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09/27/2011 12:38:43 PM · #51 |
| The pot has boiled for many years ... what is left? ... |
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09/28/2011 02:42:03 AM · #52 |
Originally posted by TheDruid:
The pot has boiled for many years ... what is left? ... |
A few dry vegetables. :) |
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09/28/2011 08:00:46 AM · #53 |
Originally posted by JacksonGariety:
Originally posted by JH:
It's up to Langdon, really (I don't know why people expect the SC to have any insight into DPC revenue or future plans)
But if churn is a problem, then all he needs to do is invest in something like AdWords. It's still money coming in, and it's easier getting it from new customers rather than retaining existing ones. |
Awesome idea, easy to implement. +1 for JH! |
I and others would stop paying if I see ads (yeah I have blockers on the browser).... It's already there if your not logged in anyway, so there would be some revenue from that for random hits.
I completely disagree with getting new vs. keeping existing..... Have a look at any business study of that and it's vastly cheaper to keep existing customers then find new ones. Something more companies should keep in mind.... |
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09/28/2011 08:53:27 AM · #54 |
Originally posted by robs:
I and others would stop paying if I see ads (yeah I have blockers on the browser).... It's already there if your not logged in anyway, so there would be some revenue from that for random hits. |
I'm talking about running an AdWords campaign, not AdSense.
Originally posted by robs:
I completely disagree with getting new vs. keeping existing..... Have a look at any business study of that and it's vastly cheaper to keep existing customers then find new ones. Something more companies should keep in mind.... |
Okay, lets throw some hypothetical numbers around (again, Langdon is the best person to answer these questions, he has the numbers)
1) Hire a programmer at $300/day (or even if Langdon does the coding himself, you still have to cost it up) - Let's say 2 weeks to implement some of the changes that'll keep the existing members happy. That's $3000 spent to retain say 100 members for 2 years. $3000 spent for $5000 income = Profit $2000 (and customer count remains flat)
2) Spend $3000 on Adwords. Going for $1/click bids, that's 3000 click-throughs. Sign-up rate of 10% = 300, and lets say 50% become paying members for 2 years. 150*$50 = $7500 revenue-$3000 = $4500 profit over 2 years.
Now, I know I'm just guessing these conversion and retention rates, but I wouldn't dismiss the differences as 'vast' off-hand without seeing the actual numbers. |
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09/28/2011 09:01:28 AM · #55 |
Originally posted by JH:
Originally posted by robs:
I and others would stop paying if I see ads (yeah I have blockers on the browser).... It's already there if your not logged in anyway, so there would be some revenue from that for random hits. |
I'm talking about running an AdWords campaign, not AdSense.
Originally posted by robs:
I completely disagree with getting new vs. keeping existing..... Have a look at any business study of that and it's vastly cheaper to keep existing customers then find new ones. Something more companies should keep in mind.... |
Okay, lets throw some hypothetical numbers around (again, Langdon is the best person to answer these questions, he has the numbers)
1) Hire a programmer at $300/day (or even if Langdon does the coding himself, you still have to cost it up) - Let's say 2 weeks to implement some of the changes that'll keep the existing members happy. That's $3000 spent to retain say 100 members for 2 years. $3000 spent for $5000 income = Profit $2000 (and customer count remains flat)
2) Spend $3000 on Adwords. Going for $1/click bids, that's 3000 click-throughs. Sign-up rate of 10% = 300, and lets say 50% become paying members for 2 years. 150*$50 = $7500 revenue-$3000 = $4500 profit over 2 years.
Now, I know I'm just guessing these conversion and retention rates, but I wouldn't dismiss the differences as 'vast' off-hand without seeing the actual numbers. |
You're discounting 3:
3) #1 and #2
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09/28/2011 09:03:32 AM · #56 |
Originally posted by robs:
I completely disagree with getting new vs. keeping existing..... Have a look at any business study of that and it's vastly cheaper to keep existing customers then find new ones. Something more companies should keep in mind.... |
I am not saying try finding new people... I am trying to say that Langdon should maybe try something to keep the ones that are still here, happy. I am not trying to suggest a completely new site but rather just a few little things that would make it a little different and fun.
Take that suggestion about the custom member shirts... It makes you as a paying member have something to make yourself stick out from the rest. Now, I am not saying that we all should have cool ones like SC does but do however think a slight change in color would be a nice touch.
Little things like this I think would really keep the paying members happy. |
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09/28/2011 09:09:27 AM · #57 |
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:
You're discounting 3:
3) #1 and #2 |
Yeah, I'd thought of that option. I was trying to figure out which is more cost effective.
