Open Letter to All Dogsters: Notice of Some Upcoming Changes
Hi Everypaw,
It's Ted here. If you don't know me, I'm the guilty party who started this whole crazy furtastic thing. (Maybe you've woofed with my dog Sparky?)
I wanted to personally write you, the amazing pawple who make this whole thing great, with an update about a small change, but significant changes coming soon, that will affect the header section of this site. The purpose is to offer search functionality on every page in addition to displaying a 728x90 (pixel) ad instead of the 468x60 (pixel) ads we currently show.
Please know a lot of thought and consideration of alternatives went into this decision as we balance keeping the sites great and making sure we can still afford to do that. I've posted some screenshot links below so you'll be able to see exactly what I'm talking about. Long story short, the header section of our site will become 15 pixels taller (roughly 3/8th inch). The top ad will also be bigger (see details for why we have to do this below), and to account for this the login form will now be accessible via a link on the left instead of an already visible box on the right. To account for the moved login box we removed the 'Home' link (as most people know the big logo in the top left is the link to the homepage). Finally we're making the search functionality appear on every page for all visitors.
The reason we're switching from a 468x60-sized ad to a 728x90 one is that the 728 ad size has become the default for the online advertising industry. Most of our advertisers don't even make 468 versions anymore. We've dragged our paws on this for a couple years, but we're no longer able to get advertisers to work with the outdated banner format. Most every advertising-supported site made this move long ago (for example see ABC, NBC, iVillage, BabyCenter, WebMd, ESPN). In fact, you may have noticed most ads we serve in that slot are self-promotional because no one will buy the outdated inventory.
If this sounds like a decision made to make more money, I'll humbly share that yes, it is. Plus subscriptions and Zealie purchases are GREAT, and they really help us stay afloat, but only account for about 20% of our monthly expenses. Some months we even spend more money than we earn, and as much as we love doing this, we can't afford to lose money dong it.
The reason we're adding search at the top of every page is that it's really, really popular, but it's currently not easy to find unless you are logged in, so it's hidden to our customers who don't have an account. Since this new search bar only takes up 20 pixels (about 1/4 of an inch) we thought the change was well worth it. Please also know that making search more functional is high on our list. We'll soon have search results pages that show keyword hits from forums, groups, photos, videos, answers, local listings, pet pages and diaries all at once. So if you ever want to go back to something or learn something new we'll do the hard work for you.
Finally, the login box will only be visible on the homepage if you are logged out. Instead there will be a link on all pages beneath the big logo in the upper left that opens right on the page with an interface to log in. We're bummed it'll be one extra click, but you won't have to wait for the page to reload so it'll just take a millisecond longer. Of course if you use autologin, you'll very rarely need to log in.
Since this site is as much yours as ours, we wanted to give you a heads up. Below you'll find links to screenshots of the changes. We've also made a special group where you can share with us what you think about the changes. We'll be hanging out in there constantly during the change as we want this to be as easy as possible for everyone.
As always, we're working hard to make Dogster & Catster the best pet sites ever, and we know we aren't alone. We appreciate all of the time you spend with us making friends, creating groups and taking advantage of the exciting content found in forums, answers, breed pages, and pet manuals, just to name a few. Dog and cat lovers just like you are what make this place special.
Woofs & tail wags!
Ted "Top Dog" Rheingold & the whole gang at HQ
Here's the Group we created where we'll be hanging out to hear what you think.
(Click each image to see full size.)
LOGGED IN MEMBER on GROUPS PAGE
LOGGED OUT VISITOR on GROUPS PAGE
LOGGING IN MEMBER on GROUPS PAGE
Feel free to leave comments here or join the discussion at the Group we created.
LOGGED OUT VISITOR on GROUPS PAGE
LOGGING IN MEMBER on GROUPS PAGE
Feel free to leave comments here or join the discussion at the Group we created.
I do not understand WHY I CAN NOT get to the home page AT ALL. Dogster is NO good to me if I can’t get to the home page AT all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree, we NEED a home page button, I forget all the time to look at who is DOTD or DOTW and I like to be able to look at what me friends have been up to. It is going to be irritating to have to type in www.dogster.com everytime I want to go to the hompage for something.
