Hard to believe another year (and decade) is behind us. As we head into 2011, here is a little look back at our little spot on the interwebs, Phoenix Real Estate Guy. I’d always rather look ahead than backwards, but sometimes it’s fun and interesting to wrap things up before we venture off into the future”¦
In 2010 we had just over 704,000 unique visitors to the site, an increase of 11% from 2009. I was surprised at the increase as all the Homebuyer Tax Credit news in 2009 drove a lot of traffic. Pageviews were flat from 2009 with just over two million. Our 2010 visitors hailed from 201 countries ”“ the US leading (by far) followed by Canada. This isn’t surprising, but what never ceases to amaze just how world wide the world wide web is ”“ there are 28 countries out there that on average visit us every day and 81 stop by at least weekly. For the curious, those from French Polynesia spend the most time on the site, those from the Bailiwick of Guernsey the least (yes, I had to look that one up. It’s a group of islands in the English Channel)
My goal for 2011 is to get to one million unique visitors. I don’t think that’s possible unless something extraordinary and newsworthy happens (or I pay for traffic, and I *know* that’s not happening) but it’s a nice round number to shoot for so what the heck. A more realistic goal would be 800K pageviews. More importantly from a business perspective, I’d like to generate 4,000 home buyer and seller prospects for our team of wonderful agents.
Here is a list of “top” posts on Phoenix Real Estate Guy in 2010. It will be interesting to see what 2011 brings”¦
Most Commented Post (234):
Why I deleted my ActiveRain blog posts
2nd Most Commented Post (206):
Does the Real Estate Brokerage Matter to the Home Buyer / Seller?
Most Difficult Posts to Write:
In Memory of My Friend, Joe Ferrara. Rest in Peace.
Drunk driver sentenced. Tells judge it was an “unpreventable accident”
My Friend Dan Keitz ”“ He needs a little help.
Remembering Ryan Geiger: A message for young adults
Most Unique Visitors (excluding home searches) (22,207):
Phoenix Fireworks 2010 ”“ July 4th Firework Shows in the Phoenix Area
Most Facebook Likes (96):
Thompson’s Realty Welcomes Jonathan Dalton!
Most Tweeted (lost count):
We are #1!! Now please make it stop. PLEASE?
The I Can’t Believe I Cried on the Internet but I’ll Do It Again Next Year Post:
The September 11 Healing Field in Tempe. Please, never forget.
Best Guest Post (Bill Risser):
The Perfect Game That Wasn’t And What It Taught Me
Coolest Photo Shoot:
Steel Dreamz ”“ Possibly the Coolest Place in Chandler
Biggest Failed Blog Experiment (someday”¦):
City Guide Gilbert ”“ Blogsperiment #7,387
The Most Fun to Write Post:
Marketing and Selling Real Estate Utilizing the Chinese Zodiac
THANK YOU!
To all our readers, clients, prospects, visitors, agents and everyone who helps make Phoenix Real Estate Guy what it is, you have my utmost gratitude. This place wouldn’t be what it is (whatever "it" is) without you. I hope everyone has a spectacular 2011!
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy was started by Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... he liked to say...
Impressive stats Jay. Guernsey surprised me too. (And I know where it is, my parents used to take vacations there quite often). Of course the real reason I'm commenting is because of your most commented post. Had to smile at that one. Did you know that if you use the search term "activerain" you show up on the first page of Google with that post? Yep, I know, a mine of useless information me!
All the best for 2011. I'll be rooting for you getting to the million mark!
My recent post So Why Do You Need A Buyer’s Agent Anyway
Thanks Denise! Yeah, given the power and size of ActiveRain, that Google ranking isn't too shabby… 😉
Nice post Jay, I know I am ready to move on from 2010 and believe that 2011 will bring much success for everyone.
My recent post Happy Holidays from Team Aguilar
Thanks Alex. I think (hope) 2011 will be good for everyone!
Jay all I can say is that I thoroughly enjoy your insight, your bluntness, and your scruples. I am a smarter guy for reading you.
Well thanks JPF. And I appreciate your contributions here! (and elsewhere)
I loved the Zodiac one. 😀
My recent post Top Posts of 2010
I loved the Zodiac one. 😀
My recent post Top Posts of 2010
woo hoo! I got a "loved your post" from Elizabeth! Bitchin!
And yes, I just used three exclamation points in a comment.
I also have to add that by far one of my favorite posts that made me have a great laugh was, "Real Life Real Estate Stories: The Angry Caller". That should be added to the list! Happy New Year Jay!
It is really a good new. Congratulation! I hope I will get such achievement like you.
My recent post Memphis Homes with Garage or Carport
Nice stats for your blogging on Phoenix real estate and off topic info that is always of interest. A lot of us real estate agents look to you because you are always in the forefront! You rock!
Good luck for 2011
My recent post Latest Listings in Zip Code 89002
Happy new year to all of you! Hoping that 2011 would be a nice year for the industry and the people working on it.
My recent post New Taylorsville Real Estate Listings New Taylorsville Utah Homes Listings …
Congratulations on another great year Jay! Here is to a new look, a new year and lots of new sales… 😀
Incredible numbers, Jay. 700,000 hits is no small feat. – averaging approx 2,000 a day is incredible. Keep up the great content and i'm sure you'll hit the million before you know. New blog looks awesome, by the way!
My recent post Cityzen Purchases Lot on Front & Sherbourne
Jay, what tremendous website volume this year! 700,000+ is amazing! You certainly create some of the most informative and also entertaining posts in the real estate online community. Please continue to treat us, and I wish you all the best in 2011.
Impressive stats well worthy with all of the great posts you write.
My recent post HAFA Guidelines Being Modified
Wow… Impressive stats well deserved with all of the great posts you write… and information provided. Congrats and wishing you a very prosperous 2011.
My recent post HAFA Guidelines Being Modified
Well now I know that I need to have over 58000 unique visitors a month to break the top 1% internet traffic threshold!
Thanks for going on blog talk radio today. I especially loved how you chatted about starting your own business and I i am toying with that high split free lead model because it would be a little unique to our market which team splits end up being 50/50.
I also was researching some things a couple of weeks ago for the ignorant agents in the world who think I am "advertising" their listings illegally through my IDX and didn't realize how much of an activist you were and instrumental with rule changes through NAR.
You are a trailblazer and admired by your peers around the globe. Thanks is just not enough!
Jay, congratulations on the volume of unique visitors. I usually do it early in the morning before breakfast. I am a colleague from Phoenix and love to read about real estate. Your blog is one of the few I read regularly.
And I wish you will pass the 1 million mark this year.
Happy New Year!
My recent post Home for sale in Arrowhead Lakes- Glendale- Arizona – 5165 W PONTIAC DR
Of course the real reason I'm commenting is because of your most commented post. Had to smile at that one. Please continue to treat us, and I wish you all the best in 2011. I like your blog very much as I find such beautiful things in your blogs.
Johnathan Dalton must be an extremely nice guy to get that many Facebook likes!
My recent post Desert Mountain Foreclosures
Congratulations on all your 2010 successes and best of luck hitting the one million mark. Love reading your material
I’m new to your site, but I am going to stick around. Looks like you have been doing GREAT so far! Best of luck to you in the future man =]
Here’s to a great 2011
Great top ten list