Free Site Workshop - Let's Get Building!

Webmaster Discussion
, , ,
#41

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=RottenRay;7919]RDude -

Nice layout and nice navigation. A dark background site that works well…

Comments:

You sort of jump right into nasty stuff, so you might want to make your first page’s title read “SEXUALLY EXPLICIT” since that is the first thing filtering software looks at.

You might also want to visit www.icra.org and grab yourself a label.

(No, you won’t lose sales when a 10 year old’s computer won’t play your page…)

— “That you are at least 18 years of age or older” —

should be “That you are at least 18 years of age, unless your local laws say you should be older”

Overall, one of the nicest free sites I’ve seen in a long time - no crap, right to the point, nice layout!

.[/QUOTE]

Thanks man, glad ya like it.

Although it is my first free site - according to the standards we’re going by here - I’ve built many sites so I guess I just needed a better understanding of what this kind of page entails. This thread has helped me immensely.

So I should put up Sexually Explicit on the warning page or the actual gallery link page? I’m assuming you mean the galler link page.

As far as 10 year olds getting to this site - I truly do not want that and am most certainly not worried about losing sales as a result of them not seeing it lol :wink:

I will change the warning text to your recommendations asap. I’m doing up the label right now.

Thanks much!

#42

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Is it safe to give the ICRA your ftp information? They’re asking for it and I have to say that I’m pretty skiddish about handing that out.

Thanks

#43

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[quote=RDude;7925]Is it safe to give the ICRA your ftp information? They’re asking for it and I have to say that I’m pretty skiddish about handing that out.

Thanks[/quote]

Only IF YOU want them to upload it… I’d just have them email or download the files, then FTP IT myself… least it is what I do. :cool: It is strictly YOUR choice. not mandatory.

#44

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Oh ok thanks man. I think I’m quite capable of uploading it myself lol

#45

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=RDude;7909]Ok…here’s my very first “free” site. Please don’t laugh too hard. At least…not out loud lol Tell me what ya think:
http://www.all-gay-porn.com/rawbarebackstuds/index.html
[/QUOTE]

Looks pretty good … here are some thoughts / suggestions.

Watch black backgrounds and your choice of text colours. Red looks great if you can see it, but apparently most colour-blind men can’t see red on black.

You’re going to want more recips on your warning page, it’s the only way you’ll get traffic and sales.

On your gallery page I’d put a Hot Barebacking link somewhere above the fold. And I’d use text rather than a banner. In fact, I’d use the sponsor banners sparingly as they will be well circulated.

While sponsors will appreciate it, don’t put any recips on any other pages than your warning page. You don’t need the “traffic leaks.”

Your text links could need some work. “HEAD OVER TO HOT BAREBACKING FOR MORE RAW STUDS” is okay, it’s pretty generic. I’d write a separate one for each page and I’d write something like this “WATCH COCK-HUNGRY PIGS SWAPPING JUICY CUM LOADS.”

Most gay link lists require 30, some are as low as 20, but a few are 40 and 50. The most I do is 40, I think 50 is too much, and even 40 is a lot.

The grey on grey text doesn’t really stand out to me.

Good effort … I think it’s a pretty good template. You’ve got the hang of it. I think with some of the suggestions I’ve made, you’ll definitely make sales. And of course, don’t be afraid to test out new things yourself.

Cheers
Michael

#46

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=dzinerbear;7956]Looks pretty good … here are some thoughts / suggestions.

Watch black backgrounds and your choice of text colours. Red looks great if you can see it, but apparently most colour-blind men can’t see red on black.

You’re going to want more recips on your warning page, it’s the only way you’ll get traffic and sales.

On your gallery page I’d put a Hot Barebacking link somewhere above the fold. And I’d use text rather than a banner. In fact, I’d use the sponsor banners sparingly as they will be well circulated.

While sponsors will appreciate it, don’t put any recips on any other pages than your warning page. You don’t need the “traffic leaks.”

Your text links could need some work. “HEAD OVER TO HOT BAREBACKING FOR MORE RAW STUDS” is okay, it’s pretty generic. I’d write a separate one for each page and I’d write something like this “WATCH COCK-HUNGRY PIGS SWAPPING JUICY CUM LOADS.”

Most gay link lists require 30, some are as low as 20, but a few are 40 and 50. The most I do is 40, I think 50 is too much, and even 40 is a lot.

The grey on grey text doesn’t really stand out to me.

Good effort … I think it’s a pretty good template. You’ve got the hang of it. I think with some of the suggestions I’ve made, you’ll definitely make sales. And of course, don’t be afraid to test out new things yourself.

