Why is this business harder these days?

MattatKaras · 2008-02-05, 03:23 AM

Something I have noticed since returning to the biz after a few years off is that the quality of free sites has improved too much. I think there are a few reasons for this, one being that hosting is so much cheaper these days so free sites serve up better graphics and thumbnail views of galleries instead of text links. Another is that surfers now have broadband connections so free sites can deliver more without the pages loading too slowly. One more reason is the sheer proliferation of free sites and "newbies" with great design skills who think they must compete to make their site more attractive than all others.

Unfortunately I see this attitude being encouraged in these forums.

The effect of these quality free sites is that the paysites no longer seem very attractive in comparison. I've said it before that you should design a free site to look interesting but not professional so as to keep the distinction between free and pay in terms of quality.

When a surfer visits a pay site tour after viewing a free gallery they should be hit with better graphics and promises of content that they know they won't get for free.

I mean fuck, I 've checked out some of my sponsors FHGs and they look better than their tours; What the fuck are they thinking? I really do blame the quality free sites (and maybe quality FHGs) for keeping many credit cards inside wallets.

2008-02-05, 03:23 AM	#1
MattatKaras WHO IS FONZY!?! Don't they teach you anything at school? Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tasmania Posts: 40	Something I have noticed since returning to the biz after a few years off is that the quality of free sites has improved too much. I think there are a few reasons for this, one being that hosting is so much cheaper these days so free sites serve up better graphics and thumbnail views of galleries instead of text links. Another is that surfers now have broadband connections so free sites can deliver more without the pages loading too slowly. One more reason is the sheer proliferation of free sites and "newbies" with great design skills who think they must compete to make their site more attractive than all others. Unfortunately I see this attitude being encouraged in these forums. The effect of these quality free sites is that the paysites no longer seem very attractive in comparison. I've said it before that you should design a free site to look interesting but not professional so as to keep the distinction between free and pay in terms of quality. When a surfer visits a pay site tour after viewing a free gallery they should be hit with better graphics and promises of content that they know they won't get for free. I mean fuck, I 've checked out some of my sponsors FHGs and they look better than their tours; What the fuck are they thinking? I really do blame the quality free sites (and maybe quality FHGs) for keeping many credit cards inside wallets.