Sucks being a noob and starting with a new thread...

[griffin8r]

Fair warning: We've spent most of our energy developing the content, so the look is still very HTML 1.0. Hasn't seemed to bother the visitors, but the goal is to have the revamp (flash front page, some nicely CSS'ed columns and feature pages) by June 1.

http://www.hottmagazineonline.com

[MRock]

Getting an online magazine like that can certainly be a challenge. Not sure how you figure you are getting 2-300 uniques a day. Your own stats from your counter show only 20 or so uniques a day. I would drop the counter if I were you and use the stats tracking that should be available in your hosting c-panel. And before you can sell any advertising, you will definately need to be cranking out some MUCH bigger numbers. I can get over a thousand ad views for free by using a few tube sites.

You can get at least a little ad revenue started by using Black Label ads or some other publisher ad box, while you build your traffic and backlinks.

My previous suggestion about monetizing your content was aimed at the fact that you said you had landed a Playboy model. I figured you meant you were shooting video of her in some form and would have the rights to sell it via a download area or on clip sites.

I also noticed you are not allowing adult content or links on the site. If you are going to stick to that, you may want to find some Non-nude or "NN" sites with programs that have affiliate programs to make some money. I saw all of the links for the Hott Girls went to model mayhem, just leaking your traffic away with no way to make money. Feature a different model each month that has a program for you to sell.

Just some initial observations.

[griffin8r]

Originally Posted by MRock

Getting an online magazine like that can certainly be a challenge. Not sure how you figure you are getting 2-300 uniques a day. Your own stats from your counter show only 20 or so uniques a day.

I must admit, the last time I checked was shortly after the pilot Metal Chef episode dropped, and we were in that neighborhood. That said, those free trackers haven't been the most reliable sources of info I've ever seen.

I would drop the counter if I were you and use the stats tracking that should be available in your hosting c-panel. And before you can sell any advertising, you will definately need to be cranking out some MUCH bigger numbers. I can get over a thousand ad views for free by using a few tube sites.

I hear you.

You can get at least a little ad revenue started by using Black Label ads or some other publisher ad box, while you build your traffic and backlinks.

Not quite familiar... please elaborate?

My previous suggestion about monetizing your content was aimed at the fact that you said you had landed a Playboy model. I figured you meant you were shooting video of her in some form and would have the rights to sell it via a download area or on clip sites.

Gotcha. We're not quite that sophisticated yet, nor are we really aiming that direction (although we just got a confirm from Jasmine St. Claire - she wants to start doing the band interviews for us - hopefully that will help with traffic as well....)

I also noticed you are not allowing adult content or links on the site. If you are going to stick to that, you may want to find some Non-nude or "NN" sites with programs that have affiliate programs to make some money. I saw all of the links for the Hott Girls went to model mayhem, just leaking your traffic away with no way to make money. Feature a different model each month that has a program for you to sell.

We're not allowing adult content on the site, because we have a really nice arrangement with our host server (Hostrocket) - but we have no issues with adult sites advertising - the rule is, no frontal in the ads.

Just some initial observations.

Much appreciated.

[miz_wright]

in re: NN/ outlinks -

OnlyTease seems to have a nice program. I've not used it, but their content looks nice.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by LizAEBN

in re: NN/ outlinks -

OnlyTease seems to have a nice program. I've not used it, but their content looks nice.

Ive had some minor success with OnlyTease in the past.

[griffin8r]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Ive had some minor success with OnlyTease in the past.

The only thing I don't like about referral programs is they don't pay off. I actually tested a referral program on one of my wife's old sites by buying something directly through the link. Did she get paid? Nope. And that was a standard business referral (link through to a music equipment site) and we showed documentation that I bought the item via her referral link. The response: "We're not responsible for computer errors"....

[Toby]

Originally Posted by griffin8r

The only thing I don't like about referral programs is they don't pay off...

I'll remember that, the next time I'm on the way to the bank deposting my referral checks.

I make a very comfortable living promoting programs like OnlyTease and dozens of others.

Are there shady fuckers out there that don't pay? Of course there are, but don't judge an entire concept based on one bad experience.

Oh, and a P.S. If Liz or Gonzo recommend something, you can pretty much make bank that it's not the least bit shady.