Making HL better

[Huck69]

Add the word "Boobies" to the site descriptive....that always brings in the bodies...it's the exact same reason i play chess at redhotpawn.com.....amazing what a typo will do for you

[PTRMAN]

Yeah, that'll drive up traffic - add porn!

But seriously, what brought me here (originally) was the recommended builds. Once I wandered around a bit and saw all the helpful folks offering advice in a friendly manner I was hooked. I'd tried other sites like that (Tech Review) but my posts looking for help and advice were not answered as quickly or as thoroughly as they were here.

Maybe it's a narrow focus, but what about emphasizing the "we can help you budget, plan and build a new pc plus help out w/any problems issues" aspects of the site. I think there are a ton of sites and forums offering build recommendations and advice, but what sets this site apart, IMHO, is the fact that I know I can post a problem or issue and get three, four, or maybe more quality answers within a few hours.

As a ****** I appreciated the help getting started, but whenever I run into problems I come here first for help. I hate to go all "management-speak" on you, but the other members are really one of the assets of this site. If you could leverage that it might work.

[Smashing]

Originally Posted by PTRMAN

Yeah, that'll drive up traffic - add porn!

But seriously, what brought me here (originally) was the recommended builds. Once I wandered around a bit and saw all the helpful folks offering advice in a friendly manner I was hooked. I'd tried other sites like that (Tech Review) but my posts looking for help and advice were not answered as quickly or as thoroughly as they were here.

Maybe it's a narrow focus, but what about emphasizing the "we can help you budget, plan and build a new pc plus help out w/any problems issues" aspects of the site. I think there are a ton of sites and forums offering build recommendations and advice, but what sets this site apart, IMHO, is the fact that I know I can post a problem or issue and get three, four, or maybe more quality answers within a few hours.

As a ****** I appreciated the help getting started, but whenever I run into problems I come here first for help. I hate to go all "management-speak" on you, but the other members are really one of the assets of this site. If you could leverage that it might work.

Adding a Hot Chicks section in the VIP area wouldn't be too bad of an idea.

[Capper]

I've honestly got more important things to do, and we'll be installing the new VB fairly soon, which would necessitate doing it all over again

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by oldman_gamer

I think you missed what I meant....but anywho....what I mean is,they would enter a thread with the ad that was the size of your sig.They could also have typed in a monthly/week/daily special.

Ah okay. I know what you're talking about now. Honestly, I find those types of adds extremely intrusive and makes the thread disjointed and not flow very well.

[Smashing]

Originally Posted by garetjax

Ah okay. I know what you're talking about now. Honestly, I find those types of adds extremely intrusive and makes the thread disjointed and not flow very well.

Banner ads are fine, but anything that slows down the use of the site is a no go and will result in many leaving.

[screwballl]

The only one I have heard that actually pays out is the google adsense but they also have certain restrictions...

[Capper]

We have Google ads on the main site, it pays anywhere from $70-90 a month, a little less than half what the server costs.

Google ads are ok, I wish they were better regulated, and I'm still trying to find some kind of site specific advertisement system that lets me customize it for our members, meaning something that shows only stuff relevant to our content.

[Huck69]

Dude, seriously....I searched for help with my PC, eventually found this site, and subbed because the help i got was extremely useful.

Maybe all you need is to get your 40-50 core members to pass the word around in as many forums as they can. If it's bodies visiting the site you want, some brass necked advertising (subliminal spamming, let's call it), is the way to go....Get the name out.

You could put the cure for cancer on page 9 of the troubleshoot forum, but if people don't know to look, they wont find it.

That's my advice. I am probably the least Computer savey of the bunch here though.

One more thing....have you thought about some kickass merch ?

A Tshirt with some wicked designs are sure to sell, especially if they appeal to the target audience. Non subscribers would might still buy something.

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by Capper

Google ads are ok, I wish they were better regulated, and I'm still trying to find some kind of site specific advertisement system that lets me customize it for our members, meaning something that shows only stuff relevant to our content.

Have you looked at Vibrant Media or Intellitext? Since they use keywords to display text that would be something that targets our content. Also let's the person viewing the page disable them if they want in case they get too intrusive or annoying, which is really nice.