Should Trap17 Have Dedicated Banner Exchange Program?

[BuffaloHelp 24]

All submitted banners will be reviewed by Xisto moderators. And I guess we can modify the rotation code to select from categories. But that will be the next phase.First, I would like to know if this "promotion" will be well used by Xisto hosting members BEFORE I pitch this to OpaQue. This topic is my focus group survey

[Albus Dumbledore 0]

if you are pointing that at me, because i said "I think" yes i would use it..

[Hamtaro 0]

I don't have a banner (nor am I good at making one), but I still think that's a good idea. I know I'd put it on my site (regardless of whether I submit anything or not). Anyway, great idea! I hope it gets more votes.

[Avalon 1]

I totally agree with the idea! I made a free banner rotation system for my site that already includes 2 Xisto banners and a Xisto - Web Hosting banner. The script uses PHP and mySQL to track the banner displays and clicks. Some of its features are:

rotation of banners shown, not just random selection. This ensures every banner is displayed an equal amount of times

detailed stats that show how many times each banner is displayed and clicked

ability for users to change account details at any time so banners can be updated easily

automated password recovery if email address is nominated with account, its not a mandatory requirement

This sounds similar to what you want to do, with the exception of users being able to submit and change banners at will. You said you wanted to review banners included in the rotation. I do review the banners periodically, but an inappropriate banner could be displayed for a while before I check it.

 

My site does not get a lot of unique visitors, (around 20 to 30 a day) but because visitors usually spend a while browsing my site the banner exposure is not too bad. Below are the current statistics for the Xisto - Web Hosting banner. BuffaloHELP, if you would like this script, I am more than happy to give it to you. Having said that, there are probably others here that could write a much better script than me.

 

Overall statistics

 

 

Month detail statistics

 

If would like to see the script in action, go to my site http://www.mudmall.com/ and go to the "Banner Accounts" page. Please take note of the banner and site requirements (graphics or MUD related sites only) for inclusion in the banner rotation before you make an account. I have included Xisto and Xisto - Web Hosting in the rotation because they provide my hosting and I wanted to show my support.

Edited May 6, 2006 by Avalon (see edit history)

[BuffaloHelp 24]

As always I truly appreciate ALL Xisto member's help! I am bit worried about using database conjuction with the banner display, however, if that's the only way to get the equal time shown I suppose it will do.I have found a JAVA code that will change banners at X amount of seconds interval. And since the script will be hosted by this forum server, I'm hoping this will not cost anyone's bandwidth or space. What do you think about this "slide show" idea instead of only changing when refreshed or loaded?In regards to banner submit: if you do not have a banner that's what Sig or Banner Request section is for SM and I foresaw this and knew it someday it will become very handy. The banner submittion will be given to me via forum PM. And I will be uploading it manually (to check) and double check for members participation in exchange program.More to come... but please keep ideas flowing.PS. Avalon, I truly thank you for your generosityAfter thought: my current direction of link would be something in regards to

<img src="Xisto.com/banners/exchange/category">

where "category" will group like banners together. However, my concern is that if we categorize banners into too many groups, the rotating banner will be small in number. By creating Xisto Exchange program I hope to help ALL Xisto hosted member who are participating this exchange program.So, how can we optimize groups? For example, can Avalon's banner exchange fall under "graphics" category? If so all graphics related sites will be grouped as one. Another category will be "all" where it shows every banner submitted for the exchange program.Put on your thinking caps let the brain power over flow...

[Avalon 1]

If you're not concerned with providing banner display and click statistics then I think you could do it without a database. I just provide it as a service to my members and to help me learn more about PHP and mySQL. I'm not keen on the auto-change of banners however, a slow loading page could mean a banner does not get displayed because it has timed out before the page is loaded. Also, with some banners it takes a bit of time to digest what the banner is about. I don't think categories are necessary unless you are trying to target certain types of banners to certain types of sites. This will be provided as free service, no need to make it more complicated than necessary. <_<I think you should also set a limit on the file size of the banners, this way people with dial-up connections will also see the banners.

[icemarle 0]

Like I told BuffaloHELP before, I'd rather it'd be a button exchange... I still think banners are too cumbersome. I don't want to put big things in my website. It'll have layout issues. Of course, it's only my opinion. I don't know what other people think about button exchanges. I like the idea, and I'd consider signing up if it weren't using banners. Though generally, I'm more interested in linking up with related sites. I'm also happy with my search engine rankings, so I don't have much purpose, really. But still, I'd support this all the way if it weren't using banners. <_<Edit:Wait, so I've been thinking... There's a small size, right? So that means the people displaying the banners can choose what size they want it to be, right? I'm not far off on agreeing on this. Does this have to be displayed on all pages, by the way? Or can you put it in your links page?

Edited May 9, 2006 by icemarle (see edit history)

[garbage 0]

i dont hink it should just be limmited to images banners only we can include a text script exhange as well.. the script could contain the entire Trap 17 network all sites hosted by scrolling or something of that sort as well

[wariorpk 0]

I really think that this is a good idea for a number of reasons. The first reason is that I do not really like all those banner exchange sites out there they seem like spyware to me. If I am going to have a banner exchange I rather have banners on my site linking to the sites of people who contribute on Xisto rather than complete strangers. Not only that but that will insure the ads people see are in agreement with Xisto's TOS because I really would not like to link to something that is not.

[BuffaloHelp 24]

Thank you all for your active participation! Xisto truly appreciate your valuable inputs and due to overwhelming demand, Xisto is proud to present Xisto Link Exchange program.

This poll is closed.