The Admin is baffled.... please advise a one time Rookie!

Gentlemen -

The last six or so months I have tried some experimental advertising, mostly word of mouth, here and there. Legit companies in Latin America including Brazil. The problem I am facing is like Mary has suggested, people are viewing me and this site as either...

1. A dating site or matchmakers

2. Sex Tourism

3. Pornography

We need some advise as to how to avoid this. We've already worked so hard trying to use the best images and text on the website to make it as crystal clear as possible that we are not about any of the above.

We are open for any and all suggestiona- the good and the bad.

Thanks for your time.

[Cubafro]

Ray I think it's not that the forum is perceived as a monger or porno site...I REALLY DON'T THINK SO!!!!!
My advice again is just to void the fact that people will think that it is a matchmaking website, there should be a big banner saying IT'S NOT A DATING SITE
At the same time, if possible, I know the webmasters or webdesigners can rank a website with words to find our forum so I would suggest if they can just change those word to find GRINGOS.COM; For myself I found the site because on google I typed DATING COLOMBIANAS Go figure!!!
Just my 2 bucks


CUBA

[Tim413]

Hi Ray,

Sorry about the confusion with the site!!!!! You have a great site that is well designed.

I think you could have free stuff on the home page that helps people not connected with Gringos get the idea that this is a dating and marriage site. One idea is to have sample threads with good advice for those looking for a wife. At the end of each tread is a link to join Gringos. This idea would also help Google know what the site is all about so more people who search for marriage opportunities on Google will be directed to this site.

Look forward to others advice!!!!!

Tim

[Underwriter]

Originally Posted by Ray

Gentlemen -

The last six or so months I have tried some experimental advertising, mostly word of mouth, here and there. Legit companies in Latin America including Brazil. The problem I am facing is like Mary has suggested, people are viewing me and this site as either...

1. A dating site or matchmakers

2. Sex Tourism

3. Pornography

We need some advise as to how to avoid this. We've already worked so hard trying to use the best images and text on the website to make it as crystal clear as possible that we are not about any of the above.

We are open for any and all suggestiona- the good and the bad.

Thanks for your time.

Ray,

To be perfectly honest with you....anyone who spends 10 minutes reviewing this site can tell what it is all about...There is NOTHING about this site I would change and anyone who thinks you can find Massage Parlors in Mexico from this site is an idiot.....

UW:detective:

[Supermary]

I would stick to what I have said before... Reformulate the banners, so that the wording is more clear towards this being a GUIDE and a discussion board, and not a meeting place. Put in a clear, short and sweet disclaimer somewhere on the main page. I like the idea of sample threads (maybe pick some of the best, most informative ones, and even some that aren't too centered around women?). I would also change the wording of the image on the top, as it is slightly ambiguous. I would also change the text a bit on the main page. I would add a paragraph explaining that GT is the ideal place to exchange thoughts on Latin America and its women, but also remind people that this is a place that is not JUST dedicated to techniques on picking up LAm women or anything of that sort, but a place to just talk and make friends with people (both men and women) with similar interests (LAm). Make it clear that this is not a place to LOOK for a date, as much as it is a place to TALK about a date you've been on for example. That is not addressed too much at the main page. I don't think it's much an issue of design as it is of semantics. Just a few strategically (mis)placed words can totally change the meaning of things...

[Supermary]

Originally Posted by Underwriter

Ray,

To be perfectly honest with you....anyone who spends 10 minutes reviewing this site can tell what it is all about...There is NOTHING about this site I would change and anyone who thinks you can find Massage Parlors in Mexico from this site is an idiot.....

UW:detective:

Not all people are idiots... Some people misunderstand just because a phrasing may sound a bit off... And you have to remember that not everyone that uses the site is American (although that seems to be the vast majority), so you can't really call someone an idiot just because English is not their native language and they got themselves confused or something. But even if that is not the case, I would hold off calling everyone an idiot. Also, I'm not an idiot and I can totally see why some people would think that. It's clear to me, because I know better, that this isn't the case but I'm rather adamant in my thoughts as far as this website not being as clear as it could be... Sometimes it's the whole outsider v. insider thing... For us, here, it is soooooo obvious that it isn't the case... from those looking from the outside, where all they can see is that one front page, as they are not paid members, I don't think that that one page proves without a shadow of doubt that this site could not be any of the things that those people confuse it with. Some people will figure it out right, others will be left wondering...

