Many organizations worry about sharing statistics on their Web traffic with the public because they might not seem impressive enough, but in many cases those numbers can be a powerful tool, says the co-founder of a social enterprise.

Ben’s Friends, a small social business that creates online communities for people with rare diseases, reports that it has seen a growth in membership since it began sharing its monthly traffic statistics on its home page.

Scott Orn, co-founder of the organization, said at the South by Southwest Interactive conference in Austin that the statistics help to provide “social proof” that his organization is making a difference and getting attention.

People like to be on a winning team, he said, just they like to visit busy bars and restaurants. By showing that a lot of people are using the site, it encourages others to do the same.

What statistics could you share as “social proof” for your organization?