I'm certain some people will disagree with me here, but please be aware this is from someone who does love Links and is meant totally as constructive criticism to improve the product. Not to knock anyone at all.
From a strategical standpoint, I've noticed a radical change in Links from the time I last paid a lot of attention to the product. Back then it was at version Links 2.0. The community was vibrant and many mods were being created free of charge. Now I see people creating some very simple things and charging $50 bucks for these add-ins. Which is fine, but, other communities and similar products (forum software) do the same for small things for free. There are some free mods, but some of the basics are almost as pricey as buying full blown software.
I think if LinksSQL cost around $100 instead of its current price, 10X, maybe 20X or 50X the number of buyers would buy the product making more income for GT. And bring in lots of developers to add Mods. And some major features that are being charged $1000 for (PPC) should come with the product. It's only a matter of time before a competitor comes in and charges less and offers it as part of the package.
Some other things to consider. Although the user signup system is cool, I don't think it's appropriate for the vast majority of Links customers. Most people come into a site once, add their url, and they're gone forever. Why bother with a signup system? I agree it's needed to stop spam, but a much simpler solution that should come right out of the box is a simple image verification to make sure a robot isn't doing the signup and boom you're done. Perhaps a feedback form so people can notify admin if their url changed (that's what the vast majority do anyways because they can't navigate the user system that well and/or forgot their password). For sites that want a user signup, why not....but it should be an option turned off by default with image verification turned on by default.
I think GT has a great opportunity if they offer Links at a vbulletin level price w/ the following features built-in:
Robust and flexible Spider w/ more features than the for sale ones have right now.
PPC (as I said before)
Claim this url (great mod available free)
Robust and flexible Reciprocal Links checker (more features would be helpful)
Improved payment support (it works nice right now, but could use more flexibility)
Simplified DMOZ import built-in. Too complicated right now.
Ability to skin w/ static pages built in user-defined templates instead of having to choose just one. More than one home.html output would be nice too.
The influx of clients and developers if this move was made would blow away GT I believe. If you don't do this, someone else will see the opportunity and take it from GT. InLinks is getting there, but they don't have the level of developer and probably never will. But there is a vaccuum and sooner or later it will be filled. The price point for LinksSQL is a bit too high to get the popularity it can.
Just my opinion.
From a strategical standpoint, I've noticed a radical change in Links from the time I last paid a lot of attention to the product. Back then it was at version Links 2.0. The community was vibrant and many mods were being created free of charge. Now I see people creating some very simple things and charging $50 bucks for these add-ins. Which is fine, but, other communities and similar products (forum software) do the same for small things for free. There are some free mods, but some of the basics are almost as pricey as buying full blown software.
I think if LinksSQL cost around $100 instead of its current price, 10X, maybe 20X or 50X the number of buyers would buy the product making more income for GT. And bring in lots of developers to add Mods. And some major features that are being charged $1000 for (PPC) should come with the product. It's only a matter of time before a competitor comes in and charges less and offers it as part of the package.
Some other things to consider. Although the user signup system is cool, I don't think it's appropriate for the vast majority of Links customers. Most people come into a site once, add their url, and they're gone forever. Why bother with a signup system? I agree it's needed to stop spam, but a much simpler solution that should come right out of the box is a simple image verification to make sure a robot isn't doing the signup and boom you're done. Perhaps a feedback form so people can notify admin if their url changed (that's what the vast majority do anyways because they can't navigate the user system that well and/or forgot their password). For sites that want a user signup, why not....but it should be an option turned off by default with image verification turned on by default.
I think GT has a great opportunity if they offer Links at a vbulletin level price w/ the following features built-in:
Robust and flexible Spider w/ more features than the for sale ones have right now.
PPC (as I said before)
Claim this url (great mod available free)
Robust and flexible Reciprocal Links checker (more features would be helpful)
Improved payment support (it works nice right now, but could use more flexibility)
Simplified DMOZ import built-in. Too complicated right now.
Ability to skin w/ static pages built in user-defined templates instead of having to choose just one. More than one home.html output would be nice too.
The influx of clients and developers if this move was made would blow away GT I believe. If you don't do this, someone else will see the opportunity and take it from GT. InLinks is getting there, but they don't have the level of developer and probably never will. But there is a vaccuum and sooner or later it will be filled. The price point for LinksSQL is a bit too high to get the popularity it can.
Just my opinion.
Suggestions for the future of LinksSQL