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The great splash page experiment of 2007!

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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Ok guys, we have to conduct an experiment that might irk a few of you, but we HAVE to do it. 

You see, we've been closely watching our traffic stats, and currently ~20% of the traffic that attempts to visit Newschoolers.com doesn't get past the splash page.   We tried to fix that by making the picture a link, and having some of the latest news articles on there, but the bounce rate went up.  

We need to see if having no splash page would drastically change this bounce rate, or if that's just standard web traffic behaviour.    Even if we have to ditch it for the public though, we'll make it so that you can just put a cookie on your computer that will have you able to see it.   But, we won't know unless we give it a try. 

So, sometime within the next few days we're going to just set it that NS drops you right onto the homepage, bypassing the Splash page.   We'll collect data for one week, and then report back about what happened. 

Just bear with us, we love the splash page as much as you guys do, but 20% of the traffic bouncing off of it is crazy!   We need to figure out what we've done wrong! 

Thanks for understanding guys, you are the best community a website could ever ask for!


Nov 23 2007 10:29AM
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Rajna
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 90
i really miss the "continue as ..."

im sick of logging back in everytime i leave the page.

i think im just gonna change my bookmark to the splash page like ^
Nov 30 2007 4:36PM
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thegreyarea
Posts: 3265 - Karma: 34
agreed
Nov 30 2007 8:02PM
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*DrewT*
Posts: 7768 - Karma: 481
holy shit this is terrible how could you do this bishop?!

lolz
Dec 1 2007 12:54PM
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psychkub
Posts: 1788 - Karma: 16
Everytime I go on the site my computer freezes for like 10 seconds while that one video the 07 project loads... it's kind of annoying.
Dec 2 2007 12:56PM
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Bangor
Posts: 9599 - Karma: 129
I'm hoping that the splash page comes back. I like pictures. And the feeling of exclusivitity that the splash page gives me. Makes me feel like a VIP............ which is a good thing. So splash = yay!
Dec 3 2007 8:24AM
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Shorton
Posts: 2889 - Karma: 13
hows the experiment going. any statistics yet?

i miss splash...=[
Dec 3 2007 1:22PM
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nitsua
Posts: 4631 - Karma: 726
can the splash page be back yettttttt!! Pleaseeeee
i cant stand having to log in everytime
Dec 4 2007 10:24AM
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DANETRON
Posts: 6671 - Karma: 137
I love not having the splash page, my comp sucks dick and it always fucked shit up for me
Dec 4 2007 8:48PM
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860
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 166
mine still has it? I always go to the picture not the home page
Dec 4 2007 9:57PM
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hurrisun
Posts: 6284 - Karma: 49
me to well actualy like 50-50
Dec 4 2007 10:45PM
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Mat.
Posts: 7167 - Karma: 94
like everyones been saying.. alot of members probably have ns as their homepage. 50% of the time i open the internet i go to some other site rather than checking out ns..

do a poll asking if ns is said individuals homepage.
Dec 5 2007 3:41PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
On the 4th of Dec the splash page was hit almost 4,000 times.  It is still the 10th most visited page on the site!


Dec 5 2007 4:17PM
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almostaskier
Posts: 13809 - Karma: 93
That's my bookmark... always hit it.
Dec 5 2007 4:23PM
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steezyjibber
Posts: 15967 - Karma: 11,026
jea i like not having it
Dec 5 2007 4:50PM
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shrEddie
Posts: 5117 - Karma: 65
exactly
Dec 6 2007 4:24PM
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DANETRON
Posts: 6671 - Karma: 137
i really like not haning it, come here and bam im right where i want to be
Dec 6 2007 11:04PM
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mattster
Posts: 4120 - Karma: 41
bring it back, it reminds me that i have to sign in
Dec 6 2007 11:10PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
We're working on a way so that you can choose to put a cookie on your computer that will show you the splash page only if you want it. 

Once thats finished, we'll try that for a bit and then make a full decision!


Dec 7 2007 8:55AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
a.k.a. Doug hates the splash page and its dunzo.
Dec 7 2007 9:50AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Nooooo... not true!   But we were presented with some pretty compelling data about splash pages. 

Try reading up in google about how splash pages affect web traffic. 

http://mikekujawski.wordpress.com/category/website-roi/

 

http://www.clickz.com/showPage.html?page=3412591

 

http://www.selfseo.com/story-19304.php

 

http://www.web-designing-india.com/splash_web_page.htm

 

http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum81/7339.htm


Dec 7 2007 10:41AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
I totally understand I'm just being a hardass because I've always loved the Splash page. Seeing one of the freshest images thats currently defining skiing when I hit up NS.com is always nice. Think about how many of NS' splash page images stick in your mind without even thinking twice?

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Do you remember what became popular after that last splash page? I think so. That grab was completely innovative and absolutely absurd. I like the idea of having the Splash page be optional, as long as their continues to be awesome images there as usual. Hell maybe I will even like it better without the splash page in a few months.

