Updates on the Web20MillionDollarHomepage and SmashMyViper
I thought it would be a good night to check out the latest progress on my two favorite Million Dollar Homepage knock-offs – Web20MillionDollarHomepage.com and SmashMyViper.com.
First off, SmashMyViper.
I just checked out the most recent damage video from SmashMyViper – they drilled holes in the hood (again) and the dashboard and made various key marks on the car. During the video the mentioned that the replacement cost of the hood was $17,000 – and the hood has a few holes in it already.
So, with all of this damage, what is the total amount of money raised? $5,900. Ouch. And strangely the SmashMyViper girls were not in the latest damage video – I hope that doesn’t mean the boys are running out of money :)
Pixel orders at SMV seem to be slowing, and a loss of momentum is not a good thing in a buzz driven market.
Which brings me to my homeboy Srinivasan and the Web20MillionDollarHomepage.
Now remember, I like Srinivasan, not for his idea but because he seems like a generally nice guy with a dream and I respect him for that. He also was nice enough to post follow-up comments after the blog comment campaign he ran to get the site off the ground.
But with all of that work, how much has the Web20MillionDollarHomepage made so far? Sadly, $300 – the same amount he had made when he originally posted on this blog. That means that the page never even got the enough buzz to get off of the ground. Not good.
So what’s up Srinivasan? What is your theory on your lack of success so far? And how are you going to make this work?
Oh, but to Srinivasan credit, he did get a reply from Guy Kawasaki regarding their thoughts on the new “focused curiosity advertising” landscape…I just wish he would have posted the entire reply, not just the part that makes him look good.
So, what can we get out of all of this? I would say that it shows us that a) the million dollar concept was a one off, and b) the market for pixel ads is not showing the growth that pixel ad sites would like to see, oh yeah, and c) pixel ad sites should try the real Web 2.0 version of their idea – the $0 homepage.
You might laugh at the idea, but if you gave away space on your site for free, but allowed people to pay you if they want, I bet you would make more than you are making now. Seriously – a Google PageRank 4 or 5 inbound link can be worth some cash to a text link ad buyer these days. You have the PageRank, now why don’t you make some money from that?
Also, if done right, you can get a buzz going from the companies that you are targeting in the first place. Who wouldn't want a link if they were free? And if you could pay a little more for a bigger pixel ad, on a site that has a good amount of buzz traffic, why wouldn't you spend a few bucks? Think about it, it might save your business.
Srinivasan, are you listening? That one was for free bud. :)
Comments
James,
Thanks for the inputs, and great to know we are one of your favorites!
Three peculiar things are happening w.r.t The Web2.0 MDHP.
1. We are seeing good traffic at the site, and from our tracking information, we know we have the "right" eyeballs.
2. Some terrific Web2.0 companies have shown interest, ones that we would love to have on our site. The responses show that they are genuinely interested. These are a good number of companies (will definitely get us off the ground).
3. (I think) ppl have got into a "let it pick up a bit and then i'll jump in" mode.
Now, the most difficult question: How are we going to make this work?
1. Looking at our traffic numbers, and the progress we have made in alexa rankings in such a short time, I am sure the buzz has just started building up. Thats good news.
2. (Borrowed from 'Blink') Well, the Web2.0 MDHP traffic and hence the pixel sales will 'tip'. It might take some time, but it will tip. Something about the Focussed Curiosity concept is definitely correct and is BIG. At Web2.0 MDHP,we might not have got it 100% right, but we are somewhere near the 'truth'. That will pay (Well, its like Bill Gross making a decent chunk even though he was just 'near' the truth).
3. We have been following an approach for building buzz, which is working, and has started showing results. We will continue to do that. This is key.
4. two - three more 'surprise' points.
We will get there James, Hurry, Own your piece of Web2.0 History!
Thanks
Srinivasan
The Web2.0 Million Dollar Homepage
Posted by: Srinivasan | February 21, 2006 09:30 PM
James,
You're right about pixel sales slowing on SmashMyViper.com, but the funny thing is traffic to my site is staying steady and has been since I placed my 2000 pixel "Click Me" ad on the page. To date, I've received almost 7000 unique visitors to my page and have generated many sales; but best of all it keeps coming in! I think SmashMyViper.com is one of the unique pixel sites that has improved on the basic principle of the original MillionDollarHomepage concept. Best of all it's entertaining and keeps people coming back. I'm a huge fan!
Posted by: Shaun Carter | February 22, 2006 02:44 AM
(I had posted a comment yesterday, maybe it got missed. I am posting the important points again)
James,
I am definitely listening! Thanks for the inputs, and great to know that the Web2.0 MDHP is your 'favorite'!
