Better Business Bureau [Feedback & Advice]

[The Socialist Republic of Astrakhan]

What can I do to grow my storefront?

Advertise, the most basic bit of which is to include a link to your atorefront in your signature.

Also if you are involved on ns motorsport, which you seem to be, do everything you can to push your car company brand (which of course you will need to more fully develop with insignia and badges).

One thing I would say is that in NS as in real life cars are very much sold on looks so pictures will be very important. Try to avoid using rl images as that can lead to people just dissmissing your stuff as rip offs or just the rl stuff itself. Images don't need to be spectacular but should be enough to make your stuff look unique. Maybe try starting with side elevation line drawings of the cars you imagine your stuff to be like and make changes to bring the result closer to what you envision. Of course your art/3d modeling skills could be far beyond that so feel free to do what works for you illustration wise.
As with advertising on ns motor sports stuff use the motor sports stuff on your store front, anything to hold more attention and generate intrest in visitors.

Nice.

[Laka Strolistandiler]

Is there a storefront template anywhere?

[Neu Engollon]

Is there a storefront template anywhere?

No, because they are not meant to be cookie-cutter threads. You can ask how to code and format for certain specific ideas you have, but unless you just want to completely rip off some other player [hopefully with their permission, otherwise you're plagiarizing, and that's very bad] then you're going to have to figure out storefront design on your own, or ask for help. Out of genuine curiosity, does it look to you like all the storefronts came from the same 'template'?

[Untecna]

I want to make an investment and holdings company as a storefront. Any helpful links or advice to help me out?

[Neu Engollon]

I want to make an investment and holdings company as a storefront. Any helpful links or advice to help me out?

There's been a few out there on GE&T to take example from. They don't get a lot of traffic, so I hope you're not doing it to pull in RP from other players, and it's more for your own satisfaction or to fill a void in canon.

What exactly do you need to know?
More on generally how to make a storefront, or more about how to tailor an investment and holdings company to NS?

We have a NS GE&T Discord server, with plenty of helpful people there to answer questions on either matter, and a whole channel dedicated to storefront making, and another to banking/financial matters. Maybe we'll see you on there.

[Untecna]

I want to make an investment and holdings company as a storefront. Any helpful links or advice to help me out?

There's been a few out there on GE&T to take example from. They don't get a lot of traffic, so I hope you're not doing it to pull in RP from other players, and it's more for your own satisfaction or to fill a void in canon.

What exactly do you need to know?
More on generally how to make a storefront, or more about how to tailor an investment and holdings company to NS?

We have a NS GE&T Discord server, with plenty of helpful people there to answer questions on either matter, and a whole channel dedicated to storefront making, and another to banking/financial matters. Maybe we'll see you on there.

Some general help for making a storefront would be nice, so I can maybe make it a bit better than the one that I have, but mostly I want to know how I can make something like that work on NS.

And I just joined the discord, I see there's a banking and securities area.

[Erloane]

Hi, just looking for feedback/criticisim/new ideas on my storefront, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=503994

[Wormfodder Delivery]

Probably would make a new version of that unofficial guide to creating a storefront. It's full of dead links and examples that have closed since then

[Diahon]

A superficial question: for those of you without the creative acumen to design logos and the like unaided, where do you get yours for your storefronts? Some logo randomizer of sorts that you guys can suggest?

[Common Territories]

A superficial question: for those of you without the creative acumen to design logos and the like unaided, where do you get yours for your storefronts? Some logo randomizer of sorts that you guys can suggest?

Well to be exact, I can to some degree make logos and such depending on what you're looking for, for example. Though sometimes that's just my preference. It's not as hard as you think actually; it's just some basic photo editing with trial-and-error runs. Anyways, there are a number of sites that let you either make something of a logo or some type of stamp/icon/whatever. Not all of those are "free" since they're made for real customer products or the logos themselves are the products. You can save the image, but those sites that try to make you purchase them wont let you. Thus you save a screenshot and edit everything out or to make it appear better. I have seen some actual free simple design creator sites but that's been many months since I even thought of looking.

