TribalFusion - Page 2

Osime · 02-12-2008, 09:10 PM

Since they originally launched, the ads are practically unnoticeable. I will never claim to know the associated costs with running this site, if this it what it takes to keep it free, then so be it. I really only brought up my issue as I don't mind the ads honestly, but if it's causing my crash issues I'd like LFG and Niber to know this, it appears however that this isn't the case and I'll live with the fact that my company sucks.

Traldan · 02-12-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFG

I have done a couple thousand page refreshes since yesterday when we got the new ads. I've gotten a POP UNDER three times, and one for some smiley web site had a short sound effect that didn't repeat.

Yes, my costs are much higher these days. I'm not changing the ads. If you don't like this, please donate a minimum of ten bucks and I'll turn them off for you. But please don't think this is an effort on my part to try and get your hard earned ten spot, it isn't. In my opinion the ads are extremely reasonable, seeing as how we just reduced the ads from 3 ad panels to 2.

Truthfully, your contribution to this site by viewing the ads is greater than by paying 10 dollars. Ad free viewing is just provided as a low cost alternative to those who can't stand the ads.

But if you choose to view the ads, you can also be assured that they don't contain any malware this time. We are using Tribal Fusion, the largest, cleanest and most reputable ad agency on the Internet next to Google. And I WON'T use Google because I cannot 100% effectively screen out RMT ads. Having a VG site, surely you can appreciate that.

Apparently I'm unlucky on the "pop-unders" and sound effects. :p

But anyway...I won't disagree that ads are a necessary step for a big site. It's a shame that the only well-paying option involves the really annoying ads (I've got an ad to the right of this box right now flashing between black and white every second) but I understand.

And I appreciate the difficulties with Google ads. Again, it's a shame because they pay well and are a lot less intrusive. I never used them on my site, but I know many that did and tried for months to screen all the RMT and associated ads out - and still had ones slipping through.

Niber · 02-12-2008, 10:33 PM

For what it's worth, Google ads don't pay well either. They pay on clicks and nobody here is clicking.

LFG · 02-12-2008, 10:35 PM

We jumped to around 200k page views per day when epics were released, which almost brought the site down. So we upgraded, and kind of need the income to make the site self sufficient. That traffic has dropped a bit now, but the upgrade was still needed to assure future performance at peak times.

I'll continue to look for supplemental ad options that are less intrusive, but the plan we are on now will pay for the site with some left over for nice contests.

Thanks again for understanding.

Gori · 02-13-2008, 09:14 AM

How does FoH manage to do it? I would say they are a comaprable site traffic wise, and I can't recall ever having pop ups or sounds on their adds. Perhaps the operators are just eating the costs though.

LFG · 02-13-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gori

How does FoH manage to do it? I would say they are a comaprable site traffic wise, and I can't recall ever having pop ups or sounds on their adds. Perhaps the operators are just eating the costs though.

They sell ad space directly to advertisers. So the specific advertisers on their site each write them a check for the ads run. That's a full time job, and something I don't have time for.

We now use the exact same agency as Allakhazam. I talked to them, and he told me to use Tribal Fusion, it's what they use and they are best in the industry.

narcolepticltd · 02-13-2008, 10:55 AM

maybe SoE should kick in a few pennies to cover some costs... after all, their devs get more info by coming here than they ever would on the official forums =)

Traldan · 02-13-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gori

How does FoH manage to do it? I would say they are a comaprable site traffic wise, and I can't recall ever having pop ups or sounds on their adds. Perhaps the operators are just eating the costs though.

FoH (and my site, VGTact) are a part of the Guildcafe Alliance Network (formerly Uberguilds.org). The two ads on our sites are part of the network - and coordinated by the network operators.

But LFG is right, it was more work to get set up and working.

LFG · 02-13-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traldan

FoH (and my site, VGTact) are a part of the Guildcafe Alliance Network (formerly Uberguilds.org). The two ads on our sites are part of the network - and coordinated by the network operators.

But LFG is right, it was more work to get set up and working.

FoH does a great job of funding his network through direct ad sales. I've never been able to attract that sort of advertising, and it would be a full time marketing/sales job to initiate that, I'd have to start calling advertisers directly, create marketing materials, etc. I just don't have the time to do that. Sites doing that are very rare for this reason. With an agency, all you have to do is install the code and let them do the work.

Gori · 02-13-2008, 12:59 PM

Good info, didn't know that. Sounds like a lot of work.

On a side note, I usally never click on adds, but believe it or not there have been a few adds that caught my eye since you switched to the new company, particularly the PSA type ones. I even went to one of those sites and printed off a PDF about talking to teens about drinking (my son is 14).

I don't mind an occasional pop-up, under, whatever... You get those even on some well known newspaper sites. I can live with the occasional sound from an ad, but those are a little more annoying, particularly here at work.

On balance the new advertiser seems qualitatively better, and if it keeps this site up and running smooth that is all that matters.