New FWP

[drunkmule]

I was thinking about something like that. But I think that the amount of hits you generate the more space you'll recieve. But I would have to have some create a cgi file to do that, and that I just can't afford.

[Technics]

Using cgi for your browser upload system is a bad idea use php and mysql. Won't use as much system resources.

If you want a script that can do that in cgi use allmanage. If you want it email me ill send you the zip file since the website has closed.

[drunkmule]

yeah I was looking for their site but couldn't find it. Is it really free? What other features does it have? Please send it to me.

[Technics]

You can set all accounts to a set amount or give one account 500mb and another 300mb easy updates via the admin section. ADvanced editor and basic editor etc etc etc.

Anyways nice talking gotta go down the PUB have a socail life somewhere lol.

[drunkmule]

please send it! Thank You very much.

[GordonH]

I don't want to pour cold water on someone elses enthusiasm but the whole idea of a free web host supported by banner ads is now very shaky indeed.

With banner ads only worth about $2 per thousand it would be really difficult to do this at a profit. There needs to be another method of generating income from the members.

I have been thinking about this myself. I run a cobranded FWP (Myqth.com) that brings in about $100 per month from relevant affilliate links with over 5000 users. The service is not too good and I would much prefer to run my own system.

I really would like to run a proper FWP but I just can't make the income and expenditure columns balance. When you take into account server(s) bandwidth and other costs you would need an astronomical number of page views to generate enough income from ads to cover the costs.

There has to be another way of making it pay, but what?

Gordon

[drunkmule]

I've realized that too. Thats why I'ma also giving the option to pay 5 or 10 dollars to get rid of all banners, or just buy the web hosting with extra features such as mailing lists, pop3 mail, etc. I've thought of many things.

[Technics]

Try pull in some big investors. Who will pay to have shares in your business and display there banners on your members pages .... Bit far fatched but i dont think any other fwp has done it.

[drunkmule]

Good Idea, But I can see some problems in that. If two investors sign-up they might want their ads to be shown more than the other. Creating some conflict between affiliates which can then cause both investors to leave, or worse. Also, when are you going to send the allmanage script, cause that can save me a lot of time and money.

[Technics]

whats your email i just zipped it up?.

[drunkmule]

izzy@planetizz.net

[ama]

Gcities, it's good to see someone in Sydney running a free web server. btw will you be rotating Aussie and international ads in your new ad banner which will be placed on member pages? It would be good to see some Aussie ads for a change.

[jvv]

It seems like the Free stuff business is somewhat entering an 'internet mall' stage where all things are combined.

If we see yahoo taking over geocities and offering free webspace, webmail, 'search engine' (you know what I mean), shopping mall, ...

NBC is doing pretty much the same with it's http://www.nbci.com

Microsoft is doing pretty much te same... it's just a matter of time before they buy up some FWP.


What they all seem to have in common:

• Free webspace
• Free webbased email
• News
• Link directory
• Shopping Mall (with affiliates)
• Software

I think the shopping mall concept is very interesting, also for the smaller FWP's as it gives the ability to make some extra revenue. You already have the online community... it's like bringing the mall to people's homes. You have to face it, once people sign up for your service, they don't really have any more reason to keep visiting it... If you offer information, a shopping mall with bargains, etc. You'll have alot more return traffic.

Just my 2.5 cents

[Chicken]

Originally posted by drunkmule
Like I said I don't plan to live off the profit that the company makes. I want to do this for the good of the net. If I make $10 in my first month, I'll be very happy. If I don't I'll just wait til next month, If I see no profit is made. I'll change some things around. But I don't plan to invest thousands of dollars into it yet.

Even if you do the completely lame, 'buy an unlimited space account from a paid web provider', and then give some of it away, you won't see $10 profit your first month.

If you decide to get a dedicated server, plan on months of being in the red. You may never earn a profit, let alone your first month. Businesses like this are risky at best.