About

Mary Corbet

writer and founder

 

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

Contact Mary

Connect with Mary

     

Archives

2024 (30) 2023 (125) 2022 (136) 2021 (130) 2020 (132) 2019 (147) 2018 (146) 2017 (169) 2016 (147) 2015 (246) 2014 (294) 2013 (294) 2012 (305) 2011 (306) 2010 (316) 2009 (367) 2008 (352) 2007 (225) 2006 (139)

Needle ‘n Thread News, Stats, and Looking Ahead…

 

Amazon Books

It isn’t often that I write an article focusing solely on the website aspect of Needle ‘n Thread. In fact, it’s been over a year and a half since I’ve actually spilled forth about the website itself, what it is, what you’ll find on it, and where it’s going. For faithful readers who have been here for a long while (the website’s over 3.5 years old now), what’s on Needle ‘n Thread might not be new information for you. But for those of you who have joined my needlework journeys relatively recently, you may find that a little orientation will help you find your way around the website with a bit more ease. Old Timers and Newbies alike may find my current stats information interesting, and hopefully, you’ll all be keen to know what’s coming up in the future of Needle ‘n Thread. So please bear with me, while I babble a bit about my online home!

Finding Your Way around Needle ‘n Thread

The last time I mentioned in detail the organizational set-up on Needle ‘n Thread was well over a year and a half ago. Given the growth of the website in the last year, I thought perhaps I should acquaint and re-acquaint readers with the website’s current organizational “system,” so that you can get the most out of your visits to Needle ‘n Thread. You may also find some hidden gems of information or inspiration that you didn’t know were here!

Lost in the recesses of 3.5 years of posting, you’ll find my Orientation Page of the website. This is a good place to start exploring Needle ‘n Thread, and to get a feel for what’s on the website and where to find it.

Needle ‘n Thread Website Statistics

I’d like to share some statistics with you, not for the sake of horn-blowing, but rather so you know where the website’s been and where it’s going.

I haven’t been one to linger much on website stats. When I first started Needle ‘n Thread, I had no idea what I was doing as far as blogging is concerned, and I had no visions of popularity or grandeur – my website was merely meant to be a teaching tool, an extension of the embroidery classes I was teaching during the summer months. Still, the website has enjoyed some growth, thanks to you, of course!

As far as statistics go, I’ll speak in term of “visits” (numbers of people actually visiting the website), as opposed to “hits” (which are simply requests for files by a user-agent, and do not necessarily translate into the number of people actually visiting a website).

Last year in January, 2009, Needle ‘n Thread received 8.5K – 9.5K visits per day (up to almost 60,000 visits a week). For a narrow niche like hand embroidery, I’m told this is good.

As of this January, 2010, the site receives between 13K-15K visits a day, and averages around 90K-93K visits a week, which strikes me as a nice growth rate.

Last January, 2009, Needle ‘n Thread had a total of 1,674 daily readers who subscribed to the website via a feedreader or through the daily e-mail newsletter.

This January, 2010, Needle ‘n Thread has over 3,200 daily readers who subscribe to the webfeed or the daily e-mail newsletter.

(Good golly, three thousand regular readers?! I never, ever expected those kinds of numbers! It’s rather humbling! Thanks for your confidence and interest, dear readers!)

Where Needle ‘n Thread is Going

This is a difficult subject, because I’m not 100% clear on the topic myself right now! I find myself in a situation where I have to make some serious changes to the website. This is actually a hosting problem, which I hope will be rectified through some serious tweaking, a different method of hosting, and even a complete overhaul of the website itself. In the next couple months, I’ll be working towards this end with some professional help, and in the process, there may be some glitches. Please bear with me!

Once the technical difficulties are squared away, I’ll be adding some new features to the site and actually offering a couple products / services. This latter part is taking me a heap o’ work right now! I’m excited about it, but a bit nervous!

One thing that won’t change: valuable, free daily content on subjects related to hand-embroidery – the same type of content you’ve enjoyed up to now, and that I’ve enjoyed putting together.

I hope you’ll stick with me through the transitions in the months to come! If you have any questions, comments, and suggestions, you are always welcome to contact me. I always look forward to hearing from readers, and I like to be able to tailor the site to your interests, so don’t hesitate to write!

