Dear Lord, What Happened?!?!

Optimus Prime · Post by **Optimus Prime** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:07 pm

I'll admit, I haven't been back to Conquer Club in well... a very long time. But I needed to return and look something up today and when I arrived... DEAR LORD!

Who on earth thought this new design was an improvement over the old one? The original layout and design might not have been all that flashy or modern, but it definitely looked better than what you have showing up now. This looks like someone who doesn't know what properly web development means got busy mucking about in the code while eating a peanut butter sandwich and then left the sandwich inside.

For all that is good and just in the internet, do something!!!

BigBallinStalin · Post by **BigBallinStalin** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:37 pm

Nothing to worry about CC Elite. Y'all continue counting that money, and I'll keep OP distracted.

Optimus Prime · Post by **Optimus Prime** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:48 pm

I want answers! The new homepage looks terrible!

2dimes · Post by **2dimes** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:59 pm

It's for your smart tablet.

Swifte · Post by **Swifte** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:18 pm

Here's the relevant announcement.... http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=199026

Post by **Shannon Apple** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:22 pm

Optimus Prime wrote:I want answers! The new homepage looks terrible!

Many people have expressed this opinion and it fell on deaf ears. I get the impression that admins believe that the homepage is the reason for the rising activity. I highly disagree with that. Some people have returned because of all the cool new features, polymorphic games and auto tourneys. The admin team have done some great things, then just kinda slapped a bandaid on top of all their hard work by sticking up that page. *shrug*

blakebowling · Post by **blakebowling** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:25 pm

New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

2dimes · Post by **2dimes** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:28 pm

Maybe it's maybaline.

nietzsche · Post by **nietzsche** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:43 pm

Shannon Apple wrote:
Optimus Prime wrote:I want answers! The new homepage looks terrible!

Many people have expressed this opinion and it fell on deaf ears. I get the impression that admins believe that the homepage is the reason for the rising activity. I highly disagree with that. Some people have returned because of all the cool new features, polymorphic games and auto tourneys. The admin team have done some great things, then just kinda slapped a bandaid on top of all their hard work by sticking up that page. *shrug*

Winter is always the high time for CC.

I've been here for 6 years, I've always noticed it.

AndyDufresne · Post by **AndyDufresne** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:59 pm

blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

2dimes wrote:Maybe it's maybaline.

2dimes wins vs blakebowling!

--Andy

BigBallinStalin · Post by **BigBallinStalin** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:13 pm

blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Failing to control for relevant variables? Definitely. Go back to counting the money; it's all gravy in here.

AndyDufresne · Post by **AndyDufresne** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:28 pm

BigBallinStalin wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Failing to control for relevant variables? Definitely. Go back to counting the money; it's all gravy in here.

Maybe its gravaline?

--Andy

owenshooter · Post by **owenshooter** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:32 pm

blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

i just really can't get past this comment... *snicker*... i can see blake at the annual conference in Topeka with this popping up huge on his power point presentation... i really just can't get past this... that 30% has nothing to do with the usual winter uptick in users at all, right? *snicker*... shhh, shhh, just concentrate on breathing... shhh... the black jesus has snickered...-el Jesus negro

jltile1 · Post by **jltile1** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 8:58 pm

Well the people running this site could do nothing. They at least are spending their money ( time ) doing something. Good or bad we all have our opinions. I think more options more users, even though some I don't care for. But get your money CC that's what I do, so why hate?

BigBallinStalin · Post by **BigBallinStalin** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 9:31 pm

AndyDufresne wrote:
BigBallinStalin wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Failing to control for relevant variables? Definitely. Go back to counting the money; it's all gravy in here.

Maybe its gravaline?

--Andy

Post by **Shannon Apple** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 6:23 am

blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Definitely co-incidence. there were quite a few changes that day.

Having spoken to a few returnees, they came back for the new features and every time they make a comment about how terrible the front page is. There is info on the front page, like autotournies, bot play, etc. THIS is what is attracting new members, not how terrible it looks. Fix it, include all that info, and you might increase traffic even further. I have joined some really cheap looking sites before just to play games with friends. It had everything to do with the features. Being able to try it out vs a bot is a huge plus and I am pretty sure that's the main thing making them sign in. BUT the increase in active members right now includes quite a few returnees.

Post by **Dukasaur** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 6:46 am

owenshooter wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

i just really can't get past this comment... *snicker*... i can see blake at the annual conference in Topeka with this popping up huge on his power point presentation... i really just can't get past this... that 30% has nothing to do with the usual winter uptick in users at all, right? *snicker*... shhh, shhh, just concentrate on breathing... shhh... the black jesus has snickered...-el Jesus negro

Shannon Apple wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Definitely co-incidence. there were quite a few changes that day.

