I'm Only Thinking About It

[Chief]

Well despite the fact there is only 114 registered users, this site was swelled to one-million page views annual at current run rates (which should only grow). That means the site would be of interest to folks like Burst Media for running ads.

I'm serious about the poll - I don't want to tick folks off and have them leave - if you don't want 'em that's fine just let me know. I said non-profit and I can run it that way. It doesn't cost a lot to run the site, but some house ads at low CPM would cover my costs.

Thoughts?

 

[ygmn]

Sell avalanche stuff. I have a pop up stopper so that would not bother me but I do hate ads...but you gotta do what you gotta do to keep the site up and running.

 

[Chief]

Sites not going anywhere! Honest! I am looking at a company that would make t-shirts, sweat shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, etc. etc. Just something I'm thinking about and more long term (need more than a 114 of us).

I'm just looking at the possibility of monetizing the site. Personally I wouldn't allow any pop-ups to run (easier said then done with most third party solutions)

 

[ygmn]

I could understand in the future as bandwidth and server space grows your costs will rise but I still hate ads....

Maybe make it on the home page a linky thingy for advertisers of Avalanche accessories and such. Charge them a bit for that.

 

[gandolphxx]

Before we all step off the deep end lets consider some obvious things.

1. Tasteful ads from the obvious source - Chevrolet - they do it very nicely on pickuptrucks.com - not intrusive.

2. How about preferred vendor arrangements. some that come to mind are Tbyrne and JP Customs - they have made arrangements with gm-trucks.

Just some thoughts

 

[rogerh]

This is the error message I got when I tried to vote.

An Error Has Occurred!

An error occured with this poll and the vote could not be counted. Sorry for the inconvinience.

If you have to run banner to keep it going but I don't like them.

 

[Wingit]

For the most part I can tolerate them. I say take them in order to break even on the site. Keep it going

 

[j166a99]

i'm not one for banners, but i totally agree that it should be truck related, in this case, to the avalanche.

so any site that can add performance, convenience, etc... is okay with me.

POP ups on the other hand , i would have to vote on the 1st option, ewwww i hate 'em ...

 

[sadurbin]

Time is money, and there are other costs incurred with running this site. IMO there are enough strengths to this site, that I don't think a few ads would hurt it. Any ways, I'm a new Av owner, and just want to say that GM really knocked one out of the park with bases loaded when they created this machine

 

[timcosco]

Please, no pop-ups if at all possible. Hopefully some vertical banner ads will be enough to cover your server costs and keep your fridge stocked with beers <mmmmmmm, beeeeeer>.

Tim

 

[timfarn]

Keep it to Av related material.

 

[PACKFAN]

I voted NO pop-ups. I think we all can appreciate you time and effort is worth it. I can over from Edmunds as a viewer...this is way better

 

[chrisntam]

No pop ups, but do what you have to. The site is great and I would like to see it continue!

 

[tbone526]

As much as we all appreciate this site and the excellent job you've done (sorry for the blatent butt-kissing), I think everyone understands that it there are at least SOME costs involved. I've become so accustomed to pop-ups and banner ads that they really don't bother me anymore. I think it's a better alternative than if you had to start charging for membership, which would be much more of a deterrent to people who might be just browsing and looking for AV info.

I'm assuming that the ads would be on-topic and in a reasonable volume, in keeping with the very neat appearance the site already has.

 

[Chief]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm thinking about running the good old fashioned standard 468 X 60 banner ad. No pop-ups, no pop-unders. Also considering running what they call "sky scraper" ads. Those are the vertical ads you're seeing on more and more websites (if you're running 1024 X 768 that's why that space is empty over there).

The only thing that would change is the header on each page - it would have to be made smaller to accomodate the ads and not take up any more real estate. I have no interest in cluttering things up - this is the cleanest UI I've ever designed and I want to keep it that (and one of the blandest with the gray, white, black, and sky blue).

