Banner System

Generally speaking, I think this banner system is a good idea. The fact that they will be seen primarily by peers and competitors rather than by potential clients makes it fall short of being a great idea.

Regarding the posting requirements, while I certainly understand them, I'd hope that you use them as a guideline rather than a hard and fast rule. I don't count my posts but assume that I'm safe on this. However, I'd hate to find myself at the end of the month a few posts short and just trying to create a few for post count purposes.

My other concern - one that will probably prevent me from participating - is the requirement of a recipical link.

While this forum is an invaluable resource for me - by far, the best forum I've found on the web - I don't see that is has any value to my web site's audience.

In fact, I'd rather that my clients and potential clients remain unaware of this forum. Their presence would impede my ability to garner honest opinions, openly discuss the trials and tribulations of day to day business, and well... generally vent

Ditto,

I am fairly new here but have been on several other forum's a long time (now a Mod on most of them). This looks like a great community and the banner ad idea is a great one.
At the moment I do fall short of the requirements by quite a load of posts, but that doesn't bother me as I am here to offer my help where and if it is needed, as well as become a part of this community.

Anyway, to my point.
I have a few websites, and none of the traffic to them would be interested in this community. Also, I wouldn't want them to visit for the same reason's as above. If they found this forum on there own, then that would be fine as they wouldn't judge me and would hopefully treat me as another member of the community.

I think I make sense.
The bottom line, a link back to this forum is out of the question for several reason's. Is there something you could replace that requirement with ?

An excellent point has been brought up and I understand what you guys are saying... I'm discussing it with the moderators to see if we can come up with an alternative option...

I am open to alternative suggestions that accomplish the same goal which is to bring new traffic to TWF in exchange for your banner in the rotation system.

At this point, based on the input, I am going to hold this specific requirement out while we work on alternatives. If this requirement does not pose a problem for you, I do still ask that you link back to TWF to help us out.

After thinking about this thread a little more, here is what my thoughts are on the subject:

If a client of yours wants to learn HTML or graphic design, or anything else discussed at TWF, they are going to do it with or without the help of TWF. They will probably do it without simply because TWF is not a direct guide to learning these tools... TWF is a utility that helps refine specific areas of Webmastering...

We see a lot of beginners at TWF which is great. But they aren't learning their skills here. They may pick up bits and pieces of it but they will most likely buy a book or review some large web sites specifically related to the subject they are learning.

Further, I also look at linking to TWF as a way of saying to your clients that you participate in a discussion board to help others and to gain more knowledge. As a web designer, I would look at this as a way for you to improve your skills, making you a better candidate for the design of my web site (from the perspective of a potential customer looking for web design services). The only possible way I can see TWF taking business away from you as a web designer would be if the user found another designer and this is a risk you run in business, period.

Another point that has been brought up was that your site audiences wouldn't be interested in TWF. I don't honestly think this is accurate as there are millions of web sites on the Internet and each of them has a webmaster. Do you think that only non-webmasters visit your Web Site (assuming it isn't a web design services web site)?

My site IS a web design services web site but certainly not everyone who visits it is a client. I get as many employment enquiries as I do design enquiries. When I said "audience", I meant desired or target audience.

** "Further, I also look at linking to TWF as a way of saying to your clients that you participate in a discussion board to help others and to gain more knowledge." **

A web designer is somewhat like the man behind the curtain. I have yet to meet a client with an ounce of interest in what goes on behind that curtain. Their concern is with what's on the screen.

Don't get me wrong. I have absolutely no problem with your banner requirements. I fully understand your desire to promote this forum as well as the benefits of reciprocal linking. I just wanted to explain why I personally (perhaps as well as other professional design shops) would not want to take advantage of it.

I checked out the sites of the current banners to see how they have handled the crosslinking issue. It is interesting to note that, but for one exception, I was unable to find anyone linking back to the forums.

>Further, I also look at linking to TWF as a way of saying to your clients that you participate in a discussion board to help others and to gain more knowledge

Are you assuming we all want to ad banner ads advertising are web design skills ?

Confused.
One of my sites is aimed at the Joe Public of Pembrokeshire wales and has links to businesses, place's to chat, place ads online etc.
They just about know how to turn computers on, never mind take part in discussions about the wonders of web design.
So, I can safely say, they wouldn't be interested. I am not worried about losing traffic or sales to this forum because basically, it wouldn't happen. But first, I don't have anywhere suitable to place a link to you, and second, the Pembrokeshire public wont be interested.

Stick with the rule, are you that desperate for traffic ?

--
no offence meant by that, but I don't see how a link on a welsh site would help this community in the slightest.
--

I think something like allowing other webmaster related sites to use these forums as if they're their own on their site would be of more benefit to this community.

They would probably link to these forums from every page on their site, and if not you could show them how using the likes of SSI or frames or another programming language.

Just a thought.

Quote: A web designer is somewhat like the man behind the curtain. I have yet to meet a client with an ounce of interest in what goes on behind that curtain. Their concern is with what's on the screen.

Than there would be no concern for loosing that client because they made the choice to learn the materials on their own, which is one of the concerns that was brought up.

Quote: no offence meant by that, but I don't see how a link on a welsh site would help this community in the slightest.

Nor do I see how a link to a Welsh site in the banner system would help out that site in slightest, given the target and primary audience of this site is Webmasters who don't have an interest in Welsh sites.

But I can't make that judgment for visitors because I honestly don't know... I'm sure that we would get visitors to TWF that would click on your banner if it was in the rotation and some may even be interested.

