Adverts on 1FF

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TractorBoys

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Evening ladies & gents,

As it was brought up in the V2 thread, I just wanted to clarify our position on adverts on 1FF.

The forum pages will remain completely ad free to all logged in users, irrespective of of usergroup.

Minimal, non-intrusive ads are being tested on the following pages only; 'The Hub' , 'Shoutbox' , 'Quiz' 'Media' , 'Blogs' & '1FF Prediction'.
Note: We're in the process of coding a conditional statement to NOT show these ads to site supporters as a thank you for supporting the site - effectively keeping the site completely ad free for this usergroup. This should be implemented within a day or two.

We'll be keeping a close eye on signups and traffic to make sure these changes don't adversely affect growth- if they do, we'll revert back. We'll also be making it clear to guests that logged in users will not be greeted with any advertising on the core forum pages, both now and in the future. We're tweaking placement over the next day or so, so please bear with us.

tl;dr - Entire site will remain completely ad free to site supporters.
- All core forum pages will remain completely ad free to ALL usergroups.
 
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HertsWolf

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Out of interest, why should logged in users not see adverts? As long as the forum doesn't head down the route taken by many regional newspapers which thrust videos, music, and huge pop-ups, etc, then I'm not averse to seeing unobtrusive ads. People should be realistic and recognise that websites cannot run on zero income. Advertising is one of the few ways to keep it running.
 

TractorBoys

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Out of interest, why should logged in users not see adverts? As long as the forum doesn't head down the route taken by many regional newspapers which thrust videos, music, and huge pop-ups, etc, then I'm not averse to seeing unobtrusive ads. People should be realistic and recognise that websites cannot run on zero income. Advertising is one of the few ways to keep it running.

We think what sets 1FF apart from the majority of sites (and the reason we've done so well since January) is that the site usability is kept at its highest without ads - and the member base appreciates that. I, personally, wouldn't frequent a website that persistently thrusted adverts in my face (athough I appreciate many websites do!) Usability for a forum is important and we wouldn't compromise that.

The core forum pages are what are always going to be the most popular and used most frequently so keeping these ad free sets us apart from the rest. The additional (newly added pages) give us an opportunity to cover increasing costs on the sections of the site that members may visit infrequently.

Keeping the site completely ad free to site supporters just seems right considering they've already been generous enough to support the site. Fortunately the forum software is advanced enough for us to vary what is seen on the site dependent on usergroup.

Furthermore, we're not looking to turn huge profits on the site as this was not our intentions when TFF closed. I've always said I'd back the site financially and plug any gaps. We do have to be realistic though - a server upgrade to a dedicated setup will be required before the new season due to the new features we've added to the site (server load heavy) and the sheer traffic that we're now receiving.

Feedback is welcomed on this move.
 

mnb089mnb

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We think what sets 1FF apart from the majority of sites (and the reason we've done so well since January) is that the site usability is kept at its highest without ads - and the member base appreciates that. I, personally, wouldn't frequent a website that persistently thrusted adverts in my face (athough I appreciate many websites do!) Usability for a forum is important and we wouldn't compromise that.

The core forum pages are what are always going to be the most popular and used most frequently so keeping these ad free sets us apart from the rest. The additional (newly added pages) give us an opportunity to cover increasing costs on the sections of the site that members may visit infrequently.

Keeping the site completely ad free to site supporters just seems right considering they've already been generous enough to support the site. Fortunately the forum software is advanced enough for us to vary what is seen on the site dependent on usergroup.

Furthermore, we're not looking to turn huge profits on the site as this was not our intentions when TFF closed. I've always said I'd back the site financially and plug any gaps. We do have to be realistic though - a server upgrade to a dedicated setup will be required before the new season due to the new features we've added to the site (server load heavy) and the sheer traffic that we're now receiving.

Feedback is welcomed on this move.

I'd happily put up with more ads however all singing and dancing they are. A few months ago I did sign up to a betting site to help get this site a bit more money but I won't be doing that again (or donating to become a member) as I'm unsure where the money is really going.
 

TractorBoys

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I appreciate your comments. Ultimately, the site isn't a million miles away from being self sufficient and hopefully these subtle changes will be ample.
 

RavenBish

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I've got adblock so a few advert sidebars and that wouldn't bother me if it meant this place got a few more pennies.
 

Saddlerrad

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In fairness with TB and his genius skills, we will probably be able to make it so that people who don't want to see adverts, won't have to see them and build some sort of compromise within there. It's virtually almost self sufficient anyway, so the theory was that we'd be able nudge over the finishing line with a couple of ads on pages that AREN'T the forum itself and are hidden away from the main impression of the site. If people are massively against that, then it's something we will discuss to work out the best deal for.

Aslong as people are happy that's all that matters. Both myself and TB agreed that ads on the actual forum page and anywhere inside the forum itself aren't and will never happen.

Just for some feedback also - are there any particular ads people dont like? Where they DON'T want them at all? Etc.
 
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Meadow

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Just for some feedback also - are there any particular ads people dont like? Where they DON'T want them at all? Etc.

