CF: Testing of Ads

Jeremy · 04-09-2007, 09:31 PM

As you all know, I've never had a single ad on CycloneFanatic.com and I don't charge for anything, period. While I've always welcomed donations, I've never outright asked or begged for them. With the site growing and the traffic increasing, I'm making a very small change that shouldn't impact the users at all but will help offset some of the increasing costs.

With that in mind I would like to announce that I will be TESTING an ad or two specific to sports and/or Iowa State. The ads will be minimal and unobtrusive. I hate nothing more than visiting a site and getting inundated with ads so I would NEVER do that here.

Sometime over the next week or so I will try placing a small ad in the upper right corner of the page and maybe a small one in the left column. Please let me know if these ads become a hindrance or if you experience any problems from them being active.

Thank you for understanding and please remember that I love this place as much as you guys and I wouldn't do anything that I myself would have to put up with.

Thanks!
Jeremy Lind

Cyclone62 · 04-09-2007, 09:35 PM

Would they be kind of like in the area of the "Buy Season Tickets" links that are in those areas right now? If so, that's a smart way to go about it.

Jeremy · 04-09-2007, 09:40 PM

Yeah that's what I'm thinking but not as big as that. Until Football rolls around we don't really need the countdown clock going so I figured ads would be a good filler for the meantime to help lessen the burden some.

ISUKyro · 04-09-2007, 09:41 PM

One thing that I have seen on a few other forums that I think works well and doesn't disrupt the forums is that after the first post there is an ad bar that is between the first and second post.
I'm sure whatever you pick will be in good taste so I'm really not worried about it.

tec71 · 04-09-2007, 09:45 PM

Ads, ads, and more ads. It's a fact of life these days. i would put up with reasonably sized appropriately themed well placed ads to keep the site free. hell I might even buy something. No pop ups please, but banners, side column ads, you name it. no spam either. I hate the pop ups that come up on the cyclones.com website over and over, but I'm definitely not opposed to some ads to makme it worth your while. I'd much rather have that than a pay site.

JRE1975 · 04-09-2007, 09:46 PM

Jeremy, I just made my first donation. I like this site, it is fun.

I have never really understood how much it takes to run this, so if you need money on a regular basis is there a way for you to let some of us that can afford it, help?

I like not dealing with the ads.

Jeremy · 04-09-2007, 09:54 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I'm really just thinking out loud here as I'm as open as can be and won't hide anything from you guys nor would I try and bug or distract you. I personally hate ads as much as anybody and that's why I've gone 14 months without them, but, it's to the point where I need to be able to spend money on the house instead:)

One thought, and just a thought right now, was to have it so people that donated wouldn't see the ads. It would be an incentive to donate but the content and everything else would be the same, just without ads. I will continue to make everything free and this would just help a bit for those that could make a contribution.

Other than that, I would NEVER (truly never) have a pop-up or pop-under ad on the site. I find that extremely annoying and it's something I wish ISU would fix on their site as well. There's nothing worse than trying to support a site by visiting it and constantly getting annoyed with pop-ups or unders.

And to help clarify, the ads on the site would be contextually based on the content of the page. If you're reading a post about tailgating, the ads would be related to tailgating or tailgating supplies, etc. No porn ads or things completely off subject.

My motto for ads: nothing distracting, moving or otherwise annoying.

ia8manfan · 04-09-2007, 09:54 PM

Jeremy, what you are suggesting should be fine. You gotta do what you gotta do. I'm suprised you haven't done it already.

jtd9046 · 04-09-2007, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jeremy

And to help clarify, the ads on the site would be contextually based on the content of the page. If you're reading a post about tailgating, the ads would be related to tailgating or tailgating supplies, etc.

Very smart. I hope there is something that you can use that will do this work for you, a sort of "collaborative filtering" process that Amazon.com and other companies use to make recommendations.

Cyclonepride · 04-09-2007, 10:15 PM

I've actually been wondering why that hasn't happened yet. My main advice would be to keep away from the ads that cycle some sort of video and make the pages take longer to open. Sites that have those aggravate me. If you ever start taking non-sports related ads, I'll be trying to talk my company's owner into buying some space.

What about having a forum sponsor, or something like that. Kind of like the Fed Ex Orange bowl on a smaller scale?

Wesley · 04-09-2007, 10:30 PM

Maybe a Hooters hotwings ad?

dbronco7sc · 04-09-2007, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

What about having a forum sponsor, or something like that. Kind of like the Fed Ex Orange bowl on a smaller scale?

Originally Posted by Wesley

Maybe a Hooters hotwings ad?

Ha... to be honest... I think it would be kinda cool to have some local resteraunt sponsor the site... (And to make it fair so all the resteraunts could get in on the action... each contract lasts a month... so new companies can come in with a better bid this time)

CycloneFanatic sponsored by Indigo Joes on Duff Avenue or something like that... especially during football or basketball months... I think they'd really like to have the publicity to sports fans if they're a sports bar or something.

EDIT: Or instead of sponsoring the forum... they can just have regular ads for their game watches at their resteraunt (directly related to ISU Sports... good for the site and the local resteraunt.

And no... I haven't thought of any logistics behind it... so if it's a stupid idea... just move on to the next post

Anyway... yeah... I wouldn't mind the ads... knowing you, you'll make sure they aren't too bad or distracting... and sounds like the donor idea to remove ads is a good idea too for some people who really don't want any ads.

Keep up the good work (that's prolly the 56th time I've said that to you since the site started)

clonez · 04-09-2007, 11:44 PM

i agree you should do what you need to do to keep this site running as good as you need. I've waded my way through so many sites that little ads wont bother me.....as long as they arent pop ups

KneeGusto · 04-10-2007, 12:13 AM

I never thought I'd say this but.... I guess I wouldn't mind a few select ads on your site... *especially* if they were tailgating stuff / ISU Logo'd stuff and whatnot.

I'm always trying to find Cyclone-related gifts for relatives and whatnot. I buy stuff on the web. I am a fan of your site. If you have ads for Cyclone gear, tailgating supplies, or whatever... they will get some business. I promise.

Hold out for the high class stuff or I'll just make donations (more often than in the past if needed). No need for trash - but there is a market for cool stuff to people with expendable income here.

Also - if you can secure the rights to things like the Cyclone rubber duckies and whatnot - please do so. Maybe 4-5 items of your own, plus links to other vendors that might throw you a buck or two per transaction might add up.

I don't even know why I'm trying to give you advice. You seem to be doing very well anyway. Just go with your gut.

Thanks, J

Gus

Cyclone62 · 04-10-2007, 01:39 AM

No porn ads or things completely off subject.

Well then how am I supposed to find a good porn site dedicated to my beloved 'Clones, Jeremy? Am I supposed to actually look for those myself? JK