Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (Full Version)

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Tad -> Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (2/8/2005 12:51:34)

Up until about 8 days ago, we were getting about 400 unique visitors to our site each day. This has been consistent for about a year. Then, overnight, our numbers plummeted (and so did sales). Now we are averaging just over 100 unique visitors per day. I don't understand how this could happen, because our page ranks have stayed pretty much the same. Also, my Yahoo place in the SERPs has stayed as it was for many of my search terms.

This ties into another issue that I think I've blundered in a big way. I have always checked Yahoo to see where I was becuase early on I was told that Google and Yahoo index at the same time, or use the same bot, or something like that. Recently, I went to Google to run those same search terms that do well in Yahoo (some of ours rank as high as 5th), and in Google we were several pages deep. I think I have been focusing on the wrong search engine. Any ideas?

Tad



dpf -> RE: Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (2/8/2005 13:34:06)

quote:

I have always checked Yahoo to see where I was becuase early on I was told that Google and Yahoo index at the same time, or use the same bot, or something like that
At one time, Yahoo purchased it's search results from google so they were one and the same- about one year ago, Yahoo ended the contract and now produce thier own so yes, you must focus on each seperatley. Is 8 days a fair test? were you that consistent?



Reflect -> RE: Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (2/8/2005 14:24:58)

Do you own a log file analyzer? This information would be easy to trend on. Compare referring domains, see who is referring less (SE mot likely). Then start looking at the SE for recent algo changes or other factors.

If you do not own one PM me. I would be happy to run them through my analyzer for you (as long as it not an adult site or hate site). I would need the last two logs and a place to upload the results (HTML pages).

Take care,

Brian



Tad -> RE: Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (2/8/2005 16:24:24)

quote:

Is 8 days a fair test? were you that consistent?


Acutally, we were very consistent. we have never dropped for even one day below 260-270 unique visitors. That's why this is so troublesome.

quote:

Do you own a log file analyzer?


I use Fast Counter Pro, a Microsoft product (I know, many many sighs). My online store is setup through Microsoft BCentral and their Commerce Manager. Fast Counter is an additional service you purchase and it does fairly good analysis of browers, search engines, and search terms used in accessing your site; however, drilling down to specific date ranges is a bit tricky. Anyway, using Fast Counter was how I determined that Google was the culprit. My actual hits from Google have dropped by at least 1/3. I wll send you a PM, Brian, with the info you requested. Thanks.

Tad



Andrew888 -> RE: Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (2/9/2005 20:10:41)

Google (not sure about yahoo) change the forumla on rankings for search results every now and then so that people cant find out how to become in the top rankings of search results. Makes sense since they want the *best* sites up the top, not just the ones that have the most sites linking to them, or using keywords ect. Dont rely on google/yahoo for your sales..



dpf -> RE: Sudden drop in unique visitors--any ideas? (2/9/2005 21:06:02)

quote:

Makes sense since they want the *best* sites up the top, not just the ones that have the most sites linking to them, or using keywords ect.
but remember, this whole emphasis on sites linking to your derives from Google's stated model that they perceive links to be a measure of popularity and thus quality - prior to that, it wasnt a big issue.



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