Starting Link List-Need Info
 

I've been thinking a lot about converting my hub/fake link list into a regular link list. I'm looking at several link list scripts and I've read Preacher's thread and would appreciate any other input. Things to worry about, think about, do and not do, link trades, etc. Thanks for your thoughts.

If you still are looking for a script contact me (icq: 334-109-706). I have a good proposal to you.

All I can think of right now is to make sure you absolutely use a script for your link list from the very beginning. I ran Click 4Sex Fun for years by hand with no script. Not a good idea! |badidea|

Absolutely true!

Also, don't even consider a fully custom script. Way more headaches than one needs |dizzy|

There are a couple great scripts out there...since you've read Preachers thread, you no doubt already know about Dragon List. I've heard nothing but rave reviews of that one :)

Regarding trades...personally, I like to keep them to those I know...simplifies things a bunch |thumb

Dragonlist is the script used on TripleXworld.com as well. Love it! ;)

I've seen Greenie say this a few times and it proved to be true for my LL. Be ready to wait about 3 years for it to perform how it should. My LL is 3 this month and only here recently did things start looking much better.

If I started over again, I'm not sure I'd do any link trades on my index page. I would most likely try a slightly different approach there, such as using main page for link trades or other domains to setup some a>b>c links.

Other than that, just be ready to work hard and long for not much return for a while.

Best of luck, and when you have it live, hit me up for some links. ;)

I have to agree with the script, I started by hand too and it gets very time consuming that way when it starts to grow.

If you like to make lots of changes, make sure you get something flexible too. I find myself changing my layout around a lot and it's easier when you have a script that lets you do that easily. (if I wasn't online, I'd be the type of person who re-arranges the furniture on a regular basis lol :))

If I had to do it again, I'd also make sure to have more categories than I started with. It's a real pain to make new categories or split big ones up & would have been easier to just start with lots. The only thing about that is to make sure you can fill them up right away (with hfs or your own sites). There's nothing sadder looking than an empty category page :(

at least you know the ins and outs of LLs & freesites, so that should make it easier. It's a natural progression :)

good luck |thumb

As a submitter I kinda like being on a near empty page, more traffic for me :D But I know what you're saying...

Yep, looking into Dragon List |thumb

Do many link lists trade links with a main page vs. the index page?

As far as working hard and long for not much return, I'm used to that, I build free sites |loony|

From what I've seen, there are plenty of LL's that do main page trades as well as index. Some even use a links page, which i'm not really all that crazy about.

Good point. :D

Another vote for Dragon List here. For those who like to redesign their LL every other week, this is the script to go with. Just build your pages any way you like (just plain old HTML), insert the script-generated includes snippet and you're good to go. No hard-to-understand templates.

Yep, thumbs up for Dragon Links here too. Mishi is very helpful. :)

Thanks for all the input. I'll let you know when I get it going.

You read my thread so you pretty much know everything I would suggest, but let me just add two things.

It is my opinion that hardlinks trades do not carry anywhere near the weight they used to. A new linklist is generally desperate for trades. If I were to do it over again I would not have traded with people I do not know well enough from the forum or trust. IMO, you can do just as much damage with a bad link as you could benefit from a good and unless you run it through a script (similiar to how Red Cherry did) you'll have to test those unknown linktrades continuously.

Second, and I know it's been said, but linklists take a long time to be profitable. Here's the part you might not be thinking about though. It's common for LL owner's -- like many posting in this thread -- to have the need or desire to muck with their script. Whether it's a front-end or back end change or just adding banners to an ad script, all of this work will take away from you freesite building, which is essentially what will be driving traffic to your new site. If your income is derived soley from free-site building, I suggest you think this through and come up with a strategy like only work on your LL after your freesite building and submitting is done for the day or you will see not just a loss from the expense, but also a decrease in income.

Cool site you've got there |thumb

I haven't checked with anyone at Dragon List but I can go ahead and build my catagory pages now and add the script in later?

Good advice. |thumb That's what I do now with my hub. Build a free site and 8 mirrors, get everything submitted, then work on my hub or other projects.

