I have read through a LOT of email recently regarding WHT and the purchase.

One possible consideration would be to eliminate the large advertising banner at the top of the page and replace it with a small box that is on the right side of the page just below the cookie information.

This would make the advertising less intrusive and reduce the size of the ads by 75% or more.

The second possibility is to add another section under the advertising area that would be "post only". (as in no replies or questions) This could possibly even have a second level of catagories for virtual hosting, colocation, dedicated/managed hosting, software, etc. This would allow hosts to post one ad every two weeks and ensure first page (in that section) visibility to as many hosts as possible. Currently, some high volume offers continue getting bumped up to the top. It could improve the situation to a point where as many providers as possible have a chance of a premium placement without any cost.

The existing section could remain so that there could be a discussion of offers there.

Your comments on these suggestions would be appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Robert Marsh
Headsurfer

Both suggestions are excellent!

Can't wait.


Lats...

Sounds good!

That ad at the top is pretty big. I've gotten used to it now, but it'll be good to see it go.

Originally posted by headsurfer
The second possibility is to add another section under the advertising area that would be "post only". That seems like a good idea. Maybe it'd be helpful if the original poster could go back and edit that post... it seems that when there are multi-message threads in the advertising forums the only really useful posts are the ones where the person making the offer (or request) posts again to clarify something after email or public responses have made it obvious that something had been left out.

The most frequent posts in those threads, though, usually are of the "PM sent!" and "Email replied to!" variety, followed in quantity by those challenging the value of the offer.

Option 2 works for me. I also suggest eliminating any other ads on the site and possibly promotional signatures as well outside the advertising forums.

It depends upon what you want WHT to be. Do you want a roiling shark tank or a meaningful resource for both hosts and consumers?

I like the no reply thing, and keeping the current ad forums too. It would be nice if us mortals could get ads, too.

Great idea's. I myself would like to apoligize to Robert. I had you all wrong, you are handling things well around here. Congratulations

~James

I have to agree... I was a bit worried when headsurfer took over, but at least he is posting asking for our opinions. That in itself, I can respect a person for that ;)

As far as advertising is concerned, the current ads dont bother me, but I'm *not* very fond of popups ;) so I hope we wont go there. I have a proxy that blocks most ads anyway. At least the ads are webhosting related. I would get upset if I started seeing unrelated ads showing up here...

I like the idea of a no-reply ads forum, or requests forum. Providing the people posting in there provides enough info. You can prolly put a sticky topic in there with the guidelines and necessary info for posting in there.

Keep up the good work headsurfer...

:beer:

What i hate most is that the actual ad takes up the whole table cell .. not just that image.. and accidentally hitting it is annoying.

What are the current advertising rates anyway?

Well, I haven't ben here very long but...

It seems to me that no one was ever really bothered by the large ads at the top. Why? Because Matt supposedly screened and approved every advertiser such that the they could be trusted more so than with a normal ad on Tophosts or similar ilk.

My point is that even if the ads are smaller, that won't mean much if anyone with money can get an ad.

I do like the fact that only reputable companies were advertised... but I don't like the fact that many companies didn't even get a chance.

Why I just said that I have no idea. :eek:

Tough decision

All I know is currently I click on the ads by accident alot.....

Originally posted by jmcmike
It seems to me that no one was ever really bothered by the large ads at the topActually, there was a significant wail of protest when the ads first appeared, and another, smaller, one when they grew markedly bigger.

For my part I had no problem at all with inplementing the ads, but still find the current extra-large version a little distracting and inconvenient as it pushes most of the actual content down "below the fold."

I truethfully don't mind the ad's at the top of the page being there. I also like the second idea you had, I was actually going to recommend something very similar, but I like your idea much more than my own.

I think it would also be great if you, unlike the previous management, would respond to our requests for ad info, even if it is just a "Sorry, but your company has not been in existance long enough for us host your ad". I would much rather that then being fully ignored.

