Feb stats

Discussion in 'Forum Announcements and Feedback' started by Daniel Mosquin, Mar 5, 2007.

  1. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Thought you might be interested in these from my monthly report for Feb:

     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    What significance do you yourself get out of them?
     
  3. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Do you mean "how do I benefit?" or "how do I interpret them?"
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Option number two.
     
  5. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    The increase in web visitors is a steady growth fueled in large part due to the contributions of the community of users on the forums. The more posts, the more there is for people to find the site via search engines. 80% growth measuring monthly stats is a trend that's been going on for a while.

    The two downward trends for the web site as a whole, web visits / visitor and pages viewed / visit are likely a reflection of the increasing numbers of search engine visitors to the site. The trick to improving both of these numbers is to give people some reason to stick around.

    Forums growth should (I think) mirror web site visitor growth as a whole, but as you can see, it is only growing at half the pace roughly. This is where other parts of the web site make up the difference in accounting for the discrepancy, primarily BPotD.
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    GardenWeb seems to have had high turnover during the years I have been there. However, the tone here is perhaps a little more erudite and definitely less rowdy, due to your moderation. I think there is a great number of people who stop in and read, either once or periodically, but don't throw their hats in the rink (if that is an apt expression) precisely because GW is seen as a rink.

    There also seemed to be an exodus of GW regulars when the new owners announced that they were retaining rights to all photos submitted. This was apparently a big turnoff for some people. This site will have similar factors at work, to an extent deciding what to do will be like throwing a party or opening a store.
     
  7. Just Curious

    Just Curious Active Member

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    Well said Ron B.
    Over the years I've read what both you, and many others have posted both here and on Garden Web and I've watched the evolution of both sites.
    Daniel, the numbers seem to indicate a much more transient group loging on to this site, reasons, unknown. What is done with this information, if anything, is up to you and the others involved with this site, you've done a great job so far. I'm glad you felt the stat's should be shared with the people who visit here. I for one appreciate you telling us which direction, the numbers say, this site is going.
     
  8. kia796

    kia796 Active Member

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    Daniel, what determines a Unique visitor? Unregistered?

    The trick to improving both of these numbers is to give people some reason to stick around.
    The flip side, though, is that the links posters provide when replying often take people elsewhere? Very useful for people asking...not so good for you?
     
  9. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    No, it is the IP address recorded by the web server logs. For example, if you are on most highspeed connections, your computer always has the same IP address, so even if you visit the site every day, you are only recorded as being one unique visitor for the month. There are flaws with this approach, but it is the best measure of visitation in my estimation.

    In a way, yes, but ultimately no. I'm more interested in ensuring people find the information they need to be successful with their plants and gardens than that particular statistic. I don't measure the success of the web site by that particular statistic.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2007
  10. kia796

    kia796 Active Member

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    So dial-ups are listed each time vs. once a month for high-speed.
    (I'm just curious about the stats)

    I'm more interested in ensuring people find the information they need to be successful with their plants and gardens than that particular statistic.
    One more reason why this site is so highly-regarded.

    Thanks for the explanation, Daniel.
     
  11. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    You're right in general about dial-up vs. high-speed. There are other factors that errantly inflate or suppress the number of unique users - like connections behind a router (e.g., there are 3 terminals in my office, all sharing the same IP address), but you've got a good handle on it.

    It is far more trustworthy stat than hits.
     
  12. kia796

    kia796 Active Member

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    Yup, but hits would put you in the millions monthly...(good for the ole' business plan)

    And, as the numbers are close to inverting (dial-up years ago versus mostly high-speed now), that'd equate to decreases (counterproductive to the ole' business plan). Hmmm.

    I'll let you get back to more important stuff. Thanks for the chat on this.
     

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