Gloucester Road Traders
General Chat => General Chat => Topic started by: Bill on October 29, 2013, 02:36:20 pm
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Bill
As promised, I raised this at the most recent board meeting and it was felt that, at present, it is not a sensible use of our resources to pay for a forum just to be free of a small banner advert.
Of course, were the BID to go ahead, this would be something we could look at as there would be greater scope for paying for such things.
James
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To be honest they stay at the top of the page so are only visible until have scrolled down to read and reply to posts! Personally I think it very little to worry about and I don't think that is keeping people away but most likely lack of time, fed up with rants or apathy!
What ever it is you can not force people to post, the fact it's being read is brilliant!
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To be honest, I'm not. They're irritating, but not in such a way that I would not come on here. But then, everyone's different. I'm sure many share my opinion, and many will share your irritation with adverts Bill.
I think if anything, what's off-putting on here is the lack of conversation. The only regular posters on here are arguing about the BID, which is obviously one of the things this forum is great for, but that was what people wanted to avoid about the google group before.
Let's get a bit of positive conversation going about other aspects of being a trader in this area, and give those who stop by something different to read and get involved with if the BID isn't something they're up for discussing right now :)
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It would be great to see more users. It is possible, though, that people will be put off by ads - I know I am.
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I think priority wise we should concentrate more on getting the forum up and running, as the energy would be probably better spent there at first. Worrying about adverts (as annoying as they are) isn't as important as getting people talking and while the user base is still pretty low, it's only a select few that are suffering right now.
Maybe a compromise could be that we concentrate on getting the users of this forum increased, with assurance that this will be looked at once that's taken care of?
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James, some people think the traders will be content to shell out hundreds of thousands of pounds over the next 5 years for a BID that few want. Paying a little for a forum would be peanuts.
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Bill,
I'll raise it at the next board meeting. I have to say it seems unlikely to me that people will be in favour of paying for something we can get for free if all we have to put up with are some banner adds but I'll ask.
James
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I'm talking about the (often moving) banner ads at the top - and they are very obtrusive.
Bill
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Bill
Are you referring to the banner adverts at the top of the page or are you getting more intrusive adverts that I am not?
James
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Of course you shouldn't have to pay - you've done more than your share, in setting up the forum.
This is now the official GRTA forum, so the Association should pay. Anything that puts people off using it should be removed.
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Part of having a free forum. You either get adverts or some other negative feature to put up with for a freebie.
Seems to be a recent development, so they've probably changed the way they display them to something less subtle. If anyone want to pay for an advert free forum feel free! I can't afford it (and I'm ok with adverts if it means a free service).
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I don't think that's necessarily so, Martin. I've seen other free forums without adverts.
These only started in the last few days - perhaps when Fran has time she'll tell us what's going on.
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I agree with you Bill, however I suspect that they are the price we pay for having a free forum.
Martin
Joe's Bakery
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It is my view that this forum is not enhanced by the adverts - or am I the only one who can see them? :D