Can we do a Kickstarter for the MGoApp?
Because I'll donate, I'm using the website about 2% as much as I used to use the app, its still not optimal, and clicks = money to help generate free content, so should be a no brainer...?! So I'll just go ahead and make the ask for Brian - $30 for 1 HTTV book, but no signature (because, really, a blog dude signature - get over oneself, and he should be too busy generating free content in any event) but a useful MGoApp!!!
Only 61 more days until marsupial Monday.
I’m in. New site is atrocious on desktop, iPad and mobile. Incompetent responsive website design is no substitute for an easy to use, fast loading app. My visits are down 300% since 3.0 launched. Name your price.
Anybody else have this META issue where a new post cannot be created and you cannot log in/out because the button is not there?
See below:
Bug appeared this morning. Still working it as of end of day today.
Yes, having same issue.
Clicks, Clicks, Clicks!
There is nothing like a reduction in traffic after a new site launch to induce concern. I’m only speculating but if traffic (ie Ad Revenue) is down then perhaps some of that is due to the lack of an app. A solution might be a paid app to help finance the tech piece? I would pay $10 for the convenience of an app.
But a big problem with the app was that it didn't generate any real ad revenue AFAIK. And looking at the Alexa tracking, this seems like a pretty normal amount of traffic for the middle of the summer.
I think the new site needs to be tweaked some more and the app should be considered at least, but this also isn't a time when a lot of people visit the site much anyway unless there are commits or a big story breaks.
I’d pay at least that. I am wondering if separating and creating a board only app would solve some of the tech issues Seth talked about.
Traffic has gone up a titch since we launched the new site, and way up this week with the Hello's. The apps weren't making money so their value to us is in that our readers like them and we like our readers. I ask you be patient as work the problems that appeared after launch and then get to the other things we want to build.
A. I never saw an ad in the app
B. Just add a bookmark and add it to your homepage
I too would gladly donate or purchase app.
I'm in. I'd put up a hundo at least. I'm on the site 40-50 times a day.
Sure...if an Android version would also please exist. There was one prior but nothing compared to the HD app
Count me in.
Just at this the mgoblog homepage as a link on your home screen. Its not ideal but it gets the job done. Not sure if this works on Androids but it works pretty good on Iphone
If you have an android phone, you can open the site in chrome browser and then in the top right of the browser window, click the three dots, and hit add to homescreen, creating a browser shortcut straight to the site and function almost exactly like an app. I have noticed there were some html elements that werent 100% properly sized for mobile, but theyve been finding and fixing them, so its much less an issue now compared to launch.
Really need an app. I used to check the blog multiple times a day and now I just don’t use it as often. It’s a nightmare to access and navigate on mobile. Would gladly pay to get if off the ground.
First time logging in since the switch from the old site due to the "you need to reset your password" bug. My consumption of MGoBlog has reduced from somewhere in the neighborhood of 7-10 visits per day, to roughly 2-5 visits per week. The app going away played a critical part in that!
Long live MGoBlApp, I'd donate to this for sure.
It's more about time. We need to be part of that and we are focused on getting this site to work first.
I'm going to look into an option though to put the board on a very simple API. Basically just link you to a version of the site for mobile that goes right to the board.
FYI I don't miss the apps. They made us no money and because they were designed to be good apps instead of to work with the site they were a massive hog on our site's resources. Everyone got a slower MGoBlog because the apps were constantly pinging the site for updates, and we had to spend time and money putting protections in place like Cloudflare so that wouldn't swarm us when a lot of people wanted to get on.
Would it be possible to make a board only app? I have no idea if this would create the same problems as you stated above. I would gladly pay for a board only MGoBlog app and I’m sure others would as well. Charging would also help with the “apps make no money problem”.
Having a board-only app seems like an unnecessary bandaid.
1. Run the kickstarter to fund the app development.
2. Be involved with the development so that it works well with the site/servers (when there is time).
3. Put ads in the app in a not too annoying way.
4. ...
5. Profit.
As I learned with this process, being "involved" with development is both necessary and a full-time job. There's a LOT that goes into it, and we were lucky enough to have professionals who use the blog regularly and knew what we wanted. I've developed apps before and when you're dealing with the kind of traffic (and the attacks it generates) and all the extra security a site like ours has to have it's not a small project
If you need some help with the app development, let me know. You could probably roll something out with React Native, Native Script, etc. pretty easily.
I agree that the app seemed like a network hog (I ran it once on an emulator and it made a ton of background calls), but it also seems like there is enough of a call for some version that it might be worth the effort.
