eliminate search box?

roho · August 24, 2005

Every time I click on a topic the search box comes up as the first thing. :clapping:

Is there a way to eliminate it? It's very annoying taking up valuable screen space.

thanks.

Gxgolfer · August 24, 2005

Every time I click on a topic the search box comes up as the first thing. :clapping:

Is there a way to eliminate it? It's very annoying taking up valuable screen space.

thanks.
29532[/snapback]

roho,

Thank you for a very good question/topic. The search box is there to remind everyone that this site costs money to run and we do need some type of support to run this site. If more people used the ebay search, to bid on items, or made purchases through our affilates, then we could make it optional. At this point, our out of pocket costs is substantially greater than our revenue.

If we had an option where you could support the site for say $60 - $100.00 a year in exchange for enhanced services from the site. Would it be worth it to you? Not talking about exclusive information but, more PM space, Extra HD space, etc. What does the membership think???

I have moved your post to General Discussion temporarily to get some feedback.

JHR · August 24, 2005

Every time I click on a topic the search box comes up as the first thing. :clapping:

Is there a way to eliminate it? It's very annoying taking up valuable screen space.

thanks.
29532[/snapback]

roho,

Thank you for a very good question/topic. The search box is there to remind everyone that this site costs money to run and we do need some type of support to run this site. If more people used the ebay search, to bid on items, or made purchases through our affilates, then we could make it optional. At this point, our out of pocket costs is substantially greater than our revenue.

If we had an option where you could support the site for say $60 - $100.00 a year in exchange for enhanced services from the site. Would it be worth it to you? Not talking about exclusive information but, more PM space, Extra HD space, etc. What does the membership think???

I have moved your post to General Discussion temporarily to get some feedback.
29535[/snapback]

I for one would not have any issues with paying a small fee of $60-$100 a year to continue to grow the site. I have paid much more for much less that I did not enjoy as much. Send me my statement!!!! (what a su^k up, huh?) Just kidding, I like having this site to go to everyday and whatever I can do to help, sign me up.

cpa49707 · August 24, 2005

I like the free access to the forums and such, but would be willing to pay a annual fee for additional enhanced services.

I have no problem with the banners and the links as a way of keeping the costs down. Its all part of business.

Keep up the good work!

roho · August 24, 2005

I have moved your post to General Discussion temporarily to get some feedback.

I was unaware that the oversized box was your only income for this site. I was hoping there was some way in the setup to reduce it or something. I'm not trying to be difficult, maybe I'm just spoiled by other sites I frequent for so long.

My whole screen is taken up with the site banner and the search box here. The harder it is to access threads the less likely I will be inclined to want to maneuver around the excess. If you open up other sites you go immediately to the questions and some have the threads already to the right. No excess there. Some have their banners, ads etc on the side. If one judges from the first few replies it may appear I'm the only one that finds this design to be annoying. All I know is those sites that are difficult to use I don't bother with.

As far as paying for premium services I have no problem with that. In fact I already do at another golf forum for $40. $60-100 seems a little steep but if in fact they were premium services I have no objection. But just to pay to have annoying parts of the site removed I think not.

The forum is only as good as the sum of its members, otherwise you have no forum and I think the ease of use is a big reason for high participation, besides great content of which you are off to a great start. Thanks for the opportunity to comment :clapping:

Gxgolfer · August 24, 2005

By any chance can you please post what screen size you are looking at the site through and what resolution??? 640x480, 800x600, or 1024. You can pm me the info if you would like.

HipCheck · August 24, 2005

I'm at 1440x900 on a widescreen laptop, and at 1024x768 at work and the sponsor search box, combined w/the header, does take up the entire screen on both monitors. I've gotten used to collapsing it.

Gxgolfer · August 24, 2005

I have moved your post to General Discussion temporarily to get some feedback.

I was unaware that the oversized box was your only income for this site. I was hoping there was some way in the setup to reduce it or something. I'm not trying to be difficult, maybe I'm just spoiled by other sites I frequent for so long.

My whole screen is taken up with the site banner and the search box here. The harder it is to access threads the less likely I will be inclined to want to maneuver around the excess. If you open up other sites you go immediately to the questions and some have the threads already to the right. No excess there. Some have their banners, ads etc on the side. If one judges from the first few replies it may appear I'm the only one that finds this design to be annoying. All I know is those sites that are difficult to use I don't bother with.

As far as paying for premium services I have no problem with that. In fact I already do at another golf forum for $40. $60-100 seems a little steep but if in fact they were premium services I have no objection. But just to pay to have annoying parts of the site removed I think not.

The forum is only as good as the sum of its members, otherwise you have no forum and I think the ease of use is a big reason for high participation, besides great content of which you are off to a great start. Thanks for the opportunity to comment :clapping:
29708[/snapback]

I have looked at it through a few different monitors and resolution and will see what we can do.

The site will always be free but we may offer $ supporters more options in storage, PM, and other possible website features. Please keep the comments about supporting the site coming.

golfscene · August 25, 2005

I have moved your post to General Discussion temporarily to get some feedback.

I was unaware that the oversized box was your only income for this site. I was hoping there was some way in the setup to reduce it or something. I'm not trying to be difficult, maybe I'm just spoiled by other sites I frequent for so long.

My whole screen is taken up with the site banner and the search box here. The harder it is to access threads the less likely I will be inclined to want to maneuver around the excess. If you open up other sites you go immediately to the questions and some have the threads already to the right. No excess there. Some have their banners, ads etc on the side. If one judges from the first few replies it may appear I'm the only one that finds this design to be annoying. All I know is those sites that are difficult to use I don't bother with.

As far as paying for premium services I have no problem with that. In fact I already do at another golf forum for $40. $60-100 seems a little steep but if in fact they were premium services I have no objection. But just to pay to have annoying parts of the site removed I think not.

The forum is only as good as the sum of its members, otherwise you have no forum and I think the ease of use is a big reason for high participation, besides great content of which you are off to a great start. Thanks for the opportunity to comment :clapping:
29708[/snapback]

I have looked at it through a few different monitors and resolution and will see what we can do.

The site will always be free but we may offer $ supporters more options in storage, PM, and other possible website features. Please keep the comments about supporting the site coming.
29753[/snapback]

If you guy's ever decided to offer any kind of logo'd merchindise to the support the site Im for it. I looked at the putter cover but it wont fit my craz-e. I would pay for the extra features, just as long as I can help the site, but please execpt money orders.

Brad

nearfall152 · August 26, 2005

I pay for this site...I think most of us would

Gxgolfer · August 28, 2005

Ok,

We minimized the search box and now its tied to a button called product find. Please use this button for searching for items via ebay, golfsmith and some of our other affilates.

Thanks for everyone's feedback so far.

Gxgolfer · August 31, 2005

Anyone notice a speed increase in site performance????

droobies · August 31, 2005

If you're going to do a "Gold" service or something akin to that, you really should look into a monthly, reoccurring payment plan. Not only does it decrease the amount of money upfront, but it's a source of income that keeps coming every month. Just be sure to be fast and courteous with any sort of cancellation procedures if such a situation arises.

A tech-related podcast that I listen to weekly does this same payment schedule via pay-pal.

With that sort of structure, I think you'd find a lot more people willing to spend $2-5 a month versus a one time hit of $24-60, and it's much more reliable to you guys as hosts.