Hey Shouter,
This is our monthly series of ShoutMeLoud monthly income and traffic stats report where I will be sharing important details which will give you more insight about how I make money with ShoutMeLoud.
Along with that you will also learn valuable information which will help you to improve your blog. September was an exciting month for me as I started working on few new things, I specifically worked on improving the overall traffic and quality of our blog network.
In this roundup posts I will be sharing what all happened in last month and at the end I will share how much money I made in the last month from blogging.
ShoutMeLoud Traffic improved by 30%:
Last month, ShoutMeLoud traffic increased by 30% and it was due to various things which I have done. I will write a detailed post on the changes which I have made, but for now here are quick things which I have done to give you an idea:
- Moved all tech related posts away from ShoutMeLoud to ShoutMeTech.com
- Deleted around 120 posts which were outdated.
- Added dates back in the blog post and this time instead of showing publishing time, showed last updated time. This helped a lot to increase traffic to evergreen content.
- Responsive + Mobile site for ShoutMeLoud
- Fixed all broken links (Almost) and in the process I also made $1216 using LinkPatrol plugin. You can learn about the technique which I used over here.
- Adding custom images to most of the posts here which further improved the social media sharing.
Overall what really improved here is, now ShoutMeLoud is getting more targeted traffic than before and overall traffic and page views have increased. After adding mobile site, our mobile traffic has increased by a great number.
Here is the traffic stats for the month of September 2014 using Google Analytics:
Last week I also removed custom related posts code and started using WordPress related posts by Zementa as it allows you to edit the related posts and manually add/remove any posts you want. Using this plugin, I edited related posts section of my top-performing posts and that resulted in increased page-views, and hopefully this month our bounce rate will be down to 60-65%.
Blogging Income report for September 2014:
Here is the income report from all the blogs under ShoutDreams network and honestly this time I’m not so happy with the performance.
- Direct Ads: $1200 (Learn how to get direct advertisements)
- AdSense: $102 (How to create AdSense account)
- Viglink: $2.45 (Read Viglink review)
- ShoutMydomain: $134.43
- WordPress Services: $1289.34
- Infolinks: $49.84 (InfoLinks review)
- Godaddy Affiliate program: $135.25 (Learn how to join Godaddy Affiliate program)
- DreamHost Affiliate program: $35.86 ( Learn how to join DreamHost Affiliate Program)
- Aff: $4342 (Check out big list of WordPress related Affiliate program)
- Elegant themes : $79
———————————————————————-
Total: $7370 ( 453070 INR)
I have long ignored AdSense but now I have started optimising it with the help of 3rd party tools. Using them for last 3 days has already improved my AdSense earning by more than 300%:
Well the above chart was for the earning. Last month I spent a lot on new things and venture and here is the highlight of some of my expenditure which also includes amount I paid on oDesk for creating repurpose content such as SlideShare and youtube transcript.
- Android App development: $553.250
- WordPress theme and design work: $2147.25
- Other expenditure: $1200
———————————————————————-
Total: $3900.25
What else is happening around ShoutMeLoud:
As I mentioned above, a lot more is happening and the very first big news is that we have launched our official Android app which you can download right now from official play store. I will be writing an announcement post soon, but for now you can download and do write a review of the app in the official app store. Here is a screenshot of the app:
ShoutMeLoud is now on cloud hosting via Cloudways:
One of my biggest expenditure here at ShoutMeLoud was due to hosting. I was hosting ShoutMeLoud on WPEngine which was indeed a powerful hosting but they are probably the worse when it comes to their pricing policy. I have already talked about their overage charges here and I was paying almost $500/month to them.
Finally I have moved away from them and now ShoutMeLoud is hosted on Amazon Server using Cloudways which is an amazing hosting company.
I was scared that I might not get the same performance like I was getting on WPEngine, but Cloudways server architect is great and perfect for any WordPress blog.
Here you can see the performance report of ShoutMeLoud (Yah! it’s loading in less than 0.5 second).
At the top of their powerful hosting architect, I’m using W3 Total cache, Cloudflare and Genesis Theme to reach so fast loading WordPress site.