Having spoken to a few returnees, they came back for the new features and every time they make a comment about how terrible the front page is. There is info on the front page, like autotournies, bot play, etc. THIS is what is attracting new members, not how terrible it looks. Fix it, include all that info, and you might increase traffic even further. I have joined some really cheap looking sites before just to play games with friends. It had everything to do with the features. Being able to try it out vs a bot is a huge plus and I am pretty sure that's the main thing making them sign in. BUT the increase in active members right now includes quite a few returnees.

He didn't say "increase in active members." He said "new member signups." Blake is usually quite precise in what he says; those words weren't chosen at random.

The increase in active members has a lot to do with "the usual winter uptick" as owen reminds us, and with the "quite a few returnees" that you mention. That is all true. 12-player games and polymorph and all that jazz are intended to bring former members back. But the home page and bots are specifically targetted at "new" members. In other words, NOT returnees, not even winter returnees.

owenshooter · Post by **owenshooter** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:31 am

Dukasaur wrote:the home page and bots are specifically targetted at "new" members. In other words, NOT returnees, not even winter returnees.

ahhhh, there must be some text to speech deal going on that homepage that most of us are not aware of... you are obviously seeking a new demographic with that homepage... the blind... :shock:

the black jesus has spoken...-el Jesus negro

Bruceswar · Post by **Bruceswar** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:59 am

Dukasaur wrote:
owenshooter wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

i just really can't get past this comment... *snicker*... i can see blake at the annual conference in Topeka with this popping up huge on his power point presentation... i really just can't get past this... that 30% has nothing to do with the usual winter uptick in users at all, right? *snicker*... shhh, shhh, just concentrate on breathing... shhh... the black jesus has snickered...-el Jesus negro

Shannon Apple wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Definitely co-incidence. there were quite a few changes that day.

Having spoken to a few returnees, they came back for the new features and every time they make a comment about how terrible the front page is. There is info on the front page, like autotournies, bot play, etc. THIS is what is attracting new members, not how terrible it looks. Fix it, include all that info, and you might increase traffic even further. I have joined some really cheap looking sites before just to play games with friends. It had everything to do with the features. Being able to try it out vs a bot is a huge plus and I am pretty sure that's the main thing making them sign in. BUT the increase in active members right now includes quite a few returnees.

He didn't say "increase in active members." He said "new member signups." Blake is usually quite precise in what he says; those words weren't chosen at random.

The increase in active members has a lot to do with "the usual winter uptick" as owen reminds us, and with the "quite a few returnees" that you mention. That is all true. 12-player games and polymorph and all that jazz are intended to bring former members back. But the home page and bots are specifically targetted at "new" members. In other words, NOT returnees, not even winter returnees.

Let me break it down for you. It is pretty simple. Having been on CC since 2007, I have seen the highs and the lows. Generally CC is at its lowest membership in the summer time and its highest in the winter. Simple answer. In the summer time people are traveling and such. In the winter it is cold and people need something to do inside. (This is based off the Northern Hemisphere where CC gets most all its users from) With that being said this recent small upswing is far less than previous years and I think the homepage is to blame for some of it. It is downright awful. Just admit it and move on. Fix it and be done with it. Since the new homepage came out the total population is up 400 people, which is nothing compared to years past where at this time of the year it would go up by as many as 2000 people in a weeks time. The closer the X mas it got the quicker it went up. This year has been the slowest crawl ever I have seen.

Gillipig · Post by **Gillipig** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 8:16 am

Shit happens. Just get over it.

KoolBak · Post by **KoolBak** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 8:16 am

Is this from memory Brucy? I've been here longer (nya nya nya nya nya) and I have no idea as to numbers. The only ones that have that accurate historical info is ADMIN and one would assume, being a businessman, wham-o is comparing apples to apples....he seems to care, he's been extremely responsive to me when I needed help and I also assume he's a FOR-profit entity....lol.....we'll probably never know the FACTS about the #'s.

BUT....I wanted to thank Opto for dropping in and complaining, demanding attention he doesn't deserve and stirring up yet another shitstorm =D>

Also....who fucking cares about the homepage? Do you use it as wallpaper or spend a lot of time there? I don't like it either, but wtf? The site rocks.

Damn whiney kids :lol:

psssst....Gilli...."worshipping" has two pees!!!

Artimis · Post by **Artimis** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:45 am

Optimus Prime wrote:I'll admit, I haven't been back to Conquer Club in well... a very long time. But I needed to return and look something up today and when I arrived... DEAR LORD!

