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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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ESB
Posts: 9274 - Karma: 10,648
Haha, true... unless you count the little logo in the bottom right corner of the video thinger, the front page doesn't even say "Newschoolers.com" except at the bottom of the page!
Dec 12 2007 12:41PM
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almostaskier
Posts: 13809 - Karma: 93
I think the splash page is one of the greatest things of the site.

Every time i go to it, there's that little bit of possibility that it could be different, that it could have the greatest skiing shot i've seen on it... The splash page has revolutionized skiing as far as i'm concerned. Look at the Colby West sequence. Who in their right mind was doing that grab, that trick, at that time? No one. Now, well, it's everywhere.

If anything, make the links on the page different. Make a nice box, or a bigger link or something like "Come on in!" or something lame like "Shred the Gnar" that's obvious so that any moron can click on it and be inside, instead of the small login as guest feature. Then, we're all happier.
Dec 12 2007 1:12PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913

I don't think newschoolers.com is shown any where is it?   there it is, yep...  all the way at the bottom...  wow.. version 3.7.4 

Dec 12 2007 1:20PM
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skodeo7
Posts: 14949 - Karma: 9,234
Exactly! I mean look at Facebook, that make it clear that "Everyone can join", with a HUGE sign up button. I think maybe if it were a little clearer to guests (specifically first time visitors), this would solve many of the problems bishop is trying to alleviate by making the splash page "optional". Sorry to be such a hardass Doug its just that many of us really dig the Splash page.
Dec 12 2007 1:25PM
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WONTON
Posts: 6951 - Karma: 55
fuck forums....get rid of the forums and only keep the splash page!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 12 2007 4:33PM
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Mat.
Posts: 7167 - Karma: 94
its been more than a gatdang week! put it back!!!!!!
Dec 12 2007 6:04PM
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mtbakerteacher
Posts: 4185 - Karma: 20
Don't take it away because some 12 year olds who don't know how to work the internet can't get into the site. If need be just change the damn thing so it's more obvious. Every time my computer loads Safari and I see the splash page I wonder how ANYONE could be confused, its so simple. Bring it back. This is a step too far for your dynamic site changes.
Dec 12 2007 8:23PM
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mattster
Posts: 4120 - Karma: 41
keep the splash page, but make it clickable,

or what if the splash page automatically loaded, and then a timer of 5 seconds or something re loaded the browser and automatically sent you to the main page, that way while the idiot that doesnt realize he can browse as a guess scrambles to try to find his asshole with both hands he will already be signed in
Dec 12 2007 9:08PM
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andy_boy
Posts: 4434 - Karma: 107
always right
Dec 14 2007 1:35AM
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JibEarth
Posts: 753 - Karma: 26
 I think seeing the splash page would get people stocked and make them want to come in even more but if it is deleted i suggest make a like photo of the month where those amasing shots can be seen.
Dec 14 2007 11:04AM
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almostaskier
Posts: 13809 - Karma: 93
So the splash page changed. I found out because the header changed... that was sad.
Dec 14 2007 2:45PM
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wrenegade
Posts: 6631 - Karma: 41
I only noticed it cause of the header as well. But at least it was available as a download right away. New desktop background for me. Sha-wing!
Dec 14 2007 3:12PM
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pho[tog]rapher
Posts: 2618 - Karma: 494
yeahhh i just noticed it too. in all honesty i glanced up thinking it was a new ad, then it didn't change and i was like..ohh splash! but at the same time i was bumming because hopping online to a new fullpage every now and then made my day, mehhh just my 2
Dec 14 2007 3:13PM
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*DrewT*
Posts: 7768 - Karma: 481
for the love of god bring it back!
Dec 14 2007 3:44PM
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invaderskier36
Posts: 6192 - Karma: 41
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SKIERMAN is back so we want the front page
Dec 14 2007 3:47PM
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GUZ
Posts: 1371 - Karma: 255
yes please
Dec 14 2007 3:56PM
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Elijah.
Posts: 9322 - Karma: 76
RIP Splash page.
Dec 14 2007 10:04PM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
ns is my homepage... but i want the picture back!!!
Dec 15 2007 12:46PM
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John.
Posts: 1327 - Karma: 11
Everyone, there is a reason this is called "The great splash page <b>EXPERIMENT</b> of 2007." Bishop is just trying new things out and see what the results are, both from outsiders and hardcore members. He only has the best intentions for NS and skiing in mind, so keep that in mind.
Dec 15 2007 6:19PM
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wrenegade
Posts: 6631 - Karma: 41
My bookmark for NS is the splash page. It still does work and is updated with the new background.

