Gay web-designer looking for feedback

margarita · 12-07-2004, 07:48 AM

Hi All,

I've spent the last 8 months (Yes, I do need to get out more!) of my spare time creating a proper free gay dating site, www.findaflamer.com I'm trying to find out what people like or don't like about it and would be grateful for any help! I've put a lot of effort in and I think it rocks, it only went up yesterday - so if you have any comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Kisses,

Margarita[:X]

**Lee** · 12-07-2004, 07:50 AM

Moved this on over to the general board for you, youll get more feedback here

Out of interest... Where is Amersham?

Regards,

Lee

Dzinerbear · 12-07-2004, 12:11 PM

Hi there,

Welcome and thanks for asking us about your site. I have some feedback, I hope it helps.

First of all, the name: find a flamer? I'm afraid this is a big miss. Flamer? As in flaming queen? If I'm looking for a date, I doubt I would go somewhere where it sounded like I'd find a bunch of Don Knotts/Mr. Roper types.

Second, I don't think you can successfully market a dating site to lesbians, gay men, and bi sexuals. And right out of the gate you've pissed off any lesbian going to your site because you're featuring all half-naked men. And likewise, I'm sorry but if I'm looking for men to hook up with, I don't want to see women, and I certainly don't want escorts thrown into the mix because I don't pay for sex. (Well, I'd pay Jasun for sex, but he doesn't charge so it's a moot point.)

Third, I find the yellow a weak and uninteresting colour.

I do like your nav bar on the welcome page.

I think your biggest mistake is trying to be all things to all gay people. More and more, lesbian and gay men have less in common except we like to have sex with the same sex. Our agenda is different, our politics are different, our spending habits are different.

Good luck, I hope this helps. I'm sorry I can't be more positive, it's obvious that you worked hard on this.

Cheers
Dzinerbear

Jasun · 12-07-2004, 12:36 PM

Dzinerbear, you took the words right out of my mouth.

"Find a Flamer" is probably the most repulsive name for a gay dating service you could come up with. Maybe there's a language barrier or something, but "Flamer" is what gay guys who hate gay guys call gay guys they hate.

You may as well call the site "Cock-sucking-faggots-R-US!" or "Find-an-irritating-repulsive-femenine-lispy-man-who-likes-fashion-and-will-embarrass-you-in-front-of-your-friends.com". There is just no way that anyone is gonna sign up for a site like that. No Way.

Also, yes... Lesbian, Gay, bisexual... three different markets... let's remember or motto here... "GAY Is Not a Niche". I've seen people making the mistake of trying to lump gays and lesbians together.. and it never ever works. Bisexuals are not only going to be alienated by being lumped in with gays and lesbians, they're going to be sent running for the hills from the word "flamer".. they hate it more than gay people do.

Including escorts will scare off the nice people looking for nice people, and will just attract the smarmy people who could just as easily cruise the free cruising sites. Real Dating sites should give the impression that people are looking for love.. if you want to give people a hook up site, make sure that's what your'e giving them.

I agree that the site is laid out quite well, and is easy to navigate.. I aslo agree that the colour is all wrong.

I think there's great potential in the site, you just have to decide what market you're going to go after and then go after it.

Good Luck.

Ounique · 12-07-2004, 03:42 PM

All feedback is good. I always tell people that negative feedback is actually better than good feedback. While it feeds our ego to hear that we're doing a good job, it's better for your friends to tell you your fly is open then to walk out on stage in front of the world and find out the hard way.

Having said that, here's one little bit of usefull negative feedback... I, personally do not like to be referred to as "a gay". It makes me think of when you hear people say "it's
'the gays' who are ruining our country" or "he's one of 'those gays'". Like we're not really people. Besides, lesbians are also gay, but that's a whole other ball of wax. Anyway, the part that says "find me a... 'gay'" sounds like something a right-wing religious fanatic says when handed a shotgun.

I'm not making fun, just using humor to make a point. You have a great idea, with a little tweaking I'm sure it will be an awesome site.

You know, come to think of it, how many Lesbian-only dating websites are there?

Dzinerbear · 12-07-2004, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by Ounique
You know, come to think of it, how many Lesbian-only dating websites are there?

Here's a good lesbian dating site.

It even has lesbians right on the front page. <big grin>

Michael

Jasun · 12-07-2004, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by Dzinerbear
Here's a good lesbian dating site.

It even has lesbians right on the front page. <big grin>

Michael

HAHAHAHA

I'm sorry... I know I shouldn't be laughing... but I just coughed up a lung.

Man... I'm done for today.

**jIgG** · 12-07-2004, 04:22 PM

yeah that name won't help you much unless you're targeting guys into flamers

Xstr8guy · 12-07-2004, 06:26 PM

I'm going to make an assumption about Margarita. She made this post at 6:48am, but she hasn't been back to reply to the comments. Either we scared her away or she was just fishing for affiliates.