I can definitely understand how it may intimidate first time users though. However, its obvious that NS' stats (as mentioned before) are widely effected by frequent users who have NS.com set as their homepage (like myself). Who often come online and click away from NS just because we have other shit to do. So...who knows.
Dec 7 2007 10:53AM
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Ryno
Posts: 31125 - Karma: 336
Splash = superhighdopesnessawesomefactor
Dec 7 2007 10:57AM
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almostaskier
Posts: 13809 - Karma: 93
The thing with those other splash pages is more that they're fixed things... THIS splash page changes, and sometimes to a ridiculously amazing picture, making it a really exciting part to the site, i think.
Dec 7 2007 11:29AM
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Rajna
Posts: 3824 - Karma: 90
.
dont take it away
Dec 7 2007 12:12PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,110
me = miss splash page.
Dec 7 2007 12:57PM
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406
Posts: 2302 - Karma: 92
i dont know what the splash page is but when i go to newschoolers i never see the log in page
Dec 7 2007 2:31PM
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Elijah.
Posts: 9322 - Karma: 76
Please bring the splash page back I miss it terribly.
Dec 9 2007 8:29PM
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Rippy087
Posts: 666 - Karma: 12
the splash page is the login page,
Dec 9 2007 8:51PM
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Rippy087
Posts: 666 - Karma: 12
^^ but yea bring it back
Dec 9 2007 8:52PM
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invaderskier36
Posts: 6192 - Karma: 41
i will agree
Dec 9 2007 11:40PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Do many people share this opinion?  

Please speak up if you like NOT having the splash page! 

It is seeming like an optional splash page could be the best way to go?   Thoughts? 


Dec 10 2007 1:35PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
keep NS original, SPLASH PAGE ONLY!!
Dec 10 2007 1:41PM
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freezed
Posts: 12973 - Karma: 500
bring it back!
Dec 10 2007 2:07PM
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mtbakerteacher
Posts: 4185 - Karma: 20
!
Dec 10 2007 3:14PM
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breckfreeskier
Posts: 1541 - Karma: 22
I cannot sleep at night until the splash page comes back...
Dec 10 2007 6:57PM
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St.Steezy
Posts: 4228 - Karma: 20
keep the splash page! But, it can be discouraging for first time viewers and therefore I can see why you want to get rid of it. By making the first page seen the home page, its presents the content of the site right away instead of having a login page. So yes and optional splash page would be best, for the regulars they get the login page and for prospective members they will be exposed to the site content right away.
Dec 10 2007 7:18PM
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mattster
Posts: 4120 - Karma: 41
nope, everybody loves the splash page
that guy was just drunk...

now bring the splash page back or i will shave the hair on my toes and mix it into your food
Dec 11 2007 2:21AM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
NS already has an incredibly strong community, and quite honestly, if someone can't figure out or doesn't have the desire to navigate past the splash page, all the better. Are we really going to rip the cover off of this website for the sake of a few more numbers in an advertising statistic?

The point is that NS is not a site built for the masses—it's a site for serious skiers. If someone types in Newschoolers.com and up pops a sick picture of Laurent Favre doing a sick grab they've never seen before, and they decide NOT to enter the site as a result... why should we sacrifice one of this site's most respected visual platforms just so we've got a few more clicks on the monthly traffic report from users that are probably not contributing anything positive to the site anyway? This is coincidentally the reason WHY magazines have covers: so they can quickly and effectively demonstrate to the public what is inside and appeal to their target market.

If you really want to boost numbers, try putting a naked chick on the splash page and you'll probably get the results you want. Oh wait, but that would be sacrificing our integrity.

This is a low blow Bishop, and you know it.
Dec 11 2007 6:01AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
SHIZZZAAAM! And Kami comes out of retirement with guns blazing. Pretty much hit the nail on the head, and backs up most things I was trying to say above. The splash page is legit. The bottom line, NS isn't meant for the masses. Spot on.
Dec 11 2007 9:19AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Come on Ethan, I know you have the ability to think bigger than this.   

Seriously, NS is now in a place in which we can help grow the sport of skiing overall... sure it seems cool to turn away outsiders and shun them with complexity and keep our little secret... but its short-term thinking.  

Growing snowsports should be a major goal of everyone involved, because lets face it things aren't all that hot.   Seems cool with all this shit in our part of it,  but we need to get more people out there enjoying the slopes.   Snowsports needs more participants... global warming, crazy lift tickets, etc... its really hard to get into it unless you were born into it.    Why turn them away from this valuable vibrant community?   It can show people just how fun and entertaining skiing can be. 

I also fail to believe that the morons that we actually don't want will last long.  With how harsh and critical everyone can be on here the n00bs get a lashing they won't soon forget. 

Having an option to turn the splash page on gives the potential to please everyone.   The random person gets dropped dead into the thick of the site with articles/videos/updates right there in front of them.   Its a mainline of skiing info thrown right in your face.   Long-time users know the secret of the coveted splash page, and those pesky n00bs won't even get to see it unless they're core enough.   People don't know about cults, etc... there will be many parts of the site for the more "core" users to keep as core as they want.  The masses will go to ski gabber, read the news, watch the videos and tune into NSTV. 

