Strategic cats drive engagement

By bharding
Posted on April 01, 2012 | 71 comments

I am pleased to announce that today we are launching the culmination of a months-long research project designed to find strategic new ways for us to drive greater user engagement on site.  The result is another Bonanza-first innovation that we think may soon become standard amongst top-tier commerce sites.  We are calling it "Bonanza... with cats!" 

Recently surging sites like Pinterest and Facebook have clearly demonstrated the value in building a product that can get its users engaged.  To date, Bonanza has focused almost exclusively on building the best buying experience and selling experience, bar none.  While these functions can be quite useful when one decides to go shopping, years of Internet usage have proven that, on a day-to-day basis, people tend to choose cats over commerce 9 times out of 10.  We figure it is high time that we stop fighting human nature, when we can instead build an experience that takes the best of "cats" and "commerce" and bundles it into one exciting package.  We are calling this new hybrid model "cat commerce," or "CC" for short.

If you are a logged in Bonanza user, you are now only a single click away from an engaging CC experience.  For launch, we have created a collection of about 10 CC experiences.  In the coming months, we hope to release a new CC feature daily.  By 2013, we should have several hundred.  Oh, and did I mention that cat commerce will be completely FREE for our subscribing members?  After April, non-subscribing members will be able to enjoy cats at just 5 cents per cat, with volume discounts available.  And during our launch month of April, we are going to let all registered users enjoy cats at absolutely no cost.  Non-logged in buyers will need to sign up for an account to use cats.

We are extremely excited about the potential for "Bonanza... with cats!" to consolidate the most fundamental forces on the Internet.  No longer will users need to visit fifteen different sites to fill their daily quota of shopping and cats. 

Following the rollout of "Bonanza... with cats!" we look forward to eventually incorporate other popular animals, including dogs and horses.  Just click on the "with cats" words in our logo (or below) to get started.


Click "cats," get cats

Comments: 71 comments
Category: Main blog

71 responses to Strategic cats drive engagement

  • Tom_with_b_thumb128

    BonanzaTom says:
    04/01/12 at 00:06:21

    Well, that forum post by Ryan a few days ago sure makes sense now!

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    sparklemotion says:
    04/01/12 at 00:15:46

    I CAN HAZ BONAZNA??????

    Can we expect full keyboard integration by 2013?

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    bharding says in response:
    04/01/12 at 00:27:36

    It’s definitely on our roadmap!

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    CatnuttiToo says:
    04/01/12 at 00:46:20

    Finally a topic I can really get my teeth into But if you aren’t a subscribing member will that feature disappear later? Or if you accidentally hit it when trying to hit the Bonanza homepage will you be charged? Because being the cat lover that I am I have lots of cat friends who send me cat items for FREE right to my email box.

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    GrandmasPantry says:
    04/01/12 at 00:49:15

    Those kitties sure write with an accent – wut’z and mah … lol

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    Alilbirdy2 says:
    04/01/12 at 02:04:00

    I must have lost my brain, but what do cats have to do with the site ? I am not understanding the purpose of cats I guess. Is it short for Categories or something else ? Why would we need it, what is it’s purpose please for those of us who are missing what cats was designed to do.
    I’m just wondering if I missed the reason behind the cats. It said to “Drive Engagement”, engagement in what please ?
    I feel like a dork for not understanding what it is for.

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    CarolsCorral says:
    04/01/12 at 02:50:20

    Alibirdy2….I was wondering the same thing. I want people to come and find my items….not cats. That doesn’t seem to have anything to do with selling products, unless we were selling cat items????

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    AbbysAttic says:
    04/01/12 at 02:55:36

    I’m at a loss as well.

    Wait – It’s April 1st.

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    Morrigu718 says:
    04/01/12 at 02:57:30

    Absolutely adorable, and Happy April Fool’s Day!

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    MiscLighting says:
    04/01/12 at 03:15:32

    The real joke is that its not an April Fools??

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    BARNTIQUES859 says:
    04/01/12 at 05:08:03

    ohhh no. i like cats but isnt there enough waylaying around here. I’m here to sell; not to look at pictures. I would go to Pinterest for that. It will totally confuse the buyers that come here.

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    wildflowerdesigns says:
    04/01/12 at 05:30:42

    hehehe…..Happy April Fool’s Day !

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    dojejo says:
    04/01/12 at 05:45:19

    People buy more when they are smiling! I don’t see a problem with it if it’s not a joke. Psychology of selling 101. People don’t really buy things, they are buying how it makes them feel……hopefully there are more cat lovers out there than cat haters though

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    irishonebac says:
    04/01/12 at 05:52:57

    Dog lovers will be thrilled to know :-)

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    TheLuckyBird says:
    04/01/12 at 05:57:44

    I adore cats… Been involved in rescue for many moons… but, this is kinda weird?! I think that people will get so involved at looking at the pics and videos that they’ll forget all about shopping! Heck, I just spent 10 minutes looking and laughing at the pics, now I don’t remember why I logged in!! Hmmm… April fools joke?? I hope so.

