Winter 2007 Case Study Part II

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As I mentioned in the original thread, I am in. The site is Board Game Blogger

I am at work at the moment, and do not have my wordpress password here, so I cannot change the template and activate the plugins until I get home. (I have uploaded everything, its just a matter of activating it)

Also, still need to write some content. I ahve some ideas for articles, but what do you guys recommend for a first one... Just launch into article writing, or have a intro article of some sort?

I actually do have a questiion here... I have already purchased the above domain name, but have found a better one since then. So, should I get the other domain name, setup the site on that one, and have the above one point to it, or simply cary on with what I have done, and simply point the new one as a forward?

Any advice?
 
I Also wouldnt mind getting some feedback or suggestions on ad placement and layout, ive made quite a few changes to the site im using in this study in the last few days. LendSense Loans And Lending

Hope everyones project is coming along well, if you need any help I have a decent amount of experience with WP and will do my best to help you out, im no pro but im also not afraid of sharing what I do know.

Later Jer

I like the site I spotted it in the other thread. I'll give my thought since you asked for a professional opinion :)

I'm thikning you really liked the ad to get quotes for cars thats why you're using those colors. For a financial site those colors seems soft and don't portray strength and trust.

Speaking of the ad unless you're getting paid per click maybo go for the gusto and throw a 728x90 g ad up there, your nav bar is long enough so it should blend really well.

Maybe snatch out the RSS link, that's for geeks and geeks generally don't click ads. unless you're monetizing your feed..that's a rewarding leak for the tech savvy.

I see two search boxes drop the one that doesn't make money. If that banner at the top is working for you maybe switch it with an ad similar to the one at the bottom. I like the ad at the bottom because it has the word LOAN. lend and loan work well The ad up there now is driving FREE and quote which may lead to looky loos and not people wanting to "Apply Now"

Also maybe remove the "no comments"

You're using a layout that positions you as NOT being a blog.You may want to lose the word blog from your titles "blog categories / lend sense blog".

A nice "Welcome to LendSense we etc etc etc..." would be nice

I really like the layout I just spotted the dark blue you're using on your adsense... 003063 websafe 003366 that would be a LOT stronger than the 009AFF powdery blue you're using now. heck with that nicedrop shadow you're using around your content it wouldn't hurt to make the background the same darkl blue color and focus the users on yout content.

I really like your excerts on the side, what are you using to do that i'm doing something similar with excerpt_reloaded but I just can shake the "..." i can hak it to how I want it but I really don't like editing plugins unles I need to make it do things it's not meant to. ...Are those category icons/photos..I'm still fiddling with that but haven't really grappled it yet because almost every image plugin sucks for me to gigure out as far as auto resizing and stuff...

anyway great site this case study may lead people to creating quick pop-up niche sites with quality content. At least that's my goal A quality mini site that does $500 / $1000/ $2000 or better with minimal input but chok full of quality unique content that only needs to be updated ...SEASONALLY..har har har
 
Thanks for the great post. Many of the ads that are in place now are just filler ads untill I find the time to place locate and place other ads.

The category excerpts generic, to make it work I give the post div in the index file a new call like <div id="post-index">, then in my style sheet I give #post-index img a height and width value (eg. 60px X 60px), in each post, this is where it becomes a pain in the ass but works you need to add an image and float or align it left, an image that has equal or almost equal heights and widths, then figure out how many characters will fit beside the thum image in the index and in each post place the <!--more--> tage after that count. Like I said it generic, but it seems to work and untill I find something that works better Im stuck with using it.

Damn I forgot to remove that search form in the header, thanks for pointing that out!

The blog part of it was thrown in there to give the user more options, I am setting up pages for pure content and then the blog gives visitors the option of interacting a bit. I may launch a sub domain with another WP install to run lender reviews to add to give users another route to interact. Or maybe not im not sure yet.

You are right about the ads, those I will work on soon, the ones that are there are basically filler to judge ad placement and to also add some filler to the template.

Thanks for the great compliments and suggestions
 
140 Online Business Niches

Fyi, stumbled across this:

140 Online Business Niches

Maybe it will help...

Some examples:
acne medication
adult
adult toys
advertising (site web)
amazon
as seen on tv
audio books
auto loan
automotive
baby shower
banks business loan
beauty products
bill consolidation loan
black lights
broadband phone
business finance
business opportunity
car accessory
car insurance
car rental
casino
cat food
catholic / christian / religious products
cell phone
ceramics
chess
chocolate
cigarette
classic car
computer hardware
credit card
cruises
customizable vitamin store
dating
debt consolidation
debt management
...
 
Good idea... this should help us all get really focussed. I'm in but need to get a domain sorted: domain will be purchased by COP today.
 
I'm in with winterjacketreview.com. Still have a bit of work to do with it over the weekend but just got the basics up and running last night.
 
Alright, looks like we have a pretty solid bunch of people for this.

If anyone still needs more time before Monday, this is your last call to get something going.
 
Hey - I will be ready by Monday - just figuring out designing for wordpress
 
quick question?

the purpose of this case study to is to "learn" how to build profitable site?
 
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