Yes. I also started my LL by hand before investing in a script. Basically you build your page how you want it, and then you will insert a line of code, ssi or php, that will pull your listings into that spot. |thumb

I guess I should get in touch with someone at Dragon List but since I have your attention I'll ask you:D Since a line of code or php is used to pull the listings, I assume that means the listings are held in a different folder. Does the script display a set number of links/page randomly or are they displayed newest first, oldest last?

Licker,
You can set how many listings per page that you want. With Dragon Links you can also display oldest first or newest first. Your choice.

Thanks Major. So, they don't rotate? It's one or the other? When I have a lot of listings the older ones will be buried on page umpty-ump that no one will see?

I re-read Preacher's thread and noticed something about staying away from tables. What's wrong with tables?

Licker, you can display the links any way you like, old first, new first, randomly, 5 per page or a million per page; your choice. I display the links using tables on both sites where I run the script with no problems. I think the objections were mostly that tables add (unnecessary?) weight to a page. If you check the pages on QP I think you'll agree they load zippety fast, though. Now go out and buy the damn script already! :D

As soon as the Bitch opens up her damn purse and gives me some of my money. :D

I need a link list script and am considering either Dragon List or
X-Power LinksII (Static Version).
i would appreciate any feedback on pros and cons of these scripts, e.g. ease of use, etc.
Any advice will be appreciated.

You guys obviously need marriage counseling. |jester|

This thread should give you a few pointers on Dragon List. I'm not familiar with v2 of XPL, but if it's an improvement on the original it's a quality script for sure. It really boils down to your preferences and needs. You can't really go wrong with either. They both have online demos so I suggest giving them a test spin. One thing you can't put a price on though, is prompt and professional support, and Mishi (DL) shines in that respect.

My big suggestion would be to REALLY think how you want to set up your LL. I sure wish I would have done some things differently the last time I "re-designed". You sure dont want to have to change later, end up with new pages, like starting all over again with the SE's for one thing. You also dont want to have to go back to all those sites you traded with and ask for links to be changed. Or you change things and your trade partners find out and think your trying to screw them.

You mentioned listings being held in a folder. Most LL scripts work off a database, all the listings are stored in a database which can be used how every you want. You probably already knew that...:)

I use my own script, so I can't give any input on any other ones out there.

It'll take more than one |ref| probably |refs|. I think a seasoned dog catcher would have his hands full...

That's what I'm doing, thinking, and it hurts |confused| But there's gold nuggets around here and I'm putting them in my pocket so when I'm ready, I'll have a pocket full |bananna| |roses|

Nothing is wrong with tables, they work better for cross browser support. I have just become a css snob. :)

I think I saw somewhere that you can use

If you end up going with draginlists, you can set the build type to table and it will output the links surrounded by tr's and td's. If you are comfortable with tables I would suggest starting that way, so you aren't troubleshooting both your list include & your css .

You can always move to a non-table version in the future if you need or want to.

Kewl |thumb

My only thing with tables is they add so much code, almost bloating pages. Course I still use many because I have'nt learn enough css..:)

Thanks for you help Lemmy. Have looked at both LL's demos.

I`ve chosen xpowerlinks a few weeks ago and now I am designing my link list.I like the script myself, but its up to you what will you choose.If I can help you with something hit me up.I am still learning anyway :)

Here's something else I was thinking about for my link list. I want to offer $1.00 trials but instead of having one link say, on the amateur page to one amateur tour, I was thinking about a link to a page with thumb screen caps of 4-6 amateur tours with different sponsors to offer a choice. Each page would have a link back to the main page. A lot of pages, one for each catagory....I don't know if this would be good or bad. Any thoughts?

Hi Licker...I just sent you a PM...let me know if you need anything or have specific questions |thumb

I'm looking at different ways to offer free, $1.00 or $2.00 trials on the index page. I thought about a link that says "Click here for a list of sites that offer trials under $2.00". That links to a page with all the catagories, amateur, anal, asian, etc. Each of those links links to a page with 5-6 thumbs of the tours of sites that offer trials under $2.00 with the name of the tour under each thumb, so the surfer can have a choice. Each of the catagory pages would have a link to the corresponding nice page with the trials. Is that too much clicking? I know it really filters traffic but is it too much?

Easier way of doing this :) but if interested, PM me and we can go over all available options you can pick and choose and I'm available if it's more |thumb