OwnTheMap.com - how to improve

XePiO · 03-05-2006, 05:39 AM

Hey,

What do you think of my site, OwnTheMap.com? I recently added a new template and would like any thoughts you have.

It recently featured in the local newspaper and hits are growing all the time so I'd like a site to match its popularity.

I have four auctions finishing today (China, Paraguay, Libya and Italy - some of the biggest yet). Anyone have any ideas on improvements?
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-reviews/173645-ownthemap-com-how-to-improve.html

Take a look and tell me what you think

www.ownthemap.com

Daniel

cx409 · 03-05-2006, 06:32 AM

Not bad...i like the images.

You could work on making the nav and maybe add a couple of rollovers? Otherwise, I love both the design and the idea.

Osprey · 03-05-2006, 10:33 AM

I've seen this idea before, but the site itself is nice. I like the layout and style.

Perhaps if you made the "Did you know?" box slightly wider to match the width of the "Continent View Navigation Bar" ?

Also, the borders between the countries seems quite big -

Aside from that i really can't think of any other suggestions! Overall very nice.

- Osprey

Edit: After looking around the site a bit, perhaps if you added a "Contact" page? with a contact form? I think that would be a really good addition.

XePiO · 03-05-2006, 11:59 AM

Thanks a lot for your comments.

There are a couple of similar versions of this site around now. Some sell cities, some sell states/counties. Another person was selling the London Tube Map (genius, although currently down due to copyright infringement!!). It's an idea that seems to have taken off. Mine is one of the frontrunners though - as I said, it went out in the local press last week and that seems to have had a positive effect. It seems to be becoming evermore popular.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=173645

I will add a contact page when I get a moment, good idea. Maybe a press page too, although it'll be very similar. I do also need to add some new facts to the random 'Did you know?' box.

Regarding the country borders, I wanted it to be clear which countries are being/have been auctioned off and which are currently unavailable. But as more are added I feel it will probably be a good idea to reduce their widths.

Thanks a lot and keep those ideas coming.

Daniel
www.ownthemap.com

ihatebeans · 03-05-2006, 12:13 PM

I saw something similar to this, but it was with properties and had a much nicer design. I suggest investing in a designer and also stop selling it on ebay. You probably as it gets bigger, going to make more money if you have a set price on countries and people just buy the countries. Save a couple of big countries and after it gets REALLY big, sell those on ebay.

Good Luck,
Daniel

hey my name is Daniel too lol

GL!!!

XePiO · 03-05-2006, 12:28 PM

My reasons for selling at auction on eBay were...

a) The market decides the value of the countries
b) People keep coming back to see how much countries are selling for
c) Countries are sold slowly and gradually so the selling isn't over really quickly.

I have sold some countries at set prices and may do so again in the future.

I intended to keep the most desirable countries until last and let the site go out with a bang!

Thanks again,

Daniel
www.ownthemap.com

dottore11 · 03-05-2006, 02:29 PM

I like the idea a lot, and the maps are pretty good, I like how they aren't too fancy so they don't take forever to load, but not too crude. Good job!

createmx · 03-05-2006, 04:39 PM

How much for New Zealand?

Nice design.

XePiO · 03-06-2006, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by createmx

How much for New Zealand?

Hey, send me an email over to offers@ownthemap.com with any offers for consideration.

I'm going to throw out a competition soon I think, when I get the time to put it together. Want it to be done properly.

I've just added this week's auctions - Brazil (probably the biggest so far), Germany, South Africa and Kazhkstan. A good lineup if you ask me.

Any more comments/suggestions?

Daniel
www.ownthemap.com

XePiO · 03-10-2006, 08:49 AM

Hey folks,

Just a quick update. The website featured in the local press which seemed to work wonders for traffic

.

I've also added a competition to try and engage more people on the website.

Any other ideas?

Daniel
www.ownthemap.com

XePiO · 03-12-2006, 02:34 PM

Another week over and some new countries have been added, alongside a competition letting you win a country for nothing.

Things are hotting up!