But it all boils down to how much time/money Langdon wants to invest in the site. Perhaps he's already happy enough with the money it's making? (i.e. disgruntled customers who leave are replaced with new customers, keeping the customer count and revenue flat) |
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09/28/2011 10:26:37 AM · #58 |
Originally posted by JH:
[quote=NiallOTuama]
But it all boils down to how much time/money Langdon wants to invest in the site. |
I think that question has already been answered and it's obvious.
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:
Perhaps he's already happy enough with the money it's making? (i.e. disgruntled customers who leave are replaced with new customers, keeping the customer count and revenue flat) |
See above. |
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09/28/2011 05:31:18 PM · #59 |
Here's an interesting link.
"The estimated website net worth based on its advertising revenue is around $83,762."
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09/28/2011 06:03:22 PM · #60 |
Originally posted by SDW:
Here's an interesting link.
"The estimated website net worth based on its advertising revenue is around $83,762." |
Very interesting page.
There is also a graph on that page that clearly shows that the "unique users" per day that visit the site has gone down drastically since last August (almost 100,000 less)
Message edited by author 2011-09-28 18:04:07. |
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09/28/2011 07:27:04 PM · #61 |
Originally posted by Fiora:
... the "unique users" per day that visit the site has gone down drastically since last August (almost 100,000 less) |
I have this mental picture of a camera club with 2-300 committed members, complaining that there are 100,000 fewer people/day traipsing through the clubhouse ... |
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09/28/2011 07:35:44 PM · #62 |
Originally posted by sinistral_leo:
I was browsing through the archives here; One of the Free Studys a few years back had 618 entries! I've only been here a few months, but that amount is almost double what we see now-a-days... |
Free Study's used to be very infrequent, 3 or 4 per year. Now there is a monthly Free Study. It doesn't have the same novelty factor these days, therefore, less entries. |
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09/28/2011 08:02:35 PM · #63 |
I left the site about 6 years ago or so. It had gotten too crowded and frankly the people were turning mean spirited. I've been poking my head in and have been impressed with the small "family" feel that seems to be re-building. This site was very much a friendly, close knit community when I first came here and now it's looking like that feel is making a come back. I'm seriously looking into signing back up.
Personally I think this site "ain't broke"... It was broke several years ago when there was something that attracted a lot of people (no clue what).
Just my 2 cents, but in the words of the Beatles... Let It Be
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09/28/2011 08:07:47 PM · #64 |
During the first few years, it was a smallish site where everyone pretty much 'knew' everyone else.
Then one of the popular photography magazines picked it up, calling it a 'hot' site and telling of
the attributes we all continue to take for granted. (including the no advertising bonanza.)
Many, many people joined and the Challenges got busier, the forums were spinning, and (ahem) there
was some grumbling about the enormous size of the place!
(You can replace the word 'grumbling' with the word 'discontent' and still be fairly accurate.)
Langdon and Drew made changes to accommodate the swelling membership and registered users, adjusting
where necessary. That's when those 2 Tuesday challenges came into being.
It's up to the founders to decide where to take DPC, if indeed, they wish to take it anywhere other
than where it is.
Naturally I have to say my opinion after the history lesson.
I like it the way it is. It evolves, let it do it naturally.
ETA:  myqyl and I are on the same wavelength - only he said it shorter.
Message edited by author 2011-09-28 20:09:39. |
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09/28/2011 08:26:23 PM · #65 |
BTW, just in case nobody noticed, paid members recent got an additional challenge to enter every week*, and almost every challenge topic for at least the past several weeks has been from a recent member suggestion ...
*as of this posting you have one day and three hours to be able to take a screenshot of your Home page showing five pending entries ...
Message edited by author 2011-09-28 20:28:19. |
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09/28/2011 08:34:01 PM · #66 |
Originally posted by sfalice:
During the first few years, it was a smallish site where everyone pretty much 'knew' everyone else.
Then one of the popular photography magazines picked it up, calling it a 'hot' site and telling of
the attributes we all continue to take for granted. (including the no advertising bonanza.)
Many, many people joined and the Challenges got busier, the forums were spinning, and (ahem) there
was some grumbling about the enormous size of the place!
(You can replace the word 'grumbling' with the word 'discontent' and still be fairly accurate.)
Langdon and Drew made changes to accommodate the swelling membership and registered users, adjusting
where necessary. That's when those 2 Tuesday challenges came into being.
It's up to the founders to decide where to take DPC, if indeed, they wish to take it anywhere other
than where it is.
Naturally I have to say my opinion after the history lesson.
I like it the way it is. It evolves, let it do it naturally.
ETA: myqyl and I are on the same wavelength - only he said it shorter. |
That does put it into perspective. Thank you
Truly, there isn't a single thing I don't like about this site (with the exception of wanting more DPLs), the only reason I advocate for some changes is because I think that this is such a wonderful site, that more people should know about it.
