WOJ Text Links

[Helen Gilson]

I need some input from you guys.  I feel like we are getting a little out of hand with the number of text links at the bottom.  I feel at some point it will detract from the look of the page. There are over 125 now.

It is VERY time consuming because I have to click through each one every two weeks when I do the Wall Shuffle.  I have to confirm manually that they are still reciprocating a link back to the WOJ.

On more than one occasion they are not, and a couple seemed to make it a challenge to see if I really checked lol.  They removed it and put it back when I asked only to remove it again the next week.

I think I'm at the point where I want to ask for some kind of token payment for a text link that is not associated with someone that is already paying for an Etsy Mini Ad or a Ruby Lane Peek Ad.  Meaning, if you already pay for an Etsy Ad or RL AD, the text link is free, but if you aren't already paying, then there is a small fee for that.  So if you have an Etsy Mini for $45, it would include any free text links you reciprocate on, like your RL shop, Ruby Plaza, Personal site, etc.

I'm trying to decide what is a fair price to ask.  Something that requires a small level of commitment on their part, weeds out the ones that are just playing games.  Currently the $45 for Etsy Ad is about 50 cents a day.  The RL Ad is $22.50 or about 25 cents a day.  Would 15 cents a day be asking too much for a text link?  It has to be enough to make the extra work of tracking the funds and reciprocal link but not enough to chase everyone away.

Any and All input is welcome!

Thanks!
~Helen

[CarriersCozyCottage]

Hi Helen, Perhaps you could do something like that for the People who never buy the Ad space. (why I say this is, there are some of us who buy ad space and are not able to the next quarter, but then buy back in again, would it be time consuming to keep adding them and removing them?)

There is a site that it only costs $20.00 for 6 months. I really don't think that is too much to ask. That site is nothing like yours..but I think a price like that or close to it, should be doable.

IMHO

Mona

[purple daisy jewelry]

Helen,

I think that is completely fair.  My suggestion would be $15 per quarter . . . 

Whatever you do, I am sure will be fine because you rock! 

[Helen Gilson]

Mona,

You make a good point because the ones I seem to take the most time with have never paid for an Etsy Mini Ad and only take advantage of the free text link.

Sue, Thanks for the input!

[vintageday]

I need some input from you guys.  I feel like we are getting a little out of hand with the number of text links at the bottom.  I feel at some point it will detract from the look of the page. There are over 125 now.

Wow

On more than one occasion they are not, and a couple seemed to make it a challenge to see if I really checked lol.  They removed it and put it back when I asked only to remove it again the next week.

There should be a policy for a shop that does this.  A 3 strike and you are removed for 6 months from WOJ.

I think I'm at the point where I want to ask for some kind of token payment for a text link that is not associated with someone that is already paying for an Etsy Mini Ad or a Ruby Lane Peek Ad.  Meaning, if you already pay for an Etsy Ad or RL AD, the text link is free, but if you aren't already paying, then there is a small fee for that.  So if you have an Etsy Mini for $45, it would include any free text links you reciprocate on, like your RL shop, Ruby Plaza, Personal site, etc.

15 per quarter sounds fair--

[Boylerpf Antique & Vintage Jewelry]

I'll throw my two cents in here...

I agree that the text links are taking up a major portion of the first page when space used for this could have the minis of people who actually pay make it to the first page.  I would think that moving the text links to the last page would be more of incentive to upload new merch for the sellers who do pay to make the first page.  By a guesstimate, that would allow 6 more shops who pay have the exposure.  Since the links are currently non paying and gratis, this would be a solution without stepping on toes or charging extra money....although more money for advertising would be beneficial.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is primarily the people with Etsy minis who are paying for the bulk of the advertising?

I remember being told by my mother that you get what you pay for...sounds a little harsh but seems more fair to the shops that actually pay for the privilege to be on the WOJ and the great things it can add to their shop traffic.

Alicia

[Helen Gilson]

Hi Alicia, The text links won't affect the number of Mini's on the page.  That is determined by the page load time of the mini's themselves.  The 20 shops per page is the best balance of load times and number of shops.  If you have more than that the page becomes difficult to load.

We have to remember a good percentage of those customers we love are shopping from overseas where they may be using dial-up.  Even here in the US, especially in rural areas, dial-up is still used quite a bit.

I think the length of the text links, aesthetically or based on looks, should be shortened.  Also because of the amount of effort that goes into it, the ROI isn't there.  

Thanks to all of you for your input!  I think I will take a mix of all of your advice.

I'll make a page that is just for the text links that will still be free, but not as closely monitored.  I can include some Project Wonderful ad frames on that page, that may help pay for our advertising.

On the Etsy-Mini pages, if you've never paid for a campaign, your text link won't be on there, just the new free link page.  If you've ever paid for a campaign, your text link can remain on the main pages for up to six months or two campaigns.  If you want a text link to appear on the mini pages, without having paid for a mini, then the cost will be $11.25 per campaign or 1/4 the price of an Etsy Mini.

This won't go into effect right away but I'll start writing up the 'rules' and FAQs pages, as well as the new text link page.

Thanks!

~Helen

[CarriersCozyCottage]

Helen that sounds great! I am so happy that all of our feedback has helped in some way.

[Boylerpf Antique & Vintage Jewelry]

Makes perfect sense now as I never thought about the load time.  I think your solution is great with the text links! 
Alicia

[Helen Gilson]

Here's a start - at the bottom of the links is the Project Wonderful ad box.  Right now it has one of our own PW ads in it since it's at $0.

If someone else bids on the box, I will be able to approve ad.  Don't want anything too funky on there lol  I don't imagine we'll get much activity on there since it's not a high traffic page.

http://www.wallofjewels.com/links.html

Eventually the only links at the bottom of the index page, woj2, woj3, and rubylane will be the links of those who paid for the current campaign and a link to the this page where everyone with a reciprocal link is listed, whether they've ever paid or not.

[JudysGems]

Thanks Helen for taking care of us on that issue-because I agree judy