Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:40 pm Post subject: Scripts for building a search function?
I want to build a search function that does this:
A visitor comes to my site and sees the following categories:
Videos
Pics
Sites
A visitor clicks on, say, videos, and it takes them to a page with a search box. The visitor types in the type of video he/she is looking for, like say "Children playing" and the top 5-10 results from the most popular video sites (like youtube, Megavideo, etc.) come up, each clearly separated by site. The visitor can then click on a result and go to the video. The visitor can also click "next" to see more results from a specific site without leaving my search page.
I'm going to be using sitebuildit. Are there any good scripts available for this search function? And can sitebuildit handle such a script?
Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 199 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:
I'm not sure about this, I could be wrong, but my understanding is you can't install scripts in the SBI system.
This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, it can be seen as a good thing.
In a usual hosting set up you are sharing the server with lots of folks, who are running all kinds of scripts. And sometimes these scripts cause performance problems for other users. A server that is run fully by qualified techs, and not amateur coders, is a nice place for your site to live.
More importantly...
I'd bet you don't really have a good plan for making money with this script, and thus it will serve mostly to distract you from writing articles and getting links.
This is a completely normal webmaster malady that all of us have to one degree or another. I have it worse than anybody, so don't even try to compete.
Publishing systems that don't allow you to install scripts save you from this very common webmaster error, and thus help you focus on what publishing systems are for, publishing. _________________ http://discussion-for-you.com/
In a usual hosting set up you are sharing the server with lots of folks, who are running all kinds of scripts. And sometimes these scripts cause performance problems for other users. A server that is run fully by qualified techs, and not amateur coders, is a nice place for your site to live.
Are you saying that SBI is run by amateur codes? Just asking...
Publisher-For-You wrote:
I'd bet you don't really have a good plan for making money with this script,
I wouldn't bet the farm if I were you
I'm actually quite experienced at monetizing as I've done it a number of times before with sites in the past and made a good living from it. Having said that, I'm a strategist and planner but not a great coder so scripts and simple edits get me where I'm trying to go most of the time.
Publisher-For-You wrote:
Publishing systems that don't allow you to install scripts save you from this very common webmaster error, and thus help you focus on what publishing systems are for, publishing.
You'd really have to know the point and theme of what I'm planning to do in order to make a conclusion on how it will work. However, you're still correct in the general sense.
If you know of any scripts out there that can help me do this, I'd appreciate the info. If I can't use it at SBI, I'll simply use it elsewhere.
Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 199 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject:
PaperChaser777 wrote:
Are you saying that SBI is run by amateur codes? Just asking...
Oops, sorry, no. The opposite actually. Was trying to say, if they don't allow users to install scripts, the only scripts on their servers will be pro scripts. Thanks for allowing me to be clearer.
Quote:
I'm actually quite experienced at monetizing as I've done it a number of times before with sites in the past and made a good living from it.
Ok, great. Sorry for any assumptions on my part. Please allow my points to be general ones, more suitable for others.
Quote:
Having said that, I'm a strategist and planner but not a great coder so scripts and simple edits get me where I'm trying to go most of the time.
Ok, I hear you. I know of at least one coder who could do a lot more strategy and planning before he starts coding. Tell us more if you care to share.
Quote:
If you know of any scripts out there that can help me do this, I'd appreciate the info.
Sorry I can't help here. It's a fairly specific job you're referring to there. Maybe a partnership with a coder who can give you just what you want?
Ok, I hear you. I know of at least one coder who could do a lot more strategy and planning before he starts coding. Tell us more if you care to share.
One of the things I like to do is keyword search at all of the majors to see what comes up in comparison to my concept. I usually take about 2 weeks or so trying all sorts of combinations. I then take the top sites and the bottom sites and study each, and their site codes as well. I continue this search while studying. I study how often they update, what types of updates they make, and the types of content they use. I do this for about 3 months or so. You can really get a sense of what's working for the sites that are successful, and what's not working for the sites that are unsuccessful just by watching their moves for a little bit. I then take that into account when building. I've also done focus groups which is much more costly from a flat monetary perspective, but it's worth it because you get live feedback from everyday users who'll be candid about their feelings on your site. Then of course their feedback is taken into account for the building/updating process. Sometimes I start with a test site just for that purpose, kinda like a "pilot episode". If it gets good response I build on it.
There are of course many more ways that I test and research, but those few things have helped me a lot especially with my last site which really took off.
Quote:
Sorry I can't help here. It's a fairly specific job you're referring to there. Maybe a partnership with a coder who can give you just what you want?
Best of luck!
Yeah, that's probably going to have to be the route. I hate to do it because I hate paying for something I know I could figure out with a good starting script but I may have no choice. However, I have been researching some software apps that build search engines. There still may be hope for me to do-it-myself.
Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 199 Location: Gainesville Florida USA
Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:10 am Post subject:
Quote:
You can really get a sense of what's working for the sites that are successful, and what's not working for the sites that are unsuccessful just by watching their moves for a little bit. I then take that into account when building.
Well, I had you pegged all wrong. It's a good thing I'm used to being embarrassed. Sometimes one can be blinded by one's pet rants.
I envy you, cause I just don't have the knack for research, and I know it's a liability. I commit to large projects on instinct. Kids, don't try this at home!
Ok, once you know what your market wants, and you build it, how do you get noticed?
Hmm, if your talent is research, perhaps you research your competitor's back links, and elbow your way in?
Not really what you want, but I know a great programmer (not me) if that should become necessary.
Hmm, also, if you aren't already, consider posting your request on coding forums. Those groups may be more aware of what scripts are available. I agree, if you can find something off the shelf, that's usually the cheapest and fastest way to proceed. _________________ http://discussion-for-you.com/
Ok, once you know what your market wants, and you build it, how do you get noticed?
Most of my customers have been in the industry or trying to get into the industry of the product or service I'm selling. For example, I once ran an indie music website. The regular methods of search engine marketing, linking, list building, etc. applied, but I could do something that would be considered problematic for other types of sites... approaching individuals and pitching to them. I would go to artists sites with a personal letter and invite them to join, working as a talent scout. This worked pretty well. I also had street teams placed in major cities across the US, which was costly but it payed off. You might get away with street teams for other types of sites, but outside of music/entertainment or some sort of cause it would seem a bit strange to me, but it could work.
Press releases on indie music news sites drew a lot of registrations. Kept it short, sweet, and sold the benefit. Indie artists are always looking for another exposure opportunity, as long as there is a decent benefit with a reasonable cost.
I've also used online street teams to get the word out. The only problem is that the companies who hire team members often don't screen well and the members don't know the difference between promoting and spamming. These are useful but always a crapshoot in terms of quality standards.
Publisher-For-You wrote:
Hmm, also, if you aren't already, consider posting your request on coding forums. Those groups may be more aware of what scripts are available. I agree, if you can find something off the shelf, that's usually the cheapest and fastest way to proceed.
That'll be my next thing. I was hoping not to though... it's not uncommon to post something in those forums and get a bunch of employment requests, lol.
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