The raving capitalists at Moldy Chum recently conducted an interesting (and highly gratifying) comparison of Web traffic at some of the major fly fishing e-commerce sites.
After comparing the leading fly fishing only sites (Fly Shop, etc) to the big boxes (Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, etc), they threw the Trout Underground into the mix.
The results?
If my eyes don’t deceive me, T.C. at Le Underground has a comparable, and occasionally LARGER, daily reach than the top four fly fishing e-commerce sites! Shit man, ditch those low paying affiliate links and make those big boys pony up some bucks for some advertising.
He’s probably right. According to my Web server stats, the Underground enjoyed its first 700+ visit day last week, and traffic continues to grow.
Are you listening e-commerce sites?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Doing a quick comparison yields the unsavory fact that the spikes in Underground readership coincides with a Paris Hilton reference or Wally the Wonderdog pinup.
I wonder if Wally’s pictures are airbrushed.. kbarton10(Quote)
I told you all the Paris Hilton references would pay off.
And there’s something to be said about learning from the no-talent master of “publicity for nothing, and my handbags for free.”
Next week, we’re leaking the Wally the Wonderdog amateur sex tape. Tom Chandler(Quote)
Is that supposed to a messed up Dire Straits quote?! I thought it was money for nothing, and my chicks for free…I guess it was before my time though?! ;) I’ve got a helpful hint, maybe start dropping a few “George Strait”s, “G-Unit”s, “Iran”s, “Iraq”s, and “Democratic/Republican”s in too. I mean that should move the Underground through 1000 visits real quick right? C4CRaine(Quote)
Congratulations Tom! Please tell us how you manage to do it? We know you have great content and photos but is it excellent search engine optimization or some sort of unholy pact with the neatherworld that sets you apart?
Go sell some ads and fund your fellow, poorer, bloggers fishing trips through your new underground scholarship program! Murdock(Quote)
good work tom… AHW had its first 500+ day last week. Viva la blogistas ass hooked whitey(Quote)
Murdock: Swedish Mind Control Techniques I learned over my 20+ years as a copywriter. That’s all I’m saying.
Good for you AHW. I’d still like to know if there’s a standardized way to count *visits* since every package I’ve tried gives me different numbers. My Web stats say 900+, Google Analytics says 700+… You get the picture.
At this point, I suppose it doesn’t matter. Traffic or not, I’m still the best looking fly fishing blogger. Handsome. That’s me. Tom Chandler(Quote)
Great accomplishment Tom! I would take the average of all your stats and go with that number. But the reality is just keep the number going up.
Great job and may you have many more great days. Martin(Quote)
Martin: This post hit the airwaves more than a year ago; the Trout Underground recently topped 1230 visits in a day (according to Google’s conservative Analytics numbers), and still going up. I’ll take it. Tom Chandler(Quote)