This brings up the next issue - keeping it Avalanche related. That is a lot easier said than done. I wouldn't market the advertising myself - I just don't have the time. Burst Media has a great engine and they do a great job of doing target advertising. However it takes time to move the capacity so before that happens house ads are run.

I do get say on what ads are run and what aren't - one thing I like about Burst. Also, if say a JP Customs or even GM came to me wanting to advertise, they can set up the campaign - so in a sense they become my marketing/sales arm and I don't have to do any work (sweet).

The question I'm wrestling with is either to deal with the annoying, "you've won $500 if the banner is flashing ads," for 2 to 3 months while capacity is sold out to contextual relevant ads - or just continue to go it alone.

Right now I'm going to hold off. Expenses aren't bad - but man, you guys post a lot which is a great problem to have. The thing that is getting eaten up fast is time.

I want to make things real clear right here right now:

• I will never, ever, EVER, charge for access to this website.
• I will never, ever, EVER, run pop-ups or pop-unders on this website - unless they are pop-up info windows spawned by clicking a link (say like if you click help in the forums - don't want people saying but you said...
• I will never, ever, EVER sell off the e-mail or contact data on the website.
• I MAY in the future start a real club with dues. Benefits would include an ID card that would get you discounts at national suppliers, a hard copy newsletter, local chapter events, etc. The clubs with dues would be run by local area coordinators - NOT ME. Dues would be to defray costs and do light marketing, nothing more. So it would be run like a regular national car club. HOWEVER - non-members could continue to use this website to their hearts content.
• I MAY in the future offer Avalanche specific stuff for sale on the site. T-shirts, coffee mugs, mouse pads, sweat shirts, you know, cool stuff. Again, it wouldn't be for scads of profit.

Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it - feel free to continue the debate and thanks for the feedback!

 

[Transformer]

I also got the ERROR message... My vote was that I don't really care. I don't much read the ads and use the keyboard commands to close the pop-ups faster than they can load. It sure is refreshing not to be bombarded with them though. Coming here is like going to a spa in Rio and sipping on one of those drinks with an umbrella in it while watching six native kids wax my Avalanche for free....

 

[wfbarto]

visit the F-Body forum web page and view their top of the page banner ads that "rotate" from one to another as you stay on the page. The ads are for companies that sell performance or appearance upgrades for the F-Body cars. Check this link:

http://www.f-body.com/forum.cgi

 

[shafman1]

Please no FORD, DODGE, or SUBARU ads!!!

 

[MrBill]

Check out GM-trucks.com See the nice ads along the side. This would generate some $ for you and would not be distracting to the site in general.

Mr Bill

 

[gandolphxx]

Those are the preferred vendor logos - nice deal there. Also, pickuptrucks.com seems to have worked out a deal for a top banner and skyscraper with GM - might be worth checking.

 

[AwesomeVehicle]

This one more 1st class site. Here is my .02:

1) Merchandise sales could serve a dual benefit: Promote the Club and generate income to defray costs.

2) If there is any way to customize advertising, it could actually benefit readers. I am speaking of vendors like Ventshade, Lund, Zaino, ect.

 

[teking]

I don't mind, especially the AV related ads. I have already contacted Dal Slabaugh at VanDevere for parts. Would not have known about him without the ad.

 

[powersurg]

I believe that Internet Explorer 6.0 has a pop up filter which when activated will avoid those pain in the ass windows from ruining your web surfing experience

 

[dustman]

I ordered the Av "protection package" from VanDevere (on the banner) this morning. My local dealership's parts dept. won't sell me anything for 10% over cost.
Thanks Chief!

 

[bowtie-racing]

once again I am late to post..HE HE
I would not mind to see a pop up.... I think Chief you need to pay for this and that is the best way. who knows people might get a FREE club sticker if you have the money coming in....? ?

By the way I bought a sticker.. $5.00 with PAYPAL.

it will be on the truck as soon as Chief sends it to me...

I think if a pop up ad comes in I click it off if I do not like it. but hey if it said something about chevy Avalanche I will read it.

Pete