My primary goal with newschoolers always has been to bring the whole world of skiing together.  I want people everywhere from North America to Russia to Japan to know that there is one place they can come to feel the pulse of skiing.   I want people who are inquisitive of skiing and thinking of getting into it to have their friends say "Check Newschoolers.com.   You'll learn a lot there."  

We all talk about saving skiing, or pointing it in the right direction, or bitch that it doesn't have the money it should... well none of this stuff happens without growth.   We're just trying to take a stand and get some of that growth.

I mean really, wouldn't you rather they learned about skiing here instead of somewhere else?   At least that way all the new people bide by our rules. 

And if you hate the splash page being gone so much.... just bookmark it!

https://newschoolers.com/web/splash/splash/


Dec 11 2007 10:27AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
^^^  yeah ok..  but what about thinking about something a little bigger like skier 1/2 pipe in the Olympics or in lieu of, a separate event at the same or similar time   :o) 

I am not letting off this one till it happens!


Sorry for going off topic.    not...............
Dec 11 2007 10:37AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
Back on topic


Bookmark this people!        https://newschoolers.com/web/splash/splash/
Dec 11 2007 10:40AM
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breckfreeskier
Posts: 1541 - Karma: 22
thanks man. This really shows that you guys are able to do what is best for the site, while still keeping the users in mind. thanks again
Dec 11 2007 8:01PM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
You're right Doug, NS is now in a place in which we can help grow the sport of skiing overall; so are we going to grow the sport of skiing by sacrificing our values?

I see the splash page as representative of NS: always something unique, always something cool, sometimes provocative. The splash page is the only page on the site without any advertisements, it's the only page we can look at and say without equivocation, "THIS page is Newschoolers, this page is where skiing is at today." Rather than "hindering the growth" of NS and skiing, I see the splash page as probably the one page on the Internet that most truly "is" NS and skiing.

If increasing traffic to the site is the point of all this, I think it would be much more productive to (just for example) host a winter-long NS grassroots event tour across North America. And then put the photos from it ON THE SPLASH PAGE. That (for example) is how NS can influence skiing positively and encourage our own growth at the same time.

I also profoundly disagree with your contention that, as far as "saving skiing" or "pointing it in the right direction" goes, "none of this stuff happens without growth." Newschoolers is already front-and-center in skiing; by anyone's estimation this site is already as influential (if not much more so) than any other ski media outlet out there. What we do right now with the audience we have can, will, and already has changed skiing. And if we aggressively pursue growth without regard for our core values... well, that too will change skiing, and not for the better.


As for a splash page that we can bookmark and look at when we want to: If I want to see a dinosaur, I'll go to a museum. If it's not the first thing everyone sees when they type in Newschoolers.com, it's effectively dead. The entire point of the splash page is that everyone sees it: what we put up there instantly becomes a part of skiing. By cutting the splash page, we're not helping NS or skiing, we're taking something valuable away from both.
Dec 12 2007 6:51AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
Not even remotely true.

Currently with zero links available to the splash page it is still recieving 1/3 of the number of views that it used to, so the argument of it being dead just because its not the main page is not true in the least.   

I am adament that we try having the optional splash page, which I think is going to be a wicked solution.   Who knows, maybe every single person will just switch it on and leave it that way and you can all laugh and be like "silly Bishop... what an idiot."

But maybe not... maybe some people will like the freedom to customize the site to their own liking, and maybe some of the quieter users will actually be happier.  




Dec 12 2007 9:51AM
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Ryno
Posts: 31125 - Karma: 336
I like choice but I miss my damn splash page since my firefox shit a brick on me and deleted all my bookmarks!

Any ETA?
Dec 12 2007 10:13AM
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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
Optional is better than no splash at all.
Dec 12 2007 11:17AM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
True. But I worry that with the Splash page as "optional" it will totally take a backseat. I worry that it won't continually be updated and eventually neglected and forgotten. It won't be cared about anymore. Personally it doesn't feel right at ALL to be launched right into the site. I believe I mentioned before, its like opening a ski mag without a cover shot.

On s semi related note, fucking eh, the HOME page (post-splash page), STILL doesn't even say NS or Newschoolers.com or anything. This NEEDS to be fixed. Seriously.
Dec 12 2007 12:04PM
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bigdaddytmac
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 14
Solid points, seconded.
Dec 12 2007 12:27PM
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lanks
Posts: 12544 - Karma: 73
complexity?

tearing down the splash page is an attempt to maximize visits, correct? and more visits keeps our advertisers pleased?

then how in the world does that above line of thinking make sense? if a new visitor is 'confronted' with the splash page and deems it too complex to continue browsing our website... then surely clicking on an advertising banner is far beyond their grasp. your argument is way off, bishop... if anything the splash page image serves as an all-encompassing orientation to newschool skiing and newschoolers as a whole. if anything it is the LEAST complex aspect of the entire newschoolers brand.
Dec 12 2007 12:37PM
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