Setting Up A Directory: My Adventures

[juggernaut]

Originally Posted by kristian

This is something I'm hoping to talk about here today. Looking at the available scripts, I have my own favorites. But, as you've spelled out, you really only know what's a good script once you use it. Anyway will be posting links to some and anyone can discuss the pros and cons.

I saw UW post a few days or weeks back that this script was pretty good. http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/
I went and downloaded it and its rather easy to mess with and the support forum is pretty active with mods. Keep in mind I'm not a pro LL owner, I just had an old domain sitting doing nothing and the name was kind of good for a ll so I figured I would play around with it. I first tried a content management system but that was a real pain in the ass. I would allow submits but you could not check back for recips and I think the people on that forum were not to happy i was using the script for adult. So I switch to this new one. I paid $30 for it and have to say even though is a little basic they seem to have most of the things covered. You can even set up for paid listings. But like I said I'm not a pro with this and it could be the worste script in the world. but for the price and the functionality it's right for me. Looking forward to reading more of this, i know you said it's not going to be a step by step how to but still im sure it will help me.

[kristian]

I'm going to post all my domain costs as soon as I finish buying them. I plan to use the domains I don't use for this project as feeders for the main site. One or two might even be fit for a future niche link list.

Here are the registrars I would recommend:

Name Cheap

This is where I've been registering most my domains lately. Only $8.88 per (dot)com and they have a solid rep.

Direct Nic

15 bucks per (dot)com but perhaps the most solid rep around.

I wont recommend this one to you :

Godaddy

A lot of webmaster on this forum have had major problems with this registrar. This is why I wont recommend them. Personally, I've never had a problem, but this doesn't mean one isn't around the corner. I have MovieLinkList.com with Godaddy and I'm considering transfering it to name cheap or direct nic. Advice appreciated.

[kristian]

Originally Posted by MrYum

Another vote for movielinklist.com here...sweet domain name

The other domain...mrsmovies.com definitely has a nice ring to it too. Perhaps a secondary project as a for women movies only link list. The for women market is still under developed...could be a sweet and profitable niche site

I'd also suggest not going cheap on hosting. I've tried it twice over the years...it ended up sucking both times. About the last thing you want to be dealing with when trying to launch and grow a site is hosting problems.

I think MovieLinkList.com is going to be the winner. Ye I love MrsMovies and the idea for women-only niche is killer. I'd considered it for a mature niche but am far more excited at the porn for women niche now you mention it. Something for the future!

I've hosted with http://www.atcihosting.com/ for a while now. Never had any problems or downtime and the owner, Chris, always makes himself available on icq.

[kristian]

Originally Posted by juggernaut

I saw UW post a few days or weeks back that this script was pretty good. http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/
I went and downloaded it and its rather easy to mess with and the support forum is pretty active with mods. Keep in mind I'm not a pro LL owner, I just had an old domain sitting doing nothing and the name was kind of good for a ll so I figured I would play around with it. I first tried a content management system but that was a real pain in the ass. I would allow submits but you could not check back for recips and I think the people on that forum were not to happy i was using the script for adult. So I switch to this new one. I paid $30 for it and have to say even though is a little basic they seem to have most of the things covered. You can even set up for paid listings. But like I said I'm not a pro with this and it could be the worste script in the world. but for the price and the functionality it's right for me. Looking forward to reading more of this, i know you said it's not going to be a step by step how to but still im sure it will help me.

Hey juggernaut

I've noticed a lot of webmasters using http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/ when searching the forums here. It must do the job. What I'll be doing later is posting up a shitload of different scripts, varying price ranges, for everyone to take apart. What's good is that you can recommend this script so we have a good one for a low price.

You already know more than me so great to have you here dude!

[MrYum]

Agreed...Godaddy sucks smelly donkey balls. No personal experience with them, solely because of all the problems I've read about em. Most all of my domains are with DirectNic...even though I did have an issue with them on some .biz domains a few years ago, I still recommend them highly

I would definitely get movielinklist away from godaddy asap! Especially given the public nature of this thread, and the horror stories of stolen domains over there...I'd be moving that domain today.