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    HodgePodgeLodge says:
    04/01/12 at 05:59:21

    Joke or Not…
    I Love Cats

    Thanx for the SMILE

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    DiscountDesigner says:
    04/01/12 at 06:05:21

    Ohhhhh, Jeeez, Happy April Fools to the boyz too! You got me! Changed my avatair to go with Bonz with Cats, lol

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    AutumnLeaves says:
    04/01/12 at 06:36:12

    I love it! Bill your humor is what first attracted me to this site and it is still going. Being a cat lover this is too cool.

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    Cheyenne2u says:
    04/01/12 at 06:37:28

    LOVE it! ’bout time we caught up with the times! NOW I will have the BEST of BOTH worlds!

    Thank YOU Bill! YOU ARE TOPS!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_MaJDK3VNE

  • Small_girl_with_pearl_thumb128

    wildflowerdesigns says:
    04/01/12 at 06:45:57


    http://youtu.be/m_MaJDK3VNE

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    CritterCreekRanch says:
    04/01/12 at 06:47:00

    LOL wow I read ur blog 4 times thinking..Bill has lost his mind I do hope this is a April fools joke because I am a dog and goat person

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    AllThingsVintage44 says:
    04/01/12 at 07:01:42

    LOL! Good try Bill! Happy April’s Fool Day to you too

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    MONTROSE says:
    04/01/12 at 07:04:02

    As Posted on April 01, 2012 > April FOOL!

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    sofyblu2 says:
    04/01/12 at 07:32:17

    BOO! HISS! SCRATCH! MEOW! No fuzzlebutts made the cut! This is now a cat fight to the death!

  • Bonz_profile_thumb128

    bharding says in response:
    04/01/12 at 17:07:57

    Drat, that would have been a terrific addition to Bonanza Cats. I knew that we should have spent another month or two thinking about how to make this as great as possible.

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    lovelylittlethings says:
    04/01/12 at 07:40:36

    Yes! Yes! Yes! And a Happy April Fools Day to all of you, too! (but I wouldn’t completely disregard this idea after today!) LOL!

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    CollectiblesByJo says:
    04/01/12 at 07:57:47

    Hilarious! In addition to cats, horses and dogs may I suggest squirrels as well… LOL!

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    SablesDream says:
    04/01/12 at 08:06:53

    Lol, I have to admit I was fooled (and confused) until I realized what day it is. Great April Fool’s joke!!

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    lynnestreasures says:
    04/01/12 at 08:33:35

    All I know is that you better bring on the dogs right quick or the Cats will take over the whole site. Arghhhh

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    sofyblu2 says:
    04/01/12 at 08:34:45

    Cats rule..Dogs drool

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    BookbinEtc says:
    04/01/12 at 08:56:13

    You Bonz Boyz and Galz are too funny! Thanks for the laughs.

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    madmissee says:
    04/01/12 at 09:10:31

    5 cents a cat for non-members? Hilarious!! Great April Fools Joke guys!!

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    RedbirdRidge says:
    04/01/12 at 09:29:10

    Thank you! Happy April Fool’s Day everyone!

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    DoubleLLGifts says:
    04/01/12 at 09:33:36

    Love it, great job! Happy Day! Happy April Fool’s!

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    newriverone says:
    04/01/12 at 09:46:38

    I ♥ kittehs

    LOL

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    driver211plus says:
    04/01/12 at 09:52:58

    MEOW!!!

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    sparklemotion says:
    04/01/12 at 10:31:09

    As an early adopter of CC, I have provide my booth visitors with the original Keyboard Cat video.

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    Alilbirdy2 says:
    04/01/12 at 11:07:35

    I hope everyone is right that this is a Joke, otherwise we are all going to be wondering what this has to do with Selling and buying online or being found by the bots that crawl around the internet so that our items are being found in searches.

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    nelliekellie says:
    04/01/12 at 11:16:09

    Happy April Fools Day to everyone!

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    LoveCrafting says:
    04/01/12 at 12:00:48

    As a cat lover, I love it! Happy April Fool’s Day!!

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    BookRush says:
    04/01/12 at 12:31:55

    Great April Fool’s joke! Glad to see Bonanza’s unique sense of humor is alive and well!

  • Csava_thumb128

    calicoseas says:
    04/01/12 at 12:44:11

    OH BOY, OH BOY! I luvs CATZ! It’s ’bout time we got sum attenshun ’round heer! Mrrrow, Purrr!

    OH WOW, OH WOW! Click on the big catz pikchur! You getz more catz! CATZ ROOL, YEA!

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    TimeSpanTreasures says:
    04/01/12 at 13:08:25

    Funny!

    =^..^=

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    tillingtraders says:
    04/01/12 at 13:08:29

    Forgetaboudit! I’m watching the Schnauzer live puppy cam on pawnation. Happy April 1st, though. How about the idea of a live cam from Bonanza headquarters? That would be fun.