And finally, thank YOU so much for your encouragement and accompaniment during my needlework explorations! I’ve learned so much and have been so inspired by the kindness and generosity of the online needlework community! I hope the rest of this year sees continued interest and growth in the art of embroidery so that we, and future generations, may continue to enjoy this art we all love so well!

 
 

Leave a Reply to Anonymous Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*


(13) Comments

  1. Dear Mary,
    i just received my daily email from your site and was astonished to read that you have so very many visitors every day! You web site "feels" like a cozy, friendly place to come to learn about embroidery and share the passion we each have with others. I now appreciate even more the individual attention you give to our questions! Congratulations on your success and thank you for doing so much for all of your readers!

    Kathy in Berlin

    1
  2. Just for comparison purposes, it's a huge day on my blog if 50 people visit. I think the average is about 20. I think it's because of your wonderful content, tutorials and stitch-alongs. You're quite inspiring.

    2
  3. Hi Mary

    I enjoy and look forward to reading your web pages. Along with many other readers!! A very large measure of thanks are due to you for all the time and effort you put in to the content, and the embroidery instructions / lessons. I have only been embroidering for a short time and your long and short stitch lessons have enabled me to learn and produce some good results in this technique. I wish you success in your future endeavours.

    Pam in the UK

    3
  4. Take your time with the technical aspects of the site, I'll hang around!

    Congrats on your readership. As Kathy mentions, it doesn't feel that big! It's rare to find someone who is both passionate about their subject and passionate about teaching it to others – I know it's a lot of work! It's very much appreciated, and that's why we keep reading.

    4
  5. You can count on me to hang-in-there with you through thick and thin, glitches and smooth sailing! I can't wait to see the web site changes and to see just what you have up your (surely embroidered) sleeve 🙂

    5
  6. Before finding your site I thought embroidery merely included outline stitch, 6-strand floss, Aunt Martha’s iron-ons on cheap tea towels and plastic hoops. Sigh. I’ve learned so much through your web site Mary, thank you for all the effort you put into it. And thanks to the readers who give fine advice and resources in the comments sections. Keep up the good work, it IS a wonderful site.

    6
  7. Your blog had about a year when I was so lucky and found it. It allowed me to read most of it!
    In fact the number of your readers is fantastic but doesn't surprise me.
    You are really well known all over the world. And more than that you are respected, admired and held in high regard. (don't write this in caps lock because it's not correct!)
    You have always the right word to support each of us.You are always calm and encouraging.
    You already know how I am grateful to you. I feel a deep esteem for you, despite the virtual world we met each other.
    Once more I thank you for all your hard work and energy and time shared with us!
    I'm sure the new website will become amazing like all you do.

    7
  8. As long as you continue to publish your blog, i`ll be here Mary! I don`t always comment, but it is always a good read…I am one of your e-mail subscribers, and always read your post first with coffee. You have informed, comforted and inspired me over the last couple of years, and I look forward to more…

    8
  9. You're thanking US? WE should be the ones thanking you!! Congratulations Mary on having your hard work recognized by so many. Only goes to show they have good taste!

    9
  10. G'day Mary,

    Good on you. The proof is in the pudding. And such a yummy one it is too. The ingredients are top stuff and the 'stirrer' truely knows what she's doing. So many regular tasters can't be wrong eh!

    All the best with the changes. Don't worry if not always smooth sailing. I'm with you, and trust you won't have many problems.

    Cheers, Kath.

    10
  11. Hi Mary,

    I found your blog when you were on your travels in the summer of 2009 and was immediately hooked. I do love reading posts by someone who actually knows how to write. As I writing-challenged person I appreciate this very much. I would like to see your reference posts on "The Editor's Floss", updated when you review new products, especially the needlework book reviews. You have reviewed several books that are not on this post, so I have to search for it. I may have mentioned this previously :). I did take one of your recommendations seriously and asked for (and received) a wonderful Monogram book for Christmas.
    Keep up the great work, your blog is by far the most interesting one I follow.

    11
  12. Hi Mary,

    Congratulations! It is hardly surprising since you have made the content so interesting and varied, but what I really like is the effort that you make to to answer all our queries and our requests. Your blog as Kathy says is a friendly, cozy place for exchange of ideas.

    12
  13. Hi Mary, urs is such a embroidery friendly blog, its no wonder so many ppl stop by. keep up the good work. You are a great inspiration.
    -Ambica

    13
More Comments