The Trajectory of AutoPuzzles

[Ultra]

AutoPuzzles, the idea, began early in 2005.  I was a member of a small automotive internet community that only continued to grow smaller over time as it had no anchor site or real draw to hook the public.  We had one member who was a wiz at naming cars of all makes and models.  His Name that Car posts were legendary.  Having been a forum programmer of Name that Car posts myself in the past I really admired his puzzles and thought they deserved a much larger audience.  To me the question of getting his puzzles the audience they deserved was answered with the idea of creating a site that was themed around automotive puzzles.  It allows us to promote the puzzles while at the same time creating a forum community that is active with lively, educated minds.  What better way to create an automotive themed community worth being a member?

In late 2005, early 2006, I then approached Karn with my idea and, with some hesitation, he saw it as a website of which he wanted to be a part.   From day one, this site has been a project of his and my doings.  He is the engine for the puzzles and the automotive esoterica, as well as the controller of the main site, I am the engine for the forum, dealings with the various web providers, ads etc., and I am the contact with the hosting company, Go Daddy. 

Upon my contacting GoDaddy in early April 2006, the webspace for AutoPuzzles was purchased.  On April 16th the forum was installed and began functioning.  Throughout April and May work went on behind the scenes in creation of the main site.  In June the site was created and we officially launched it on the first day of July 2006.  In the first 6 months of the site we have gone from 3828 hits for the entire month of June to over 50,000 hits in December 2006.

Where all this leads is hard to say.  We would like to see the site continue to grow and with those thoughts in mind we have added a new administrator.   I am sure you are all familiar with Porridgehead.  His contributions in the Feature sections and his arcane automotive knowledge, as well as his wit, seem like exactly the kind of resources we need to tap to continue the sites growth on an upward trajectory.

We welcome input from any and all as to innovative and inexpensive ways to grow this site.  If you feel you have some good ideas please share them with us.  Either in this thread, via pm or an email to the webmaster would do the trick.

Thanks for being a member here at AutoPuzzles.  We really appreciate it.

[Ultra]

[Ultra]

We have received more hits this month than any other month in the the sites existence and we still have 5 more days in the month.  We are on target to get over 100,000 hits this month alone.

I would like to say thank you to each and every one of you who post here.  It is the information that you share that creates the hits and keeps the growth coming.  I am honored to be able to help your site become all it can be.

Onwards and Upwards.

[Ultra]

Here's to our busiest month ever, Sept 2008, over 125,000 hits and over 2,800 posts.

[Otto Puzzell]

Yeah, baby - that's the stuff!     

Say it with me now!

A-U-T-O-P-U-Z-Z-L-E-S   A-U-T-O-P-U-Z-Z-L-E-S
Let me hear it again! 

...................................................................................... A-U-T-O-P-U-Z-Z-L-E-S   A-U-T-O-P-U-Z-Z-L-E-S

[Ultra]

http://www.autopuzzles.com/forum/index.php?action=stats;expand=201001#201001

Seven days in a row of 10,000+ hits.   We have never had a run like this.  The site continues to reach a broader audience.  I am very proud.  Thanks to all of you for being a part of it.

Welcome to the 5 digit club guys!   

[Paul Jaray]

This is the best site if you look for very obscure cars or if you think you know them all!
No doubt about it.

[Carnut]

This is the best site if you look for very obscure cars or if you think you know them all!
No doubt about it.

Yes.. I thought I knew quite a bit until I found this site.
Now I know I know NOTHING!!

[Ultra]

Today, for the first time ever, the forum passed 400,000 hits in a calendar month.

#winning

[Allemano]

Impressive!

[Carnut]

Amazing and a fantastic achievement.
Well done Ultra and Otto particularly but to everyone involved too.