I'm thinking it's time to make BTF legit

From Day One, I've flirted with the idea of making this place a full website, instead of just being a simple forum. So I am now working with my web-savvy cousin who owns and operates a web hosting service. The plan is simple. I am going to register a domain name, and create a true website.

The new site would have a forum still, but also different pages for information, and possibly even a webstore, as I am considering branding BTF for things like shirts and such. I might even get back into reselling trems, and maybe add strings.

Part of the plan is to migrate all of our threads here into the new sites forum somehow, so we don't end up losing everything.

I'm thinking that in doing this, it will give the site more visibility. I have observed over the years that folks seem to either accidentally stumble upon our little place, or they are referred to it by someone already here. BTF does come up in Google searches, but I think that having a true website that I own and operate would give it even more hits. We aren't even at 100 registered members yet, and many folks that are registered no longer post. Of course, this isn't so terrible, because the whole point of this place has always been just about getting out the information. And when I see the stats, I have noticed that we have had a number of visitors to this site that aren't registered at all. I'm assuming, and hoping, that they came her looking for answers, and that they found them.

So, some of you might be wondering if this means that this will no longer be a free site? The answer is a resounding NO. Running a website is dirt cheap these days, and I am not about to start asking for money from anyone. I will do this out of my own pocket. And any profits I get from any sales of BTF merchandise will go towards the operating costs.

I would still keep this page up, and include pointers so folks who do come here can find the new page. I am not about to drop this page entirely, only to have some of our brethren find a blank page and go "what the heck???".

So if anyone has any ideas, suggestions, criticisms, praises, or whatever ya'll think might help make the new place even better, please let me know.

I think its a great idea eric!

If you gonna make shirts they hafta be black ... and one l please.

I would be happy to donate any and all knowledge, experience, pics, mech drawings, articles and nonsence to the effort that ive gained over the last few years.

A kahler installation how to and why section would be beneficial to techs and hobbiests alike. I still need to properly document a step by step install; next project maybe. (I only have 2 basses now!) Ill take lotsa pics, make up drawings, document and notes and submit for your approval.

Cool! Thanks, MadMike! Yep, we are on the same page here! The new site will feature different sections focusing on the various aspects of bass trems.

Well , of course the shirts will be black! But I am going to have a special design made up for them, instead of using the image header that is on the top of the page here. I can't very well use the image of a Kahler for any shirts I sell, since that would be me making a profit on a design that I have no license for.

In fact, I am going to contact all of the different trem companies to get permissions to use images of their products. Here on this page, it's not so much of an issue, since there is no money involved (other than this site generating more sales for them. Can you say kickbacks???), but on the new site, it could be. So I just want to be sure my tush is covered from a legal standpoint.

My cousin is telling me that it might be simpler to keep this forum alive, and to simply have a pointer on the new site directed to it. This would save a TON of work, since it would mean I wouldn't have to migrate everything over.

I'll have more details this week. But Step One has already happened. I am now the legal owner of www.basstremolofanatics.com Of course, there isn't anything there just yet, but there will be!

as long as you got the url, ya just redirect the forum tab to this site --- supereasy.
We have many redirects for our stuff at work.

and if you make shirts and mail me one, I'll donate 100 bucks to pay for 2 years of the url and redirect fees.

Groovy, Mike! Thanks!

Now I just have to get 'em together!

OK, www.basstremolofanatics.com has a face....sort of. It's still an empty page, but the design is in place. More to come soon!

where's the like button?

amimbari wrote:

where's the like button?

For what, Mike? The main page? Our Facebook page? Where do you mean, Bro?

i think he's kidding eric. everything is facebook driven these days.

drop a like button on the page somewhere and just put a counter on it to see how many people click on it.

(mike will go to the page and click it a gagillion times )

BTW, i'm searching for a bass for the next bass trem project to photo and document to post on the site. i'm finding a buncha crapola tho. something will turn up.

ya it was kinda a joke post.

amimbari wrote:

ya it was kinda a joke post.

Got ya. I guess I had a slow moment.

Mike, go look in new toys....

goin and lookin now .........