HOTFR8
Banned
Not gonna lie... I totally thought about just placing ads in the Free parking forum.
I think what you have done works very well with out putting them in Free Parking.
Ads on the forums... Sky is falling...
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
I think what you have done works very well with out putting them in Free Parking.
Zeke
Well-known member
Not gonna lie... I totally thought about just placing ads in the Free parking forum.
Not enough penalty.
Farmall450
Well-known member
I respect how this forum doesn't have ads...it's the only one I religiously go on.
SALIV8
Well-known member
Honestly-
ads **** and are a semi annoyance. Whether logged in or not.
With that said, if it were my forum I would do the same if not more.lol. Your site, your hardwork, your dedication, your money to keep it goin and the least you can do is make a bit off it. Or a lot if that's possible...
You only live once there's no do overs...
ads **** and are a semi annoyance. Whether logged in or not.
With that said, if it were my forum I would do the same if not more.lol. Your site, your hardwork, your dedication, your money to keep it goin and the least you can do is make a bit off it. Or a lot if that's possible...
You only live once there's no do overs...
Not Bob
Well-known member
Not gonna lie... I totally thought about just placing ads in the Free parking forum.
Do it. It'll make you feel better about it
split150
Well-known member
This is the only forum I frequent where the administrator takes such an interest in ways to keep the forum growing without pushing regulars away. Thanks!
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
So what sort of numbers are just people looking but not logging in compared to those logged in members?
SALIV8
Well-known member
On average there's way more NOT logged in then logged in..
Id do the same and more..lol
rburke65
Well-known member
I'm not going anywhere, with or without the ads. And yes, thanks for all that you do to keep us entertained and informed.
Hdtheater
Well-known member
Thanks for your hard work.
I'll think of you when we visit Austin in December. I plan on gaining weight at the Salt Lick.
Did somebody say Salt Lick? I'm in.
lilscorpion
Well-known member
My son's school is constantly doing fund raisers. They'll sell fattening **** treats or magazine subscriptions. Most don't really want either but they buy anyway to be supportive. Stupid thing is they pay $10 or $20 and the school makes squat on the deal. I've always felt that they should just ask the parents for the money. If each parent "donated" $50 per year, the school would actually make more and we would have to eat **** we didn't really want or have a pile of mags I'll likely never read.
applied to your situation -
1) Annual member fees. Member pays, no ads. Member doesn't pay, ads up the wazoo (or whatever you're comfortable with).
2) Add a vendor category/section that allows companies to post deals, make special offers, etc. charge companies to have an annual account. Even a couple hundred a year is dirt cheap advertising. Best part is your members can choose to read the ads and the venders get direct access to your customer base. Maybe charge even more and give them their own forum?
$10 annual fee for members is reasonable considering you do have expenses to keep it going. Start at something like $100 for a vendor account. I don't think either is $hitty. In my past life I've paid for member and vendor accounts. As a vendor it was always worth it. As a member my expense was so insignificant given what I got in return...and you also get the revenue from ads the non-members pay. Any or all...you'd do just fine and recoup some of your operating costs. My .02 anyways.
applied to your situation -
1) Annual member fees. Member pays, no ads. Member doesn't pay, ads up the wazoo (or whatever you're comfortable with).
2) Add a vendor category/section that allows companies to post deals, make special offers, etc. charge companies to have an annual account. Even a couple hundred a year is dirt cheap advertising. Best part is your members can choose to read the ads and the venders get direct access to your customer base. Maybe charge even more and give them their own forum?
$10 annual fee for members is reasonable considering you do have expenses to keep it going. Start at something like $100 for a vendor account. I don't think either is $hitty. In my past life I've paid for member and vendor accounts. As a vendor it was always worth it. As a member my expense was so insignificant given what I got in return...and you also get the revenue from ads the non-members pay. Any or all...you'd do just fine and recoup some of your operating costs. My .02 anyways.
Go to Quick Links and pick "Who's Online". You'll get a count.
Right this instant, it is 333 members and 721 Guests.
allinon72
Well-known member
I wouldn't mind if there were ads on the site even when signed in. I recognize that it's usually the only way to monetize a forum. This site has provided me with hours of entertainment and ideas.
The only time it bothers me is when the ads get out of control. I go to another forum that is so loaded with flash ads down both sides, top and bottom, and with keyword links, that it really bogs the site down.
The only time it bothers me is when the ads get out of control. I go to another forum that is so loaded with flash ads down both sides, top and bottom, and with keyword links, that it really bogs the site down.
JimVonBaden
Well-known member
I'm OK with the sidebar adds so long as they are static. I absolutely do not like the keyword links in the text of a post.
Jim
Not gonna lie... I totally thought about just placing ads in the Free parking forum.
Not gonna lie. . . . This makes me laugh.
classicharleyj
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2006
- Messages
- 197
Ryan...
I joined 4/2006 and have enjoyed this forum everyday at lunch. I understand this is
an expensive venture and your investment. As such, you have the freedom and right to do
as you see fit. I know I speak for a LOT of guys and gals who are enriched by this forum.
All I want to say is, THANK YOU for providing us with knowledge and entertainment on a daily basis.
Jim
I joined 4/2006 and have enjoyed this forum everyday at lunch. I understand this is
an expensive venture and your investment. As such, you have the freedom and right to do
as you see fit. I know I speak for a LOT of guys and gals who are enriched by this forum.