Large ones as per my post yesterday, video ads, ones that use up my data.

I've got adblock so a few advert sidebars and that wouldn't bother me if it meant this place got a few more pennies.

So do I because of obtrusive/multiple ads but there isn't one available for my phone :sad:

I'd happily put up with more ads however all singing and dancing they are. A few months ago I did sign up to a betting site to help get this site a bit more money but I won't be doing that again (or donating to become a member) as I'm unsure where the money is really going.

The fact that this forum is running with 100's of posters and 100's more lurkers, with all the whistles and bells it has, should tell you where the money is going.

This is the cost of the licence https://xenforo.com/purchase/

Server costs for this many users won't come cheap, and this includes 'hits' on the forum, not just the posts. I looked into this for a forum I run a few years back. Although basic in layout, the sheer number of viewers meant that I just couldn't afford to go independent and I just paid for a domain name. I went with free software, free server space and the posts only last on there for 2-3 weeks before they're auto deleted.
 

TractorBoys

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Large ones as per my post yesterday, video ads, ones that use up my data.

Hear you loud and clear Meadow. As a site supporter you'll be completely ad free before the end of the work at the very latest.
 

Meadow

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Hear you loud and clear Meadow. As a site supporter you'll be completely ad free before the end of the work at the very latest.

I know, thank you. I was pointing out what non site supporters might say.
 

Saddlerrad

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The main expenditures of the site were posted in a thread a couple of months back, all tallied up in a thread. I'll see if I can find it and link it in somewhere. As mentioned above the site is almost self sufficient, with a couple of extra ad placements on the quiet sections of the website, we should be absolutely fine. Of course site supporters are great, but that's entirely down to the individual themselves, if people want to they can, if not, it's totally fine.

We've digressed off topic rather rapidly anyway - this is about us introducing a couple of ads on quieter sections of 1FF and who can/can't see them - where they are placed etc. Can we keep things strictly down that line please so that TB can focus on requests rather than general chat.

(Not intended to sound rude, just helps TB out)
 

mnb089mnb

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Large ones as per my post yesterday, video ads, ones that use up my data.



So do I because of obtrusive/multiple ads but there isn't one available for my phone :sad:



The fact that this forum is running with 100's of posters and 100's more lurkers, with all the whistles and bells it has, should tell you where the money is going.

This is the cost of the licence https://xenforo.com/purchase/

Server costs for this many users won't come cheap, and this includes 'hits' on the forum, not just the posts. I looked into this for a forum I run a few years back. Although basic in layout, the sheer number of viewers meant that I just couldn't afford to go independent and I just paid for a domain name. I went with free software, free server space and the posts only last on there for 2-3 weeks before they're auto deleted.

I know exactly how much it costs to run websites. I run a couple myself.

It's why I said I don't care about the number of ads. It's fair enough.
 

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TomPNE94

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I'm still getting a couple of large adverts on the Shoutbox page, are they meant to be there?
 
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I understand you want people on your social media, but those links are fucking huge.
 

TractorBoys

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I understand you want people on your social media, but those links are fucking huge.

We've literally just fixed them to display at all- they won't be staying that size, they are just responsive to the width of the page as default. Like many of the changes, expect adjustments over the next day or so after implementation.

TB
 

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TractorBoys

Have you recently started advertising with Bet365? Because when I tried to access the site at work a couple of minutes ago, it's now blocked and the reason was "Gambling"
 

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TractorBoys

Have you recently started advertising with Bet365? Because when I tried to access the site at work a couple of minutes ago, it's now blocked and the reason was "Gambling"

We aren't partnered with any betting sites but the ad network we're running through does have inventory for the likes of Coral,William Hill etc.

This shouldn't trigger an automatic work filter, though. Is the whole site blocked, or just certains aspects/ad areas?

More feedback please, then I can work to fix it.

Cheers mate,

TB
 

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We aren't partnered with any betting sites but the ad network we're running through does have inventory for the likes of Coral,William Hill etc.

This shouldn't trigger an automatic work filter, though. Is the whole site blocked, or just certains aspects/ad areas?

More feedback please, then I can work to fix it.

Cheers mate,

TB
I'm not sure tbh, it was weird. It popped up saying this site is blocked due to Company Policy and the reason given was "Gambling" but then there was a button for "skip to site" so I don't believe it's the whole site. Seems to be working now anyway. I'll let you know if it happens again.
 

TractorBoys

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Sounds like a popup.. we're aware of this issue and looking to have it removed. I assume you were logged out when this happened?
 

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Sounds like a popup.. we're aware of this issue and looking to have it removed. I assume you were logged out when this happened?
Yeah, not sure why I was either, I usually have the "Stay logged in" button ticked haha
 

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TractorBoys

Hi mate,

I still seem to be getting adverts, despite being a Site Supporter. I get them at the bottom of each thread page and on the Shoutbox page, is this supposed to be like that? Cheers
 

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Shoutbox page is supposed to be like that, although I thought supporters were coded out. Let me double check.

The amazon you see below the threads should now be removed. We've been testing that today but it would only be for guests in future.

TB
 
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