18 replies to this topic

[bigheaded]

So I was sitting here, trying to comb through the waterfall of new user posts and I couldnt but help to think to myself, "is this influx in traffic actually made up of new forum browsers?", and then I started to scower the interwebs for site traffic information.

I quick google search brought me to this page
(Images and stats provided by alexa.com)





(sorry for the large image, I have no idea how to create a thumbnail)



Is this proof that the forum contest is working for them? If I were to judge based on these stats, I'd have to say yes. An 8% increase over the last 7 days seems to be a large influx. How this translates to profit for them, I'll never know, but thats okay.

I'm also wondering on how accurate the stats provided by this website are.

What do you think?

Edited by bigheaded, 19 February 2012 - 06:48 AM.

[legofranak]

LOL I'm in the forum for the first time because of the contest but I've been a regular reader of the site itself for at least a year (after sifting through so many crappy competitors...).

As for the Alexa graph, the 1-month and 3-month gains were actually higher than the last week so if anything the growth rate of 'reaches' has decelerated! I think one would need more information to explain those data and see if they could tease out the natural growth rate (i.e. without the contest). Any stats majors up for this?

[Cinnamins]

If you're concerned about these beta key contests affecting profits for forums and databases, you should take a look at D3DB.com.

They've got people with 40+ windows open hitting links as fast as they can trying to win keys, I can only imagine what that's doing to their advertising revenue.


Also, I like to lurk :3 This is my first time posting on these forums though.

*edited because I fail at "you're"

Edited by Cinnamins, 19 February 2012 - 06:48 AM.

[JtGiz]

There are probably many many lurkers of d3fans site, and till this contest very few (me included) really didn't dwell further than front page. In fact till today I was just visiting mmo-champions d3 forum for discussion and chat.

[Cinnamins]

To be honest, I was mostly lurking because everything people have to say about the game is pure speculation and opinion at this point. Even people with beta keys are only really testing 5% of the game.

The contests are definitely giving me incentives to do more than just read the front page now though I'll jump in the opinion pile!

[JtGiz]

the question really is - will people stay here after the contest though.... you should run the stats again after the contest.....

[bigheaded]

JtGiz, on 19 February 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

the question really is - will people stay here after the contest though.... you should run the stats again after the contest.....

I will be keeping an eye on them.

[Cyberwaste]

I've been coming here a very long time. Just never had any interest in posting on the forums. I'm sure there are many people like me who come for information rather than community.

You should have a look at it once the game is released.

[7NF]

Yeah I'm the same. Long time reader and only recently started posting for the competiion for the beta keys. (Having said that I'm starting to enjoy posting on said forums. I have just realsesd a monster.) More hits would translate to higher advertising charges I imagine would would make more money. Or its completely selfless on the sites part where they are only trying to increase the community size for the benefit of every one. I personaly think it's a little from column "A" and a little from column "B"

[ZSaber]

I've been reading these forums daily for months now but never posting. Sure this contest is making me stick my neck out a little, and lets face it, afterwards I will most likely go back into my shell. I'm sure the site traffic will hover around the same for a bit afterwards and eventually drop back down to what it was at.

[Motb]

Im new to the forum as well, but have been following diablofans even before it was diablofans. Wasnt it diii.com or something like that? I remember when suddenly blizzard asked for the domain name just before blizzcon, I was so excited. SO I think alot of the "newcomers" are actually long time followers like me, that because of the contest are now posting on the forums.

[Torrak]

Cinnamins, on 19 February 2012 - 06:48 AM, said:

They've got people with 40+ windows open hitting links as fast as they can trying to win keys, I can only imagine what that's doing to their advertising revenue.

Nothing since they all use adblock?

[bigheaded]

JtGiz, on 19 February 2012 - 07:07 AM, said:

the question really is - will people stay here after the contest though.... you should run the stats again after the contest.....

Most likely not. D3 isn't the kind of game you need to constantly research imo. You may need to stumble around here from time to time to get some information on Boss fights, but thats all really. But there will still be people (like me) who will frequent this site for deeper knowledge of game mechanics and such.

[Galen]

Quantcast is another good site for traffic numbers. The data confirms the OP point that the site hasn't seen much of a spike in traffic since they launched the beat key contest. If they really wanted to use the beta keys as a way to make money for themselves, there are better ways then to try to get more ad revenue as a result of more visitors to the site since each ad impression only nets them a small fraction of a penny.

http://www.quantcast.../diablofans.com

[bigheaded]

Galen, on 20 February 2012 - 04:02 AM, said:

Quantcast is another good site for traffic numbers. The data confirms the OP point that the site hasn't seen much of a spike in traffic since they launched the beat key contest. If they really wanted to use the beta keys as a way to make money for themselves, there are better ways then to try to get more ad revenue as a result of more visitors to the site since each ad impression only nets them a small fraction of a penny.

http://www.quantcast.../diablofans.com

But all them hay pennies add up and gotta count for something, right?  

I'm sure they have plenty of good reason for giving out such a large portion of the keys in this manner. I mean, even though I don't agree with it, nor with what its doing to the quality of the site, it is their sites, their keys and their contest.

Edited by bigheaded, 20 February 2012 - 05:01 AM.

[Esiderata]

I'm here because of the contest but having said that I'm actually posting. I don't post on most gaming sites because once you stick your head above a parapet and express an opinion you need the Epic Wraps Of Flame Proofing equipped. Either that or a really thick skin. I figure that I've a chance of winning by posting and if I get flamed I don't have to come back. If I don't get flamed I will probably stick around. So yes, the contest has worked here.

[Molster]

Lol Alexia is only semi-kinda-sorta accurate on some things -kinda.  We have far more accurate and detailed tools, don't bother with trying to guess with Alexia this numbers are wanky
The point was to get more people posting . And posts per day..... Yay, that's up insanely

[Gaweu]

We are here for the keyzors! xD

But i need to say its also good impulse to start posting here especialy when u can be rewarded with beta access. I was reading site / forum like 2-3 times every week but never posted. Did it only from time to time on old school battle.net forum. So i guess both sides are happy about all this idea and contest

[NemesisXlll]

I think the question of "Will they stay after the beta contests finish?" is irrelevant.

Even if people leave after the contests finish, the promo did it's job ~ increased awareness of the D3 fansites.
Alot of people, now having being made to use these sites for the chance at a beta key, will probably continue to use them afterwards... even if it is a minority of the contest followers, it is still a gain in site users/traffic.