Setting Up A Directory: My Adventures

[kristian]

Originally Posted by Jel

Hi Kristian,

Looks to be the start of a very intersting thread. First off, best of luck (for want of a better word) with the project

For what it's worth, a small time LL owners input on trying to make it in a big LL owners world:

Thanks for the encouragement, Jel! No need to be modest. I've seen your site all over the SERPS. Looking forward to your participation.

Originally Posted by Jel

The right script is a critical choice, the one I have atm is not the best, and I know this adds a lot of time to my work day. It's also not the best for catching or red-flagging possible cheaters, which further adds to the work-time.

This is something I'm hoping to talk about here today. Looking at the available scripts, I have my own favorites. But, as you've spelled out, you really only know what's a good script once you use it. Anyway will be posting links to some and anyone can discuss the pros and cons.

Originally Posted by Jel

What others have said about making feeder sites/galleries, it's worth blowing off making a sponsor oriented freesite or gallery now and then to push a page on your LL. Gives a little boost, and hopefully will add some of those golden bookmarkers.

This stuff really interests me. I know how I'd approach this normally but I'm thinking there is a specific way for feeding link lists. I've bought a few domains that I'll be using for this purpose.

Originally Posted by Jel

Again what others have said about not expecting to see any worthwhile return for maybe a year or more, it's extremely hard work maintaining a new (and I guess old ) LL, I almost gave up a while back, but am now glad that I didn't, a new LL is very much a long term project, something you'll hear a lot, but it doesn't truly sink in until it's you doing the long term waiting.

It's encouraging to know there's light at the end of the tunnel. The best way I can view this, motivationally, is to look at it like an offline business. The thing with internet buisnesses is there are ways to make a quick buck and ways to make a steady, dependable buck. If I broke even at the end of the year with a shop in my town, for instance, I'd be happy. Its great to hear you've come through the tunnel.

Originally Posted by Jel

Don't skimp on being firm in your rules. Some days you'll be tempted to list a site you kinda don't want to, just for some content. That's a mistake that will come back and bite you in the ass further down the road if you succumb to it.

I could have seen myself doing this as well. Will remember this one definitely.

Originally Posted by Jel

That's about it from this little and still inexperienced guy, hope it helps a little at least.

You're too modest but very happy to have you sharing your knowledge!

[juggernaut]

Originally Posted by kristian

This is something I'm hoping to talk about here today. Looking at the available scripts, I have my own favorites. But, as you've spelled out, you really only know what's a good script once you use it. Anyway will be posting links to some and anyone can discuss the pros and cons.

I saw UW post a few days or weeks back that this script was pretty good. http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/
I went and downloaded it and its rather easy to mess with and the support forum is pretty active with mods. Keep in mind I'm not a pro LL owner, I just had an old domain sitting doing nothing and the name was kind of good for a ll so I figured I would play around with it. I first tried a content management system but that was a real pain in the ass. I would allow submits but you could not check back for recips and I think the people on that forum were not to happy i was using the script for adult. So I switch to this new one. I paid $30 for it and have to say even though is a little basic they seem to have most of the things covered. You can even set up for paid listings. But like I said I'm not a pro with this and it could be the worste script in the world. but for the price and the functionality it's right for me. Looking forward to reading more of this, i know you said it's not going to be a step by step how to but still im sure it will help me.

[kristian]

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I saw UW post a few days or weeks back that this script was pretty good. http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/
I went and downloaded it and its rather easy to mess with and the support forum is pretty active with mods. Keep in mind I'm not a pro LL owner, I just had an old domain sitting doing nothing and the name was kind of good for a ll so I figured I would play around with it. I first tried a content management system but that was a real pain in the ass. I would allow submits but you could not check back for recips and I think the people on that forum were not to happy i was using the script for adult. So I switch to this new one. I paid $30 for it and have to say even though is a little basic they seem to have most of the things covered. You can even set up for paid listings. But like I said I'm not a pro with this and it could be the worste script in the world. but for the price and the functionality it's right for me. Looking forward to reading more of this, i know you said it's not going to be a step by step how to but still im sure it will help me.

Hey juggernaut

I've noticed a lot of webmasters using http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/ when searching the forums here. It must do the job. What I'll be doing later is posting up a shitload of different scripts, varying price ranges, for everyone to take apart. What's good is that you can recommend this script so we have a good one for a low price.

You already know more than me so great to have you here dude!

[MrYum]

Agreed...Godaddy sucks smelly donkey balls. No personal experience with them, solely because of all the problems I've read about em. Most all of my domains are with DirectNic...even though I did have an issue with them on some .biz domains a few years ago, I still recommend them highly

I would definitely get movielinklist away from godaddy asap! Especially given the public nature of this thread, and the horror stories of stolen domains over there...I'd be moving that domain today.

Yup, I've heard good things about actihosting. I've got my main sites with ISPrime now...rock solid team over there and smokin fast servers

Script wise, there are lots to choose from. I've always been very tempted by Dragonlist from DragonScripts. The programmer is a member here and the script looks to have some awesome features. Have also heard the support is stellar

I'm currently using a custom script...would definitely NOT recommend going that route. It's a long and sordid tale, but suffice it to say...it's tough to get and keep a good programmer on the project. Should be amazing when the script is finally finished and fully functional though.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by MrYum

Have also heard the support is stellar

From personal experience, I could not agree more with that point!

[kristian]

I have a dedicated server being setup by my host today. While I wait for this, and the domain name and niche have been chosen, it's down to choosing a link list script.

This is where advice from veteran LL owners is invaluable. The obvious route would be to choose the most expensive and expect that to be the best choice. Reading what someone said earlier though, Jel I think, I'm going to need to know the scripts that perform best for adult webmasters.

Anyway, here's a few scripts for us to chew on (no affiliate links apart from my one above to my host):

Gossamer Links v.3.0.1

Price : $450

I like a few things about this script and it's going to take some convincing to consider any other script. The plugins are killer. Many are free and those that aren't free are worth the price. PPC Plugin, for instance, is money in the bank. Think of it, would you pay for a ppc campaign on something like LOR or penisbot? I would. Possibility is they would not sell traffic anyway but, until I know any better, having the option for the future is nice. I also like the fact that this company is like the bank of american. Been around long time and good solid product (from what I hear!).

Dragon List

Price : $325 and subsequent licenses are $75

I am so close to choosing this product over gossamer. Here we have something designed by venturi and mishi - regulars here on the board. The great thing this has going for it is that it's build with the adult webmaster in mind. Not only that but, having submitted to Mishi's LL many times, I fucking LOVE the webmaster-side features. Venturi, Jim, is a wicked guy too and he has helped me with many a coding project. Price is good to and if I setup other niche LLs in the future the low price tag, coupled with experience of setting up the one LL, will make work easier as I go.

I don't have anything to say about these others. That doesn't reflect on their quality. It just means I know fuck all about them.

K Links

Price : from $69

Link Admin

Price : $400

Only things I know about this one is that it was created by Richard of Richard's Realm and Greenguy uses it on LOR. I'm guessing this makes it an excellent script.

X Power Links

Price : $199

Link Organizer

Price : $500

Hot Links SQL

Price : $89.95

PHP Link Directory

Price : $25 to $75

A good all-round LL script from what I hear.

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by kristian

...Link Admin

Price : $400

Only things I know about this one is that it was created by Richard of Richard's Realm and Greenguy uses it on LOR. I'm guessing this makes it an excellent script...

Talk to MrMaryLou if you have any questions, as he's the support guy for Richard.