Yup, I've heard good things about actihosting. I've got my main sites with ISPrime now...rock solid team over there and smokin fast servers

Script wise, there are lots to choose from. I've always been very tempted by Dragonlist from DragonScripts. The programmer is a member here and the script looks to have some awesome features. Have also heard the support is stellar

I'm currently using a custom script...would definitely NOT recommend going that route. It's a long and sordid tale, but suffice it to say...it's tough to get and keep a good programmer on the project. Should be amazing when the script is finally finished and fully functional though.

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by MrYum

Have also heard the support is stellar

From personal experience, I could not agree more with that point!

[kristian]

I have a dedicated server being setup by my host today. While I wait for this, and the domain name and niche have been chosen, it's down to choosing a link list script.

This is where advice from veteran LL owners is invaluable. The obvious route would be to choose the most expensive and expect that to be the best choice. Reading what someone said earlier though, Jel I think, I'm going to need to know the scripts that perform best for adult webmasters.

Anyway, here's a few scripts for us to chew on (no affiliate links apart from my one above to my host):

Gossamer Links v.3.0.1

Price : $450

I like a few things about this script and it's going to take some convincing to consider any other script. The plugins are killer. Many are free and those that aren't free are worth the price. PPC Plugin, for instance, is money in the bank. Think of it, would you pay for a ppc campaign on something like LOR or penisbot? I would. Possibility is they would not sell traffic anyway but, until I know any better, having the option for the future is nice. I also like the fact that this company is like the bank of american. Been around long time and good solid product (from what I hear!).

Dragon List

Price : $325 and subsequent licenses are $75

I am so close to choosing this product over gossamer. Here we have something designed by venturi and mishi - regulars here on the board. The great thing this has going for it is that it's build with the adult webmaster in mind. Not only that but, having submitted to Mishi's LL many times, I fucking LOVE the webmaster-side features. Venturi, Jim, is a wicked guy too and he has helped me with many a coding project. Price is good to and if I setup other niche LLs in the future the low price tag, coupled with experience of setting up the one LL, will make work easier as I go.

I don't have anything to say about these others. That doesn't reflect on their quality. It just means I know fuck all about them.

K Links

Price : from $69

Link Admin

Price : $400

Only things I know about this one is that it was created by Richard of Richard's Realm and Greenguy uses it on LOR. I'm guessing this makes it an excellent script.

X Power Links

Price : $199

Link Organizer

Price : $500

Hot Links SQL

Price : $89.95

PHP Link Directory

Price : $25 to $75

A good all-round LL script from what I hear.

[Greenguy]

Originally Posted by kristian

...Link Admin

Price : $400

Only things I know about this one is that it was created by Richard of Richard's Realm and Greenguy uses it on LOR. I'm guessing this makes it an excellent script...

Talk to MrMaryLou if you have any questions, as he's the support guy for Richard.

[Useless]

Though I don't use any of scripts listed, I think LinkAdmin, Gossamer, X Power Links, and DragonList are the most heavily used and trusted. At least, those are the scripts I see discussed most. There was some sort of hub-bub a while back about X Power Links not producing new features, but I believe that was contested by them. Hell, LinkAdmin hasn't released any updates in almost 60 years and it's used very heavily. Just find a script you feel you can work with and has all the little gadgets you want and run with it.

[kristian]

Originally Posted by Greenguy

Talk to MrMaryLou if you have any questions, as he's the support guy for Richard.

Thanks, Greenguy, will do!

[kristian]

Originally Posted by Useless Warrior

Though I don't use any of scripts listed, I think LinkAdmin, Gossamer, X Power Links, and DragonList are the most heavily used and trusted. At least, those are the scripts I see discussed most. There was some sort of hub-bub a while back about X Power Links not producing new features, but I believe that was contested by them. Hell, LinkAdmin hasn't released any updates in almost 60 years and it's used very heavily. Just find a script you feel you can work with and has all the little gadgets you want and run with it.

I agree. So far Gossamer has what I need. But looking more closely today at Link Admin and Dragon List.

[Fonz]

I use Hot Links SQL on one of my LL's, it's a decent script but all LL's using it kinda look the same.
If you want to take a peek: http://www.teenspanker.com

On SmilingPussyLinks I use linkadmin and am very pleased with it. Ofcourse some things could be better but that's the case with all scripts I guess.

