Status check on health of this site.

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Sorry if it's obvious, but are those statistics just for the classifieds or for overall posts on Fauna?

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Active Ads 17,476
Comments 4,731
Views 6,934,220
Items Sold 7,292

I know you had to start charging but since you have there is really nothing to look at on fauna. It just a handful of the same people. There prices are never that great either.
I really used to like browsing the adds. I found lots of great buys in the past even in my own state now really nothing. I hope things get back to the old way

How many people actually know to check both classified sections? I actually forget about checking the photopost section sometimes myself.

 

[WebSlave]

Rich, are posts and threads in the photopost classifieds included in your stats?

According to the documentation from Photopost, post and replies made to the PP classifieds and the photo gallery are supposed to be counted as posts to the site. This is controlled via an option setting in the admin page. But I have never tried to prove it, and I think it would be difficult to do so.

 

[WebSlave]

Sorry if it's obvious, but are those statistics just for the classifieds or for overall posts on Fauna?

The stats are for ALL posts.

 

[WebSlave]

How many people actually know to check both classified sections? I actually forget about checking the photopost section sometimes myself.

No way of telling. When I get this site upgraded, I believe there is a mod available that will basically combine the capabilities of both types of classified sections so I can eliminated the dual nature of classifieds here. But of course, there will likely be compromises that need to be made.

Right now an upgrade isn't advisable because my programmer tells me the developers are working on yet another change in the basic structure of vBulletin which would be best to wait for. Of course, being the first on the block with ANY major new software revision is not advisable either. If an upgrade were a simple matter, then it wouldn't be an issue, but with all the custom mods on this site, the conversion is going to be time consuming and costly for programmer time. Fortunately some mods have been incorporated in the newest upgrade version of the software, but there are still come pretty radical changes in the code here that will have to be completely rewritten for the upgrade. Heck, I've done a few minor changes myself, and don't know if I even remember what I did back then.

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Something else about ads and doesn’t really go to the topic but it might be glitch that hasn’t been noticed.

If someone makes a post you can search their ads in the forums by clicking on “ads” in the bottom right corner of each persons post. It will show you all the ads posted in the forums.

But, if you click on someone’s profile and click “show all ads” it doesn’t show any of the forum-based ads at all. Someone that has many ads up in the forums will be shown to have zero ads. The "show all ads" link only shows ads in the photopost section.

 

[WebSlave]

Rich, You know I always say what is on my mind.

Who would have thought I would have ever sent fauna money? But I told you in the past before you ever did it. Charging for the classifieds is a good thing and when I was ready to post ads I would pay to post them here.

I would like to go on record in saying that it was the best 25 bucks I have spent to place ads. I get a TON of people saying they seen my ads HERE! That makes me feel like I spent a good 25 bucks. and to tell you the truth I am and will renew if you keep charging. I like to think I offer high quality animals. And I have thought about it but every time I do I wonder why send KS money when Fauna and my sites do me just fine.

I get buyers from here bro. I really do. I think on KS i would be emailing people back pics just becuase they want pics. Not becuase they are interested in the animal.

I know we have butted heads many many times. I did not agree with charging for the BOI. But I do agree with charging for the ads. It is only fair IMO that I give you something for helping me sell.

If you do not charge I will continue to place ads here. I probably will still send you that 25 bucks. Only fair like I said. I see one thing though. the people that will place ad after ad after ad to fill the page will now have others to compete with lol.

But from a person selling here. I get a lot of people saying they seen me here. So it is getting the traffic. Just the fluff is gone. But like everyone says cut away the fat and give me the meat lmao.

Thanks, Gary....

But how does one know what is fluff and what is meat? By what yardstick would most people measure the health of a website like this? Fluff or not, I believe that nearly all measurement criteria concerning a publicly accessible website would have to include raw traffic. To advertisers, people coming to this site for answers to their questions, or someone just looking for a place where everyone else goes to, the amount of traffic (IE, how many other people are visiting the site) is going to be an important criteria to note for them to determine if this is a place THEY want to come to as well.

