p|d traffic soars in 2005

The number of visitors to pipes|drums soared to a record 1,140,799 individual visits in 2005, with page views rising to 9,124,980 during the same period, further pulling away from any other news and information site for pipers and drummers.

The heaviest period of activity was during the 10 days around the World Pipe Band Championships. Highest single-day activity was on Sunday, August 14, the days after the World’s, when nearly 10,000 visits were made to pipes|drums.

“I put together this site in my spare time, and I am dedicated to making content free,” says Andrew Berthoff, editor of the site. “The number of visitors has steadily increased every year since we started the site in 1996, but 2005 had by far the most significant yearly rise yet.”

pipes|drums is not connected with any association or business, and is run by the not-for-profit GHB Communications. Advertising revenue is plowed back into improving and maintaining the site, with funds occasionally given to good piping and drumming causes.

In 2005 GHB Communications donated funds to several events, including the George Sherriff Amateur Invitational and the Metro Cup, and also gave money to several unfortunate pipe bands hit particularly hard by the The Band Room’s bankruptcy.

“pipes|drums is only about providing credible, accurate and timely information about the piping and drumming world,” Berthoff continued. “It’s gratifying to me that so many people enjoy the site and that we can do some additional, positive things along the way.”

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