Subscribe via RSS1CoolFile Needs to Improve More 2
November 28, 2007
I'm glad that Steve McGrath has upgraded his 1CoolFile.com directory to the next level of improvement. Perhaps that's what he learned from rssHugger. I really like it when he do well and keep improving himself.
Good Things
Thanks to the new improvement I could see a few things change and here are some good things:
- 1CoolFile now offer free blog listing. This come with requirements though: you need to write a review about the directory, and some more.
- 1CoolFile had a
majorminor change in design, which make it a little neater.
Bad Things
I agree with most of the terms he pointed out, however not for "A reciprocal link must be in the sidebar".
- Resolved by McGrath. He request nofollow links, so it's fair. Originally I said:
It's unfair. Regardless of having PR 6, 1CoolFile is giving nofollow links (not search engine friendly) so the PR is useless, and on top of that asking people to have reciprocal links, which most likely be search engine friendly. Is it blogger selling traffic to 1CoolFile to get listed, or is it 1CoolFile sell/give traffic to blogs? - The site is still too messy compare to other directory, and the blog directory is still mixed with the file directory.
My suggestions
Indeed bloggers tend to be a bit greedy and don't want to pay money for things. But when that thing they feel is unnecessary doesn't matter how much attractive it is, they still don't want it. $10 $2.5/year is not a big amount compare to $5/month hosting, but... somehow people hesitate to pay. And since it's the common behavior, perhaps a directory like 1CoolFile should consider and respect it.
Instead of going against the vast population, 1CoolFile should learn more from rssHugger and start booming.
It's not just about money, but also about the look, feel and navigation structure. rssHugger did well and getting their blog list updated every hour. Check out my site on rssHugger and you can see the total different compare to this 1CoolFile site, in term of design.
Yet, I still am not satisfied with rssHugger navigation structure and wrote it here: rssHugger Blog Directory: the Right Model?. 1CoolFile should do better than rssHugger if it want to stay in the competition.
Last but not least, the first thing a directory (fisher) need to do to get the bites (from bloggers), is to prove it's useful. It needs to show some graphs about:
- How capable it is, i.e. such as how many direct hits, how many search hits, etc.
- How buyers benefit from it, such as an estimate amount of how much traffic blogs can get per month from the directory
Conclusion
This post is written in response to 1 Cool File: Submit Your Blog For Free from McGrath.ca.
If 1CoolFile can buy my vote. If it can list my blog for free with all the same respect with paid member, like rssHugger did, then I can be sure that it will be a very successful model. For now, I feel I may look bad if I'm on it.
I have the good intention and would like success to fellow McGrath. My thoughts have not yet been refined into beautiful words so please forgive me if the words hurt.
(BTW, Steve, your blog block my comment... again.)
Update: Further on emails, I can see McGrath is a reasonable guy, so I guess his model should be trust worthy.
Tags: Resources, suggestions, traffic
Hi,
Is it the same IP as last time? If yes, I will contact my host about that. At least, I got the pingback.
Good thing:
2. It was a minor change
Bad Things:
1. After asking on Digital Point(few minutes ago), I decided to ask for a nofollow on both links. The goal is getting feedback(like your review) and traffic to the site. This is one benefit.
2.1 I knew your opinion from previous post and that's why I added a line in my post because I new you would talk about it the design.
2.2 The file and blog directory will never, I repeat never be separated. For example, a designer could have a blog and he/she could show the free themes at the same time. Me, I have other blogs plus a freeware. Let's agree to disagree on that point
Your suggestion:
1. It's not $10 but $2.50/year or $4/life so I do respect more users
2. rssHugger job is to promote RSS feed. I promote the whole blog which need more information. Could it be improve? probably but I'm also looking to give information to advertisers at the same time. The philosophy/goal is not the same here. I have a bigger challenge than my fellow rssHugger
Yes, you should clean up your post because I had trouble understanding many parts. I think it's late night in your time zone
I will wait for the email about the IP issue
Good night
Yes, yes, I was half sleep when I posted that review. I need to edit my post to reflect your comments, otherwise people misunderstood too. I will email you about the IP. If you read this post you know what's really going on How-to Browse Internet Faster in China .