Some of you may have noted that the search bar for Great Models at the top of all KitMaker sites is not up there anymore. GM is checking their stats and determining whether they want to renew this ad space.

My question for members is did you use it? Do you find it helpful to have a simple search to an online retailer (for pricing/ordering info,etc.). From my own stats this was a heavily used (clicked thru) area with over 12,000 people doing searches in the past 8 months or so.

I know at least one user commented to me some months ago now how they thought it was a good feature. I am obviously curious how many people concur and now miss it.

Thanks,
Jim

I found Greatmodels because of their banner here and now use them almost exclusively for on-line ordering. No complaints whatsoever. I have them saved in Favorites so stopped using the banner ad link.

I use it and have purchased through that link within the past month.

As a matter of fact, I was looking for the search bar a few hours ago and thought it was missing due to a site glitch Got to it the long way though. Hope they renew!

I used the banner to find items from GM and then used the link to the site from there. When it went missing, it took me a good 10 minutes to find the actual site address and then learn to use the site search!

It was a good feature. I advise GM to renew their ad space, it was handy.

Chas

Well Jim, I used it quite often...I mean, how much more useful could a feature be, one that if you were looking at a News story or page about a certain item, the subject was waiting for you in the search bar when you were ready to go shopping?!?

I truly hope that GMW decide to return...I believe that this feature has to be one heck-uva sales incentive, just because of the convenience...and it also had a very cool look and design, a great, functional, all around advertising tool, IMHO.

Thanks,
Mark

I used it a lot. I did notice it was gone and just figured they had changed thier advertising focus.

That type of feature is Very useful!

Well, I miss it!!
It is so convenient to check availability, pricing and to purchase from the search link.
Having the search link there guaranteed that Great Models was the first place I would look for an item. I hope that they 're-up' and get the search bar back up and running. I thought it was a brilliant idea and I am surprised GM doesn't grab the spot before some other web store gets it.
Cheers,
Charles

Same here. And I order from Great Models quite a bit, too.

Um yes I have used it (and ordered few times). The banner is a great "reminder" of the weekly sales. Many times I "right-click-open new tab" instead of just clicking, I hope those are being "counted" as hits.

I used it quite often.

James,
Yes those should still count.

All,
Thanks for the feedback. It is nice to hear it was a good feature.

Cheers,
Jim

I have heard back from GM and they are not going to renew the search banner with us at this point. This means the search banner position is now available to any other interested party who might be able to benefit from 1,500-3,000 product targeted click-thrus per month.

If your company is interested in low-cost Internet advertising options (by comparison to the $$,$$$ you might be spending on print) please feel free to contact me for details.

This network consecutively tracks (via a third party) about TWICE the number of unique visitors per month than the #1 modeling magazines circulation base each month. And I would think it is a general assumption that our visitors spend far more time each month viewing the sites in this network than reading magazines. Something to think about when you are deciding where to spend your valuable ad dollars.

Thanks,
Jim

I used it a good deal. It was so easy to cut a paste somethign you saw on the site into thier search.