How-To Geek: A Look Back at Our First Year
A Year in Review at How-To Geek
We have now reached the one-year anniversary of How-To Geek, and it’s an opportune moment to reflect on our achievements over the past twelve months. While it’s anticipated that only a small fraction of readers will peruse the entire article, the following provides a comprehensive overview of our journey.
The Genesis of the Geek
The domain name was registered in September 2006, with the official launch following in October. Initial content focused on Linux, recognizing its reputation for complexity among less technically inclined users.
However, a shift occurred with the introduction of Windows Vista. It became apparent that many individuals would require assistance navigating this new operating system, and thus, the focus expanded.
Key Accomplishments
Within a year, this site has evolved into a highly visited resource for how-to guides, attracting 1.1 million pageviews monthly and accumulating approximately 25,000 subscribers. To date, there have been 658 published posts and around 4,000 comments submitted.
Our primary objective is to create articles that are accessible to those with limited technical expertise, while simultaneously maintaining the interest of more seasoned users. Achieving this balance is challenging, but we believe we’ve made significant progress in minimizing boredom.
Subscriber Growth: A Contributing Factor
Numerous site owners have recently inquired about the strategies employed to achieve our subscriber count. The conclusion reached is that a friendly and approachable persona plays a significant role.
While various factors likely contribute to the subscriber base, the welcoming image associated with the site is believed to be paramount. Alternative explanations, such as article quality or design aesthetics, are considered, but the positive impression remains central.
Traffic Analysis
Examining the numerical data provides a clear picture of our performance.
From January 1st of this year, the site has recorded 3,011,790 visits and 5,711,710 pageviews, with the majority of traffic concentrated in the latter half of the year.
The following data illustrates the traffic patterns over the last 30 days:
Key observations include:
- Most Popular Page - The Vista Category page garnered the highest number of views, with 464,285 pageviews throughout the year.
- Traffic Sources - Google directed 1,917,210 visitors to the site, while 260,678 visits were direct. The remaining traffic originated from diverse sources.
- Browser Usage - Firefox accounts for 48% of our visitors, with Internet Explorer comprising 46%. Recent trends indicate a slight increase in Internet Explorer usage, now reaching 51%.
Forum Statistics
The forum was launched just two months ago, and while growth is ongoing, it represents a vital component of the site’s future development.
- New Topics - 551
- Total Posts - 2259
- Daily Pageviews - ~2000
Acknowledgements
The success of this website is inextricably linked to the support and contributions of numerous individuals. We extend our gratitude to those who have played a pivotal role.
- MysticGeek has been instrumental in providing guest articles and consistently expresses enthusiasm for the site’s progress.
- Daniel offers invaluable, honest feedback on projects, ensuring quality and refinement. His programming expertise is also frequently utilized.
- Scott serves as the official moderator for our Forums, demonstrating exceptional dedication and fostering a positive community.
- Gina Trapani & Adam Pash @ Lifehacker have consistently featured our articles, providing significant exposure and recognition.
Editor’s Picks
Among the numerous articles published, the following represent some of our favorites, both in terms of popularity and personal significance.
- Use Outlook Rules to Prevent "Oh No!" After Sending Emails
- View Feedburner Subscriber Numbers Even if FeedCount is Not Displayed
- Disable Flip3D in Windows Vista
- Bring Misplaced Off-Screen Windows Back to Your Desktop (Keyboard Trick)
- Restore Missing Items in Windows Vista Control Panel
- Keyboard Ninja: Insert Tables in Word 2007
- Make To-Do Bar in Outlook 2007 Show Only Today's Tasks
- Create the Ultimate Firefox Web Development Profile
- Why Doesn't Tab Work for Drop-down Controls in Firefox on OS X?
- Stop Windows Update from Hijacking the Sleep Button
Geek Pirate Bounties
The Bounty Program is a source of pride, and while currently paused, exciting developments are anticipated in the coming months.
- Bounty Program Success: "Active Desktop" Replacement for Vista
- Increase Size of Windows Vista Taskbar Previews
Software and Scripts
As a programmer, I often develop tools to address my own needs, and subsequently release them for public use. Further software development is planned.
- WordPress Plugin - The Geek's Spam Filter
- Keyboard Ninja: Assign a Hotkey to any Window
- How-To Geek Software: WordPress Comment Moderation Notifier
- Geek Software: Use DeliCount to Get Site-wide del.icio.us Bookmark Counts
- Shell Script to Upload a File to the Same Subdirectory on a Remote Server
- The How-To Geek Vista Sidebar Gadget
- Automate Adding Bookmarks to del.icio.us
Looking Ahead
What does the future hold for How-To Geek?
- We plan to incorporate user contributions, allowing readers to share their own tips and how-tos.
- Approximately 182 cases of Mountain Dew will be consumed.
- An additional 1000 hours will be dedicated to site development.
- The goal of reaching 50,000 subscribers will be pursued.
- The Geek Comic will be revived.
This past year has been incredibly rewarding, and we eagerly anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.