Why re-invent the (Web ad banner) wheel?

Use a "standard" sized, 468x60 pixel, banner at the upper, right, of each page that looks something like this. (http://www.wvwebsites.com/wht/)

Doing this would move the content "up" on the pages, the banner ad would take up little room, and yet would allow advertisers to use a "standard" size banner. Thus, advertisers could use pre-existing banner ads they're running elsewhere (since their other ads are likely "standard" size also) without having to design banner ads specifically for WHT.

Rotate the banners using a good banner-ad-manager, that allows advertisers to view stats, etc.

And, in regards to advertising, in=general:

Establish a "standard" Cost-per-thousand (CPM) rate for banner ads. Publish the rates. Hopefully, everyone wanting to advertise would be a happy-camper.

Run "Headsurfer's gone MAD, MAD, MAD" banner ad blow-out sales, at "at unheard of CPM prices!" as often as you wish!

Anyways... this advice and a $2.50 might buy you a decent cup of coffee... :)

Good ideas technodude.

I like both ideas.

But, i don't currently have a problem with the placement of the banners. Although I agree that they could be "shorter".

Technoart's idea is interesting, and possibly informative.

Originally posted by Tetraboy
Good ideas technodude.

I'll second that.

I don't mind the current ads. Robert, you bought this site, so you're certainly entitled to make a profit from it. But please, no popups.

As long as you keep the advertising scheme fair, balanced, and relatively unobtrusive, I'll continue to participate in the discussions here at WHT.

Uhh, did I mention no popups?

Originally posted by Abu Mami
I don't mind the current ads. Robert, you bought this site, so you're certainly entitled to make a profit from it. But please, no popups.

As long as you keep the advertising scheme fair, balanced, and relatively unobtrusive, I'll continue to participate in the discussions here at WHT.

Uhh, did I mention no popups? And, of course; as Abu Mami says, "No popups."



:uzi:pop-up




:pimp:And have a nice day.

POPUPS suck m'kayyyyyyyyyy.... Mouse

sir robert is doing just great :agree:

and many of you saying no pop-ups should think again while posting. he didn't said he will put pop up ads at wht.

i think ads on top are ok and are not much of problem since we / i am become habitual of watching advertisements.

The only thing which robert should do is allow more reputable companies to do advertisment on wht. :)

I like the second Idea, I don't mind the first, because I have an ad blocker, and never see the advertise on top :D

Originally posted by mahinder
and many of you saying no pop-ups should think again while posting. he didn't said he will put pop up ads at wht.I never implied that he said he would put pop ups. Robert asked what we thought and I'm just responding. No pop ups. They're annoying and I hate them.

No pop ups!

In the first 2 weeks the big banner was annoying, then i get used to it, so if it is not going to get bigger :) it is not a such big deal, but pop-ups:angry:

I'm happy with this size of the curent ones: as long as they don't become a solid image. Whay we have at the moment is informative, and if you're not interested, you don't click.

As for pushing the content down.. well youve got to scroll to read the page anyway, so that's not an issue.

Douglas

Originally posted by alchiba
Option 2 works for me. I also suggest eliminating any other ads on the site and possibly promotional signatures as well outside the advertising forums.


alchiba,
What do you consider to be a promotional signiture? Advertising in signitures is already a no-no, if you are saying taking your URL and company name out of a signiture then I think we would see participation fall off a bit because a little plug for your business even if it is your URL is kind of expected and it does seem fair.

I think how the ads are now is good. Perhaps like was suggested earlier make them slightly smaller to fit those who are using a smaller resolution.. the standard 60 pixels for height is a good start. As long as the ads are screened there probably won't be too much talk about it from the members, we've all gotten used to the banners here at wht. :)

I agree with Elena, plus it is much nicer looking than the regular 468*60 banners

I think a standard 468:60 banner at the top would suffice.