Three peculiar things are happening with the Web2.0 MDHP
1. We are getting good traffic, increasing at a good rate, as you can see from the progress we have made in the alexa rankings. From our tracking information, we know we are getting quality eyeballs. Thats good news.
2. We are getting queries from some terrific Web2.0 companies, showing interest in the Web2.0 MDHP, in good numbers - good enough to take us off the ground. thats encouraging.
3. We think companies are getting into a "let it pick it up a bit, and then we'll jump in" thought process. This is tricky.
Now, the toughest part. How do we make this work?
1. We believe the focussed curiosity concept will work. we are definitely somewhere near the 'truth'. Its a bit like Bill Gross making a decent chunk even though he was 'around' the truth in case of adsense.
2. We are following a few methods to create buzz,which has worked well so far. we will continue to do this, this is key.
3. 2-3 more 'surprise'actions.
The Web2.0 MDHP has been a terrific learning experience so far, we are enjoying this!
This concept is from 'blink' - the Web.0 MDHP will 'tip'. It will take time, but it will happen.
James, Own your piece of Web2.0 History!
Thanks
Srinivasan
The Web2.0 Million Dollar Homepage
Posted by: Srinivasan | February 22, 2006 09:14 PM
Thanks for the comments guys.
Shaun - great to hear the site is working for you. I admit that I am surprised, but happy to hear that the concept is enriching someone (since the SMV boys aren't getting anywhere.)
Srinivasan - keep on going my man. I am impressed by your determination. I still think you should go Web 2.0 and give space away for free - I mean, what have you got to lose?
Posted by: Marketing Punk | February 23, 2006 07:51 PM
Very interesting post. I also follow SMV since the beginning and I was sure then that they would be more successfull.
Anyway I see two problems that were ignored by the MDHP (thanks to the success)
1) a block is too small to target visitors so you get random traffic
2) most pixel websites hide, purposely or not, their webstats
I know for sure that on most pixel websites you will get an average of one REAL visitor per block and per day. That's not enough.
My own option was:
1) to sell real pixels
2) to use a more targeted form (a computer desktop icon)
3) to display all the webstats I have (webalizer, webstat, google analytics)
I have sold some icons but didn't make too much money (advertising costs). This is not a problem because I have learn and still learn a lot (now running a SEO contest). So far my only regret is the price ($100 is too high even if it is a bargain). Should have been less but for a limited time (say one year).
Best regards, G.
Posted by: Guillaume | February 28, 2006 05:32 PM
I, too, like both of these pixel sites. I've mentioned both in my blog and have included SMV in my squidoo.com/pixelads page. Naturally, what these sites need is to engage in some serious search engine marketing. ;-)
For the W20MDHP, I don't think offering free pixels is the way to go. That results in too much junk. Many pixel sites have gone this route. I do think they should drop the pixel block price from $100 into the $10-$25 range, however.
Posted by: Richard Ball | March 2, 2006 01:14 PM
Thanks for your opinion Richard.
A question for you - what pixel sites have gone over to a free pixel format? Could you give some examples?
Thanks in advance!
Posted by: Marketing Punk | March 2, 2006 05:19 PM
Sure, James. Here are a few examples:
millionpixelpage.com
freepixeladvertising.com
freemillionpixels.com
Having "free" in the domain name is a dead giveaway. ;-)
Posted by: Richard Ball | March 2, 2006 09:23 PM
Just found the www.onemillionpound.net website.
Sure you should see it too
Q.
Posted by: quentin | March 3, 2006 11:24 AM
I finally got a chance to check out the free pixel sites. Seems to me they are still missing the point a bit.
I am talking about giving pixels away without having pay sections or giveaways or anything else.
I see all of those sites as being too gimmicky for their own good.
What about a simple page that accepts the submission of people who want pixels - they are screened for content (no porn, etc.) and then the pixels go up - no fees, no gimmicks, nothing but links to useful sites.
The real key is finding a remarkable story to tell with the page - not one about money or winning, but something unique that would make good sites say "yes, I want to be a part of that page." And even better, they will tell their friends about it.
Eventually, you would hope to have a site that is heavily trafficked and full of pixels that add value to the users - this might be by creating "zones" of the page that represent different interests, verticals or whatever.
Anyway, I think there is still an opportunity for people who want to find an outstanding way to do the pixel page thing.
I still don't think anyone else is becoming a millionaire though.
Posted by: Marketing Punk | March 6, 2006 05:27 PM
James,
One of our 2-3 'surprise' actions is out:
http://web20milliondollarhomepage.com/blog/?p=10
Do have a look, and let us know what you think.
Thanks
Srinivasan
http://www.web20milliondollarhomepage.com
Posted by: Srinivasan | March 11, 2006 09:49 PM
Found a realy interesting new idea website, and not another copycat...
http://www.stopthesecond.com
Posted by: Larry | April 25, 2006 08:32 AM