All I want to say is, THANK YOU for providing us with knowledge and entertainment on a daily basis.
Jim
bazzateer
Well-known member
I'm set up to automatically log on so would never have known about the ads if you hadn't mentioned them. Wish other forums (fora?) had your foresight!
Bradley Miller
Well-known member
Could be interesting . . . wouldn't it be grand to see ads for crappy _____ (insert foreign country here) tools for non-members to see? Or competitor ads to sponsors? Ads for dating sites? Unless you completely control the ad network, it really cheapens things a bit.
Thoughtful application of the ads is a good idea, there are some sites that only allow relevant advertisers. Thanks very much for the option to log in and turn them off, a relevant ad at the top of the page wouldn't be too bad though. Ad placement makes a big difference to how annoying they are.
OP
The Garage Journal has actually gotten pretty damned active. Here's our numbers from last month:
Pageviews: 15,698,492
Unique Users: 2,164,192
% of traffic registered: 26.73
The thing is, I already feel like whenever I am on the internet that I am fending off axe wielding marketers trying to sell me something at every corner. To me, it's gross... Really gross... And frankly, my motive here is pretty selfish. But at the end of the day, it only effects non-registered users. I can live with that. *I think*
Pageviews: 15,698,492
Unique Users: 2,164,192
% of traffic registered: 26.73
The thing is, I already feel like whenever I am on the internet that I am fending off axe wielding marketers trying to sell me something at every corner. To me, it's gross... Really gross... And frankly, my motive here is pretty selfish. But at the end of the day, it only effects non-registered users. I can live with that. *I think*
bczygan
Well-known member
Have you got a way for logged in members to choose to see them (Besides logging off)?
OP
No, I'm not a charity case! I'm just trying to capture some extra dough for my new shop... not trying to put shoes on my kids or anything. I think it's gonna work out if the numbers hold true.
Thanks though!
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
Thanks Ryan.
That was the figures I was interested in.
Registered numbers are really quite high.
I've seen some as low as 10% on other sites.
That speaks volumes for the quality content
and admin/mod control in place
The Slurpee King
Well-known member
Works for me.
Some forums are filthy with ads.
I honestly think a few well placed ads on the forum are fine (logged in or not).
It's fair to you and fair to your advertisers. I'd bet that many have the forum bookmarked and never visit the front page where the ads are found. Running a site like this isn't free.
I honestly think a few well placed ads on the forum are fine (logged in or not).
It's fair to you and fair to your advertisers. I'd bet that many have the forum bookmarked and never visit the front page where the ads are found. Running a site like this isn't free.
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
I am now getting this popping up on my page at random ever since Ryans changes.
http://www.financereportsweb.com/1/
Any idea why?
I am logged in fulltime so It's not when I'm logged off.
http://www.financereportsweb.com/1/
Any idea why?
I am logged in fulltime so It's not when I'm logged off.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
Wow!
Did you ever think that this wild idea of Garage Journal would turn into such a way of life for so many of us???You are on the right track with the ads. I agree with others that the key word links inside the posts are truly annoying. Thanks Ryan for thinking this through.
And +2 for Salt Lick! Was there in June and had to get their shirt "You can smell our pits from miles away!"
HOTFR8
Banned
Interesting to see the Adverts. I take it Ryan you may not know what runs. I see plenty of local Aussie stuff as I log on.
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
They will be tied in to your local ISP number.
Pretty common stuff for most sites to do.
HOTFR8
Banned
I wouldn't call it selfish one bit. You've put your heart, soul and some cash into this place. There's no reason that it can't pay you back some dividends. I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over it myself.
ilovevocs
Well-known member
Classy move, but I for one would understand if you decided to display them for logged in members. Its the cost of admission IMHO.
Justanoldguy
Well-known member
Well I'm going to log out and stay away from this site for a month or so.
Reported to ADmin but no response.
No-one seems to want to help or offer any suggestions.
IT is ONLY THIS SITE that the link is kidnapping.
No problems any where else. And ONLY SINCE THE AD change it seems.
So dammned annoying it makes coming here not worth the effort.
Cheers everyone.
Catch ya down the track somewhere.
HOTFR8
Banned
Clive,
Sounds like you need to run some antivirus or something as that would not be forum related. Appears the link is connected to here when we all know it should not be.
Do you have an ad-aware or spy program you can run ? Pop ups can be a pest.
Sounds like you need to run some antivirus or something as that would not be forum related. Appears the link is connected to here when we all know it should not be.
Do you have an ad-aware or spy program you can run ? Pop ups can be a pest.
ScurvyPete
Well-known member
This has been my experience as well
atfulldraw
Well-known member
I guess I haven't been here long enough to appreciate (or even know who) the operators are..... my apologies for not paying close enough attention to a place I have come to really enjoy in the past few months.
I could have guessed you are from Texas
and to think you are just up a few really curvy roads from me......
Exactly! Might be something I NEED
A significant number of those are bots and spiders.
I get all kinds of interesting stuff on my TOR browser
I could have guessed you are from Texas
and to think you are just up a few really curvy roads from me......
Exactly! Might be something I NEED
A significant number of those are bots and spiders.
I get all kinds of interesting stuff on my TOR browser
Last edited:
HOTFR8
Banned
I wonder if the new adverts are again attracting the increase in SPAM posts we have had in the last few days ?