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Some things I would like to see improved on ActiveRain

After blogging on ActiveRain for some time and maintaining a Wordpress blog at the same time, I feel that ActiveRain is behind the times in several areas. Now before you rip this blog to peaces please read it first. These features might exist and I might not now about them if so please advice.

Blogging ease. I have yet to see a system that allows you to write blogs easily on line. I currently use Windows Live Writer to write my blogs, but have been unable to find a way to get it to write directly to ActiveRain. Instead, I have to post to my Wordpress blog and then copy the content to ActiveRain. This is extremely annoying and I wish that ActiveRain would just adopt one of the standards so I could maintain just one blog.
Statistics. On my Wordpress blog, I can see all kinds of statistics. For instance, I can see what key words people use to find my site. I can see the total number of views for my entire blog. I cannot see these statistics on ActiveRain. Knowing how people are finding my blog is extremely important, as it allows me to make decisions on what future blogs to write. I want to know what consumers are looking for to serve them better.
The search system that is supposed to generate revenue just isn't working. First, I have seen very little revenue from my own blog for buyers trying to find properties elsewhere. Second, when I mentioned this feature to my husband - who often reads my blog but is not an ActiveRain member - he didn't even notice the feature. When I showed him where it was, he commented that no one would ever find it there. (consumer feedback for AR community)

Don't get me wrong. Overall, I like ActiveRain. However I do feel that other blogging systems are much easier to use and offer more functionality.

To AR community: Is it possible to implement these features?

What is your feedback on it?

Posted by Nelya Calev on 03/04/2009 10:09 AM

Comments (16)

Some Things I Would Like to See Improved on ActiveRain in the ActiveRain Channel

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Originally posted at: Nelya's Blog: Some things I would like to see improved on ActiveRain

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16 Comments on Some things I would like to see improved on ActiveRain

MAR

Ummm Thank Goodness for the cut and paste feature :-) I like you also maintain a few blogs.

Good suggestions !

I don't have that problem but I do have a problem being able to print or send a blog that I read on AR and want to keep.

Nelya- I also have a WP blog and love the added gadget, plugins etc. The biggest one that I would like to see implemented is your #1. efficient blog editor. I have tried so many different ones, and it would be easier to do it either here with an improved WYSIWYG editor or with other editors that would let me post it from there directly to here. Now it's probably already on the works... who knows. ~Rita

I really think we need tracking features as well. I understand Google analytics wont work with the same domain but for outside blogs it should... or could at least.

I think ActiveRain is very easy to use but I have been using it since 2006.

You can install Site Meter if you want stats. I love stats, I wish we access to some pretty graphic stats but that has never seemed to be a big priority . I saw something that said we may be able to use Google Analytics in the future .

By the "Search sytem " I assume you mean Lead Router? Since that is a money generator I would guess that will evolve quickly. Lead Router is relatively new and was introduced when they were trying to launch a bunch of stuff , Outside blogs, the New Localism.... sponsorship of Localism communities.

Hi Nelya,

ActiveRain is constantly changing and improving. Hang on for the ride! :)

Nelya, I have to disagree. I love how easy it is to post on AR. Why can't wordpress adjust to AR??

Connie, Have you made this suggestion to the AR IT Gurus? I bet they can make it happen!

Betina

Oops, I was logged in as Tre trying to figure out why he wasn't seeing his Rainmaker badge. What I meant to say was:

Nelya,

Thank you for you candid feedback. We appreciate it and are always striving to make ActiveRain better so posts like these really help.

I'm not sure I have an immediate answer for your first suggestion, but I do have some thoughts on the next two.

Regarding traffic stats: We are making a large push to get members using the outside blog component of the site. Much of the SEO work we are doing is focused on getting members outside blogs to perform at a high level in the search engines. We are on the verge of launching a google analytics widget on the outside blogs that will allow members to have their own google analytics account hooked up to their outside blog so they can really track their traffic.

Maureen gave a good suggestion for getting stats on your internal activerain blog.

Regarding listing router: It works but could certainly be improved. One suggestion I would make for your own posts is to include a footer that directs clients to your IDX website. Not only does this make sure that people on your posts are able to search for homes in your market, it also sends the search engines to your sites to help get your site indexed.

I can't say how much I wish it were easier to post WYSIWYG to AR blogs but that something sure to evolve soon. What impresses me is that the founders of AR took the time to respond to your post. That says TONS for this organization.

Kathy

Bob-

As far as SEO goes I would love if all my juice went to my outside blog. Is there a way to just turn off the switch to my internal one or at least on posts that are duplicated on both? I would rather focus on my outside blog and then have member articles for here. I didnt do this on my end because I like them appearing here to get comments. But I wish there was a way to concentrate the juice. I am sure this is what you mean by what you said but I am wondering about a clarification.

Thanks.

PS if you dont see this I will send you a messgage.

I see it Shane,

In the future, there will be a way for you to have complete control over where your posts go, including sending them exclusively to your outside blog. Or you can have them reside on AR and then have the AR post point to your outside blog post as the authority source of the content.

So yes, we will allow you the ability to point the 'juice' whereever you see fit, but that development is a bit in the future as we work on the look of the outside blogs and let the 1000's of current domain marinate a little so that google likes them more and more........

That sounds good Bob. I am sure you knew what I meant and I am sure others probably asked you as well. Thanks!

WOW!!! Thanks for all your feed back.

Bob I am very glad to hear that we will have the google analytics widgets here soon. I will incert footer that directs clients to my IDX website (I actually need to figure out how to do it) I feel flattered that you took the time to respond Thank you

Another option for tracking keywords is mybloglog. They are excellent for that:)

Good post. Learned something new.

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