I promised to run stats for the same period as we did last year. Last year's numbers follow in italics. Here we go!

These are according to Google analytics for the period of September 23 - October 23.

32,310 visits, resulting in 153,263 page views, from 20,116 visitors. Of these visits, 13,282 were from returning visitors.

2008 stats: 11,082 visits, resulting in 72,635 page views, from 4,081 unique visitors. Of these visits, 7,265 were from returning visitors.

Most days see 700-800 unique visitors to the Inn, though we do have quite a few days with more than 1000 (top day was 1342).

2008 stats: Most days see 200 (or a few more) unique visitors to the Inn.

The most common visitor (as with most websites) visited only once (59% of the time). However, we have good loyalty - the second most common percentage was from people who visited 201 or more times (7% of the time). Another 17% visited at least fifty times in the time period.

2008 stats: The most common visitor (as with most websites) visited only once (34% of the time). However, we have incredible loyalty - the second most common percentage was from people who visited 201 or more times (27% of the time).

Our #1 traffic source is Google - 37% of visits. Direct links are second, with 23%. Stumbleupon has given us good traffic (11% this month), though that is not necessarily typical. The Giant in the Playground site was responsible for 5% of our traffic.

2008 stats: Our #1 traffic source is direct links (bookmarks, typing in the address, etc) - 50.48% of visits.
Google is #2, with 29%.
Yahoo is a distant third, with just under 5%.

The single most used page on the site, bar none, is the elven name generator - responsible for a whopping 43,065 views. However, Loaded Dice is very strong, with 30,787 views. The dwarven name generator is very popular, as well, coming in at number three with 9,587 views. Other popular pages (aside from the main page and the forums) are the town generator (9,249 views) and the dice roller (4,738 views).

2008 stats: The most used pages (aside from the front page and the main page of the forums,) are the dice roller (5219 page views) and the town generator (3997 page views). Gee, sounds like I should create more tools!

Anyway, I thought these might be interesting to some Innmates.

I know this is coming, so here are the top ten countries that visit RDI.

Not surprisingly, the USA is responsible for the most visits. However, we're seen a slight trend towards globaliztion this year - US visits represent only 57.3% of our visits.

Number two, trending way down, is the land of mooseses, maple syrup, mounties, and snow. Canada represents 12.5% of our visits.

The UK is third, up to 8.2%. Australia has taken over fourth with 2.1%. Germany follows at fifth with almost the exact same stats - 2.1%.

The rest of the top ten:
6. the Netherlans (1.9%)
7. Sweeden (1.4%)
8. Finland (1%... good to see them in that top ten!)
9. [not set] (0.86%)
10. Denmark (0.77%)
11. (since we don't have ten actual countries in the top ten) Brazil (0.76%)

2008 stats: Not surprisingly, the USA is responsible for the most visits. However, we're much more international than the average bear - US visits represent only 58.4% of our visits.

Number two, with a strong showing, is the land of mooseses, maple syrup, mounties, and snow. Canada represents almost 21% of our visits.

The UK is third, with 6.4%. The Netherlands are fourth with 2.1%. The rest of the top ten (down to where we drop below 1% for each) are Qatar, Australia, Iceland, Poland, Germany, and Poland.

Had no idea there were so many people who ran into this site

It's very exciting to see how much those numbers have gone up in only a year.



M.

It is very cool that traffic has picked up in the way that it has. From a pure page views standpoint, I have to say that the name generators and the comics have been a resounding success.

However, I'd really like to see more of those people stop to enjoy the community that is the Inn. There are obviously a lot of gamers out there who visit us. How do we get them to stick around and game with us?

Well...

In all honesty... to get to the games from the main page it takes several clicks and then you still have to bounce around to three or four pages to get all the background information needed for a game... and I'd imagine most people new to the site aren't that adventurous.

Which for a large project perhaps some of the layout of the page should be reconsidered... but... for more of a short term project...

What about game 'highlights' on the main page? An edited example of some of our writing, give people an easy example of what we have to offer. Plus it might be a cool way to make us all have warm fuzzy feelings about our own games... I'd suggest getting a whole scene in with the writing of several members, edit it into a little story that could be read easily and get people's attention.

Maybe even have a recruitment 'teaser' on the main page for upcoming games... but again I'd personally stress the writing aspect of that... no 'I'm running a 4e game...' but 'In the highlands of Audaulis a dark demon is threatening the farmers... -want to learn more?-' (wow I just combined that thread where we make up adventure plots and StarShip Troopers)

Well there is my two cents worth.

M.

Not to stomp all over your idea, but that's sort of what the "Short Names" for forums threads does. It would get a little crowded if every game got it's own "COME TO THIS WITH THIS" line up there.

Also, Canada staying strong in second, and good to see all the traffic picking up and spreading out.

No not EVERY game getting one... something that would change out every now and then, highlighting one game at a time... giving a good sample of the kind of writing we do around here to potential new people.

Something that they wouldn't have to search for, click on a link to find... something that would just -be- there for them.

If I have to search for something too hard on a new website I give up.

And short names are great... but mainly for members.

You know how long it took me to figure out what those colored circles on the top five threads meant? lol... maybe I'm slow but...

Just brainstorming ways to make the site more exciting to new people...

Honestly... I got addicted to this site only after registering on like 10 others of a similar grain, I was actively looking for a site with rp stuff and only stayed because of the members. People were really nice and actually responded to me unlike alot of the sites. I liked the forum aspect compared to live chat rp... and I learned how to get around the site. I know there is still stuff I'm missing out on...

If we really want new members I think it comes down to thinking outside the box some and rearranging/redesigning/rethinking some things...

Am I rambling?

M.

I just suddenly saw your idea as more awesome than I originally did.

I have to yell at Olan now.

Just wait my dear Gruggles... lightbulbs are flashing...

But... here is your tiara

*hug*

M.

Okay... second thought and maybe a third...

It's been so long since I joined up here... do we send a PM to newbies when they get register? If not we should consider something, even a good old form letter welcoming them and such.

Also... concerning newbie registration... perhaps when they register they could automatically be sent to the page where they are supposed to create a new thread on the comings and goings site and a note recommending they go ahead and make a thread to say hello to everyone?

M.

Actually, I usually try to send a "Welcome to the Asylum" PM to most newly registered Innmates.

I'm sure I've probably missed as many as I've sent but I do try to offer up a welcome to most everyone... An automated kind of thing does sound like a good idea, though... just don't want it to be "form letterish," though... Do we?

Good ideas all around, Meri!

Well with the writing ability we have around here I am sure we can manage that.

M.

"Welcome ---

Thought we would go over a few rules with you:

1. Don't Feed the Grugg - especially after midnight
2. Post post post
3. Don't cry when we kill off your characters

Thanks and have a nice day,

Olan"

Damn those Swedes! Need to hire people from Finland to drop by every now and then.

Nice ideas, all! We'll see what we can do.

Yeah, all except mine.