Or you can wait until MadMax releases his beast

[kristian]

Originally Posted by Fonz

I use Hot Links SQL on one of my LL's, it's a decent script but all LL's using it kinda look the same.
If you want to take a peek: http://www.teenspanker.com

On SmilingPussyLinks I use linkadmin and am very pleased with it. Ofcourse some things could be better but that's the case with all scripts I guess.

Or you can wait until MadMax releases his beast

TeenSpanker is looking very good. I like the way you use the entry page for Becky's Diary. Also like the sparse advertising and the dating gold thumb banner. Script seems cool too. Lots of nice features. You seem to have done a good job customising it.

Always liked SPLs. I'm betting Link Admin is able to be customised more. Everyone's site using it looks different.

[Lemmy]

Originally Posted by Fonz

I use Hot Links SQL on one of my LL's, it's a decent script but all LL's using it kinda look the same.

They sure do, and I suspect it is because most people (certainly myself) think it's a pain in the ass to figure out the templates and modify them to their liking.

For my next project I am strongly considering Dragonlist. From what I understand there are no templates to mess with. Just build plain old HTML pages, slip the code in where you want the links to appear and that's it.

[kristian]

Well, that was good. Have just had a nice chat with Mishi, the developer / owner of Dragon List.

I hit her up on icq and she was instantly available. Always a great sign. The script is developed with adult webmasters in mind and since the folks at gossamer are hard to reach, even through their support forum, I decided I wanted to learn more about it.

All in all it seems an easy to configure script. You just drop snippets of code into your html. Should make it easy to make MovieLinkList.com stand out from the rest.

Anyway - I'm swaying towards this one. Will decided tomorrow.

[MrYum]

Yep, Mishi and Venturi are good people

I used to run Link Admin on my site and certainly have nothing bad to say about it. But, the feature set with Dragon List is far more sophisiticated

[docholly]

Mishi Rocks!!!

[HC-Majick]

I have to agree....although I'm using both links sql and dragonlist, I definately prefer dragonlist. And Mishi is the best.

[msanchez]

Nice interesting thread here. I dont have any advice to give but loooking to learn from your experiences Kristian so thanks for documenting your journey!

[MrMaryLou]

Kristian, as Greenguy said if you want to ask any questoins about Link Admin feel free to hit me up

[kristian]

Originally Posted by msanchez

Nice interesting thread here. I dont have any advice to give but loooking to learn from your experiences Kristian so thanks for documenting your journey!

Glad to have ya here, msanchez

[kristian]

Originally Posted by MrMaryLou

Kristian, as Greenguy said if you want to ask any questoins about Link Admin feel free to hit me up

I will do that, thanks MrMaryLou! And I love the new boobie av!

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by kristian

I will do that, thanks MrMaryLou! And I love the new boobie av!

Everyone loves MML's boobies

[Xeno]

I just happen to catch this thread and one thing in regards to link scripts, is to make SURE whatever script is chosen, is the one you will use long-term if not the life of the link site. If something goes wrong down the road and a person has to change scripts, ...well....all I Can say is "What a mess" to do a complete change over. Been there, done it....lol

Truthfully though, there are many factors in choosing the right script:

1. What features you absolutely cannot do without
2. What features do you think you will need or want later in time
3. Is there good support for the script(s) you are looking at
4. What kind of "honest unbiased" reviews are available for selected scripts
5. ASP, PHP, or CGI scripting choices
6. How well is the admin section designed...messy? Efficient? detailed?
7. How often is the script upgraded, versions, bug reports and fixes, etc
8. Are the templates easy to modify, or are they template hell
9. Will you be running a link list, portal, or directory
10. Do you need mod_rewrite, HTML generated pages, or is dynamic ok?

There is more I can put here but Im hungry and need some dinner....just wanted to toss my two bits in

[kristian]

NetGoonie -- Excellent post. Those points will certainly help me form a better opinion of the right script to choose.

Will take me a while to digest all of that but I'll be using it over the next 24 hours thats for sure!