Listen it happens to every blog, blogger, webmaster and website at one point in time or another and when it does there’s no time to sit around and cry about it or marvel in just how badly you tanked and your traffic stats suck. It’s the dreaded traffic drop that just sucks the soul from your blogging bones and drives you into a deep depression, as you fall you reach for every last hope that the traffic gods will shine on you. O.k, it’s not that bad I’m just in a weird mood while I write this 
.
You just returned from that well deserved extra long 11 day vacation that you managed to squeeze out, you had one of the best vacations of your life and you have never felt more energized… that is until you check your WordPress stats or Google Analytics to see how your traffic has fared during your 11 day blog break-up.
Sooner or later your going to need to take a break from your blog and blogging, when you do chances are your traffic will decrease. Instead of wasting all of that valuable time crying and moaning about your traffic drop consider trying a few things below for a boost in traffic to your blog.
1. Update Your Blog
Doing something simple like writing a blog post to update your blog after a short absence might trigger some of the rss feed subscribers you have to come through and check out what you have been up to. If it’s your first post returning from a long absence it might be a good idea to share what you have been doing, but more importantly share some information about your next three posts to get your readers looking for your update.
2. Comment on Other Blogs
Leaving blog comments on relative blogs is an excellent way to generate traffic back to your site, especially if you focus your commenting efforts on blogs that use the Comment Luv WordPress plugin. The CommentLuv plugin displays your most recent blog post after you leave your comment, if you write something that sparks someone’s interest you might get some visitors.
3. Network
Use popular social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to connect with your friends and followers, take the time to retweet and share other bloggers blog posts. If you put some quality time into growing your online presence through social networking sites chances are the people you connect with will also stop by to read what new and exciting stuff you have going on. If you use multiple social networking sites you might want to check out Ping.fm, it helps you update all of those profiles from one easy place.
These are only a few fast ways to increase traffic to your blog after the dreaded traffic drop, it’s important to remember that your blog traffic wasn’t built overnight it’s going to take time, patience and hard work to get your traffic back to where it was.
There are plenty of bloggers that subscribe to my rss feed, be sure to scroll through the comments for any tips that other bloggers might have left. If you would like to add something to the list it would be appreciated, take a moment to leave a comment with any useful tips for increasing traffic.
Cole Stan (2)
KyAus @ Those.Tips (2)
SafariDave (2)
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re absolutely right: worrying won’t do any good – the fix is to just jump in and get busy. You even listed them in the best order. First blog, then comment and then share.
Have you ever read my post titled Blog Traffic Up 54.87% in the Last 30 Days: Our Proven Traffic Improvement Strategy? It stays in my Most Popular Section and I put a direct link in the regular Website field to make it easy to access.
That strategy can double my traffic when I implement it – and any blogger can use it.
Gail @ Social Media Marketing´s last blog ..Best to All in This Happy New Year of 2010
Simple methods yet very crucial, well advised John. Action means everything in this case, but having a positive mindset and not overwhelmed by negative thoughts is just as important. I had a 28-days of vacation last year and I did worry about traffic issue, especially when the laptop I brought with me went bluescreen on me and I had to share a PC with my nephew… What I gained most is not to be too hard on yourself. When it’s time to relax, you deserved it; if you have a tight relationship with your readers, they’ll understand the space you need and will still visit you, they just need to know you’re around.
Perhaps that’s another way of saying — relationship building matters too in term of traffic as well. I totally agree with Twitter/Facebook integration, it may not be a replacement for blogs, but a good networking tool for updates (where/how you are, even when you can’t blog).
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
Ching Ya´s last blog ..How Blog Review Can Help to Improve Blog Traffic
Hi John,
My blogs are so new that I didn’t even have a chance to take a break yet, but I know that when I do, I’ll try to schedule some posts ahead of time and explain to my readers that there will be a delayed response to their comments.
I know I’m going to need a break soon because I’ve gotta get some sleep one day!
Thanks for the info.
ileane @Blogging´s last blog ..Say Goodbye to Family, Friends and A Good Night’s Sleep!
I think your being honest is going to help people. I take a break and see that my visitors can go down to 40 a day and when I’m trying to work it a few hundred so the reality does linger that if you want visitors we have to work for it OR you can get my Premium Wordpress Plugin called Blogger Bill BOT once you activate this bad boy it’s all cocktails on the beach action LOL
It’s 47 dollars for the next 24hrs.Or
I was thinking that I had actually ran out of things to say well we knew that along time ago but I think that my skating days may be over and if I want to pursue this further it’s going to take some researched powerful posts writing about things people haven’t even thought about yet
I’m going to miss blazing and freestyling it was fun but sadly I think I have to do some actually work finally. Research to me has been what pic to copy from google images.
It’s only just begun
John Sullivan´s last blog ..The Grim Reaper slips past the car wash
Updating your blog, doing some comments on the other blog, doing social networking.. nice.. very nice and helpful advice. You may find it stressful yo do all these things but its worth it. One advice though: Don’t let stress bust you. Sometimes, a walk in a starry evening could evaporate all your worries and stresses in life. Take time to enjoy little things that life may offer you..
So, basically, when your traffic is down, keep on working ;) It’s actually good advice, as many people could just give up and take a couple of weeks more off ;)
Anne @ b6s.net´s last blog ..The Next Big Google Algorithm Update
Anytime I see a drop (or not that I’m competing with a certain sports site), I do two posts in a day, instead of my normal one. That extra post can often give it a much needed boost.
Also, another way to get a good turbo boost is to hold a contest. The trick I’ve found is to make it so that it goes viral and retains the readers at your site once they get there.