Cheers
Michael[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the suggestions Michael.

I assume you’re referring to the red Sexually Explicit at the top of the warning page. I’m actually going blind myself lol a little bit, although not colour blind per say. I can see it fine. But I will take your suggestion nevertheless. I would like to have it a different colour than the site title header though. Perhaps gold will work.

As far as reciprocal links on the warning page, I haven’t received any yet as I just built the site for everyone to take a look at first. I haven’t even got any keywords up yet lol But I will look at getting more. In the event I get it looking “better” will you be willing to make some link trades yourself at all?

I thought about using text instead of a banner and I will change that. And leaks can be a problem I know so I will change. I don’t know if Bjorn wants a banner on each page or not. Bjorn?

I’m making all the changes right now and am using more unique link text. I darkened the gallery link page tables too so the grey shows up much better. I’ve tried having the tables black as well but they look much better as a different colour than the main page background.

I like the template too. Especially since I just opened up notepad and typed it in. I can’t stand webpage makers. All that extra html and crap. Yuck. I always seem to come up with something better than what those applications can create IMO.

Thanks for the tips and compliments:D

#47

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Yes, 40-50 free images is an awful lot. Is it really advisable to use that many? Does getting listed at a big link list override the amount of surfers that will get off on your free pics without even getting to the sponsor?lol
Might be a silly question but I am still pretty new to this.

I only did up a 28 image site as it does pass Gaydemon’s specs. However, I would like to get listed at more sites as well. Perhaps 2 more galleries will fit the bill. 42 pics in total. Man, it sucks what you have to give away for free in order to make sales.

Thanks

#48

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=RDude;7961]Yes, 40-50 free images is an awful lot. Is it really advisable to use that many?
[/QUOTE]

You really need to think about it. Using a low amount of pics is “old school”. Look at how many free pics are on the new link list at gaydemon.If they don;t get off on your site, they will on one of the next ones.

Some webmasters will say don’t show a cumshot. I love cumshots. But, videos of them. Show me two good cum shots and say the the video has it captured in all it’s glory and I will join. WOW me with 50 high quality pics and get me horny and I will join for the video.

A sufer can jerk off to one pic just as easily as he can to 60. He’s going to find one pic that he likes and bust a nut no matter if you have 20 or 60. Now, if you have only 20 and he doesn’t find a pic he like, chances are he ain’t gonna bust a nut. But chances are that the surfer who wants to find a pic and join a site for the videos ain’t gonna find it either.

Let surfers bust a nut. It’s good for branding.

#49

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Yeah that certainly makes sense Lloyd now that you mention it and I ponder it. I’ve updated the site to 42 pics but am considering even more. Alta Gay Links wants a site to have at least 60 pics and I’d like to get listed with them. I’m listed with a few lists now so I’ll get some traffic to start up with. We’ll see how it goes. I can live with 60 pics or so. But when do you draw the line?

#50

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=RDude;7909]Ok…here’s my very first “free” site. Please don’t laugh too hard. At least…not out loud lol

Tell me what ya think:

http://www.all-gay-porn.com/rawbarebackstuds/index.html

Mucho gracias:D[/QUOTE]
To be honest with you i think this template is too clean , too little advertisment on both the main page and the galleries… Unless i missed it you only have 1 link going to the sponsor placed all the way at the bottom of the main page.

i would remove the text link and make an “ad box” between the gallery 2-3 and again 4-5 to try and sell the sponsor… The main page is the page on your site that the surfer will view the most as he use it to navigate between galleries so you have to try and sell him on the sponsor when he is on the main page…

so good template etc but way to clean in my opinion.

#51

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=Mickey;8022]To be honest with you i think this template is too clean , too little advertisment on both the main page and the galleries… Unless i missed it you only have 1 link going to the sponsor placed all the way at the bottom of the main page.

i would remove the text link and make an “ad box” between the gallery 2-3 and again 4-5 to try and sell the sponsor… The main page is the page on your site that the surfer will view the most as he use it to navigate between galleries so you have to try and sell him on the sponsor when he is on the main page…

so good template etc but way to clean in my opinion.[/QUOTE]

From my experience a surfer wants to see the pics before they head off to the sponsor site. If they feel overwhelmed with all the ads and crap, they’ll just bugger off. I know I do if I feel this way.

There are 6 galleries for them to check out and a link to the sponsor site on each page. They will have no problems getting there I’m sure.

I think what the problem is is that we’re all so used to seeing tons of crap on these free sites that we think it’s the norm. What’s wrong with a little change?