But if from your experience, more people meant a worse site, well then to me the case is closed |
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09/28/2011 08:34:09 PM · #67 |
Double post
Message edited by author 2011-09-28 20:34:26. |
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09/28/2011 09:14:22 PM · #68 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
BTW, just in case nobody noticed, paid members recent got an additional challenge to enter every week*, and almost every challenge topic for at least the past several weeks has been from a recent member suggestion ...
*as of this posting you have one day and three hours to be able to take a screenshot of your Home page showing five pending entries ... |
This is a VERY good point. I agree with these changes!!! I am again not trying to change the whole website but just a few things that could make it more unique and lively!.
Maybe that is the young side of me... |
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09/28/2011 09:30:57 PM · #69 |
Originally posted by slickchik:
This place isn't what it used to be. DPC is an awesome community... However, I used to be able to ask a question and get tons of helpful responses. Nowdays, all I seem to hear are crickets with an occasional answer. This used to be my "Facebook"... I was addicted and posted constantly in the forums and had super quick responses.
I don't know... There does need to be change to keep things fresh. There are tons of companies that were doing great business years ago and had the winning formula but they didn't change with the times and are now barely there or non-existent.
Look at Blockbuster as well. They were huge before Netflix, had a winning formula, but were required to change their formula to stay alive. |
Not sure I agree with the cricket part. I spend more time on here answering questions with detailed responses to try and help those that I can than I do entering challenges myself. There are a number of others who are quick to respond as well. I don't feel the site has lost that aspect to it at all.
I totally agree with the part about businesses needing to keep adapting in order to survive.
Dave |
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09/28/2011 11:27:48 PM · #70 |
My link was not a complaint about the site, I like it.  langdon has added a lot of subtle features since I joined back in 2004 that I greatly appreciated such as raising members portfolio from 10mb to 25mb (if I'm not mistaken) at no extra charge. He has given members the option to purchase large amounts of portfolio space for a small fee. As stated by others, increased the challenge count when needed and addressed problems when they raised. He implemented the DPL into DPC at members request and in my opinion he is probably working on it in the background. And other little changes that make the site more user friendly like having your username in blue when online, adding the online button, adding the stats page.
Sometimes you can clutter a site and it becomes confusing and IMO I think langdon has done a good job of keeping the site easy to navigate. However, like some would like to see some changes like the user stats broken down by the year instead of a continuous stat. But that is up to the site not me. And the site has allowed us to offer side challenges without langdon putting a stop to them.
And most of all, since I have been here the price has not went up a single penny!
Just my opinion.
Scott
Message edited by author 2011-09-28 23:30:43.
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09/29/2011 05:19:34 AM · #71 |
Originally posted by SDW:
And most of all, since I have been here the price has not went up a single penny!
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Very good point! How many business owners can say that they have never raised prices in ten years! as well as providing extra services at the same time?
Sometimes people take for granted what they have without really appreciating it.
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09/29/2011 05:28:54 AM · #72 |
I dunno. The site's pretty feature rich as it is. I'd like more, but I'm content.
It does look aged though. I think the interface just needs to be renewed to the modern era.
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09/29/2011 05:38:51 AM · #73 |
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:
I dunno. The site's pretty feature rich as it is. I'd like more, but I'm content.
It does look aged though. I think the interface just needs to be renewed to the modern era. |
Agreed. I was following another forum that was discussing DPC and at the end of it the interface ended up being the major reason people were reluctant to join. The words were 'it looks old'. I actually believe if the site were made just a little prettier then the appeal for the first timer to explore will increase. The way the challenges work right now is perfect so lets not touch that.
Message edited by author 2011-09-29 05:39:28. |
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09/29/2011 06:05:35 AM · #74 |
Originally posted by UrfaTheGreat:
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:
I dunno. The site's pretty feature rich as it is. I'd like more, but I'm content.
It does look aged though. I think the interface just needs to be renewed to the modern era. |
Agreed. I was following another forum that was discussing DPC and at the end of it the interface ended up being the major reason people were reluctant to join. The words were 'it looks old'. I actually believe if the site were made just a little prettier then the appeal for the first timer to explore will increase. The way the challenges work right now is perfect so lets not touch that. |
Light on white. Colour on colour.
DPC is grey on grey :-)
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09/29/2011 07:28:53 AM · #75 |
Originally posted by NiallOTuama:
I dunno. The site's pretty feature rich as it is. I'd like more, but I'm content.
It does look aged though. I think the interface just needs to be renewed to the modern era. |
dont know if this is mentioned, but a mobile version or a DPC app (not for scoring, but for browsing the site..) |
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