Home Page Button? The dogster for the love of dog logo in the upper left-hand corner has always functioned as a home page button that will take you to the Home Page from wherever you are in Dogster. It appears on every page you can access in Dogster, so the Home Page is always only one click away.
I understand your decision to create bigger ads. But c’mon, only a very sick puppy would believe your story about Dogster almost loosing money and you guys doing this as a service to humanity. Get real!
Almost loosing money? Yeah, right. Gimme a break, you guys got what, 500k members and VC financing. Hmmmm..my guess is that you guys are making handsome profits. At least you should be. If you are loosing money I will buy you guys out.
Ted and HQ dudes and dudettes - we think you’re pawsome! Do what you have to do to keep this site up because we don’t want to be homeless again! We’ve found our forever virtual home and we love it! And, our mom is so cool, she knew when the ‘home’ button went away all she had to do was click on that pawsome ‘dogster’ logo, and she’d get right where we needed to be! Keep up the good work - we love ya!
Sniffs, wags, Coco kissies,and Rally woofs!
The Girls and One Boy
Whenever you guys make some changes, it takes a little time to get used to BUT ultimately, I have found it to make our lives easier (especially us more seasoned dogsters who were not born with a computer attached to our embilical cords). Navigation through your site is relatively simple and almost idiot proof. I have always disliked change but in the case of your streamlining and making things more accessable - as they say “you go girl!” For those who commented about money and profits, sure Dogster is here for us animal lovers and supporters but hey, after all, a business is a business and its purpose aside from providing an excellent service is to make a few bucks on the side. I think that dogster is entitled to make its changes and make profits from its sponsors etc. They ARE providing an excellent outlet and place to visit worldwide. Keep up the good work and you have my full support in your endeavors! Bob, Jake, guardians to our beloved Pita.
“seasoned dogsters”… love it! Suggested Home Page survey: How old is your Pawrent? 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60? I think HQ would be surprised by the results!
Ted and Sparky all you at HQ you are alright in my book!
It’s nice to ee that you are still working at it and improving this community of Dogsters and Catsters. Very American of you.
We hope that with this vision you will keep your eyes open and your hearts aware of those who have followed your dream and helped bring it to life and you will remember too our dreams and realize we are now your family if you will, and just like a nation with growing pains
or children or kittens and puppies we need you and you need us. Lets all be kind to one another and gentle for we have no idea what kind of day the other just had. Speak to each other as if that was the last time you were to see or hear from them ever again.
This Great Holy Day of Remembering Why We are Proud to be Americans lets also be proud to be Dogsters and Catsters too, so say a prayer for all the strays out there in the streets in danger in harms way in the alley or with a firecracker tied round her ear please say a prayer for them too.
Thank you Ted
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I love Dogster & Catster, and will continue to follow you into the future. Will I be happy with the changes, I don’t know, but I for one am willing to hold judgement until it is actually implemented. I had to laugh at Bob and Pita’s comment regarding Dogster being Idiot proof, heck I can’t even figure out how to add a comment to “What am I thinking” - guess that makes me an idiot. BOL
I have tried to love it but it is too complicated sometimes to move around.
I am also a member of dogsunite so perhaps you can look at that and see if you can make it a bit easier.
I like the new format, makes sense to change up to improve and make easier and better, I have a question though that I would like to ask. Is there in the future going to be things that members can participate in other than the groups such as maybe photo contests where we could get rewarded with zealies or some other fun type of activities…. Thank you for the improvements and keep up all the good thoughts and things that you do
Pat…thank you for you kind comments.
You’ll be happy to find out that we do run a weekly photo contest on Dogster’s For The Love of Dog Blog. Earn 50 zealies if you come up with the winning caption.
We’re also starting to have a few ‘quickie’ contest for a few zealies on the blog. The questions will be around Dogster.com functionality, content and everything in between. I’m not quite sure what that means either. All I know is you’ll need to be watching for blog postings announcing the contest and pounce on it.
No doubt Ted has other things brewing.
Why does Dogster not allow advertising? If you did and charged a nominal fee would that not also generate some income for the site? Pet people enjoy purchasing from other pet people.
Just my thoughts!