A few changes are coming - advertising.

[deusex]

As you know, USG is a free website but it takes time, effort and money to keep running. In the old days, my online store Jockstrap Central was the reason I was able to keep this site up and running as USG members regularly bought from it. Back In those days, the styles of underwear and swimwear that USG members were interested in was more evenly balanced and Jockstrap Central carried jocks and gear that interested them.

But... community websites like USG take on a life of their own. Communities grow and change as time goes on, it's not something you can control or predict, it just is. The majority of guys on here are now mostly interested in thongs, strings and minimal gear - which is totally cool. In fact, I love seeing all you guys in it.

However... Most of you are not buying anything from Jockstrap Central as we simply don't have anything to offer you. And I get it.

So, in order to help cover costs and to keep this site free, I'm going to be selling advertising on here. I'm going to be keeping it as unobtrusive as I can but you will see some extra banner ads popping up here and there (Currently, they are just ads for Jockstrap Central.)

I'm still working on the details but I'm toying with the idea of not only sharing the banner ads spaces and adding a few new ones but also offering sponsored forums and offering linked keywords (I.E. if someone types the word jockstrap in their post, it will automatically become a link to Jockstrap Central once the post is posted). Linked keywords not only gets traffic to the advertiser but it also improves the advertising website's ranking in search engines like Google.

I'm buying a new addon for the software that runs this site to help manage advertising and advertisers. It gives me a lot of different advertising opportunities and methods. As it's brand new, I'll be doing lots of experimenting over the next few months trying to figure out what works and what doesn't work. If something becomes too annoying for users, it won't continue.

So.. Please be patient as I figure out what's best - both for me and USG members.

Cheers,

John.

 

[microstringlvr]

Totally makes sense John and thank you for providing a platform for us spandex and thong junkies to share our passion!

 

[Guy86]

John,

Would you be interested in adding more items to JockstrapCentral that would be attractive to this group?

I see a lot of amazon/ebay specials in the galleries. I know that is pretty much impossible to compete with.

I will say though, that I'd be willing to buy from a small business like yourself over a bigger retailer.

May I suggest the McKillop "Hoist" lineup? From experience, I'd probably skip anything smaller than their size large. I'm a 32/33 waist pants, and the Large is perfect. I guess you could look at your general sales history by size & make an informed decision there.

 

[deusex]

John,

Would you be interested in adding more items to JockstrapCentral that would be attractive to this group?

I see a lot of amazon/ebay specials in the galleries. I know that is pretty much impossible to compete with.

I will say though, that I'd be willing to buy from a small business like yourself over a bigger retailer.

May I suggest the McKillop "Hoist" lineup? From experience, I'd probably skip anything smaller than their size large. I'm a 32/33 waist pants, and the Large is perfect. I guess you could look at your general sales history by size & make an informed decision there.

Thanks for the reply!

There's a few things preventing us from expanding our catalog to include more thongs, strings and other minimal gear. The main reason is the feat of diluting our image and risking turning away our core customers which we've been growing for 17 years. The other huge factor is simply that we have very little spare space in our stock room, just enough to expand our jockstrap collection and all the edgy fetish and sports fetish gear we carry.

I actually own the domains UnderwearCentral.com and ThongCentral.com and at some point I plan to turn them into stores but that's a LONG way away as I'm just so swamped with keeping Jockstrap Central and the handful of other websites I manage running. Adding a new store requires doubling up on photo shoots and editing along with all the other things involved in marketing and promotion a business.

As for McKillop, we have carried them for over 11 years with a small hiatus as the moved their operation from Canada to Mexico. In fact, we already carry the McKillop Glory Hole Hoist Jockstraps and Thongs. They're actually on clearance right now for 25% off. As much as I love them, they haven't sold as well as other McKillop styles we've carried in the past. The McKillop Max Bulge Jockstraps and Long Johns we carried in the past flew off the shelves. Guys just couldn't get enough of them. But, we finally dropped them as we carried them for a number of years. We are shooting and bringing in the Access Jockstraps in a week or two so we'll see how they go. If they are well received we will bring in other styles of that collection.

For the time being, the best solution is adding advertising to this site. I used to have a number of advertisers on the old USG website and no one ever complained.

Cheers,

John.

 

[Chubster]

Just a thought but you could open a patreon or some way for members to donate to keeping website going.

 

[deusex]

Just a thought but you could open a patreon or some way for members to donate to keeping website going.

Patreon requires extra work keeping it updated with content. Plus, asking for donations wouldn't be a regular stream of income.

