OK so someone posted on my Facebook profile, what do you think of HitSilo? Well I just checked it out today, and here's what I've got to say..
Essentially it's a custom copied exchange. I know, what!? Well it's clear that the code was taken from previous Logiscape exchanges, there were a few snafus that revealed that (hey know, time credits huh?) =P. But really is that a bad thing? Not really. It's something most new exchanges do when they buy a core script.
However the problem I get, is that it's essentially the same thing as their previous exchanges. Which can be good or bad, but personally I'm not excited about it. But I also feel that way about other owners who have multiple exchanges. I just don't see the point.
So mixed reactions from me. I do think the whole dynamic earning of credits thing is great. Essentially what this means is they'll have extreme control over traffic flow. Too many credits in the system? change the silo payout, too little? Increase it. This will allow them to ensure delivery is just right, in a way that most exchanges can't.
Also note, I've not tested results. This is just my thoughts. Which are meaningless to you. But I know people like to know what others think about new exchanges. So what are your thoughts?
{ 26 comments }
Hey Tim,
I’m with you. I’d much rather see TE owners focus on making ONE exchange the best it can be rather than just launching “copy-cats” all the time.
Personally I’m not excited about Hit Silo either.
I realize they do it to take advantage of the excitement of a “new launch” and the added money that brings in, but personally I’d rather see them upgrade and improve their current exchanges rather than launching a new one.
If someone has a new idea for a great feature, why not add it to their current exchange rather than launching a new one unless it’s something totally unique and different that requires a whole different type of scripting.
Anyway, I’m glad to see you focused on just one exchange! Keep up the great work with StartX!
Derek
Tim,
Thanks for another review. Still hoping you can do a review of my exchange sometime. I know you are always swamped without much free time.
I have only one exchange, and I too am trying to make sure it is the best it can be, and will continually add new features and capabilities as the users request them.
The latest inclusion is a member’s only forum (protected from spam posts), and it is growing steadily.
One of our features that allows members to sell credits for cash has been a big hit. Even though it isn’t a lot, it is something that adds up over time. We like to say it is putting money in the Bank Vault…
Anyway, if you or any of your users can provide a review sometime, it would be greatly appreciated. I’ll gladly give you or your users some bonus credits for taking the time to check it out. Just email me that you have posted a review with the link and I’ll bump your traffic credits with a bonus.
The site is advertised on your blogsite as Bank Vault Traffic, so anyone that wants to earn some bonus credits for checking it out can simply click the banner on your blog site to get there.
We opened September 1st and are at 5126 members right now. The whole month of September has reduced membership rates for the paid levels, but those rates will go up October 1st, so anyone that wants to get in and lock in the grand opening rates forever needs to do so before midnight September 30th.
Looking forward to learning more from you over time. You are the master of traffic exchanges in my opinion, and you set the standard for excellence!
Thanks!
Gator
Ya, the jury is still out but I wasn’t that impressed at first glance. Looks like a duck, acts like a duck…
HOWEVER that being said, a less than stellar Logiscape program is better than 99% of the T.E.’s out there so they always have a chance to become something great.
Needs a few things in my opinion, but it’s new so it’ll go through some changes.
Hi Tim,
Personally I am not terribly keen on the logiscape sites any way. Never really seem to get anywhere with them.
However, that is my opinion only and Hit silo is a repeat of a repeat so will not interest me
Les
Hi
I do not like them because of the prices,i think they are way to high 20.00 for a 1:1 they are nuts,i would be willing to pay 12.00-13.00 for a 1:1,but that is my limit.
David
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I’m pretty happy with Hit Silo.
And I must say a great way to launch a program. Not first give some friends their personal ref links in pre launch, where new signups need to wait for their ref link on launch day.
All member got equal chances to promote and advertise from the same moment on! I did like that a lot, since I have seen launches lately that were not that fair in my humble opinion.
On top of that: finally a logiscape TE where marketers can make some money and get rewarded for doing their share in building a good TE.
What’s not fair? That some other people in this business has busted their tail to build their mailing lists, promote their business and then get an opportunity to be on a launch team for a new program?
Seems to me like that is something everyone should shoot for. Of course, this only applies if you are focusing on list building. If not, I’m just talking out my behind lol
I can see the point of view from both sides.
I’m not sure if I like the term launch teams though. I think everyone should have an
equal chance to promote a new program from
the get go. If my list isn’t as big and well taken of and I haven’t been in the business
as long as the other person, then I won’t be getting as many signs ups as the seasoned marketer, but at least we had the same starting line.
Just my two sense,
Ted
When the launch of a program is announced and certain persons already advertise the program with their personal ref link. You should expect that when someone else (might even be a list builder) signs up through that link does get his/her personal link to advertise for themselves also right away.
There have been a some launches where this didn’t happen. Instead people were signing up for the launch announcement (newsletter/list builder?) but didn’t yet receive their personal ref link, yet.
Now, is this fair?
Another informative review Tim. Thanks!
I’ve been noticing a whole slew of profit-sharing scripts out and about. I’m wondering about what you think of those types of traffic exchanges, Tim?
Tim,
I don’t go against having multiple business sites but having a one 5-star site is better than having 4 3-star sites, 5 star sites last longer and is easier to manage and make it better than the rest
A single 5-Star Site generates more income, Is easier to manage and takes up lesser time than having multiple 3-star sites
Just an opinion no hard feelings :P
eirei
I think it would have been nicer to have revamped some of their existing and somewhat neglected programs, namely Hitpulse.
At one time, it was a top performer that kept emphasis on surfing rather than gimmicks like clocks and with Logiscape’s resources and capital, could have been served well with a massive promo blitz/revamp or something – Perhaps offering commissions on ALL their TEs now that Hitsilo does..