[West Bromwich Holme]

Looking for feedback on this new fast-food storefront I created: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=510885&p=39047937#p39047912

[Paris Saint-Germain]

Can there be storefronts based on irl businesses? I'm planning on creating one based on Qatar Airways, but I'm wondering if they have to be completely original or not.

[Untecna]

Can there be storefronts based on irl businesses? I'm planning on creating one based on Qatar Airways, but I'm wondering if they have to be completely original or not.

If you're basing it off of something, I'm sure it's fine. I don't think there are any rules on it, though I may (and probably am) be wrong.

[Paris Saint-Germain]

Can there be storefronts based on irl businesses? I'm planning on creating one based on Qatar Airways, but I'm wondering if they have to be completely original or not.

If you're basing it off of something, I'm sure it's fine. I don't think there are any rules on it, though I may (and probably am) be wrong.

I of course don't want it to be completely based off of the irl Qatar Airways (since my nation differs only based on size and stuff), but still use the irl name and such.

[Neu Engollon]

Looking for feedback on this new fast-food storefront I created: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=510885&p=39047937#p39047912

There is promise. It's rather basic now, but a good start. You might want to consider adding some imagery and color.
Also eventually expanding your menu. Maybe filling in more on the background of the company and expounding on the founder's history. Also, make use of that BB coding to add boxes and differing font sizes.

If you're basing it off of something, I'm sure it's fine. I don't think there are any rules on it, though I may (and probably am) be wrong.

I of course don't want it to be completely based off of the irl Qatar Airways (since my nation differs only based on size and stuff), but still use the irl name and such.

It's a bit 4th wall breaking to use the names of RL businesses, which some find irritating, but there isn't a direct rule against using the name. The "and such" part is worrying. There are rules about lifting content from RL websites, whether text, formatting or both. In other words, don't plagiarize. Be sure to be as original as possible when creating the content of your storefront thread to make sure the name is the only thing you're copying, as someone is sure to find out if you don't, eventually. That goes for copying other NS players' threads, also.

[Paris Saint-Germain]

Looking for feedback on this new fast-food storefront I created: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=510885&p=39047937#p39047912

There is promise. It's rather basic now, but a good start. You might want to consider adding some imagery and color.
Also eventually expanding your menu. Maybe filling in more on the background of the company and expounding on the founder's history. Also, make use of that BB coding to add boxes and differing font sizes.

I of course don't want it to be completely based off of the irl Qatar Airways (since my nation differs only based on size and stuff), but still use the irl name and such.

It's a bit 4th wall breaking to use the names of RL businesses, which some find irritating, but there isn't a direct rule against using the name. The "and such" part is worrying. There are rules about lifting content from RL websites, whether text, formatting or both. In other words, don't plagiarize. Be sure to be as original as possible when creating the content of your storefront thread to make sure the name is the only thing you're copying, as someone is sure to find out if you don't, eventually. That goes for copying other NS players' threads, also.

Okay, I can use the name (or a variant of the name) but make sure it's more original to my lore.

[Neu Engollon]

Okay, I can use the name (or a variant of the name) but make sure it's more original to my lore.

Do what you gotta do. My point, just to boil it down, was: Using RL name is ok as long as the rest of the content is original. Plagiarizing is not.

[Paris Saint-Germain]

Okay, I can use the name (or a variant of the name) but make sure it's more original to my lore.

Do what you gotta do. My point, just to boil it down, was: Using RL name is ok as long as the rest of the content is original. Plagiarizing is not.

Got it. Thanks for your feedback.

[Crookfur]

IIRC using the name of an RL business is pretty much a no-no.
Doing so does theoretically expose the site to litigation and whilst a lot of it infringement on ns flys under the radar, the site does get noticed as the whole UN thing illustrated.
Secondly like using any RL thing it just leads to arguments about who owns what and who gets to use the RL name. In a closed rp where you are playing qatar then yeah it's to be expected that there is a Qatar Airways in your nation) but in the wild world of open NS, well you ain't going to be rhe only Qatar.

Using ye olde trick of a similar but slightly changed name is probably a far more safe and useful approach, possibly more fun too. Pater or katar airways would probably be close enough.