I am only thinking out loud here to stir conversation and possibly find an alternative option for those of you who don't feel placing a link on your Web Site would work, regardless of the reasons (reasons that are very valid).

I am far from saying that this is final and that no other options will be available. But if we allow you to post a banner in the ad system, what do we get in return?

TWF isn't hurting for traffic... We aren't the most popular forum on the Internet but we surely aren't the slowest either.

The banner system and it's concept is completely new to TWF... We are building on this "member banner" concept as I have yet to find another forum offering the same opportunities so I don't have something to work from... That is why I am discussing this in an open forum with you members, who will benefit from this system.

Just give me some alternatives that you think are fair. We can work on them.

>Nor do I see how a link to a Welsh site in the banner system would help out that site in slightest

Good point
Oh well...

No suggestions at the moment im afraid. Im sure a large percentage wont mind linking back, but the few of us who can't will have to come up with something else.

Sorry for being "stubborn"

McPhilly,

You're not being stubborn at all.. but my perspective on this is that if I allow some of the users to go without filling this requirment, I have to let them all go.

I don't want to force a member to do something they don't want to, nor do I want to exclude your site from the banner rotation simply because your site doesn't really match the purpose of TWF.

I may make this a soft requirment meaning that if you feel you have a valid reason for not linking back to TWF, you can email me with your reason and we'll talk about it from there. I really don't feel that this should be a requirment... I would hope that if we gave someone free advertising, they would return the favor in some way... we are helping your site after all.

At this point, if you meet all of the requirments but this one, email me with your reason for not linking back to TWF and I'll discuss it with you on a case-by-case basis.

This is how I see it after "skimming" over this thread and I may be way off on my thoughts but here goes....

I don't know if I would put a link to TWF on my web design business site or not. Still contemplating this one. Like some of the others said, this board is where I come to ask questions, refine my skills and vent as well as try to help others. Do I really want a customer click on a TWF link on my site and then see that I am asking questions about how to build his/her site?? **shiver shiver** That would be bad for business wouldn't it?

This may not concern those of you who are professionals or very experienced but as someone who is just starting up a business as I am and still doing a great deal of learning it concerns me.

Quote: I would hope that if we gave someone free advertising, they would return the favor in some way... we are helping your site after all.

I see your point here but aren't we helping the forum by helping others? (or trying to anyway;) )And isn't this a non-profit site? (I am not trying to be a witch....still just throwing my thoughts around.)

What ever you guys decide on is fine with me. Sounds like you have bigger plans in the future though. You would be a fool not to. Although I do not feel that my site is worthy of having banner exposure and this really isn't a problem for me I do see where the others are coming from. I feel sure that you will work something out that will be to everyone's advantage.

Good luck with the delima! I'm finished tossing my brain around.
DM

Quote: I see your point here but aren't we helping the forum by helping others? (or trying to anyway )And isn't this a non-profit site?

You are helping the forum by participating, which is one reason that I am being relaxed on this condition.

And yes, TWF is non-profit and always will be, as long as I am running the show. But, for TWF to continue, it must have participation and it must continue to grow and keep a steady membership. If the forum is dead, there would be no point to have it online... I doubt this would ever happen as we have very steady and loyal members and we continue to get new members each and every day... But, the more people that benefit from it and share it with their friends, the more participation we have within the forums and the more help you have with your questions.

If you are meeting the rest of the requirments, you are spending some of your time here helping others or being helped and that's what TWF is all about. Posting a banner on your site linking back to us is just another way to help us out and is definitely going above and beyond what you need to. If you don't feel that posting a banner on your site is a good idea, email me with a reason and we'll discuss it... Even if you simply tell your friends in school that like programming, or tell your work colleagues, it all helps.

I want to make it clear that as long as you have a valid reason for not posting a link to TWF on your site, I will consider your banner for the rotation so PLEASE contact me if you meet all other requirments.

I am now accepting banners from all qualified members.

Is free advertising?

Quote: Originally posted by SWD
Is free advertising?

No, it is a token of our appreciation to the active members of TWF. If you can quality for those guidelines, then yes, you can get your banner up there.

hey

buddy thats a good idea idea to advertise ...
and more over we feel privilged to be thanked by just participitating in the forum.. its out of this world ..
Wish you best of luck for this

bye

What a wonderful idea!

Sara

Can I submit banners for sites that aren't mine? There are a couple of causes I'd like to support...

Email me with the sites Megan and I'll consider them. I'm hesitant because a)I would like to see a return link because 50% of the purpose of this "program" is to get return traffic and b)I don't want too many banners in the rotation.

But, I will consider anything that's for a good cause.

Is it a must to link back to this forum in order to get a banner in the rotation? I've looked at a couple of the sites in the banner rotation and could not find link back to TWF. Maybe I missed them.

They may be people with more than one banner, but links? I don't have one from my business site (it's undergoing a much needed revamp), but I do from my personal site.

I think the idea was, yes, an exchange.

I understand that this is an exchange program, but we have a webhosting company and I don't think putting a link to this (or any other) forum will be the best of ideas. But of course, it's up to you. If you think we qualify, we would love to put a banner in the rotation. If not, then we will have to live with that.

zollet, Chad had this to say near the bottom of page of this thread..

Quote: Originally posted by Chad Simper
At this point, if you meet all of the requirments but this one, email me with your reason for not linking back to TWF and I'll discuss it with you on a case-by-case basis.

I just want to say that this is the most inovative idea I have seen in a long time. Good for you, good for the members.

It is a cracking idea and I will be in it as soon as I have 25 useful posts. and if you want to deduct this bit of crawling I wount mind that either.