Who on earth thought this new design was an improvement over the old one? The original layout and design might not have been all that flashy or modern, but it definitely looked better than what you have showing up now. This looks like someone who doesn't know what properly web development means got busy mucking about in the code while eating a peanut butter sandwich and then left the sandwich inside.

For all that is good and just in the internet, do something!!!

Optimus Prime wrote:I want answers! The new homepage looks terrible!

I give notice to all that I hereby rescind any and all objections I expressed against the new design of the homepage. Long live the new homepage! =D>

P.S. Now someone call Megatron and have him collect the defective electronics that's been left here.

Post by **Shannon Apple** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:27 pm

Dukasaur wrote:
owenshooter wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

i just really can't get past this comment... *snicker*... i can see blake at the annual conference in Topeka with this popping up huge on his power point presentation... i really just can't get past this... that 30% has nothing to do with the usual winter uptick in users at all, right? *snicker*... shhh, shhh, just concentrate on breathing... shhh... the black jesus has snickered...-el Jesus negro

Shannon Apple wrote:
blakebowling wrote:New User signups are up 30% since the homepage changes. Coincidence? Maybe.

Definitely co-incidence. there were quite a few changes that day.

Having spoken to a few returnees, they came back for the new features and every time they make a comment about how terrible the front page is. There is info on the front page, like autotournies, bot play, etc. THIS is what is attracting new members, not how terrible it looks. Fix it, include all that info, and you might increase traffic even further. I have joined some really cheap looking sites before just to play games with friends. It had everything to do with the features. Being able to try it out vs a bot is a huge plus and I am pretty sure that's the main thing making them sign in. BUT the increase in active members right now includes quite a few returnees.

He didn't say "increase in active members." He said "new member signups." Blake is usually quite precise in what he says; those words weren't chosen at random.

The increase in active members has a lot to do with "the usual winter uptick" as owen reminds us, and with the "quite a few returnees" that you mention. That is all true. 12-player games and polymorph and all that jazz are intended to bring former members back. But the home page and bots are specifically targetted at "new" members. In other words, NOT returnees, not even winter returnees.

Please read the part in bold again. Thank you. I am also pretty specific in what I say.

I don't mean to be rude, but it's kinda undefendable. I strongly believe that it's the info provided, NOT the design that causes people to log in, others will just move on without a second look because it isn't attractive. Fix the design + provide the info. Increase membership further. What are they afraid of? That somehow fixing it will jinx their good fortune?

I work in the design industry. I know a few things about how people interact with design and information.

I won't say any more on it because I know there will be excuses gallore to defend it.

iAmCaffeine · Post by **iAmCaffeine** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 4:58 am

Personally, from a design perspective, it is not a good job.

However, it does stand out and jumps at you a lot more than the old, bland homepage did. That could attract newer members as I doubt they spend too much time reading the front page - I never did. They'll just be searching for "risk online", make an account and see what the actual game is like, not the homepage that the average person spends three seconds looking at upon each visit.

friendly1 · Post by **friendly1** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:18 am

This is still going... Wow!

Ok so a few from the design industry have digressed. Anyone from Marketing care to throw a few punches?

It's an improvement for mobile devices to quickly show content within for new players. So for everyone who hates it (and you really must be apple fans with your unswerving devotion to minimalism) open the site without logging in on: a cell phone, then a 7" tablet, a 10 inch tablet, a 20-24" monitor at max resolution then a 50" or larger tv.

Then describe any view where the original home screen shows more depth to the site than the current one.

By far (about 70% if your really curious) the largest growth segment in internet browsing is mobile devices. So a smart business decision is to get content and color smashed across the opening page and run every tracking metric possible against unique views.

No one will quit playing here that is already active because they don't like the home page. But if there is an increase in pass throughs, pages visited, accounts created or time spent on site from new users (gee, how did Blake just happen to have that stat handy) and of course in the most popular metric right now: social media growth then it stays and it should stay.

And if you feel the need to bash the new look (which, btw, I really don't like) try adding the codicil "but I do like that there is an increase in new players happening". Feel free to explain it as something other than the home page. It could very well be.

After years of comments about "What is the owner/administration going to do to increase users" I love how negative the comments are when they try something. Reaffirms my faith in human nature!

For those of you following whether the site is growing, why not add some substance to the equation:

What is the day over day median user growth for page views, user accounts, traffic strength, site value, forum users, Facebook followers, click through revenue, etc. At the very least someone track an Alexa/Google rank for the site and run some simple trackers on seo changes and optimization efforts. If these are the items that are generating new users then at least you have some traction on efforts to get the home page changed.

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