'the follow on' site statistics 2005
by Alan Rowley, 2nd January 2006

As the dust settles on a hugely successful year for cricket, it is time to take our annual look at how the site has performed. As you would expect after such an incredible year, figures are up dramatically on 2004. Also, the site's venture into web site hosting and advertising is also reaping rewards, both for the site and our sponsors.

Firstly, let's have a look at the average daily viewing figures. Below are graphs showing the daily average page views and the daily average visits.

The daily average visits to the site rose from 390 in 2004 to 668 in 2005, an increase of 171%. These visits produced an average of 6,426 pages viewed per day, a whopping 202% increase on last year's figure of 3,177. The best month, based on daily averages, was September, when 819 visits saw 9,597 pages viewed. However, in May, there were an amazing 20,157 visits to the site which resulted in 185,942 pages viewed. This wasn't the most pages viewed in a month though as, surprisingly, November was the best month with 218,918 pages viewed from 19,015 visits.

Below are monthly graphs showing total page views, visits and users.

October was easily the quietest month on the site with only 6,517 visits, well down on other months. Presumably this is because there was no cricket in the month, and players and officials were taking annual holidays. The huge success of November can probably be attributed to the publication of the Bassetlaw League Annual General Meeting reports which spanned three pages.

Despite a dip at the end of the season, the number of unique users on the site continued to show an upward trend, climaxing in a record 3,072 users in both November and December. The best in 2004 was only 2,287 meaning we have attracted just short of 800 new users to the site in 2005.

The most popular part of the site won't surprise anyone. The forums account for 75% of page views throughout the season, rising to 85% in the close season. We saw our 800th member register in December, surely the 1,000th member will register in 2006 - a fantastic result!

In 2006, an incredible 1,856,147 pages were viewed in 195,033 visits to the site, well up on 2004's figures. If you want to compare figures, take a look at the 2004 statistics which can be found by clicking here.

All this bandwidth doesn't come cheap and, without the help of advertising and sponsorship, the site would prove to be very expensive. Sponsorship from Pure Cricket was much appreciated, and additional advertising from Charlie French, Sport Lived and Fred Kirk helped to pay the bills. Please repay these sponsors by giving them your custom. Also, the recent addition of Google advertising on the forum and the search page is paying dividends. This form of advertising is on a 'per click' basis, so please keep clicking and your efforts will help pay the bills for 2006.

Web site hosting was also introduced in 2005 and this has proved to be popular with three customers switching their sites to 'the follow on'. If you have a web site, or you know someone who is setting up, please take a look at what we can offer before you sign up to any other hosting company. For more details on web site hosting, take a look here.

Finally, as I said at the end of 2004, none of this would be possible without the support of league officials, players, supporters, sponsors and the readers. Without you all, this site wouldn't be worth the effort taken to maintain it. My thanks to you all and I hope you have a successful and peaceful 2006.