Advertisers would all be underwear stores. So if USG members buy from them, the advertisers are happy, USG Members get new underwear/swimwear to wear and post on here. It's not a bad deal.

This whole idea started because Koalaswim asked to advertise on here. Koalaswim is a perfect fit. I used to be an affiliate of their and had their banners on the old USG and lots of members bought from them.

 

[BubbleThong]

This all makes total sense. I don’t mind more sexy advertisements if it’s all in my area of interest!

 

[konk500]

Ok! Ok! I'll buy something! - LoL!

All kidding aside, no problem as far as I'm concerned. You gotta do what you gotta do to keep the site viable. A lot of places set it up so that the ads are most prominent to users that aren't logged in. Once you log in, they disappear, giving the user an incentive to log in. I'm not sure that fits your business model, but it would be one way to do it. Might be worth considering.

 

[deusex]

All kidding aside, no problem as far as I'm concerned. You gotta do what you gotta do to keep the site viable. A lot of places set it up so that the ads are most prominent to users that aren't logged in. Once you log in, they disappear, giving the user an incentive to log in. I'm not sure that fits your business model, but it would be one way to do it. Might be worth considering.

Not a bad idea. Would make more sense if people with accounts had actually paid for them, lol!

The thing is, any advertiser on here will be an underwear store or brand - which many of the members on here are supporting anyway. As mentioned above, Koala Swim will be the first as it's a company I have bought from myself many times over the years and think they're a decent business and very creative (and sexy) with their designs. I may also add Dead Good Undies as the owner, Adam, used to be an active member on here. He has an affiliate program and again, is a decent guy and runs a great business.

I've already installed the advertising addon. It has many options and ways to add advertising from standard banners to sponsored posts to small ads in the registration and system emails.

So far, I've added a scrolling banner in the right column (that has been there all along) - the only issue with it is that it doesn't show at all in mobile devices. Well it does, but it falls off to the bottom of the screen so a mobile user will never see it.

I've added a Sponsored post to the Jockstrap forum (for my company) to try it out - the post is on topic, is a legit post, encourages members to participate and subtly advertises one of our products (Our very own brand of jockstraps).

I can also choose keywords in forum posts that automatically become links. I've added the words jockstrap, jockstraps, fetish jockstrap, fashion jockstrap, sports jockstrap - so now, any post that includes those words become highlighted and if clicked on will take you to Jockstrap Central. The only time it won't link the word is if the word is already linked by the original poster. The real value in that for an advertiser is to help with search engine optimization as Google and the other search engines place value on links to a website - if they're targeted (i.e. on topic).

The point is, I'm trying to make it all as unobtrusive as possible but there will be a few new banners spots showing up but I'm still working out where they will be.

Ok! Ok! I'll buy something! - LoL!

I know you're joking, but In all seriousness, not everyone can afford buying new sexy underwear and I don't expect it. Members won't be penalized for not buying anything. This site will always remain free to use. It's been that way for well over 20 years. But if a member is in the mood to buy something then hopefully they'll consider buying something from one of the advertisers on here and in return, will be supporting this site.

 

[konk500]

... not everyone can afford buying new sexy underwear and I don't expect it. Members won't be penalized for not buying anything. This site will always remain free to use. It's been that way for well over 20 years. But if a member is in the mood to buy something then hopefully they'll consider buying something from one of the advertisers on here and in return, will be supporting this site.

Well thanks, but I think I can afford a little something every once in a while. You do a great job with USG and certainly deserve the support!

 

[Redsucked]

As you know, USG is a free website but it takes time, effort and money to keep running. In the old days, my online store Jockstrap Central was the reason I was able to keep this site up and running as USG members regularly bought from it. Back In those days, the styles of underwear and swimwear that USG members were interested in was more evenly balanced and Jockstrap Central carried jocks and gear that interested them.

But... community websites like USG take on a life of their own. Communities grow and change as time goes on, it's not something you can control or predict, it just is. The majority of guys on here are now mostly interested in thongs, strings and minimal gear - which is totally cool. In fact, I love seeing all you guys in it.

However... Most of you are not buying anything from Jockstrap Central as we simply don't have anything to offer you. And I get it.

So, in order to help cover costs and to keep this site free, I'm going to be selling advertising on here. I'm going to be keeping it as unobtrusive as I can but you will see some extra banner ads popping up here and there (Currently, they are just ads for Jockstrap Central.)

