Changing ads around

[SteveColes]

Now that we have a baseline on what the ads are bringing in, I have changed some things around. The purpose is too get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

Any feedback you want to give would be greatly appreciated. I can worry about what brings in the most money:rotflm: What I would really like your help with is layout. Usefulness, & how intrusive it is.

With the exception of the google and klingspor ads, the others pay us when you click an the ad and then buy something through the vendor. So one of the things, I would like to know is how likely it is that you will do your buying through these ads.

 

[Sealeveler]

Layout works,I will click ads when buying.Tony

 

[McRabbet]

Would it be better to place the Amazon.com Search block to the left and replace its space with the Rockler Search block to the right of the Rockler banner link ad? I may put too much at the top, but it would get better visibility The Woodcraft and Highland blocks could move farther up the right side to fill where the Rockler Search block was located. Just my .02

 

[froglips]

Opinions are like.... and I'm one....

The adds between the collapse boxes confuse me. I'd prefer all the collapse boxes grouped, below the ads or above.

I'd be happy to volunteer to combine those boxes under a single collapse box. But I digress.

For a long time, I've felt the layout was "top heavy". Sure, my monitor is tiny and I use giant fonts so I can sit across the room....., but any time I'm at the site, I have to basically page down to get to the stuff.

That said, I like the ads on the side.

This is also just me, but I've never used a search ad. I'm suspicious of them. I'd go to the site then search. Again, just me.

Just my thoughts....

Jim

 

[ScottM]

For my penny I would like to see the Amazon search moved to the right side with the other ads. I would also like to see the site items (e.g. FlashChat, User Settings and Birthday) separated from the ads. IMHO Contacts are not needed and I think the Stats data can be inserted with the Online Users.

 

[TracyP]

For my two pennies worth, I like the current the layout, the ads are there but they are somewhat smaller and you can minimize the chat, user settings, contacts, stats, etc. You can kinda customize it for you, the ads are not customizable though!

 

[ptt49er]

Another opinion...

I would much rather see the google ad's go back to the way they were and then all of the other ads (i.e. Klingspors, Amazon search bar, rockler, wood craft, and highlands) on the left where our classifieds are. Put our classifieds on the right with the user stats either above or below. Leaving the Contacts and Flashchat on top.

That way all of the ad's are down one side and the NCWW stuff is all on the right.

But again, this is just my humble opinion and the top of the page right now drives me nuts.

 

[DaveO]

IMO the Amazon ad doesn't look right. It could be the newness of it (I don't do change well). But if it was formatted in a more linear fashion like the Rockler and Google ad, it might be less harsh. I would probably stack them on top of each other (if I knew how to do that :icon_scra:5dunce

Dave

 

[Rob]

To me the main page looks cluttered. Lots going on, too busy. And I have a 22" widescreen monitor, I still have to scroll down to see the main reason we all come to this site.

 

[JackLeg]

With the current format, using my laptop, I have to scroll down to just get to the topics. Top of the page is awfully busy. But, if ads are paying the bills, I can live with whatever is necessary.

 

[sapwood]

I'm definitely ok with whatever we need to do ad wise. And I will use the links for woodworking and non woodworking purchases.

However, I agree with those that think the layout is top heavy.

My $.0002,
Roger

 

[PeteM]

FWIW - I don't even notice the ads. One flip of the mouse wheel and I'm in the post section. However, if I amd going to buy something online I will check the ads in the future.

pete

 

[rickc]

Quite frankly - I really don't even notice the ads. I will concur with the other comments about all of the ads on the top of the page. HOWEVER - if them being there means I just have to scroll down to get past them, that is more preferable than them being along the side where I can always see them. Besides, as I look at the screen any ads in which I might have interest (woodworking theme) are along the side where I can easily access them.

 

[woodlaker2]

Your questions if I got it right went to layout, intrusiveness, and useability of the new changes. I find the ads at the top of the page beginning to intrude on what I want from this site which is to get to the information being exchanged by the members in the forums as quickly as possible. Frankly, the ads are beginning to feel like those inserts in WW mags. and those packets of WW ads that come in the mail every so often. I usually jsut toos them aside.

This said, I'll admit I probably just don't know all that must be done here to keep this site viable, an objective I sincerely support. I also greatly appreciate your asking for input, something that just doen't happen elsewhere. So I hope you keep doing what you determine to be necessary in keeping the NCWW site going. That's the bottom line. Without your continuing efforts and all those others who donate their time and skills we most definitely would not be having this discussion. So thanks for everything and keep us on the right track.

 

[SteveColes]

Just some points that are observations and perhaps of interest as to why I am doing some things.

I really want our ads not to be something that is constantly an annoyance, however at the same time, if they are not noticed and people don't click through, then we don't earn money.

Here is some interesting info. So far Google is our biggest money maker.

Aug = $197 - 6.36/day
Sept =$ 102 - 3.42/day
Oct = $ 126 - 4.07/day

Some analysis - All of Aug & Sept, we ran the same Google ad format in the same place. So I would say that in August, it was new and many people clicked through out of curiosity, etc. By Sept, it was old hat and started to settle down to a steady state.

Oct actually shows that we were heading to a steady state of a bit over $3.00/day. If I take the avg through Oct 26 the avg was $3.18/day.

But Starting on the 27th things changed drastically.

10/27 = $13.12
10/28 = $4.24
10/29 = $7.32
10/30 = $9.66
10/31 = $9.35

Those dates are suggestive of a few things. On the 27th, the full banner DeWalt new CMS ad ran for a full day. Newness and obviously interest in a new tool announcement. But on the 2nd day, a dramatic drop. Newness almost over, but they continued to run that ad almost every page display. I got worried as I saw the drop continue in to 29th. So I decided to test some ad layout changes. As you can see, the rate went up again dramatically. Of course, it is too soon to tell.We need at least 2 weeks of results to tell anything.

NOW AMAZON
Amazon should be our biggest money maker, but it isn't.:BangHead: So I wanted get the ad better exposure and changed it to a search type ad. And see what happens.

So all of this is really a test. When I have enough results, I'll see what the next step is.

now as to the ads on the right, with the exception of Klingspor they are affiiate ads that like amazon only pay off, if you click through and then buy something. So far not one of them is paying enough to make the worth keeping, but I would like to experiment more with placement and ad type before I make a decison.

Klingspor is a flat rate ad and is paying enough that will stay. I have several of entities that are looking at flat rate ads, but everyone wants a banner at the top. But it is going to be hard to remove the google, unless they are willing to pay more than google averages.:BangHead::BangHead:

So anyway please be patient, while I try to find the right balance between income and annoyance and clutter.

BUt please keep providing feedback:help:, I am really listening.....:argue::thumbs_up