Daniel
www.ownthemap.com

2Cunning · 03-12-2006, 03:31 PM

Very creative, did you think it up or did you "borrow" from another site?

stuart_domains · 03-13-2006, 03:15 PM

Brilliant idea.

www.incrediblemp3.com

03-05-2006, 05:39 AM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
XePiO New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	OwnTheMap.com - how to improve Hey, What do you think of my site, OwnTheMap.com? I recently added a new template and would like any thoughts you have. It recently featured in the local newspaper and hits are growing all the time so I'd like a site to match its popularity. I have four auctions finishing today (China, Paraguay, Libya and Italy - some of the biggest yet). Anyone have any ideas on improvements? ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-reviews/173645-ownthemap-com-how-to-improve.html Take a look and tell me what you think www.ownthemap.com Daniel

03-05-2006, 06:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
cx409 NamePros Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 126	Not bad...i like the images. You could work on making the nav and maybe add a couple of rollovers? Otherwise, I love both the design and the idea. __________________ Useful? Add to my reputation! *Your link in MY sig! AMAZING PRICES!* \| My BB solution Sell My Website Zone Buy Sell And trade Your Link Here \| FREE Sig Space!!!!!!

03-05-2006, 10:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Osprey NamePros Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 63	I've seen this idea before, but the site itself is nice. I like the layout and style. Perhaps if you made the "Did you know?" box slightly wider to match the width of the "Continent View Navigation Bar" ? Also, the borders between the countries seems quite big - Aside from that i really can't think of any other suggestions! Overall very nice. - Osprey Edit: After looking around the site a bit, perhaps if you added a "Contact" page? with a contact form? I think that would be a really good addition. __________________ Latest Site: Blogoculars - Add your blog now! (Free) Last edited by Osprey; 03-05-2006 at 10:49 AM.

03-05-2006, 04:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
createmx NamePros Regular Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 611	How much for New Zealand? Nice design. __________________ Art Director \| For Hire

03-12-2006, 03:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
2Cunning NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 305	Very creative, did you think it up or did you "borrow" from another site? __________________ :hi: Hlix.com .:. FootballThoughts.co.uk .:. MKDonsfc.co.uk .:. AdoptAPenguin.co.uk LLLL.Com's: EERZ.com \| HLIX.com \| CYFQ.com \| PRZU.com \| MGYZ.com LLLLL.Com's: Azlam.com \| Gawde.com \| Yasif.com \| Birrd.com \| Slaun.com

03-05-2006, 11:59 AM	THREAD STARTER #4 (permalink)
XePiO New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	Thanks a lot for your comments. There are a couple of similar versions of this site around now. Some sell cities, some sell states/counties. Another person was selling the London Tube Map (genius, although currently down due to copyright infringement!!). It's an idea that seems to have taken off. Mine is one of the frontrunners though - as I said, it went out in the local press last week and that seems to have had a positive effect. It seems to be becoming evermore popular. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=173645 I will add a contact page when I get a moment, good idea. Maybe a press page too, although it'll be very similar. I do also need to add some new facts to the random 'Did you know?' box. Regarding the country borders, I wanted it to be clear which countries are being/have been auctioned off and which are currently unavailable. But as more are added I feel it will probably be a good idea to reduce their widths. Thanks a lot and keep those ideas coming. Daniel www.ownthemap.com

03-05-2006, 12:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
ihatebeans NamePros Regular Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 472	I saw something similar to this, but it was with properties and had a much nicer design. I suggest investing in a designer and also stop selling it on ebay. You probably as it gets bigger, going to make more money if you have a set price on countries and people just buy the countries. Save a couple of big countries and after it gets REALLY big, sell those on ebay. Good Luck, Daniel hey my name is Daniel too lol GL!!!

03-05-2006, 12:28 PM	THREAD STARTER #6 (permalink)
XePiO New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	My reasons for selling at auction on eBay were... a) The market decides the value of the countries b) People keep coming back to see how much countries are selling for c) Countries are sold slowly and gradually so the selling isn't over really quickly. I have sold some countries at set prices and may do so again in the future. I intended to keep the most desirable countries until last and let the site go out with a bang! Thanks again, Daniel www.ownthemap.com

03-05-2006, 02:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
dottore11 First Time Poster! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1	I like the idea a lot, and the maps are pretty good, I like how they aren't too fancy so they don't take forever to load, but not too crude. Good job!

03-10-2006, 08:49 AM	THREAD STARTER #10 (permalink)
XePiO New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	Hey folks, Just a quick update. The website featured in the local press which seemed to work wonders for traffic . I've also added a competition to try and engage more people on the website. Any other ideas? Daniel www.ownthemap.com

03-12-2006, 02:34 PM	THREAD STARTER #11 (permalink)
XePiO New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 11	Another week over and some new countries have been added, alongside a competition letting you win a country for nothing. Things are hotting up! Daniel www.ownthemap.com

03-13-2006, 03:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
stuart_domains NamePros Regular Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 291	Brilliant idea. www.incrediblemp3.com

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