HubIMO?

[butch81385]

Originally posted in the debateIMO spin-off thread:

Would it be possible to expand the IMO world? You sign up for IMO, and your same login works at TechIMO, DebateIMO, ComunityIMO (off topic only), DealsIMO (Dealighted), ReatailersIMO (Resellerratings), CarsIMO, etc. I don't know about other people but I almost never visit the RR forum since the split. I still use the site for its primary focus, but the forum lost most of its old characteristics (I know alot of new people have come in, but it hasn't pulled me back).

I think having it all lined to the IMO name would be a good idea, and let you expand the horizons (and appeal) of the site without deviating too far from Tech, or creating a new site that may not be able to support itself.

You could set it up so techimo.com takes you directly to that forum, debateimo.com takes you to that one, etc, but your usercp encompasses all of them...

I guess it would be adding another level above the current topmost techimo topic, and giving techimo "brothers and sisters" and having the domains go directly to them.

I think this has alot of potential to bring alot of people onto the site(s) while keeping the additional overhead to a minimum (still using the same forum software and only upgrading server or bandwidth as required by traffic, which should hopefully not cost much due to the increase in ad revenue).



I think this has alot of potential because people seem to like going to one place to find multiple things (think google for searches, maps, email, etc). Also, why have the same info in multiple places (resellerratings and dealighted have alot of similar things). Bringing this all together would be beneficial to the site (less overhead, more traffic for more ad revenue) as well as to us (easier to stay out of debate stuff if you want, but still easy to go between the different topics with the same identity, etc).

[tony_j15]

So, you want to build up the brand. That'd be cool, but it would take a lot of research and probably a couple of extra programmers to make it happen. Plus, to really make it take off, you're going to need exclusive content to attract people to the sites.
with all that said, I think it would be a good idea. I think we should start with a carsIMO, because lots of us are already interested in repairs, mods, and fastlanedaily.

[butch81385]

Build up the brand... yeah, thats a good way to put it.

Make IMO a household phrase! or at least make it more fun while making Scott some money (instead of making him fund the site out of his own pocket)...

Scott, if you use this idea I won't sue for a share of the profits, but any kickbacks would be appreciated

[RobRich]

Scott and I have already discussed such a network of sites, but for now, we are primarily concentrating upon further expanding and improving existing operations. For example, checkout the recently updated content management system at Dealighted.

[butch81385]

It would be much easier for me to check the content management system at dealighted if these sites were all linked together...

I do like what you have done, but I would love to see the sites under one umbrella site, and feel that doing this would make it very easy to expand the IMO blanket to other topics (such as DebateIMO).

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

I think it'd be a good idea too, there have been quite a few times when I've clicked on a topic in the "Recent Discussions" list and (without noticing) go to a ResellerRatings page.

I then sometimes get confused when I get told that I need to register to post - or see that it says that I can't do anything in the "Posting Rules" box...

I then realise that I'm no longer in TechIMO and leave, back to TechIMO...

[#43 fan]

I would like to see having a home site where you could decide which site you would go.

[butch81385]

Scott, if you aren't up for this, would you allow someone else to create a hub site for your sites? I don't know how, but I am sure that someone knows how to have one new account save your login info for the other sites, and auto login when you click to them... and maybe use an RSS type feed for updates...

of course I would rather see it done as an official thing, but something else to consider.

[him61]

I think that this would be a really cool idea.