Happy Anniversary “Read More”
December 1st, 2014
Regular readers might recall that Joe took a massive beating on these here pages when Joe had the nerve compel readers to click a “read more” button on stories beginning last November.
The gall of Joe to operate his site like the rest of the Internet! Readers would leave Joe in droves, so many predicted.
Well, Joe’s got a little year-over-year, “read more” traffic data now, and the reality is Joe’s traffic has increased significantly.
In fact, Joe expects more traffic in December 2014 than in December 2013, despite last year’s imminent firing of Greg Schiano and the drama of the hours before Lovie Smith was hired.
Joe has no regrets for making the “read more” change. A majority of JoeBucsFan.com readers like to scan headlines and click on a post or two. Those good folks have a smoother experience now, and the smaller group of hardcore readers seems to be just fine with using their mouse like they do everywhere else online. Joe also earns a few more nickels, which is always a good thing.
Joe thanks everyone for their patronage. Joe vows to continue his 24/7 brand of Bucs coverage with a renewed passion in the coming months.
“Simple as that,” as Lovie Smith likes to say.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:27 pm
As bad as the Bucs are, Joe needs a “read less” button.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Only a nickel per click? Should be worth a quarter at least.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:41 pm
Great site Joe thanks for the venue.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Would really like to know where the Joe(s) stand on Lovie Smith.
I’m sure everyone expected more out of this guy. He’s been around too long to make the mistakes he and his staff are making.
Gotta question the talent evaluations as well.
Are for Joe(s) for Lovie or are they, like many, starting to have doubts?
Joe has been very clear actually, giving Lovie lousy grades to date. Nobody gets a belly rub for a 2-10, undisciplined team. Not sure what you’re seeking. Let’s see how Lovie finishes the year. –Joe
December 1st, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Not a problem…never was a problem & like you said…..same complaners probably click their collective a$$es off.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:45 pm
I remember all of the whining when the “read more” era began. I would love to see a graph of the amount of page views from those that spoke out so heatedly against the Joes forcing them to click a button and imposing an insurmountable obstacle to their Buc information ingestion. If there was even one of them whose numbers dipped at all, I would be absolutely floored.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:52 pm
I give you ish sometimes Joes but i still click the “read more” button ever since you asked us to. Keep it comin. Except the Winston love that is.
December 1st, 2014 at 1:13 pm
I kinda hate it, but whatever, your choice. I never go to the front page any more I just refresh the article and follow to the next link if there is one.
December 1st, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Joe, I never comment but this made me laugh. Good for you. Listening to customer complaints is often the downfall of a successful business. You can never let the handful of loud voices overcome good sense and the majority.
December 1st, 2014 at 1:14 pm
This is the first I’ve heard of people complaining about the read more click. I prefer it. I read most JBF articles but sometimes there’s an article that doesn’t interest me based on the first paragraph or two. In fact, the Read More link probably challenges “Joe” to write a more catchy lead. Maybe not.
December 1st, 2014 at 1:21 pm
@ Joe(s): If you read the post, it’s an inquiry asking if, the Joe(s), like many, many Buccaneer fans, are starting to have doubts about Lovie in the long term?
With Lovie’s resume, mistakes like the one that cost the team a victory on Sunday are inexusable.
Also, looking at the personnel decisions of the regime have to cast HUGE DOUBT on its ability a build a winner.
Joe had those doubts about Lovie several months ago. He had a pattern of problems in Chicago, despite the winning, and missed the playoffs six of nine seasons there. Again, Joe would like to see what the Bucs look like over the next four weeks.–Joe
December 1st, 2014 at 1:47 pm
Joe,
Any chance you guys will be offering a mobile device app in the future?
Definitely a chance. Readers here will be the first to know. –Joe
December 1st, 2014 at 2:08 pm
Well Joe I gotta say I still dislike the read more, but the quality of articles keeps me here regardless. What Id love to see is a more mobile-friendly or device-friendly presentation of the site.
December 1st, 2014 at 2:24 pm
The read more click is fine if it would take you to the top of the dang page. Like you said some of us like to read the names of different articles and then click one. Not start reading on one page and then click and wait to finish reading the same story.
December 1st, 2014 at 2:27 pm
Never had a problem with the ‘read more’ move. My kids taught me, years ago, how to use the mouse, and they give me refresher courses on a regular basis. :^)
December 1st, 2014 at 3:28 pm
If an extra click helps Joe keep a couple more cold beers stocked in the fridge than so be it…not a big deal. Now that pesky See If He’s Cheating On You banner that pops up at the bottom of every article for mobile users is very annoying and has my poor wife wondering why I want to know why I’d be worried about some dude cheating on me 🙂
December 1st, 2014 at 5:37 pm
The mobile app was supposed to be here after the first of this year. It’s really, really after 😉
FYI though…I come less to the website nowadays, but its not because of the “Read More” or the content (mostly).
It’s because of the fan comments. I realized reading the comments was angering me, and anger is stress. I almost NEVER come on game day, except maybe one of the first posts or one of the last.
I actually find I enjoy the games more that way. I tend to focus on the more important aspects.
Because, and I am saying this without an ounce of humility…most commenters here are idiots here (and I fit the bill too). We’ll NEVER agree. And we seem to think what we say actually matters. It doesn’t.
Honestly, a feature I miss from the old buccaneers forum was the ability to ignore certain commenters. If You add that feature here, Joe…wow. I would enjoy the website again.
(I have no idea how to add it, or if it can be)
December 1st, 2014 at 5:44 pm
btw, Joe…I’m curious. Are those “up” numbers on homepage hits or article pages. Because I only read maybe a few articles every other day now.
December 1st, 2014 at 6:04 pm
I’m with you, on that ‘ignore’ feature, Bonzai. I keep trying to avoid reading my own posts, but there they are!
Really, Joe, it would be a nice feature. I’d have no problem convincing myself that everyone is still reading MY posts… as they are avoiding everyone else’s.
:^)
December 1st, 2014 at 6:11 pm
@Joes
Thank you both again and your staff (if any) for all your work and the abundant content on this site. It is greatly appreciated. My wife appreciates it as well, because it keeps me off the political websites where I get even more angry than Bonzai.
Have you ever had any thought of a format that allows “hot” topics to rise to the top of the site, as I am always too late to comment on favorite topics?
Thanks again and continued success!
tickrdr
December 1st, 2014 at 6:51 pm
@bonzai
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Luckily Hawaii doesnt show up after losses. BOOM POW got you again Hawaii. I know you’re creeping out there somewhere. Lol. See bonzai, now I love me some Hawaii but 6 weeks ago not so much.
It would suck if we all agreed on everything. Much more exciting to have Ray Rice and I talk smack about GMC and then watch everyone come to his defense.
But I’d definitely block @brandon cuz I think he’s a bucs coach and I get tired of his coach talk.
December 1st, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Appreciate the kind words. No need to assume some of the glitches you experience have anything to do with Joe, or are part of the program here. –Joe