BlogBeat: An Amateur App For Amateurs
February 15th, 2006 by Vince Chan :: 
I just signed up to try out
Multiple Domain Names
What’s with the .org and .net domain names? Be consistent! I signed up on the .org site and my welcoming message had links with the .net domain. Here’s the link in question:
You may also choose to sign up at any time by selecting the Purchase Blogbeat link at the top of the page.
Hope you had more luck than me, because all I get was a server error page (pictured below)! Very amateur!
Click for larger image
Where Are The Links?
In the link above, BlogBeat states that there is easy access to the purchase page at the top of the page. None were found on ANY of the pages? What’s going on?
Down Time!
Here’s a screenshot I took while I was navigating the service. Why would I tolerate downtime with an essential tracking service?
Click for larger image
No Support For Multiple Blogs
I was able to easily install the javascript code for tracking with my Blog. But I can see right away that there aren’t any features for me to add my other Blogs on the same account. At least with
BlogBeat bills itself as an option that caters better to Bloggers. In their own words on their FAQ:
Q: Why would I pay for this when other services are free?
A: Well, for starters, because the “free” services are limited to a set number of page views (Blogbeat is not), they are filled with ads (Blogbeat has no ads), and they weren’t designed to keep up with blogs (Blogbeat was). Plus Blogbeat offers API access, RSS tracking, and a lot more blog-specific features those other guys don’t offer.
With that simple mission in mind, why can’t BlogBeat offer a level of service that many Bloggers will demand? More and more Bloggers are running multiple Blogs. If you’re expecting Bloggers to fork out money for each of their Blogs, then you need to fire your marketing person who came up with that idea!
Their Higher Than Thou Attitude
What irks me most about
Q: Why would I hook your script up to my blog?
A: We already know about how you rip all your post ideas from Slashdot and Make like you found them. So it’s not such a big deal for us to keep track of your blog stats, is it?
Make you want to jump on their bandwagon and empty your wallets for them, right? Urrrgh.
Saving Graces?
To be fair, I like the approach that BlogBeat employs to display their results. They cater to the Amateur Blogger and use plain-speak instead of jargon. They help you find out
- Which posts were most popular today?
- Who sent the most visitors my way?
- Which browsers were popular today?
I’ll also link to a favourable review so that you can decide for yourself!
My Recommendation?
Ultimately, BlogBeat comes across as an amateur operation that can help AmBloggers. However I recommmend that AmBloggers get more educated and not be afraid to use other tracking services like Google (Analytics) and Google (recently acquired
Update: Eric Scalf did a break-down of the BlogBeat FAQ. It’s funny!
6 Responses to “BlogBeat: An Amateur App For Amateurs”
An even more amusing thing, their “blog” link at the bottom of each page, links to http://blog.blogbeat.net. That’s another sign-up page. heh.
Exactly my point Eric! Good catch… why have a Blog page where you don’t blog? BlogBeat simply doesn’t get it! They seem to be so focused on getting people to sign up ASAP before the Web 2.0 mania is over, the funny thing is that they don’t make it easy for you to do so, since those purchase links are nowhere to be found!
I know this is a stupid question but here goes anyway. Did you get it ever get it going and is it any good? I was going to sign up but after reading your post I thought it wouls be wiser to ask.
Sorry for the errors but I think you can still understand.
Cris,
Eric above seemed to like it once you get past their Web 2.0 attitude. I agree that it’s a good app. It wouldn’t be something I’d paid for.
With a 30 day trial, I doubt too many people will sign up after trying, but you should try it to find out for yourself!
Chris,
I’ve been using it, and I think it’s a good and sound app. Personally, if I could afford the $6 a month, I’d probably pay for it. But that’s just me.