[Underwriter]

Originally Posted by Supermary

Not all people are idiots... Some people misunderstand just because a phrasing may sound a bit off... And you have to remember that not everyone that uses the site is American (although that seems to be the vast majority), so you can't really call someone an idiot just because English is not their native language and they got themselves confused or something. But even if that is not the case, I would hold off calling everyone an idiot. Also, I'm not an idiot and I can totally see why some people would think that. It's clear to me, because I know better, that this isn't the case but I'm rather adamant in my thoughts as far as this website not being as clear as it could be... Sometimes it's the whole outsider v. insider thing... For us, here, it is soooooo obvious that it isn't the case... from those looking from the outside, where all they can see is that one front page, as they are not paid members, I don't think that that one page proves without a shadow of doubt that this site could not be any of the things that those people confuse it with. Some people will figure it out right, others will be left wondering...

Super Mary...

In all due respect, maybe the phrase IDIOT is harsh...but there is NOTHING about this site that would make me think that it is anything but what it is. There are sections about Marriage Agencies, Visas, currency, cultural differences, etc.....

If you want to see what a sex tourism site is like...go to www.internationalsexguide.com. This is a full blown, how to, where to go, how to do it.....SEX SITE. Our site looks NOTHING like this.

Ray....maybe a disclaimer when setting up your user name and password, explaining the mission statement of the site.

UW

[Cubafro]

Originally Posted by Underwriter

Super Mary...

If you want to see what a sex tourism site is like...go to www.internationalsexguide.com. This is a full blown, how to, where to go, how to do it.....SEX SITE. Our site looks NOTHING like this.


UW

How do you know that???? Just kidding UW but I do agree somehow with your statement about the fact that it's pretty clear after few minutes on the site that there is no doubt about the purpose of this website but also think that nostra brazileira Have a point and it won't kill to just be a bit more specific UPFRONT


CUBA

[Secret Agent 001]

Perhaps moving the "Classic Quotes" from the HomePage to the BannerPage would help give surfers a better idea of what GT is about.

I really like the way this site is put together, cudos to the Adminisrators.

[Supermary]

Originally Posted by Underwriter

Super Mary...

In all due respect, maybe the phrase IDIOT is harsh...but there is NOTHING about this site that would make me think that it is anything but what it is. There are sections about Marriage Agencies, Visas, currency, cultural differences, etc.....

If you want to see what a sex tourism site is like...go to www.internationalsexguide.com. This is a full blown, how to, where to go, how to do it.....SEX SITE. Our site looks NOTHING like this.

Ray....maybe a disclaimer when setting up your user name and password, explaining the mission statement of the site.

UW

In all due respect dude, I'm not suggesting a full blown makeover. Adding a few more words to prevent confusions won't kill anybody, so chill. And FYI, people who are NOT looking for a sex tourism site, who have NEVER been to one (I have no interest in even clicking the link.), MIGHT take a glance here and have doubts, as could more conservative people who don't usually look for sex sites and do not have much reference. Amazing as it may seem, not everyone goes out hunting for sex sites, so they might not all have that sort of thing to compare to. Surprise surprise, eh? So chill. Geez. You guys are so stubborn. All i did was point out the SENTENCES that could PERHAPS be misconstrued. Fixing the wording won't kill anyone. I don't think the actual site, as a whole, has to be redone, but clarity is always welcome. Obviously, I am not the only person to see where the problem might be, seeing as Ray said that other people had the same issue. Will it really kill you if the banner is redone to change the wording or stuff like that? Sheesh. Read my suggestions a bit more carefully. Not everyone is into whoremongering, nor are we obliged to know any better about that to draw conclusions. People's experiences differ, and clearly spelling something out leaves no room for doubt. Get it? Anyhow, all you did was repeat what I said - maybe just a disclaimer would suffice. Pay a little more attention before replying to my messages and hopping mad on them aight?