This is when it is great to have a nice email newsletter subscriber list so you can get some instant eyes to a new post. That being said, not every one is building a list so the tips you’ve shared are some great ways to get started.
Having some guest posters while you are away can help keep the momentum going.
I also agree with Mike, a contest, when executed properly can even help surpass your current traffic levels (all stuff you already know
)
Regards,
Karl
Karl Foxley@SEO and Internet Marketing Blog´s last blog ..15 Free Tools To Add To Your Online Business Toolbox
One thing you could do is a ‘best of’ post prior to taking that break [or upon your return]. This way new visitors get an instant feel for what your site is about and spend some time exploring. And returning visitors get to revisit [or find for the first time] some great posts in your archives.
I try not to worry about traffic too much. As long as I feel good about what I’m writing then I’m good [for now]. I’ll work on the rest in time. Baby steps.
Anne´s last blog ..How to Rid Yourself of Negativity and Let the Happiness Inside
Well, lesson learned? No more frickin vacations man!
Next time do what Karl said, hold a contest, get however many guest posts you need for each day you will be gone, then set them to post as you are on vacation! I am sure there would be plenty of people wanting to guest post here.
Keith@Need Information´s last blog ..Pop Ups On Your Blog
You definitely covered good points on how to recover from a traffic drop. However, the 11 day vacation is what is on my mind. Oh man, if I am away from my computer for 2 hours I am having an anxiety attack. I couldn’t imagine 11 days. Maybe when I retire at 30 I’ll take an 11 day vacation and not die of a heart attack
.
Well, this is a risk we’ll have to assume. Nobody can update his blog for ever. Sooner o later we’ll need a break and some of the readers will leave our blog. It’s the way internet works: users want fresh contents.
Personally I wouldn’t worry about a small dip in traffic while I was on vacation. You work your ass off and deserve a little R&R.
If it really bothers you, then you could always write several posts before your vacation and maybe post one every other day just to keep things fresh until you get back in the saddle.
Matt@Atlanta Georgia Real Estate´s last blog ..The Perfect Storm for Home-Buyers
Saturday is the worst day for Internet traffic and I pretty much ignore whatever traffic dropoff I get over the weekend. If Monday still stinks, than there is an issue.
Steve @ TaxAct 2009´s last blog ..Find Tax Help in Spanish
Hey I think an 11day vacation is a good trade off for a little traffic drop. Your loyal readers are still around
I really like using Ping.fm, and after doing some tweaking it is working great for me. The problem I was having with it in the beginning was that it was triple updating. So I removed Facebook from my list of networks. All is good now.
Anyway welcome back bud!
Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Do you have Blogger’s Butt?
I guess the simplest idea to prevent this from happening is to make sure to schedule a couple of time independent posts ahead of the vacation… Another to re-run a set of “best of blog posts” and schedule them.
Another thing you might do is to get ahead on your posts and schedule them to publish during your absence. The only down side would be that none of the posts would be concerning news, like the earthquake.
Keith@Norman Rockwell Art´s last blog ..Jan 17, Puppy Love, Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post Cover 1926
Three simple methods that can make a huge difference!
Of course, if you know you’re gonna be away from your blog, you could just schedule some posts while you’re away to “keep things up”, just a little bit.
Anywho, I RT’ed this
Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Matt Cutts On How PageRank Flows From Twitter & Facebook
You forgot something: make sure you write a few articles every month that will generate organic search results. These take more time, but they pay off better in the long term.
Dave Doolin @ Website In A Weekend´s last blog ..MasterMind Power I: How 5 Boys Achieved Unparalled Success
These are great ways to bring back your readers to your blog, but in my point of view, if the readers are loyal readers, I’m sure they’ll keep visiting your blog and look for latest updates no more how long you have been off. (I hope you don’t mind to see I praise myself, the people is Me. lol!)
But honestly, it’s really important to tell your readers about what you’ve done and why you off such a long period, at least to get them understand your situation, that way your readers will stick to your blog again.
Cheers,
Lee
I always feel so guilty that I took the time off and I work like a demon when I get back. Good post EJ, and good advice on how to keep from losing ground when you are absent. BTW you aren’t mad at me or anything are you?
I still came back every day to see if anything new was happening..
Good tips for sure. Next time I go on a blogging break, I think I will load in some fresh posts and sprinkle in some “best of” posts as well. Your Alexa rank didn’t seems to rise..I always take notice, as I am trying to get where you are, under 25k..
Tycoon Blogger @blog hosting reviews´s last blog ..Driving Traffic to your blog by using your Google Analytics
I agree. I think even John Chow or Darren Rowse experience this one way or the other when ever they take a break (if they do)
MichaelR´s last blog ..Call Forwarding, Toll-Free Option Available
Happy New Year, Extreme John! What’s up, dude! I know my traffic dropped around the holidays and I wasn’t as active either. I’m working on getting back into the game though. And I hope this finds you doing well.
The Constant Complainer´s last blog ..Cell Phone Shots – Volume IX
Do you get most of your traffic through search engines or through repeat visitors?
I know I found your blog through a search but now just check my reader and if there isn’t a new post (or one that looks interesting to me) then I won’t wander in.
Unless I’m feeling like going through the archives which I do sometimes.
Those you mentioned are so true.
My traffic drops whenever I don’t post consistently or make comments to other blogs.
ZXT´s last blog ..Blog Monthly Stats
Gotta keep working hard. Focus on working and less on stats.
Sports Stars´s last blog ..2010 NFL DRAFT | Colt McCoy Jerseys 
@Sports Stars, very good point.
I have inexplicable dips that happen from time to time. I’m in one right now – that’s how I found your article;) !
I’m coming for learning