If you want to change your bookmarks, here is the URL: https://www.newschoolers.com/ns3/web/splash/splash.php
Dec 15 2007 8:26PM
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glass
Posts: 321 - Karma: 54
i find there's too much shit on the main page to bother with. constantly trying to load flash videos to the right, stuff going on below that i never look at because it's all crazy looking

my first reaction is to click any link to stray away from it because it's too intimidating. too much stuff i don't care about
Dec 15 2007 8:32PM
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Ronix
Posts: 1396 - Karma: 33
We NEED the splash page back
Dec 15 2007 10:41PM
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shrEddie
Posts: 5117 - Karma: 65
i understand bishops arguements, they are pretty logical.  i dont think it has been specifically said yet, but this could be the first step on the path to "selling out."  the splash page is part of what makes ns ns. 

i agree with bishop on the importance of gettin new people to come into the sight, but i think you need to make the option for guest login bigger.  i dont care if the guest login part takes up half the page.  the splash page should stay though
Dec 17 2007 10:39PM
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mtbakerteacher
Posts: 4185 - Karma: 20
Some of us don't use bookmarks for everything. I'd rather not have to type in newschoolers.com/splash/splash or whatever. I like being auto-directed, and I don't see how letting some newcomer into the middle of our news helps make the site any friendlier.
Dec 18 2007 12:55AM
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hiatus
Posts: 60 - Karma: 10
It should also be noted that the ugliness of the current splash page design certainly doesn't help any. I thought it looked about a million times better before the new layout.
Dec 18 2007 12:06PM
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johnnypsunami
Posts: 5024 - Karma: 221
very solid point my friend. Facebook which is undoubtedly one of the most successful sites on the internet today, does not bring you into content right away. You guys should just model your splash page to be a bit more like that, if anything.

it actually is a problem with the advertisers on the site, I would tell them the reason for the high bounce off rate. If NS IS my homepage and I navigate off it right away, even if I miss the splash page I'm not going to have time to see any advertisements anyways. I am going to be looking into the search bar and typing www.google.ca or something.

Dec 19 2007 12:00PM
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AdrenalineGarage
Posts: 261 - Karma: 244
google has a very simple front page and is the most popular site in the US. Maybe NS just needs a splash page with the most essential information or a home page with a lot less information to make room for the photo from the splash page.
Dec 20 2007 11:18AM
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Holte
Posts: 10740 - Karma: 7,814
So the splash page has been optional for half a year now. Has there been much change in the statistics regarding visitors that make it past the first page?
May 12 2008 7:38PM
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Parker.
Posts: 1637 - Karma: 108
yeah, i'm curious how the splash page experiment went too
May 12 2008 10:34PM
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Gun_Labs
Posts: 68 - Karma: 8

i have never seen the splash page or whatever it is i dont even get it so go for it

May 13 2008 2:49AM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
then you couldn't possibly understand, so don't tell us to get over it!

Bishop! it doesn't work for me anymore? I clicked "yes" a million times each time that i signed on and now I don't ever see it anymore!
May 13 2008 7:37PM
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Jorgen.
Posts: 1361 - Karma: 35
It's not 2007 anymore please bring this terrible experiment to a end.



OR at the very least let us know the results.
May 15 2008 8:08PM
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