The second proposal sounds promising though.

the less ad/ad space the better, but then again hosting companies who advertise will get lower click-thru rates :}

Originally posted by mahinder
. . . . . . many of you saying no pop-ups should think again while posting. he didn't said he will put pop up ads at wht. . . . I was merely expounding on Abu Mami's statement of, "uh. . . did I mention no popups."
I found it humorous. :D

This forum needs more humor.

Originally posted by headsurfer
One possible consideration would be to eliminate the large advertising banner at the top of the page and replace it with a small box that is on the right side of the page just below the cookie information.:agree: Great idea... or technoart's idea with the standard banner works, too. But, as many have already stated, please don't subject us to pop-ups.

Originally posted by headsurfer
The second possibility is to add another section under the advertising area that would be "post only".:agree: Another great idea, but I do agree with JayC that the original poster should be allowed to edit the post to clarify the terms of the offer and to inform us when the offer is sold out (saves us all lots of time with emails).

Originally posted by headsurfer
This could possibly even have a second level of catagories for virtual hosting, colocation, dedicated/managed hosting, software, etc.:agree: Excellent idea!

Originally posted by headsurfer
The existing section could remain so that there could be a discussion of offers there.:disagree: It might be confusing with two advertisment forums - one post only and one with discussion - but that's my opinion.

Great ideas, Headsurfer, thanks for asking our opinion.

Looks like you're taking care of business!


Kind regards,

Keith

Hello Robert-

Are you going to change the frequency that companies may run offers in the "Special Offers" section? I believe it is 5 days now (jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, folks). I am satisfied with the frequency now, but am wondering if you have plans to change it.

Also, if you do institute other sub-forums for offers, what will be your policy on making offers in more than one forum simultaneously?

-Lamar

I think there should just be one 468x60 banner per page

I've actually always liked the sponsorship banners at the top.

From the consumer point of view, some of them can be informative (ok, in the first 1000 views or so). I may have never known about the price change at Ensim has it not been for the sponsorship here.

From the publisher and advertiser perspective, I like it because it's non-conventional. It stands out, and you definitely notice it. In other words, "it works" (Now, whether it's getting CTR and Conversions is another matter -- but if you notice it, it's working a bit).

Too often, 468x60's run into the "Just another Ad Banner" syndrome. I'm not saying that this is what *all* sites do - but the "slap an ad banner at the top" is way too common, and it's part of what kills net advertising. Granted, even the 468's would sell here because of the traffic levels and the targeting - but the point still applies. I think going with just a 468x60 would be a bad idea.

Just my own humble opinion, standard disclaimers and your milage may vary.

I like it like that :). Leave it :).

I say we get rid of the ads at the top, buy up a few thousand cases of X-10 cams, and advertise them in pop-ups. LOT'S of POP-UPS!

Originally posted by headsurfer
I have read through a LOT of email recently regarding WHT and the purchase.

One possible consideration would be to eliminate the large advertising banner at the top of the page and replace it with a small box that is on the right side of the page just below the cookie information.

This would make the advertising less intrusive and reduce the size of the ads by 75% or more.

The second possibility is to add another section under the advertising area that would be "post only". (as in no replies or questions) This could possibly even have a second level of catagories for virtual hosting, colocation, dedicated/managed hosting, software, etc. This would allow hosts to post one ad every two weeks and ensure first page (in that section) visibility to as many hosts as possible. Currently, some high volume offers continue getting bumped up to the top. It could improve the situation to a point where as many providers as possible have a chance of a premium placement without any cost.

The existing section could remain so that there could be a discussion of offers there.

Your comments on these suggestions would be appreciated.

Many Thanks,

Robert Marsh
Headsurfer

Excellent ideas HeadSurfer. I especially like the idea of allowing hosts to post once every 2 weeks.

Originally posted by AMJones
I've actually always liked the sponsorship banners at the top.
... Too often, 468x60's run into the "Just another Ad Banner" syndrome. ...

To each their own, but let's not loose sight of the _primary_ function and purpose of WHT -- it's a online message forum.

