Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Question: How would you feel about small, non-intrusive advertisements?
Recently we've had a few discussions about whether or not we would be willing to host ads on our sites. Yesterday, we spoke to a very large company who makes development tools and management software that is (a) directly related to SQL Server, Windows 2003, Exchange, Sharepoint et al, and (b) is one of the best software companies around. They were asking us if we would be willing to run text links and/or banner ads.
So...
We want to hear from you on this topic - what do you think? Here's a few questions that we're hoping to get feedback on:
1) If an ad was (a) relevant, and (b) did not detract in any way from the main goal of the site, would it still be intrusive to you? (We are most concerned about upsetting you, our user. Advertising simply isn't worth it if it makes your experience on our site less enjoyable)
2) What websites do you visit daily that do not have advertisements (except ours)?
To post feedback, send us an email
If you've been on our sites for very long, you're already accustomed to our in-house/cross-site advertising and this new advertising would either replace or be in addition.
Final thoughts (and we're not saying that we will allow advertising; we're just exploring the possibility):
1) We promise that we will NOT allow any "annoying" ads, "flashing" ads, or any of the "bad" ads that you see on places like MySpace.com. Ads would be placed prominently but not in areas that would take away from your normal browsing experience.
2) No Google or Yahoo or MSN or whatever ads like you see on blogs - these ads will be companies that we know, we respect, and that we would feel comfortable recommend to others (i.e., all ads will be vetted manually before being allowed on any of our sites).
So...
We want to hear from you on this topic - what do you think? Here's a few questions that we're hoping to get feedback on:
1) If an ad was (a) relevant, and (b) did not detract in any way from the main goal of the site, would it still be intrusive to you? (We are most concerned about upsetting you, our user. Advertising simply isn't worth it if it makes your experience on our site less enjoyable)
2) What websites do you visit daily that do not have advertisements (except ours)?
To post feedback, send us an email
If you've been on our sites for very long, you're already accustomed to our in-house/cross-site advertising and this new advertising would either replace or be in addition.
Final thoughts (and we're not saying that we will allow advertising; we're just exploring the possibility):
1) We promise that we will NOT allow any "annoying" ads, "flashing" ads, or any of the "bad" ads that you see on places like MySpace.com. Ads would be placed prominently but not in areas that would take away from your normal browsing experience.
2) No Google or Yahoo or MSN or whatever ads like you see on blogs - these ads will be companies that we know, we respect, and that we would feel comfortable recommend to others (i.e., all ads will be vetted manually before being allowed on any of our sites).