[Noristoniaka]

Could anyone give me tips on how to improve my storefront? Nothing really has happened.

Here's the link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=511343

[Bigpipstan]

Any tips for improvemenst?
viewforum.php?f=6&start=25

[Neu Engollon]

Could anyone give me tips on how to improve my storefront? Nothing really has happened.

Here's the link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=511343

Short answer: I like the formatting and logo. Needs more images and brief product descriptions - longer than what you have, but not necessarily exhausting. Overall, a great start. You also reserved an extra expansion post. That's a great move and GE&T 101. I would probably have reserved even more, but for what you're doing, it should be adequate. Also, you can always move your catalog to a separate thread if need be, so there's that.

Any tips for improvemenst [sic]?
viewforum.php?f=6&start=25

For all of the GE&T forum? That's a pretty broad topic.

[Neu Engollon]

IIRC using the name of an RL business is pretty much a no-no.
Doing so does theoretically expose the site to litigation and whilst a lot of it infringement on ns flys under the radar, the site does get noticed as the whole UN thing illustrated.
Secondly like using any RL thing it just leads to arguments about who owns what and who gets to use the RL name. In a closed rp where you are playing qatar then yeah it's to be expected that there is a Qatar Airways in your nation) but in the wild world of open NS, well you ain't going to be rhe only Qatar.

Using ye olde trick of a similar but slightly changed name is probably a far more safe and useful approach, possibly more fun too. Pater or katar airways would probably be close enough.

I was waiting for more feedback from NS staff to refute this, but they are legitimately busy. It's a tough topic and a definite gray area. I did actually inquire about the issue to my barrister friend who is experienced in patent/copyright law. Basically, it all boils down to will Max stand by players utilizing his site? From precedent, the ultimate answer is MAYBE. Fair use/parody is a thing. When there's no possible gain to the player, that is a factor, but the fact that Max can generate revenue from the site makes things a bit awkward as they can go after him with legitimate reason, if not the player using the site. A counter example to the Allevia one is the UN vs WA controversy. A C&D (cease and desist) letter was sent and Max and Co. abided rather than tangle in the courts with a major world organization's legal team.

While a company and its legal team can easily be shot down in a court for trying to go after someone who is acting in good faith and not trying to steal IP for their own profit, but simply making a parody; that doesn't mean they won't attempt it as a legal tactic to shut down the entity/persons infringing on their IP. While it may be frivolous, it is still likely to make that person mocking (or paying tribute) to the IP hesitate as they have to spend effort and money to fight a suit, and likely hire legal counsel to represent them in court. Even if the suit brought is bogus and more than likely to be thrown out. It has to go to a judge for that to happen. Hence why C&D letters usually work even if there's not much of a substantial case to back them, because it's not worth the hassle for the 'little guy' to fight it and show up in court.

So, in that regard, if someone goes out of their way to rip from RL companies, that puts the site in needless jeopardy and Max and Co. should not have to go to bat for them. Coincidentally using a company name as a nation name is one thing, while deliberately using a corporate name for a 'fake' corporation is a bit of a different issue.

tl;dr version: Just don't. Even if you have the best intentions. Make up something different, but maybe similar and you avoid having the site we love have to deal with unnecessary legal BS. It really can come down to just changing a few letters or less.

EDIT: I should also mention that Max has written more than one book using RL company names in a satirical manner. Syrup anyone? Jennifer Government? However, you're not Max. That's his choice to take on those companies should they take issue with it. Not really your choice to do that for Max and NS, unless you use your own platform aside from NS.

[Arpasia]

What do you think of these two? are there anything more that I should add?

[Neu Engollon]

What do you think of these two? are there anything more that I should add?

You covered all the basics. Menus, services at the hotel, locations, etc. Looks good for that.

What's kind of off-putting is that you didn't center your logo/banner for either OP of these storefronts, but you centered all the other texts and images. If anything, I would recommend doing the opposite, but at least align=center the logos as well as everything else. You might even want to consider floating left or right some of the images just to break it up a bit. But again, these are minor cosmetic things (Except for your top banner. Please consider centering that.)