Is WebRing dead?

[Pinyo]

I have used WebRing in the past, but for my hobby sites. Do you think web ring has a place in the professional world? I am not talking about the WebRing, but web ring in general.

I ask because I see some opportunities with web ring, but want to test with you folks first.

Your thoughts?

[randfish]

I think it's largely gone the way of the Dodo, but that doesn't mean it can't be resurrected in the future. The fundamental idea behind it is sound - offer people multiple sites with the same topic of information.

The problem with commercialized sites is the competition factor, although ideas like directories offering a partnership system and sites that offer services providing links to related services also falls under this.

I don't think it's likely to be a big part of commerce for several years though.

[Dark_Matter]

I wouldnt join a webring because it is basically an invitation for visitors to leave my site. I don't want them to get so distracted paging through the ring that they forget to buy stuff from me!

I think webrings are a good tool for noncommercial sites to share traffic, but I think most business clients would bristle at having such a thing on their sites.

[DOS]

I think it depends on if you are selling a product or not? Nike doesn't want to advertise Adidas, because people may choose to buy their products instead. But if you have no products, its a good way to get some extra traffic.

[Thanol]

Topsites seem to be popular in some catagories, they're kind of like webrings i suppose.

[intelliot]

depends on the niche. some industries really favor the webring - those where visitors surf around looking for other sites on the same topic.

[Stoned Phillips]

I think they are only good for sharing, say, hobby sites, sites of common interest kind of things.

Not a great idea for comercial websites offering similiar products.

[thebassman]

Do you think a webring or two might benefit forum sites (more specifically, my photography forum)?

[Stoned Phillips]

Originally Posted by thebassman

Do you think a webring or two might benefit forum sites (more specifically, my photography forum)?

Each webring has a hit counter on their main page, I haven't seen many that get more then 10 hits a day.

I've tried 'em in the past, I don't think I ever got more then a dozen hits.

[thebassman]

Hmmm... maybe I'll play around with it for a bit to see what happens. Any suggestions for a good place to sign up for a couple?

[Stoned Phillips]

Webring.com, which used to be owned by Yahoo, is the main one. I'm sure a google search will turn up more.

They have a bunch of photography webrings

[thebassman]

Yeah, that's the one I was looking at - thanks.