If I were a new member coming to this site, I would look at the stats and see that there are presently 43,329 registered members here. WOW! Pretty impressive, I would think. But when I look at how many registered members are HERE right now, I only see 73. Where are the other 43,256 members? Thinking maybe it's just a slow time of day, I then check number of members who have visited in the last 24 hours..... Hmmm... only 872.....

If I knew enough to check, I might then go to FaunaTopSites and look at the stats there for this site. I scroll down to the bottom and see this...

This clearly shows a steady decline in traffic from January, 2007 to present.

No, the stats aren't lying if you take the time to read them.

So the question is, WHAT is the problem and is it fixable? Or is there even a solution at all? My original incentive to post this thread was initiated by an email I got from someone concerning the paid requirement for posting classifieds. Is THIS being the boat anchor? Or perhaps one of several?

Looking at this from a different angle, is this all just indicative of a slowdown in this business itself? I just looked at the stats on FaunaTopSites of some other sites, and in many instances I am seeing the same thing: A general slowdown in traffic to many of those sites as well since January.

Which, obviously, is nothing I can fix from this site, I guess. If the number of buyers and sellers are declining, or people in general maintaining a DAILY interest in this topic matter just falling off, then all I am seeing is a graph of the industry in general. Which, if this is the case, leads to the question of whether there is anything that could be done HERE to help turn things around. I would rather think I am contributing to the health of this industry rather than inhibiting it and therefore being even partially the cause of spiralling down into stagnation.

Just more food for thought, I guess.

Thanks for the input on this....

 

[99Vengeur]

If the decline in traffic is being observed on other sites, it may be the current swing of the pendulum for the industry. With all business, there is going to be fluctuation. There is no possible way to sustain an exponential growth of any business.

With this said, could it be that the current slow decline is due to various legislative decisions that are being made across the country?? Just a thought that crossed my mind as I was replying to this thread.

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

No, if you really look at the graphs, they are very much seasonal. This probably coincides with the breeding seasons, and when hatchlings become available for sale.

Just my own imput on this that i agree with you , i have noticed activity level on the site is different during certain times of the year too. never really thought much of it, just sort of... thats how it is.

 

[deborahbroadus]

But Rich said a "decline" and a "steady" one at that...so this doesn't indicate the highs and lows of seasons or breeding periods but people leaving and not coming back...ummmm

Could be when the BP craze was hottest and people were buying them in droves...then IBD hit a few and other people were losing their snakes, or they were dying from incorrect keeping habits....so lost of interest could account for some of the decline.

 

[IloveSnakes1234]

Maybe some of the people here are scaring away new members??
I've seen it happen. But that's just a maybe.
I agree with Deborah the decline is steady not seasonal (although this does affect it) Personally, when I start to breed my own snakes, especially starting out, I don't want to pay $100 or $250 just to be able to sell snakes on fauna. I'd go to KS or something instead so this also might be why.
Just my opinion...

 

[shrap]

Personally, when I start to breed my own snakes, especially starting out, I don't want to pay $100 or $250 just to be able to sell snakes on fauna. I'd go to KS or something instead so this also might be why.
Just my opinion...

Huh?

It only costs $25 a year to post unlimited ads here at Fauna. Not $100 or $250.

At KS you have the following options: $20 a month, $35 every 3 months, $50 for 6 months or $100 for a year.

Personally, I utilize both.

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

Maybe some of the people here are scaring away new members??
I've seen it happen. But that's just a maybe.
I agree with Deborah the decline is steady not seasonal (although this does affect it) Personally, when I start to breed my own snakes, especially starting out, I don't want to pay $100 or $250 just to be able to sell snakes on fauna. I'd go to KS or something instead so this also might be why.
Just my opinion...

Paulina i would recheck the membership levels and the abilities of each one.