Lastly, most link lists don’t want you to have more than 3 links to sponsors on each page. Gaydemon specifically. Which is where I wanted the site listed for the most part.

#52

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

I had a free site on it’s own domain once and it had like 1,000 pics and I updated it all the time. Conversions were good.

A hub, which every webmaster should have, is just 1,000s of free pics.

http://freegaypix.com/

That site has been online forever. It makes sales.

#53

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Wow cool Lloyd. Perhaps I’ll add lots more pics then. Got nothing to lose really and if it converts well then what the heck eh? I think I’ll look into a few more bareback sponsors too.

Thanks for the link. Cool site. Nice and clean and I think I’ve even umm…cum across that site in the past lol

#54

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

I will post about each free site in a bit. One thing that I noticed is that they all pretty much lack personality. Hard to explain, but I have always done best when I make a “personal” connection with the surfer that is “funny” in some way.

For example, if I was to create a site for BlakeMason, one thing I would ask on the site is, “Who the fuck is this dude Blake Mason?”. Or for a site that has no DRM, I may say, “Are these guys fucking nuts, they let you download the whole site!!!”

Those can be very powerful.

To me, I REALLY try and make it a strong point that I actually visited the site.

OH SHIT! Let me do a free site…

#55

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

[QUOTE=RDude;8042]Wow cool Lloyd. Perhaps I’ll add lots more pics then. Got nothing to lose really and if it converts well then what the heck eh? I think I’ll look into a few more bareback sponsors too.

Thanks for the link. Cool site. Nice and clean and I think I’ve even umm…cum across that site in the past lol[/QUOTE]

It’s not my site btw. I just know the guys that run it…

http://www.freegaypix.com/sitereviews/index.php

Hehehe. A little shameless plug for BlakeMason!

#56

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

jeff, i’d remove those pics that show anything below the waist from the warning page and get some advertising above the fold on the main page. btw, all that text you are using to describe each gallery is different for a free site, and it totally overwhelms the one-line link to the site.

remember, the reason the surfers go here is to see free porn, but the reason you are posting it is to advertise the site, so to you the ads are the MOST important thing on the page. at the very least, put one at the top and one at the bottom of the page and maybe use at least 2 lines for the sponsor - after all, you’ve given a BIG thumb, 9 lines plus a link to each gallery. shouldn’t your sponsor links stand out?

#57

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Well I have to say that I’m pretty confused here. According to the rules for this buildathon, only 3 links to sponsors are allowed on each page. Albeit, these can all be different for each page so I guess that would constitute lots of advertising. But the way I’m hearing this is that it’s being suggested to me I put a huge amount of advertising up. ???

Now I understand that I should perhaps put more links up to Hot Barebacking. Which I’ll do. And yeah, I guess I’ll create another collage for the warning page with only pics from the waist up. Although, I have to say that I can’t see how that will entice anyone to enter the site. Perhaps the term “Bareback” will take care of itself.

btw, all that text you are using to describe each gallery is different for a free site, and it totally overwhelms the one-line link to the site.

Ok…so what do I do? Not put in a description about each gallery? I mean, I should at least introduce the players in each gallery shouldn’t I?

I know perhaps there are certain rules for a free site. But I’m afraid it’s going to look like every other boring banner farm one out there. I mean, most of the ones that I see - other than most of the ones shown in this thread - I find it hard to even figure out where to enter the site from all the advertising. I would imagine that most people are like me and just hit the back button out of frustration. I don’t want that happening with my site.

#58

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Jeff,

One problem that you have is the amount of pics per gallery. It will be hard for you to get three ads on you gallery pages without overwhelming the page…

Here is a good start to create a gallery page -

Site Title

Ad Space

2 Rows of thumbs

Ad Space

2 Rows of thumbs

Ad Space

That’s 20 pics. Each row being 5 pics. Times three galleries, that’s 12 ad spaces. Add your main gallery page and you have another three for 15. Toss three on your warning page and you have 18 ad spots.

I use to make 25% or more of my sales off my warning pages.

With your writing skills, I wouldn’t worry about the ads overwhelming the content. You could come up with some KILLER text to send surfers to the site. Pre-sell the site with your own original text.

#59

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

Thanks Lloyd. That sounds like a pretty cool layout. It will take some work but I think I can manage it.

#60

Re: Free Site Workshop - Let’s Get Building!

your main page currently has 1 link. that means you have room for more.

but also, more importantly, there’s room for unlinked text to turn them on or describe what they’ll find at your sponsor’s site.