Where do they go?

Mishi · 2004-05-16, 04:44 AM

Okay, three years in this business and I'm still struggling with traffic management (pathetic, I know).

So I put together a little script to play with traffic on some of my less-used domains. Basically what happens is that all my free sites that are on that domain get listed on the main page. When a surfer clicks a link, they first get directed to a niche-specific FPA/HPA, with options to visit the sponsor or continue on to the free site they initially selected. I track clicks to the FPA, as well as clicks to the sponsor vs. clicks to the original free site.

On most sites, a good 2/3 of the clicks to the FPA seem to go nowhere. There's no corresponding click to the sponsor OR the free site. I also track (through a different script) clicks to the original site, and I see nothing to indicate surfers are simply clicking back. My assumption is that they're simply closing the FPA and going off to who knows where.

When I get time, I'll build in better tracking, but for now, I'm just curious about what you all think is happening here. I've tried to make the FPAs very unobtrusive, and the free site links are clear. I'd love to entertain some ideas as to why these surfers are "disappearing." (As a side note, on very niche specific FPAs I have sponsor click-through better than one in two.)

Not really looking for solutions (although they're welcome) - mostly looking for ideas and comments.

finnbear · 2004-05-16, 06:31 AM

Maybe they just close the browser or they have their own starting page in their HD and everytime they leave the page they click the home button. I don't know if you can see that, but as it is in their own computer, not in net, it may not show in your script.

SirMoby · 2004-05-16, 09:59 AM

Hey Mishi, one of the things that I like to do during cookouts and parties in my home is get unsuspecting people to sit down on a computer and surf for porn. Even the more experienced surfers will click on things that say "CLICK" without even thinking about it.

They end up closing the browser a lot, hitting the back button and I'm starting to believe that even if we manage to get a surfer all hot and bothered that a very small percentage of those surfers are actually tech saavy enough to complete the purchasing process.

I don't think it matters how clear you make the links. From what I've seen close to 50% will click on things without reading or paying any attention to it.

Cleo · 2004-05-16, 10:25 AM

Yeah watch the average computer user surf and you will be horrified at where they usually end up.

The last Internext I was at a few of the exhibitors wanted to see my links list and couldn't figure out how to surf my LL.

They would go to the root of my domain and end up clicking on anything except the huge enter link that is there.

DavidM · 2004-05-18, 01:39 AM

Pretty much what the others say, I believe the stories. I am always in the habit of clicking "home" when I want to just leave a site myself and I am what you would call computer literate believe it or not.

Also many users are paranoid or are very turned off by something that in any way makes them believe "I'm going to have to pay for this to get anything" or "I am going to get jerked around" so they will just leave if anything makes them suspect this. It's possible they were on a dozen other sites with FPAs that just jerked them around and so they have a bad association with it - like a subconcious suggestion. Who knows though just what goes through these people's minds...

2004-05-16, 04:44 AM	#1
Mishi I want to live. I want to experience the universe, and I want to eat pie. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain Posts: 661	Where do they go? Okay, three years in this business and I'm still struggling with traffic management (pathetic, I know). So I put together a little script to play with traffic on some of my less-used domains. Basically what happens is that all my free sites that are on that domain get listed on the main page. When a surfer clicks a link, they first get directed to a niche-specific FPA/HPA, with options to visit the sponsor or continue on to the free site they initially selected. I track clicks to the FPA, as well as clicks to the sponsor vs. clicks to the original free site. On most sites, a good 2/3 of the clicks to the FPA seem to go nowhere. There's no corresponding click to the sponsor OR the free site. I also track (through a different script) clicks to the original site, and I see nothing to indicate surfers are simply clicking back. My assumption is that they're simply closing the FPA and going off to who knows where. When I get time, I'll build in better tracking, but for now, I'm just curious about what you all think is happening here. I've tried to make the FPAs very unobtrusive, and the free site links are clear. I'd love to entertain some ideas as to why these surfers are "disappearing." (As a side note, on very niche specific FPAs I have sponsor click-through better than one in two.) Not really looking for solutions (although they're welcome) - mostly looking for ideas and comments.

2004-05-16, 06:31 AM	#2
finnbear You can now put whatever you want in this space :) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Finland Posts: 534	Maybe they just close the browser or they have their own starting page in their HD and everytime they leave the page they click the home button. I don't know if you can see that, but as it is in their own computer, not in net, it may not show in your script. __________________ My free porn sites

2004-05-16, 10:25 AM	#4
Cleo Subversive filth of the hedonistic decadent West Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Southeast Florida Posts: 27,936	Yeah watch the average computer user surf and you will be horrified at where they usually end up. The last Internext I was at a few of the exhibitors wanted to see my links list and couldn't figure out how to surf my LL. They would go to the root of my domain and end up clicking on anything except the huge enter link that is there. __________________ Free Rides on Uber and Lyft Uber Car: uberTzTerri Lyft Car: TZ896289

2004-05-16, 09:59 AM	#3
SirMoby Jim? I heard he's a dirty pornographer. Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 2,706	Hey Mishi, one of the things that I like to do during cookouts and parties in my home is get unsuspecting people to sit down on a computer and surf for porn. Even the more experienced surfers will click on things that say "CLICK" without even thinking about it. They end up closing the browser a lot, hitting the back button and I'm starting to believe that even if we manage to get a surfer all hot and bothered that a very small percentage of those surfers are actually tech saavy enough to complete the purchasing process. I don't think it matters how clear you make the links. From what I've seen close to 50% will click on things without reading or paying any attention to it.

2004-05-18, 01:39 AM	#5
DavidM If something goes wrong at the plant, blame the guy who can't speak English Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 38	Pretty much what the others say, I believe the stories. I am always in the habit of clicking "home" when I want to just leave a site myself and I am what you would call computer literate believe it or not. Also many users are paranoid or are very turned off by something that in any way makes them believe "I'm going to have to pay for this to get anything" or "I am going to get jerked around" so they will just leave if anything makes them suspect this. It's possible they were on a dozen other sites with FPAs that just jerked them around and so they have a bad association with it - like a subconcious suggestion. Who knows though just what goes through these people's minds...