Software Download Site - more features, fewer ads

Discussion in 'Websites' started by bgillingham, Aug 16, 2006.

  1. #1
    Now, I have a chance to get some feedback about my site from experts in the field...

    Review my software site:

    I invite you all to join our forums and contribute. If you register, you can configure email digests of any forums. If you have questions about software that you downloaded on the internet - you can find an appropriate forum on our site to post questions about it. You know the drill.

    There are a couple things that are still in development (mostly around the "Members" page for software authors), but it has come quite a way from the initial PADkit website. I recently completed merging a phpBB forums into my site. On each program listing page, there is a link the forums for that program's category.

    I am trying to make some money with the site, but I am not trying to make it difficult for the end-user (I hate to see too many ads on any page that I go to).

    I incorporate keywords into every page that I can. With the program listings, the keywords come from that program's PAD file keywords value. For the separate forums, I add description and keywords that may or may not hurt my indexing. Advice??

    I probably should make the pages load a bit quicker... too much graphics - and CSS file is a bit large.

    I am looking for ideas that improve my content, attract quality visitors who will contribute to my empty (as of Aug 16th anyways) forums, and keep the search bots happy.
     
    bgillingham, Aug 16, 2006 IP
  2. hotcomputers

    hotcomputers Peon

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    #2
    try to move from phpbb to vbuletin or another forum.

    if you want to earn a lot of money with your site take a look on download.com

    the site load very good for me

    If you want to bring visitators to your forum you can give something for free ( like a forum accesible only from members )

    thanks and good luck
     
    hotcomputers, Aug 17, 2006 IP
  3. bgillingham

    bgillingham Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for the feedback. Why would I want to move from an already functioning and customized phpBB - to vBulletin? Even though I like some of the features that vBulletin has, I am pretty sure that I could find a mod that does the same for phpBB if not - write my own.

    What from download.com shows me how to make money? I see all of the services that they provide - and a bunch of ads and featured products. I have in development a provision for authors to feature their software - similar to (but not nearly as robust) the download.com's pitch.

    Thanks to some other feedback I got, I modified the forums so that guests can post to any of the "Discussions" subforums (ex: "Educational Software | Discussions"). Also, member ranking has been added so that people can climb the ranks from "Newbie" to "Senior Member".
     
    bgillingham, Aug 17, 2006 IP
  4. jacksmith

    jacksmith Peon

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    #4
    loading is fast and the design is also nice but you need to blend the ads more higher CTR. Also you can use adlink near top menu or on right sidebar.
     
    jacksmith, Aug 17, 2006 IP
  5. sprinklehopper

    sprinklehopper Peon

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    #5
    I'm a bit of a layout freak. (I've even been know to render content text)


    Colour, fonts is fine

    The top menu would be better with bigger buttons.

    DOnt think the flashing feature bars fit the rest of the page. Either jazz up the rest of the page or leave them out. The feature bars stand out anyway. The page isn't crammed enought to need this.

    align the software forums logo to the same width as the feature bars.
     
    sprinklehopper, Aug 17, 2006 IP
  6. bgillingham

    bgillingham Peon

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    #6
    We have more user selectable themes now... the Blue (default) is the best, but Tan is my second-favorite.

    We also added a much improved Advanced Search feature. With this search, you can optionally specify file size limitations, Operating System, program type, or Category as well as the keyword / title / description / company search -- all optional, so we let you find what you are looking for. Let us know if you find any defects in this whole search mechanism -- it is fairly complicated stuff.

    We added a few ads since my initial post here.... it couldn't last for very long without ads -- we need to make a bit of money to keep the site online. Also, the continued man-hours can't be justified with the weekly income of just more than pennies! :D
     
    bgillingham, Oct 30, 2006 IP
  7. sky2k4

    sky2k4 Peon

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    #7
    I like the tabs kinda yahoo..ish and very nice layouts..on the search kind of wish that i could go right into the section i wanted to so i could scan what ya have,lol ..but it makes ..more content for a website
     
    sky2k4, Oct 31, 2006 IP