my day one. You have been such as an inspiration to us esp. to newbies like me. Again, thanks and Merry Christmas!

  • Elias

    December 25th, 2007 2:49 pm

    Merry Christmas and a good start in the new year! :)

  • Max Powers

    December 25th, 2007 3:11 pm

    A happy and more importantly, a healthy holiday wish for you all. I’ve learned a lot from Darren and all of you that leave comments and it is greatly appreciated.

  • Warren

    December 25th, 2007 3:13 pm

    Merry Christmas Darren. Thank you for Problogger.

  • Adam

    December 25th, 2007 4:54 pm

    I do remember reading some of the posts listed here. Problogger is a great resource as always, especially for the new blogger. Keep up the good work.
    Wishing you a very Happy new year.

  • Dr. Chetan

    December 25th, 2007 8:49 pm

    Merry Christmas Darren :)

    This year, August, October and December had some good posts in your blog :)

  • Bhaanu

    December 25th, 2007 10:16 pm

    Merry Christmas !

  • Andy

    December 25th, 2007 10:36 pm

    Merry Christmas Darren,

    I didn’t read all your posts since you post too frequently for me to keep up, but all the best for 2008!

  • CatherineL

    December 25th, 2007 11:47 pm

    Merry Christmas Darren - we’re a day behind you here so hope you had a good day.

    Considering how busy you have been, your stats are still brilliant. Hope 2008 is even better for you. Catherine

  • Ra

    December 26th, 2007 1:03 am

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Darren and thanks a lot for your yoy (year over year) sharing knowledge about blogging. I’ve print almost 90% of your posts for my reading time. [Ra]

  • Dan Blank

    December 26th, 2007 1:20 am

    Darren: Thanks so much for another great year! It is brilliant to be able to watch your business and life evolve - you deserve every bit of the fun stuff coming your way!

    Have a great holiday.
    -Dan

  • Y. S

    December 26th, 2007 2:29 am

    Happy Holidays to all.

    Thanks for pointing out all these great articles.
    I clicked on 10 of them ;)

    Best wishes to you in 2008

  • RT the fitness guy

    December 26th, 2007 10:09 am

    Most popular?

  • Derek

    December 26th, 2007 2:54 pm

    Great sum up for the year.

    Merry Christmas.

  • Ash Haque

    December 26th, 2007 4:55 pm

    Merry Christmas dude!

    Quick question, how does Awstats show 4.4 million pageviews but 15+ million visitors? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

  • 66tx

    December 26th, 2007 6:25 pm

    Those statistics are amazing!! Great job!!

  • Skellie

    December 26th, 2007 7:41 pm

    I appreciate the shout-out Darren. It’s been my pleasure.

  • Matt Wardman

    December 27th, 2007 6:54 am

    Darren

    Congratulations on a successful year.

    Can I repeat Ash’s question, how DOES Awstats show 4.4 million pageviews but 15+ million visitors? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

    My guess is that it should be 44 million pageviews (!).

    If there’s one topic I’d flag up for 2008, it is some real research into different stats systems.

    For now, I’m gratified that your stats are as variably reported as mine seem to be. I’ve done a number of trials, and I’m still being told 6 pages per unique visitor by my server - on a sample that is now headed for 160,000 page impressions per month. The comparable ratio for web-based packages is about 2.

    Matt Wardman

  • Darren Rowse

    December 27th, 2007 9:53 am

    yep - got those stats the wrong way around - fixed now

  • nomad4ever

    December 27th, 2007 6:13 pm

    I enjoy reading problogger.com over a year now and learned a lot from it. The most recent example is your Best of 2007 list, I shamefully had to adapt it and publish my own one.

    Happy New Year!

  • Dave Starr --- ROI Guy

    December 29th, 2007 8:47 pm

    Hello Darren,

    Been busy here with many family activities … I was abit surprised to see only 47 comments ahead of me.

    Allow me to wish you the very happiest of holidays in return. I’ve been reading and learning from Problogger for nearly three years now an I am truly amazed at how it has improved … and it was goos to stat with. Most blogs struggle to even maintain quality over time, but PB only moves onward and upward. May 2008 be the best ever for us all.

  • Manish Pandey

    January 1st, 2008 11:31 pm

    Thanks for putting these posts here Darren.

  • m07

    January 19th, 2008 4:29 am

    nice post.thanx for compiling all

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