Not sure if somebody has already been doing this before, but I never saw promoting a web directory trough wallpaper. I think it can be interested method to generate traffic and backlinks, while not expensive. Here is how I see it: Promoting your web directory trough wallpapers Here are wallpapers I made as part of promotion for Active web directory: http://www.templateslord.com/2007/07/08/active-web-directory-wallpapers/ These are my first wallpapers ever, but I might release more soon. Please share your ideas which can improve this promotion method. I will be happy to link to anybody who contributes and will update my blog post.
Mmm wallpapers I think sunsets, landscapes, lunarscapes, naked ladies, etc. I think for somebody to install a directory wallpaper, it needs something visual with a subtle logo for the directory. But, hey what do I know. Good luck with your project.
I love this method dude, however, i guess i would prefer to get an attractive graphic done and tag my site url there... An outright promotion of a url/site via a wallpaper might just not be too attractive for a person to use it on his desktop... Will blog about your idea in my blog This is one thing i will definitely try out
Interesting thought. I know one directory that is using this method and really doing it well. I might consider doing this in future as collecting wallpaper is my hobby. (old thing) But the thing is, I don't really see a big advantage of it. I mean, sure it will bring you traffic for lots of terms (to wallpaper pages) but how many of those visitors will actually go submit to your directory. (esp. if its paid) So, I really see a near to none ROI in terms of paid submission. Though I think it's not that difficult to add such an option. For a person like me, building a wallpaper section is just a 1 day job
The future of web directories is not as a backlink building engine but a mean to bring exposure and visibility for a listings.
I created this wallpaper in 30 minutes today. I like simple one or two colors wallpapers because I have many icons on desktop-so landscapes are not the best option for everybody. ROI will not be direct-I agree, but may result as indirect. Plus if you only care for webmaster traffic, maybe it is better to run webmaster directory instead of general one(speaking in general).
On the same page with you, I hired someone 2 days ago to get some custom desktop icons, web icons, wallpapers, etc..
I hear you loud and clear And I do agree that it can be a source for indirect traffic. The traffic can go beyond control if you go with naked ladies, bikinis and all that stuff I will keep that in mind & will see when I can do something about it. It sure sounds an interesting idea
I put up a couple of wallpapers on one of my directories, mainly because a member of my family told me the directory looked boring, so I wanted to add something visual to improve it.
i made a few screensavers as an alternative to wallpapers and put the url in although it increased my traffic slightly it does`nt really have an effect on submissions
Already implemented a month ago and seeing 2% increase in traffic, 6 months time is needed to enjoy the long term benefits.
unfortunately, the traffic will be very untargeted and most will not want a wallpaper which is obviously an advertisement. Make your advertisement too small, and it will not be noticed. So, I don't think it is worth the effort, esp since there are thousands of excellent wallpapers out there with no advertising.
you need a state of the art wallpaper for people to use it and be interested to visit the site, state of the art won't ever be inexpensive. but its a good approach of course.
I think you just have to get the right balance between taking up screen space with your branding, and having it too subtle to notice. I don't know where the best balance is, but I suppose it all depends on the design of the wallpaper anyway. I don't think there's much point in making wallpapers which are all about your brand. You have to offer up some eye-candy or photographs that people might actually want to look at for some reason. For a niche directory it makes sense to have on-topic wallpapers. But for a general one I'd agree, the resulting traffic will simply be too untargeted.
For your directory 2%=? visits per month? Estimate? I think traffic doesn't have to be only goal. I see this method more as part of building a brand. There is a nice promotional wallpaper for MINT and you can see it here:http://www.shauninman.com/archive/2006/01/30/sweet_on_mint I used that wallpapers long time ago on my desktop(before I even had this idea) and had no problems with promotion of mint. What I like and what looks good on my desktop with all those icons are two different stories, but I agree with you-better quality will bring better results.