I'm still working on the details but I'm toying with the idea of not only sharing the banner ads spaces and adding a few new ones but also offering sponsored forums and offering linked keywords (I.E. if someone types the word jockstrap in their post, it will automatically become a link to Jockstrap Central once the post is posted). Linked keywords not only gets traffic to the advertiser but it also improves the advertising website's ranking in search engines like Google.

I'm buying a new addon for the software that runs this site to help manage advertising and advertisers. It gives me a lot of different advertising opportunities and methods. As it's brand new, I'll be doing lots of experimenting over the next few months trying to figure out what works and what doesn't work. If something becomes too annoying for users, it won't continue.

So.. Please be patient as I figure out what's best - both for me and USG members.

Cheers,

John.

I love everything you do for us! Dead good undies looks like a great fit for your magnificent company! Thank you for everything you do!

 

[Deleted member 3785]

May I jump in and say, thank you for creating this site! I've only been here a week or so but I'm having a lot of fun sharing pics and replying to posts.
I think, with a site like this, you get out of it what you put in. The more you contribute, the more interaction you get from other members.

Oh, and I did have a look at Jockstrap Central to see if you deliver to the UK but the shipping cost is a little bit steep for me.
But still, thanks again for the site.
USG FTW!

 

[GearGuyNOLA]

I have no trouble with this at all, John. The amount of work and expense that goes into keeping something like this going is dizzying. Thanks for communicating your intent; now, when looking for new gear, I'll be sure to link through here to be sure the traffic is properly routed. Carrying more stock in JC is clearly difficult, but we can still be supportive by using your site to link to the vendors we're looking at.

 

[deusex]

May I jump in and say, thank you for creating this site! I've only been here a week or so but I'm having a lot of fun sharing pics and replying to posts.
I think, with a site like this, you get out of it what you put in. The more you contribute, the more interaction you get from other members.

Oh, and I did have a look at Jockstrap Central to see if you deliver to the UK but the shipping cost is a little bit steep for me.
But still, thanks again for the site.
USG FTW!

You're very welcome!

As for shipping to the UK. We used to have cheaper shipping but due to the pandemic, regular shipping became too unreliable. So we switched to shipping with UPS. It's more expensive but shipping is guaranteed and it's fast. Plus, and we're not sure why, but our customers haven't been charged any VAT when the parcels land over there (unlike our previous shipping service).

Hopefully in a bit more time things will go back to normal and we can offer both regular and courier shipping.

 

[Maxthong]

Totally makes sense John and thank you for providing a platform for us spandex and thong junkies to share our passion!

I couldn´t agree more, keep up your fantastic work!

 

[BubbleThong]

I couldn´t agree more, keep up your fantastic work!

I actually like targeted ads of this sort. Introducing me to new hot gear? Yes please!

 

[RyanMI]

I’ve already found a couple sexy things to add to my wishlist, and to display here on USG

 

[Brandniron]

John... You are awesome.... I enjoy this site.. but really really enjoy your sister site "Your Jockstraps" as you probably already figured out! I enjoy most types of underwear... weather it be tight whities or a jockstrap! So I would hope that members of this site would be as versitile as well... And by doing so would support you. I totally agree with the banner ads as it would open up opportunity to expand my Underwear drawer! Keep up the awesome work ! You can count on my continued support... and the occational postings! LOL Best of wishes for your business and continued good health! Luv Ya!

 

[deusex]

John... You are awesome.... I enjoy this site.. but really really enjoy your sister site "Your Jockstraps" as you probably already figured out! I enjoy most types of underwear... weather it be tight whities or a jockstrap! So I would hope that members of this site would be as versitile as well... And by doing so would support you. I totally agree with the banner ads as it would open up opportunity to expand my Underwear drawer! Keep up the awesome work ! You can count on my continued support... and the occational postings! LOL Best of wishes for your business and continued good health! Luv Ya!

You're making me blush! But then again, I hope I've made you blush with my constant admiration of you in your gear, your sexiness and also of your endless creativity. I'm a huge fan.

Guys are into what they're into. That will never change. Not everyone can be as open to all the incredible underwear (and swimwear) styles out there like you and I are.

My attitude: You can go through life with blinders on or you can open your eyes wide and experience as much as you can. It's what guides me in my love for underwear, men I'm attracted to, the food I eat and so much more. We only go around once (unless you're Buddhist) then why not make the most of it (cliched I know, but it's true).

Luv ya right back!

 

[SweatyAussie]

I completely underpants. Errrr... I mean I understand. Freudian slip there.

Perhaps Freudian slips are an item you could consider adding to your stock.