OwnTheMap.com - how to improve

[XePiO]

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?

Take a look and tell me what you think

www.ownthemap.com

Daniel

 

[cx409]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

How much for New Zealand?

Nice design.

 

[XePiO]

How much for New Zealand?

Hey, send me an email over to [email protected] 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]

Hey folks,

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

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

Any other ideas?

Daniel
www.ownthemap.com

 

[XePiO]

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]

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

 

[stuart_domains]

Brilliant idea.


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