Free sites - is there a guide/faq?

[Tinkerbell]

So I figured I'd take things down a notch and try out making some free sites. Problem is, I have no idea where to begin. Is there a faq or a guide somewhere? I looked through this board for this info, but didn't find much.

Secondly, I'm the type of person who writes scripts so that everything is automatic. I have a general idea of a free site should look like.. but is it okay to have a template.. and to just keep repeating that template but with different content? The reason I'm asking is because I though I'd design a template or two.. and just use those over and over again?

Also, is it okay to use the content that sponsors give away? or is it better to buy content?

And since I'll be writing a script that takes most of the "hard work" out of it all, I figured I might as well write it the right way the first time, so that I can share it with the rest of you. Are there any features that would be worth including that you can think of?

thanks for the help as per usual.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

So I figured I'd take things down a notch and try out making some free sites. Problem is, I have no idea where to begin. Is there a faq or a guide somewhere? I looked through this board for this info, but didn't find much.

You know, I got started off a FAQ. Turned out it was terribly out-dated and gave me some bad info. The only one I can think of was written by a Russian banned from this board, so I'd hate to point you in that direction.

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

Secondly, I'm the type of person who writes scripts so that everything is automatic. I have a general idea of a free site should look like.. but is it okay to have a template.. and to just keep repeating that template but with different content? The reason I'm asking is because I though I'd design a template or two.. and just use those over and over again?

Templates are fine, as long as you have 30 of them. And no, I'm not kidding. As for scripting things, I think that will just get you in trouble.

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

Also, is it okay to use the content that sponsors give away? or is it better to buy content?

This is probably the only time I will ever say this on the board so listen carefully.
Freesites are not profitable enough anymore to justify spending money on the content for them.

Originally Posted by Tinkerbell

And since I'll be writing a script that takes most of the "hard work" out of it all, I figured I might as well write it the right way the first time, so that I can share it with the rest of you. Are there any features that would be worth including that you can think of?

Don't, my guess is that it will cause more problems than it is worth. To me, if you are good at script building, there are better things to put that talent to than freesites.

[spacemanspiff]

Any time you say something like "over and over again" to a link list owner/reviewer you'll probably hear teeth grinding. It's bad for search engines, it's bad for surfers, and it's bad for reviewers.

30 templates is a good goal. I don't think you need anything very fancy with lots of graphics. I've heard over and over that simple works better. It does for me. And when you reuse a template, change it up a bit, new sales text, different banners, etc. You're trying to connect with your surfers, so automation may not be the best thing for that. It'll also help get your sites listed at more link lists.

Look at what other w/m's are doing. DO NOT COPY WHAT OTHER W/M'S ARE DOING. Just spend some time surfing free sites with a critical eye towards layout, sales text, content, etc. You'll get a feel for a good place to start, then just build from there.

Finally, just dive in and get your feet wet. The learning curve isn't that long, but it does take patience. Sales will not start rolling in over night, but they'll come if you stick to it.

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by spacemanspiff

Any time you say something like "over and over again" to a link list owner/reviewer you'll probably hear teeth grinding. It's bad for search engines, it's bad for surfers, and it's bad for reviewers.

30 templates is a good goal. I don't think you need anything very fancy with lots of graphics. I've heard over and over that simple works better. It does for me. And when you reuse a template, change it up a bit, new sales text, different banners, etc. You're trying to connect with your surfers, so automation may not be the best thing for that. It'll also help get your sites listed at more link lists.

Look at what other w/m's are doing. DO NOT COPY WHAT OTHER W/M'S ARE DOING. Just spend some time surfing free sites with a critical eye towards layout, sales text, content, etc. You'll get a feel for a good place to start, then just build from there.

Finally, just dive in and get your feet wet. The learning curve isn't that long, but it does take patience. Sales will not start rolling in over night, but they'll come if you stick to it.

That needs repeating