My biggest complaint being app-free is that I miss content. It gets lost in the pages of scrolling on the main page. With the App, you could see the last 10 or so article headlines and easily see things - like Hello posts - in the mix of articles. If an App is too time consuming right now, how about a condensed section that lists the last 10 or so article titles that you can click on to jump down the page.
Maybe shift your perspective? Focus on growing revenue instead of reducing your product offering (ie sacrificing the app). Pay for the app and the security it requires by monetizing your cult following in other ways. Start a youtube channel, push out more regular podcasts, host more in-person events, expand merch offering, and use facebook and instagram fergodsakes! Hire people who are good in areas where you are inexperienced. Ask your customers to help!
Innovate!
100% agree. Your viewership is not A2 limited. Hosting podcasts at local brewpubs is great, but why not more content for distant viewership. YouTube is a very simple and profitable media angle. Video ad money is much more lucrative than click ads and it’s not difficult to do once you get used to it. You already have the media access/press pass to Michigan football - increase your brand by posting player videos, press conferences, etc. link from within the site. You’ll also get improved link sauce and higher ad click revenues for stronger web presence. As important as the website is, if the lack of an app drops your viewership by 30%, your site revenue suffers big time. Hell, make a paid app for ad-free content and subscription it.
The bottom line is you need a marketing person as much as a web developer. That way you focus on content and let the marketing person/firm worry about keeping the megaphones on 11.
YOU try getting the guys on video. I tried it with a live version of the podcast and they stuck chips in front of the camera.
I know that a lot of people used the app, I never did as I never had a problem using the old site on my phone, but they have said numerous times that the app is no more and unnecessary.
The app was far more useful on mobile than the current site for a few reasons. Notifications for one (the old apps gave you notifications for homepage posts), ease of use and overall visual aesthetic are 2 more big ones. The new site is better than the old one for mobile, but not as good as the HD app was.
Ah, see I didn't know about the notifications for posts, I'm on Twitter way (WAY) too much so I always see the @mgoblog and @mgofeed account's posts frequently enough to see when something new is posted.
And how many times do you log into Twitter on your phones browser? No, you use the app because it’s seamless and soooo much better. It’s no different between the old app and this mobile POS
Thought I was the only one with this opinion. Since the new site design I visit 20% as much as I used to. Don't like the layout and lack of app is a problem
I'm in
I’m in!
I would pay for an app. The new website is no good on mobile and like many have said, my visits to the site have probably been reduced by 30-40% since the relaunch.
Logging in just to say YES, PLEASE!
I'm going from lurker to poster for this thread... definitely in for donating to an app. I used to check the app frequently, and now I'm barely checking the site on my phone even though I've added a shortcut icon where my app used to be. The mobile user experience just isn't anywhere near as easy and seamless as the app(s) were.
Let's get this done ASAP!
I'd put $5 on getting it up a running AND pay another $5 bucks for the app itself.
I will gladly donate to the cause of an App. Thanks for the consideration. :)
"He should be too busy generating free content in any event"
God forbid the guy tries to make money for his hard work.
This new website is terrible . Won’t be posting here much until the layout is better and app is produced
We really need the app back!!
I desperately want the app back. I'm sorry to say that my friends and I all report fewer visits since the app went the way of the dodo. It was just too convenient. Monetize it however you have too with ads or whatever... Just bring it back.
I don't mean to poopoo the hard work done with getting 3.0 off the ground but in fairness I never complained about the site because I used the app almost exclusively.
gawd.
you want to spend money, give to a charity or something.
I'm sure they are noticing the decline in daily visits and hopefully will do something about it. I too have been spending less time here. Mobile responsive is not the same as having an app. Imagine if facebook or youtube or your bank advised you to just use the web browser on your phone.
I used the app many many times per day, especially if I was on call.
Now?
I think saying once a day is too high as an estimate.
Get an App!!!
I'm not as concerned about the app as I am that the normal site is, well, at least nominally functional. It isn't. Cool that content is easier to post for Brian and company, but how useful is that when the presentation on the user end is counterintuitive, if not an impediment to use?
Brian et al. Please make an app. The site is not well optimized for mobile devices, specifically the board section. Thank you.
1. I have to scroll twice as much on the new site
2. The comment formatting is terrible. The little lines to show replies are an eyesore and make it less clear about what's going on than just doing nothing but indentation.
3. With the new design, IMO, Diaries should be below the board.
4. Upvoting and downvoting isn't as fun when you can't see the upvotes and the downvotes. It's an interesting data point that is missed.
5. The little banner at the top with recent posts has negative value in my opinion. It just makes me scroll more, and sometimes I'm confused when older posts are up there and they don't even seem to be the most recent ones.
6. Too much white. I think some gray / light blue backgrounds in some spots would help a lot.