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    astrovision says:
    04/01/12 at 13:09:50

    I luz me sum Kitty Catz!! PuRRRRRRRRRRfect Fit!

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    txskys4ever says:
    04/01/12 at 13:38:51

    Uhhhhh…

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    pishposh59 says:
    04/01/12 at 13:45:53

    Too funny! Love it. I forgot all about April Fools till I came here and read this. Good job!

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    MuttsAttic says:
    04/01/12 at 14:31:25

    Laughing my Feathers off

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    Cheyenne2u says:
    04/01/12 at 14:34:20

    I am having SO MUCH FUN with the Cats today…..
    Plezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz KEEP them!!!!!!

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    alexwberg says:
    04/01/12 at 15:02:06

    There are many days when I really miss you guys. This is one of them. ; )

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    SharsBoutique says:
    04/01/12 at 15:53:05

    Great job! And there are still people who just don’t get it. (LOL) More fun for us!

    When my puter “meowed” at me this morning, my 2 poodles heard it and looked all around the house trying to find that darn cat!

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    cdvdmart says:
    04/01/12 at 16:08:13

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    bharding says:
    04/01/12 at 17:22:44

    Tips cap to our resident CATStermind ryanhicks (http://www.bonanza.com/booths/ryanhicks), who made CATS happen for us over all these months and years we spent putting it together.

  • Beautiful_books_shabby_rose_avatar_thumb128

    BotanicaBookshop says:
    04/01/12 at 17:28:04

    Great Fun ! Love it ! And, wonderful creativity! I keep
    coming back for more kitties !

    Thanks so much for the big smiles …

  • Txskyscolourava1_thumb128

    txskys4ever says:
    04/01/12 at 17:48:08

    After playing around its cool!

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    calicoseas says:
    04/01/12 at 18:00:41

    Good to see your face again, Alex! Hope all is well!

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    calicoseas says:
    04/01/12 at 18:02:13

    Thanks Bill and Ryan. My daughter and I were looking at this page, and one of the cats popped up right in front of my Avi! It looked like one of the other cats we own, staring right at me!

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    Alilbirdy2 says:
    04/01/12 at 18:36:02

    Well you had me fooled, good to know it was an April fools joke !

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    sofyblu2 says:
    04/01/12 at 19:21:34

    hey Ryan ..any way of getting kitty singing Memories and the one strutting into a video or something that we can share..those were hilarious

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    bluepennylady says:
    04/01/12 at 19:26:35

    So I guess I don’t need to spend time designing a new avatar to go along with Bonanza Cats.. Shoot! I was thinking of all sorts of avatar ideas

    I loved the cats all over the home page, Busted out laughing when I went to the home page and KNEW that Bill had been around! You guys crack me up!

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    sofyblu2 says:
    04/01/12 at 20:09:38

    that’s so you won’t forget the cats of Bonz again

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    osaunt says:
    04/01/12 at 20:27:42

    Love it..thanks for laugh. Does this mean the cats will be gone tomorrow?..that’s really to bad…I was going to send you a picture of my cat doing something REALLY cute. Oh, heck—I might send it anyway—and if you won’t put her on the front page I’ll just have to put her in my booth.

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    zanderbooks says:
    04/01/12 at 21:37:50

    Haha! I was wondering what Bill would come up with this year. Love the story about Libby and Cashew…very sweet. Happy April 1st, Bill and Bonz Team!!

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    jinx'stuff says:
    04/01/12 at 22:55:40

    glad to see your time has been wasted on this nonsense.It would be great if everything on this site was working correctly.
    Maybe because I would rather see “dog pics”

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    EclecticStuff says:
    04/01/12 at 23:13:06

    Luv it! I was really hoping it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke. Laughing all the way back up to the top to see the rest before they go away …or will they?

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    CarolsCorral says:
    04/01/12 at 23:17:26

    Awesome April Fools Day Prank, with great kitty pictures and videos….! A big HELLO to you Alex.

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    MedievalMisc says:
    04/02/12 at 00:15:38

    Thank you, Tom
    It’s officially after midnight so will add one more comment. This is the type of interaction that makes our world go around. Good clean fun, nobody hurt. Lots of credit to Ryan. Nice seeing you again Alex. So thanks, Bill and Mark and everyone who worked so hard to entertain our bonanza family.

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    ZenGirl says:
    04/02/12 at 06:26:56

    Ho, Ho, Ho… What will we have for Christmas? Reindeer? Then we would really be fools, lol.
    ((( )))

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    TanBarn says:
    04/03/12 at 06:34:28

    Made me think I had to hide my Rooster!

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    ShamrockAntiques says:
    04/03/12 at 22:01:50

    I think Skunks would be nice!

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    canacreations says:
    04/05/12 at 08:03:08

    I swear they need to do a better job of monitoring your medications the first week of april…….