Giftanapp
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A beginning

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Post  Paradiso Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:08 am

So I made a blog section for me to share things with you. Not sure what those things are, but today it'll be about the website, and myself.

The site started as a thread on the popular iOS gaming website, TouchArcade.com. I thought a particular game was really good, so I decided to give it to someone. Turns out everybody likes getting free things, and quite a few people like giving them away. The thread becomes a group, and the giving begins. Between the thread and the group, Random Acts of Generosity, the idea was viewed nearly 15,000 times.

Unfortunately, due to site policy, TouchArcade closed the thread, and limited the group. By this time though, Giftanapp.forumotion.com was live, although in a very early stage. A few of the original members from RAoG signed up here, and then the real work began.

I didn't have any solid plans for the site besides gifting apps, and hoping others would as well. Personally, I'd research an app for ages before I committed to buying it for myself, but I can easily buy a dozen apps for other people, because I know they're the ones they want.

Anyways, I started going through various design and theme ideas, eventually ending up on the current one, because it's clean and simple. I have plans for another redesign soon, hopefully making a nice "gift wrapped" theme.

Once I started doing the daily giveaways, that became the main focus of the site, and I decided to commit myself to it, personally and financially. I bought the .net domain name, removed those awful flashy ads, and implemented the Google ads. Google gives AdSense users mountains of data about their sites, so I can keep track of visitors, views, traffic, and more. Some of the data told me that the Google ads weren't doing what I needed them to do; make the site money.

With all these iTunes receipts piling up in my inbox, I decided to seek out developer advertising. I have one so far, RobotBig, but I hope to attract many more as the site grows.

By now, if you've actually read to this point, you may be wondering where the site is going. Surely I'm not going to add yet another forum?? I don't plan on it Very Happy
My goal for Giftanapp is to grow it as large as possible, and eventually partner with another iOS site such as TouchArcade, Slide to Play, or one of the many others. This would allow me to attract even more potential members.

Looking even further than that, depending on huge variables, I'd like to make the site self funding. The amount each week I spend varies, but it can get pretty expensive after a while. Ideally, once we receive enough traffic, the advertising will pay for the domain, giveaways, ad removal, etc. I'm aiming high, but I don't think it's impossible.

Any thoughts on this great wall of text? Any ideas you've had and pursued? I'd love to hear about em Smile

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Post  Haruhi Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:29 am

Great entry, thanks for taking to the time to type this up. The most difficult challenge for any new site is getting new members, and even more so to keep them. Your Daily App Giveaway is an excellent idea, and frankly, I'm surprised that more members haven't jumped to participate already. However, at the moment, you and maybe one or two members seem to be the only ones who really contribute to the site often...

For the partnering up part, I think you should aim at a site that does not have a large forum already (i.e. Touch Arcade) because it would be less likely that the administrators there would be willing to give up members to another site. I can't think of any good ideas on how to market this site as its concept is just so different and unique, but I'll keep you updated if I think of something.
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Post  Arashi541 Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:28 pm

Haruhi wrote:Great entry, thanks for taking to the time to type this up. The most difficult challenge for any new site is getting new members, and even more so to keep them. Your Daily App Giveaway is an excellent idea, and frankly, I'm surprised that more members haven't jumped to participate already. However, at the moment, you and maybe one or two members seem to be the only ones who really contribute to the site often...

For the partnering up part, I think you should aim at a site that does not have a large forum already (i.e. Touch Arcade) because it would be less likely that the administrators there would be willing to give up members to another site. I can't think of any good ideas on how to market this site as its concept is just so different and unique, but I'll keep you updated if I think of something.

Yeah i am suprised too that some people havent jumped in to participate too. We have like 33 members and not one of them wants to give away apps and stuff! bounce I would do that if i could but i have no credit card because i am not of age for a credit card. Im close though:)
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Post  AP9TV1 Mon Mar 21, 2011 6:35 am

I would do that if i could but i have no credit card because i am not of age for a credit card. Im close though:)

Same here! If I could, I definitely would!!!
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Post  pittock Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:02 am

The only thing that puts me off gifting, is the fact i'm giving my name out to people on th internets.

That's why i've only given codes so far. Could I just gift them to my self at an alternative email and then copy/paste the redeem link?

I always seem to win competitions for apps I already have, so I see this place as a good way to give them out. Very Happy
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Post  Paradiso Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:27 am

You can actually change the name before it's gifted. You choose the name you want to appear, the recipients name and email, and a personal message. The only thing that is actually exposed is your email address. Although I've never been gifted an app so I'm not sure if it shows your email, or some generic apple email.

Also I've never tried giving the code to someone else, it might be tied to one account, but I don't know for sure.

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Post  pittock Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:51 am

Thanks. Ok. I'll give it a try. Very Happy
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