IMNSHO: When a Web page visitors has to SCROLL DOWN on each and _every_ Web page, in order to simply begin to read the main-content (messages) of a Web page, because of the space a large-to-huge sized "informative" ad takes up, there is a very large problem with with the (intended) _function_ of the site.

An advertiser might get "more clicks" off a large/huge ad, but most always this is due to the "I clicked the !@#$ thing by mistake" factor coming in to play. 468x60 banners that _don't_ get clicks are banners that (1) have a very bad design, and/or (2) refer to "information" that no one cares about. Short version of an old (marketing) story: You can't spend 30 seconds thinking up a "catchy" banner-ad slogan, and another 20 seconds designing it, and expect to get any results.

From the advertiser's side of things: If you need a huge ad to make your product's "pitch", maybe you need to rethink the "pitch", making it extremely short, and sweet. It's the Web, Luke -- so use the "force" and make the pitch short. (On the Web, even 5-seconds worth of reading of ads usually doesn't happen!)

Recap: WHT is 21st Century online message forum, not a 1958 issue of LOOK magazine. For an e-zine, a large "display" type ad might make good (functional) sense, but I can't see large, push the content down on the page, ads serving a "good" _function_ that fits within the _form_ of an online message forum.

"Form follows function-that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union" (Frank Lloyd Wright).

Originally posted by SoftWareRevue
This forum needs more humor. I guess we could expect that from someone who is "Formerly AnIdiot" :-))

Seriously, I think that Robert needs to add a moderator in charge of humor. Duties would be...
1. add humor to the forums
2. punish those who are too serious
3. ban those who refuse to add humor to their posts
4. make Robert's life a living hell

My application: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43600

Ok, so it isn't all that humorous, but it is 10:30pm, I've been on a computer most of the day :cartman: here :nuts: , and the rest of tonight's moderation is officially sponsored by my now empty Guinness cans :buck:

Kids, don't drink and moderate...

Originally posted by Chicken
My application: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43600

Ok, so it isn't all that humorous, but it is 10:30pm, I've been on a computer most of the day :cartman: here :nuts: , and the rest of tonight's moderation is officially sponsored by my now empty Guinness cans :buck:

Kids, don't drink and moderate... Yeh. What he said. :)
Well; except for the Guinness and the moderating references. :rolleyes:






:mad: But, who said it was spose ta be funny. :angry:



:D J/K

Maybe.

Originally posted by Chicken
and the rest of tonight's moderation is officially sponsored by my now empty Guinness cansChicken, glad to see you're drinking Guinness - my personal favorite, especially in cans (draught). We're going to have to find an Irish pub with Guinness on tap and have a few, err a whole lot, of beers together.

Good ideas Robert..

Originally posted by Abu Mami
Chicken, glad to see you're drinking Guinness - my personal favorite, especially in cans (draught). We're going to have to find an Irish pub with Guinness on tap and have a few, err a whole lot, of beers together.
Good ideas Abu Mami..

I'm not invited? :mad: Just kidding..

The second option of a 'post only' forum sounds like a good idea. But you've got to keep the current advertising forum for people to discuss the offers. Everyone likes to ask others what they think of the offer and also give their views on the company. Some kind of sponsored posts would also work though, where you pay for a spot for a week or so. But this kind of sponsored ad may just be over crowded by the bigger companies who have the cash to splash about. Just my thoughts anyway :).

Alan

Well, just a thought... the main forums could be used for this purpose (to a degree).

Originally posted by Chicken
Well, just a thought... the main forums could be used for this purpose (to a degree).

And what was said about pushing content down the page?!?

Hum hum, I'm in a v good mood anyway, so just do whatever :cool: :D :love:

Douglas

Originally posted by MattS
I'm not invited? :mad: Just kidding.. Of course you are! Beer is meant to be shared.

Originally posted by Abu Mami
Of course you are! Beer is meant to be shared.

Right on :beer: