Anyone noticed that those pesky ads have been removed from the site?
It’s been a while now since we decided that adverts are not the way to go for a large community website like Voodoochilli. Instead of ruining the site by cluttering it with loads of ads we are focusing our efforts on Pro Member subscriptions and voluntary donations.
To be honest, the site earned a higher revenue with the ads on the site – however we are hoping that in time there will be enough Pro Members and people willing to make a donation that this is no longer the case. We would prefer to keep the content 100% focused on the users that make up the community. Saying that, we haven’t completely ruled out bringing back the ads, and this is certainly something we may have to consider if we don’t get generate more funds in the future. With the site now receiving over 8,000 unique visitors everyday it almost makes sense having adverts on the site, but we are going to hold fire a little longer and see how things go.
We are hoping the redesign will bring a needed boost to subscriptions, but the redesign itself is going to cost a considerable amount of both time and money – kind of a catch 22 situation, however we are very determined and will surely find a way to get it launched soon. The site has never been about profit – it costs us a lot more than it generates, and it will probably always be that way and we really don’t mind.
Watch this space for more developments regarding the new design soon!
It’s your lucky day. I’m going to give you a good way of dealing with ads. And if you use this idea, you only have to announce on the homepage how like unto a god I am, etc.
The main problem with ads is that they are randomly all over the place, banners, different sizes, like the worst of newspaper design. The answer is to regularize and rationalize the ads.
First, pick a number, I’d say 5. Then pick a shape, I’d say square (or vertical rectangle). I assume at some point the homepage will be centered and balanced. If so, put the five identical boxes across the bottom. Or down the right side. (Tight but not touching.) The 5 boxes, each roughly 2.5 by 2.5 inches, are the entire advertising space. They are always in same place. And advertisers have to design to the shape. At a glance, these five boxes will be handsome and attractive. People will look to see who took the places, and what they did with their square. These will be prestigious spots.
You could state a flat fee per week or month for square. Also consider an auction where people bid for spaces. Rich clients may take everything. But there may be weeks that are slow, and small companies could place a bid and get lucky. This way you would know that you were grabbing exactly what the market will bear.
Anything not clear, let me know.
Bruce Price
ArtNorfolk.com
Improve-Education.org
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