Templates Templates Templates
 

Now, I'm aware that seasoned free site submitters know better, but from what we're seeing submitted, a message for those that are new to free sites seems warranted.

Most all free sites are indeed based on templates...that's pretty much common knowledge. However, submitting the same site every day with a change of title and content can and will have undesired effects. You won't get listed with the vast majority of link sites, but you're likely also doing harm to your domain with the search engines.

Search engines don't like duplicate content and simply changing the title and pics/vids isn't enough to convince spiders it's a different site. Search engine spiders don't 'read' pictures or videos, so a content change isn't going to get the job done.

From a surfer perspective (and this is where the $$$ is for most free site submitters), let's say a link site has a good base of bookmarkers. On Monday, Mr Surfer comes to his link site of choice to find some juicy porn. He happens across your site and takes a look at your hot content, but doesn't buy. On Tuesday, he goes to his favorite link site again...still on his quest for hot porn. He sees a title that creates a quiver in his loins (and that new title just happens to be your same template from Monday, but with a new title). As soon as he sees the same page...colors...layout...promo...text...etc., he's more than likely going to close the page, since as far as he's concerned...he's already seen that site. He'll never make it to your galleries and realize the content is different. Actually, he'll probably feel tricked into clicking into the same damn site again, and may even lose faith in his favorite link site.

These are a couple of the very valid reasons most link sites frown on templates. A wise Green fella recommends creating 30 templates and not using them more than once a month. By the time you re-use the template, the reviewer and Mr Surfer have likely forgotten they saw the same template a month ago.

Personally, I'd recommend stirring up your text when you re-use that month old template to avoid dupe page issues with the spiders too. If you don't want to completely re-write all the text, at least mix it up on the pages...move things around from the entry to the main to the galleries. Make what the spiders see different!

Also, it's worth your time to alter your meta tags if you use them. I'm amazed how many site:domain.com searches result in dozens/hundreds of listings with the exact same description |dizzy|

Folks, if you're in this game...providing unique pages will serve you well |thumb

Well said MrYum :)
I'm seeing the same designs pop up every day too. Gonna be a bit more anal about that in the future.

very wise words :)

Yea Fonz, using the same design and color scheme is a sure way to turn off the surfer. Then, using the same title, metas and on page text is a good way to get hit with dupe page problems too |crazy|

I'm seeing lots of both. Some folks do change up the colors a bit, but then they repeat exactly the same on page text, with a minor change to the title.

Some interesting points Mr Yum |thumb which gets me wondering , how exactly does one define a template. Their are only so many ways that one can present a gallery with 16 pix, 4 across 4 down ,One can play around with these actual permutations to mix it up a bit.

Should the main and index pages be substantially different each day ?

From your post it seems that submitters are merely changing the title and pix and submitting.

Great post (good to see you posting such useful advice again!). I don't think I have an, ummmm, template problem ;) but I do sometimes wonder how different do I actually have to make the templates. I actually find the thumbnails arranging the easy part - there's so many ways to arrange 12 thumbs and 3 banners/text links, you just need to play with your tables a little. The problem I have is with the warning pages and welcome pages where I find it harder to arrange 3 banners/links and 2 links to galleries in creative new ways :(

Well, speaking for myself and therefore my reviewer...I'm not that concerned about the specific layout itself. But, the site should at least look different (colors, etc.)...so the surfer doesn't think it's the same one he's already seen.

But, more importantly...the text has got to change. It's well known that search engine spiders frown on duplicate content. And we see submitters not only repeating the same text/metas on every page of a free site...but also repeating the same text/metas on multiple free sites.

Now, it's one thing to re-use blocks of text...very commonly done. But, one really should take care to ensure they're not duplicating pages.

Oh, and YES...we see quite a few submitters merely changing titles/content and re-submitting |crazy|


As someone who's cranked out a bunch o free sites over the years, I understand completely :)

You'll probably get different opinions from different reviewers, but again...we don't really care too much if the layout changes. As long as the site 'looks' different...that can be done with colors, fonts, banners used, but most importantly TEXT used.

I've been known to decline for "Redundant Design" lately.

Threads like this one are great to give me a swift kick up the backside just in case my freesites are getting a bit...samey.
Thanks MrYum.
Still luv ya, even though you're sort-of-gone.
|waves|

Great Post Mr. Yum :)

I agree with everything you have pointed out and I am sure many LL owners will also . its not just the layout and colors you choose that makes a difference.. the TEXT is very important to change in each of your free site submissions - get tired of seeing the same blurb over and over on the sites that are submitted.

I've never had a problem with one of your sites Gary |thumb

I sincerely hope that's a 'luv ya' in a manly kinda way!

Hmmm...wait a minute! That doesn't come out right either :D
Yup...and I think it's becoming more and more important every day.

I think you are just picky myself. |jester|

Seriously, I can not disagree with anything you have said. The more things are different, the more traffic we will all have.

Nice to see ya back in the game Carl |waves|

Thanks Major!

So Mr Yum are you back to being the system admin of Mr Yums Free Porn Post? Or is that still in the hands of someone else?

Cheers,
Be

Unfortunately, I no longer have anything to do with FPP :(

Does make me regret having put my name on it |banghead|