On another note, you don’t see the Trafficswarm guys launching a new TE every other year do ya?
Better to have one big, top performer thats constantly promoted and growing, IMO.
I wont be joining Hitsilo anytime soon because frankly, I just don’t need to with whats already available to us.
Just thinking out loud.. :)
I joined and took the yearly upgrade option. I was very please to see commissions being offered. I like the concept but do agree that it is a reworked script. But does that matter? I wish they had a chat while surfing option. Liked that on Traffic Era. Maybe they will offer commissions on their other exchanges.
Yea haven’t even bothered joining yet. Lots of other places that will likely get me much more value for my money in terms of traffic and (most importantly) signups.
Solomon Huey
I just want my sites seen. No gimmicks, no games and NO silos.
If I have to figure it out,I am out. What is the lest bit hard for you, is not duplicatable!
On your site,why argue with success? But I hate the orange. Also I would like some hotlinks on the member page for” easy e mail me the answer to my questions”
I do not want to dig for my banner and site advertising for Start Exchange either.
Since I am not perfect either,I do not expect you to be either!
Yeah, I’m not impressed. While copying from the Era script is not a bad thing, I think that not bothering to at least change the surfbar or the color is just plain lazy. (Not to mention leaving some of the “Era” stuff in there like the time credits thing).
Would be nice to see Logiscape incorporate new ideas into their existing sites rather than cloning new ones.
why reinvent the wheel?
This would take time and money to do. Why would any traffic exchange want to do this? From my point of view I think that any traffic exchange should just stick with the one they’ve got. Just keep it upgraded and keep people interested by contest and bonuses. My favorite traffic exchanges are ones that keep me entertained but then again I multie surf. One of the glitches traffic exchanges is Adventure4u.
Very glitchy!
As a rule I do not jump on the band wagon whenever any NEW TE is launched except in Myth’s case and I did go for Landmark Traffic because of their Not Allowing Auto-Sound Policy…
As for Logiscape, well, I kinda liked HitPulse even if their price was a bit high and I tried TS25 twice but got dumped due to my particular surfing habits which did not meet their particular standards…
I wonder why TE Owners do not poll users first before coming out with the latest and greatest Hit Exchange so they will know what surfers want out of an Exchange…
Also, it would be great if TEs were 1:1 ratio for Free Members and had higher ratios for Upgraded Members
…that’s in my opinion anyway ;-)
Thanks for the Blog, Tim…
BJ
It’s not mathematically possible to have 1:1 ratio for free, and higher for upgraded, without having some sort of gimmick to use up those credits without delivering traffic.
Hmmmm…
Tell that to EasyHits4U; WebBizInsider;
HappyHourHits and a couple of other TEs
that actually do have 1:1 ratios for their free members…
Of course, they may not be using a custom script like SX or Web-Biz-Solutions does but it seems to be working OK for them…
Anyway, Thank You for the response!
God Bless and I wish you continued success with your online endeavors…
BJ (msbeejay)
They have to do something to get those credits removed.
1:1 surf ratio with only a 10% one level referral structure…Doesn’t compute.
That would mean that they are not banking credits, they are growing their deficit. Even if it’s .10%.
Now look at the referral structure of those programs, they are multi level…So something is eating up those credits.
If you are going to offer 1:1 surf ratios you need to have a way to eat up the credits because simply surfing cannot mathematically get rid of the credits IE traffic flow.
I’m pretty sure EasyHits4U has two surfbars, one is 1:1 the other is 2:1. And I’m pretty sure the 2:1 is the one you get cash from.
I won’t be joining HitSilo. I was disappointed when I saw the site at launch time.
Sure the “silo” is kinda cool but really good enough for an entire new exchange?
I agree with the others. They should focus on their existing exchanges.
I was put off by their comments in NMF about exchanges as they grow older. They should be able to maintain and grow their programs regardless of how old they are.
Take this “innovation” and apply it to their existing business. Putting out yet another Logiscape TE is just a slap in the face to the owners that bust their asses every day to continue building their main exchange.
My $$ will be spent with the owners I know and trust to have the industry in their best interest.
There’s my $0.02
Hit Silo = Traffic Era downgrade
Only good point , they give commissions , not i do care much anyway .
Even if they add team surf , i dont think i will bother using it , one is enough .
Well, my main problem is that when I first joined I couldn’t use my credits. For some reason they had a certain day they turned you silo’s into hits but they’ve fixed this problem. Now I’m into healthy living but should I exchange my time from SEO, search engine submissions, and adwords or traffic exchanges?
To be honest traffic exchanges are saturated with everyone trying to get anyone with the same business opportunity. This is seriously frustrating on my part. I just can’t seem to get people to come into the business with me. But this is probably because they are running th same ads as me and have had a head start on it. So, simple gave up on that and started a cheapmedsdirectory that appeals to everyone and anyone. I even got some business cards coming soon.
I just started surfing SX as a pro and the exchange has come a long way since I joined several years ago. It is the best exchange on the net from a surfers point of view. I really like surfing on this exchange and wish I had the programming skills and or the money to upgrade the script at my TE.
If you are a surfer any exchange that starts you out at a .33 ratio is really a pro exchange and joining free is just to try it out to see if you want to go pro for the 1:1 ratio.
Any exchange that starts you out at an overall rate of .7 or .8 including bonuses is really a free exchange.
If the ratio to start as a free member is 1:1 or above the owner must lay off the extra credits in some manner and I suspect that there is a hidden draw on inventory that if we knew what or how it was executed we would not like the process at all!
Just an observation.
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