Two Sites "Joining Forces"

[PFOnline]

I was recently contacted by the webmaster of a site with the same subject as mine, asking if we would like to "join forces", "merge" or "unite" if you will, with there site.

There site is a very reliable, well done site, so I was actually happy by the email.

But my questions are: What possible things can we do to "merge" as one? (If you know what I mean)

I was thinking of adding a "check out our "sister site" at: www.theresite.com" to the bottom of every page, and maybe they would reciprocate.

But is this considered "crosslinking"?

Any ideas for other things we can do?

And do you think it's a good idea to "join forces"?

Our site's don't sell products but are content based.

Any general thoughts/opinions?

[PFOnline]

Anyone here ever "join forces" with another site?

[lbobke]

Why not ask the other webmaster what he/she meant by "joining forces"?
There are some levels of cooperation that I could imagine:
- just a link
- if you have a newsletter you might mention each other in it
- you might have a common newsletter or forum
- you might have a common entry page for both sites
- or even completely merge the two of them

IMO, the question is what the two of you expect from the collaboration - and how much you trust each other...

Laurenz

[RammsteinNicCage]

The first thing I would do is make sure it's really that person emailing you. I had someone email me asking me to merge, but he didn't realize that I was good friends with that webmaster so I at least knew his real name. :p Since email addresses can be spoofed, use a contact page on his site.

Also, if you have any way to gauge what visitors to your site and his site like the most, obviously try to keep those. I run a site for a band and there are some things that people like about it more than other sites and other things that they like less compared to other sites.

And, of course, if you guys get into a fight or something, he may have your password depending on the level of mergership (that's a word, right? :p)....

Jennifer

[Webwork]

Good idea?

Generally, no, not for most people most of the time.

What's the benefit for you? Could you gain that benefit on your own? What's the benefit of being your own boss?

Revenue split rules?

Conflict resolution rules?

Ownership of content rules? Especially how it plays out in a break up?

Your email list?

What gets shared? What remains your expense, burden, duty?

Take your time. Devote hours to just thinking about what ifs, especially if this is your livelihood.

jeff esq

[killroy]

I regularly join forces with my own sites. I basically treat them like any other site, with in-context, on-topic useable links.

Except that I give myself better conditions, and more generous links :)

SN

[MClements]

I joined forces totally with a friend of mine. We had very similar sites working to the same objective and we decided to merge.

It's been smooth for us as we are good friends and trust each other. It is a partnership. In fact, we now have just recruited a third webmaster - also a very close friend!

If you both trust each other fully and are working to the same objective then it can work perfectly. You need to set a style or working and how you want to implement the site though. Give each other specific jobs to do and then you won't step on each others toes!

You are always going to have minor disagreements but these can be overcome if you can compromise and discuss things with each other. Communication is VERY important.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. It's all down to your relationship with the person and how you both see the website(s) progressing. Talk in detail about what you plan to do to save any surprises later on.

[PFOnline]

Why not ask the other webmaster what he/she meant by "joining forces"?

That's one of the first things I asked them, what they really meant, by joining forces, and funny thing is, they didn't really know either, lol.

There are some levels of cooperation that I could imagine:
- just a link
- if you have a newsletter you might mention each other in it
- you might have a common newsletter or forum
- you might have a common entry page for both sites
- or even completely merge the two of them
IMO, the question is what the two of you expect from the collaboration - and how much you trust each other...

Great, great ideas, thanks!

The first thing I would do is make sure it's really that person emailing you...

It's confirmed. :) That's weird how someone tried to fake they were the webmaster of another site asking you to merge. Can't really see how they can benefit from that!

Also, if you have any way to gauge what visitors to your site and his site like the most, obviously try to keep those.

There site gets a large amount of daily visitors as well, so this made me happy too! :)

And, of course, if you guys get into a fight or something, he may have your password depending on the level of mergership (that's a word, right? :p)....

I don't think we plan to merge so much where we have each other's passwords, and will remain seperate sites. :)

What's the benefit for you? Could you gain that benefit on your own? What's the benefit of being your own boss?

Revenue split rules?

I think the benefits would be 2 reliable sites joining up for bringing better news to the site visitors and what not. The benefits would also be that both sites get a fair amount of traffic, and it would be similar to a kind of "large scale" link exchange.

And yeah, we won't be merging so much where we have to worry about revenue splitting. :)

Thanks all: lbobke, RammsteinNicCage, Webwork, killroy, MClements, very much, for the help and ideas! :-)