Whoop. sammy got to it before me : )

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

But Rich said a "decline" and a "steady" one at that...so this doesn't indicate the highs and lows of seasons or breeding periods but people leaving and not coming back...ummmm

Could be when the BP craze was hottest and people were buying them in droves...then IBD hit a few and other people were losing their snakes, or they were dying from incorrect keeping habits....so lost of interest could account for some of the decline.

that may be true, but, theres still a difference depending on what time of the season it is too.

 

[Gary O]

Rich, I have to give you a ton of credit. You are showing that you care about the site, the members, and this hobby more and more. This thread has shown me this. I am not really sure what one thing about this thread has but it just has.

I need to get over here and post some pics and other stuff. I do it on my site, and I do have time to come here and do the same.

I do not have an answer on what is fluff and what is not. I can tell you that i went and checked out TRR's stats and I see the same thing last year I had more posts then this year. maybe it is just that we are all seeing a slow down?

I PMed you awhile back saying I was happy to see the direction fauna was headed. Not the stats but the over all feeling. It feels better here this year then it did last year. People talk about Fauna at shows. In a good way. I have said this before. You have something here. You really do. I will go on record saying this. Even if you make the classifieds free. I will continue to pay you for it. It is only right.

I am thinking it is not just fauna. Hang in there it will pass.

 

[WebSlave]

Maybe some of the people here are scaring away new members??
I've seen it happen. But that's just a maybe.
I agree with Deborah the decline is steady not seasonal (although this does affect it) Personally, when I start to breed my own snakes, especially starting out, I don't want to pay $100 or $250 just to be able to sell snakes on fauna. I'd go to KS or something instead so this also might be why.
Just my opinion...

Obviously there are some misconceptions involved as well. Is this widespread? If so, what can be done to make accurate info more easily accessible and understood?

 

[IloveSnakes1234]

Endownment Membership is $250 per year (which I believe is unlimited ads?)
Benefactor is $100
and Contributor is $25...
unless I'm wrong and when you go to available subscriptions it doesn't say that...

 

[WebSlave]

Here's the thread where the membership benefits are listed -> http://faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64541

I read over it again and still don't see where unlimited ads are reserved for Endowment level members only.....

 

[Gary O]

I paid 25 bucks and have posted tons of ads.

I am on my way to get the fauna good guy thing right now too.

Rich. Bro....................... you are one of the good guys!

 

[WebSlave]

Rich, I have to give you a ton of credit. You are showing that you care about the site, the members, and this hobby more and more. This thread has shown me this. I am not really sure what one thing about this thread has but it just has.

I need to get over here and post some pics and other stuff. I do it on my site, and I do have time to come here and do the same.

I do not have an answer on what is fluff and what is not. I can tell you that i went and checked out TRR's stats and I see the same thing last year I had more posts then this year. maybe it is just that we are all seeing a slow down?

I PMed you awhile back saying I was happy to see the direction fauna was headed. Not the stats but the over all feeling. It feels better here this year then it did last year. People talk about Fauna at shows. In a good way. I have said this before. You have something here. You really do. I will go on record saying this. Even if you make the classifieds free. I will continue to pay you for it. It is only right.

I am thinking it is not just fauna. Hang in there it will pass.

Yeah, sometimes I try hard NOT to care. Sometimes I succeed for a while. During my busy season is when I am at my weakest, which many people have seen, I guess. This past season I just turned off that "caring" stuff completely, and it did help quite a bit.

Many times I even get myself believing that is the best way for me to be, and WISH I could stay that way....... Things would probably be easier for me around here if I could do that, but not sure how much of that would bleed over into other aspects of my life that I wouldn't really care to have.

Honestly, with all the mods now in place pitching in, things ARE easier on me around here. But I still try second guessing myself as to whether I am doing all this the best way. The problem is that there is really no other way but trying something and then kicking in the hindsight afterwards.

Thanks.....