You can also use the below link to create a complete free (No credit card required) to test drive Cloudways Hostingfor one month. After one month you can use coupon code “Shoutmeloud” to get discount on their server.
Test drive Cloudways for 30 days (No credit card required)
You can subscribe to ShoutMeLoud newsletter here to receive make money blogging tips right in your email. Do let me know how was your month of September 2014 in terms of blog revenue and growth?
Do share this post with others to create an awareness regarding blogging, it can be a remarkable career choice.
It seems that what increased you traffic was the latest panda update that happened
@KounGeek
I have written a post about traffic increment reasons over here: https://www.shoutmeloud.com/case-study-increase-wordpress-blog-traffic.html
Your report is good enough to believe blogging may be an excellent career option in India, which is mostly ignored by our care takers. So, I become warm up now and feeling aspirated.
Great earnings. I didn’t know you have your own domain and web hosting company. Congratulations!
@Daniel
I have it from last 4 years and you can also have one for your own. Check out this guide: https://www.shoutmeloud.com/how-to-start-domain-and-webhosting-company.html
Hi Harsh,
Selecting the best web hosting is one of the biggest challenge. Every hosting I see is better than the previous one I have used. And do post about your experiences with the new hosting.
@Imran
I will wait for a month before I will share my review of new hosting I’m using. Once I have enough data, I will be in better position to share more details about it.
Thank you for publishing your income report. It is an inspiration to many. Adsense and Infolinks seems discouraging though. This direct advertising seems interesting.
@Shalu
I don’t really focus on AdSense and Infolinks. But from this month, I started focusing on AdSense too, and hopefully next month earning report will be better in terms of AdSense.
Your income report is inspiration for thousands of blogger, this give me boost toward blogging keep posting such reports.
one que- How does Bounce rate affect sites ? Mine is 35% don’t know what it mean. Reply Please.
@Sandeep
This will give you all details about Bounce rate: https://www.shoutmeloud.com/5-working-tip-to-lower-down-bounce-rate.html
and your blog bounce rate is good 🙂
Thank you Harsh ! I got it.
Thanks alot harsh for such your income report. I’m always waiting for this post. It’s great inspiration for newbies and lost bloggers.
Congrats!
Cheers Buddy!
Congratulations Harsh, its always great to read your income reports, especially the affiliate section. Its truly inspirational for others in same niche. Your Android App is indeed great, it would be great if you can offer your readers with your Android app’s source code at a price or create an android app (rss reader) like yours for fellow bloggers and charge a price for it.
I have been trying to have success with Affiliate marketing, however till now I have only generated $125 through affiliate, however Media(dot)net has generated $1000 in an year. I will continue to follow your great tips.
@Hasan
Thanks for your comment and sure my team will take care of your Android app need. I have replied to your email and we can take it forward from there. It’s good to know your media.net success story as there are many mixed reactions I got so far. May I ask which country drives maximum traffic for you?
Thanks a ton for this awesome gesture of help. I do have found an Android app (ApkCreator – App maker Lite) that converts existing RESPONSIVE blog into an APK app, however one cannot have a custom navigation menu on the right, as available in your custom design app. This app is currently OK for my needs as its free. As long as I will be reaching better monetization levels, I will dive into custom app design and will be taking your help for sure.
For Media.net, my maximum traffic is from US & Europe while third largest traffic section comes from India. Blog’s niche is technology and smartphones.
I have tried SuperLinks after watching your presentation but its ads aren’t appearing even after getting approval, I am in touch with their support team, lets see where it goes. 🙂
Thumbs up for all your efforts for blogging community!
@Hasan
I looked into your site on my mobile and I don’t think your responsive theme is justifying the quality of your site. You should rather have a mobile friendly theme. You should have a look at ShoutMeLoud.com on your mobile and you would know what I meant.
Apkcreator and few other sites let you create Android app but they are not really useful especially with the limitation of free version. Since you are offering your mobile site in the app, I would suggest optimise your site for mobile and if you need professional help, you can take help of ShoutMeLoud services and for you, my team will get mobile site like ShoutMeLoud done for only $199.
Regarding Superlinks, I’m looking for more reviews and feedback from users so that I can do a detailed review post. Do come back and share your complete experience with using Superlinks and let me know if you would recommend it to others or not.
Thanks for reviewing and recommending Harsh. I will definitely be in touch with you, once I am reaching that level to spend $199 on an Android App for my blog.
In the mean time I’ll focus on better content & monetization strategies to increase the income streams. 🙂
Hi Hasan, I know its old post but needed some help. I tried to register for Media dot Net but after filling form I did not get any link or login details. I have tried 2-3 times . Do they take time to approve your request . its been 3 weeks. Could you please guide how can i get Media Dot Net account.
Thanks
Hey Harsh,
Whooo, Really an awesome inspiration for all the bloggers. Thanks for sharing your income report for us. Congratulations, for 2 things 😉 . That are App launch and traffic increase. Did you traffic increased after panda because of quality content? (Organic traffic) or have you applied any other strategy? Will be Glad to know 🙂
By the way, keep sharing such articles on Shoutmeloud, I am getting benefit of such articles(I’d like it if like-hack series would start expanding)
Thanks for sharing
~Nitin Singh
@Nitin
The traffic increase is mostly organic and it’s growing consistent from last 3 weeks (Before panda rolled out). The major reason which I believe:
Responsive design + mobile theme.
Removing of more low quality content and moving unrelated content to other niche blog.
I like the way you share us in steps all the information so that we can also optimize our website and side-wise earnings.
Great inspiring post harsh and best of luck for your future endeavours and yes your blog income reports really motivates us and many other newbie bloggers to keep on blogging and hoping to earn good money from their blogs
Cheers and try to do it regularly
Rohit Singh
Wow Awsom Post inspiring Alots oF Bloggers Including Me. Such A Greate Earning.
Hey Harsh,
Glad to see your Income Report and it’s really inspirational and motivating. I downloaded Shoutmeloud Android app and it’s really awesome. It made my SML reading easier and faster 🙂
Regards,
Abid Omar
@Abid
Thanks for your feedback about the app, and I would love it; if you take 2 minute of your time and review the app in Google play store. It would be of great help! 🙂
Wow!I must say i envy your success in blogging. I started blogging three months ago and mine still has low traffic and revenue generation is still low. i use AdSense but no affiliate marketing because I have not gained enough readership. But in you reports there is always a motivation to move on because some day I will attract readers. I am in Kenya.
Hey Harsh,
Way to go man, it’s really awesome to see your progress through the years 🙂
@Hesham
Hey Buddy It’s really good to see you here after long. How is your business doing?
Dear harsha,
Your income report is very inspirative. Why u r not using adsense. Please write about adpushup.com. how to work with this.
Thank you
@Satish
I will definitely do a complete review and how-to post on Adpushup. I’m just waiting for 2 more weeks, and once I have enough data, I will write a post about it.
Hello Harsh………….
Congratulation for your Traffic increase. Really inspire with your report. Eagerly waiting for your post about ‘Traffic Increment’…..
Regards,
Mohammed Anzil
@Anzil
Post is live now and you can read it here: https://www.shoutmeloud.com/case-study-increase-wordpress-blog-traffic.html
Hi Harsh,
You are inspired to blog me, I always inspired by you and you are so transferor, which you get, you will show accurate information, I want start with affiliate marketing, please help me to show how will I start, thank you,
@Dinesh
This is a good first post to start with Affiliate marketing: https://www.shoutmeloud.com/what-is-affiliate-marketing.html
Is SML still a revenue sharing blog or you have removed the adsense sharing for guest bloggers ?
@Kashish
We have removed our AdSense revenue sharing and guest submission long back. Now only contributors are allowed to contribute articles which is for the blogging community.
Hi Harsh,
Your Income report always inspires me. And I was wondering do you have any Plans for making an iOS app ? Do let me know as I am Iphone user.
Anyways great income report. Really Amazing.
Regards,
Aditiya
Storekirana.com
@Aditya
Thanks for dropping by and yes, iOS app is in my To-Do list and it may take a month or two. Hopefully will launch it before 1st december (6th Anniversary of ShoutMeLoud).