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Advertising/Donations

Archive: 53 posts


We're trying to offset server fees and hopefully earn a little money, so we're considering implementing unobtrusive advertising (say, one ad on the top and bottom of the page or something) to the site. Our other option is adding a "Donate" button (to a paypal account). Either way the money will go toward the site itself. My question to you guys is: what do you think? Would you mind putting up with an ad or two, or do you think donations are a better option?

EDIT: No pop-ups or annoying noisy ads. Just standard images and a link (maybe animation, but if it's anything too annoying, we'll yank it down). To give you guys an idea, we would place a link in the page that would autogenerate and insert an ad. Since ads are autogenerated, I can't guarantee exact size, shape, or type, but I can promise that we will remove anything annoying or intrusive (which we will work to avoid in the first place). We haven't even decided on an ad provider, so until we do, I can't give any sort of solid information.
2009-03-26 03:32:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


Ads as in? The annoying pop up ones? Or the ones that just, are there... I could deal with the latter.2009-03-26 03:35:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250


Ads as in? The annoying pop up ones? Or the ones that just, are there... I could deal with the latter.
We would never add popups, those are too intrusive and annoying. No, I'm talking standard linked images placed somewhere on the page (for example, between the header and the navbar).
2009-03-26 03:36:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


We would never add popups, those are too intrusive and annoying. No, I'm talking standard linked images placed somewhere on the page (for example, between the header and the navbar).


If it would help pay for the site, sure why not!
2009-03-26 03:43:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250


Have you considered Google ads? They are very unobtrusive, easy on the eyes and often relevant to whatever topic the page is on.2009-03-26 04:27:00

Author:
Morrinn3
Posts: 493


Have you considered Google ads? They are very unobtrusive, easy on the eyes and often relevant to whatever topic the page is on.
Yep, Google Adsense is one of the providers we're considering.
2009-03-26 04:30:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


If I keeps this site available I wouldn't mind ads.2009-03-26 05:37:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983


Frankly I am always amazed (working in the industry and having maintained a website or two) at any site that can manage good content without advertising. It's not cheap to keep this stuff up and running.

For myself personally, I would encourage a hybrid approach, as I would be willing to support this site with a (modest) donation as well. But donations alone are, by their nature, dynamic and therefore very difficult to budget with.

But yes please... no pop ups!
2009-03-26 06:01:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878


Ya if it's what is needed to be done I'm sure everyone would be fine with it. Unless there were enough donations to avoid having them.2009-03-26 06:01:00

Author:
Hamsalad
Posts: 2551


Sure.

Filler.
2009-03-26 06:51:00

Author:
Unknown User


Ads are fine by me. Also I think a donation option is a good idea, everyone has an extra $5 right?2009-03-26 07:07:00

Author:
Walter-Kovacs
Posts: 542


I don't mind Google ads but anything more intrusive would be annoying for me.

.
2009-03-26 07:08:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901


I wouldn't mind, as long as it fits the theme and keeps the site alive. Why not use both, ads and donate button?2009-03-26 08:10:00

Author:
Fjonan
Posts: 359


I think ads are a good idea. A few larger forums i use have ads (one where there's an ad always under the first post of a thread), and it never bothers me. And i'd probably donate on the odd occasion if there were an option.2009-03-26 13:25:00

Author:
ryryryan
Posts: 3767


I'm fine with adds, if they behave themselves.

One amateur forum I know which had reasonable traffic paid for its hosting by a banner from the host company. The advantage is that the banner is always the same, and therefor less obtrusive. Is that maybe an option here?
2009-03-26 13:34:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284


I agree with everyone here...I often wondered how this site was paid for. I wouldn't mind relevant ads and I would also donate.2009-03-26 14:21:00

Author:
AJnKnox
Posts: 518


Sounds resonable to me. Bills gotta get paid.2009-03-26 14:23:00

Author:
wexfordian
Posts: 1904


Absolutely, ads are perfectly fine. I was actually surprised there weren't ads already.


Maybe charge creators to have their level threads as a sticky at the top of the showcase also XD!!
2009-03-26 14:32:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430


Absolutely, ads are perfectly fine. I was actually surprised there weren't ads already.


Maybe charge creators to have their level threads as a sticky at the top of the showcase also XD!!


I think this is an interesting idea. Humm (wonders aloud to self) but what if they are awful...then you would be stuck with it up there. Maybe a time limit of 1 week at a time and only available once a month or something. Could work and bring in some coin!
2009-03-26 21:15:00

Author:
AJnKnox
Posts: 518


They can have it up there as long as they cough up the dough. Kind of like "rent".

Seriously, there is probably nothing wrong with doing advertisements AND having a donations system.
2009-03-26 21:28:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430


I agree with CCubbage. Both would be fine.

Maybe even have a special sticker or something for those who donated? Though this might contradict your anti-elitism policy that caused previous changes.
2009-03-26 21:34:00

Author:
Killian
Posts: 2575


Do whatever it takes to keep this up and running. :eek:2009-03-26 22:22:00

Author:
Jaeyden
Posts: 564


Adverts would be fine in my oppinion. I suppose you could just put google ads in like said already, they don't take very long to load or anything and you could just stick them all at the bottom of the page. Donating would work aswell as this is such a good site with an increasing number of members.2009-03-26 23:41:00

Author:
S-A-S--G-U-N-R
Posts: 1606


I'm in the process of setting up a checking account for the site so I can link my PayPal account to it. Once that's done (Sunday or Monday) we'll begin integrating the "Donate" button in places that are not annoying or intrusive, but still visible. Advertisements may take a while to get going due to the research we're doing into different options, so I don't want to set a date, but I still want to add advertisements as a way to garner money in a more consistent way than donations.2009-03-27 00:42:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


I would be ok with both as well

Anything that helps pay for the site to continue and benefits us is fine by me
2009-03-27 00:58:00

Author:
dorien
Posts: 2767


Yeah Ads sounds good.... never know when you need new car insurance from ads 2009-03-27 00:59:00

Author:
Snrm
Posts: 6419


Ads are fine but I wont be able to donate, as I dont earn.2009-03-27 01:01:00

Author:
moleynator
Posts: 2914


Yeah, it's kinda hard to believe that this has been directly from your pocketbooks this whole time, so allowing you to ease the burden isn't SO hard to do.

Also... I've been wondering. I know lbp is "officially" the owner of the site, but you run it. however, I've been curious: does lbp pay for the entire site, or do you help to pay for the servers? I've always been curious as to if you reach into your checks for this site on a regular basis (obviously, I know you payed for the short lived skin... but yeah). I dunno, always wondered...
2009-03-27 22:41:00

Author:
RockSauron
Posts: 10882


Yeah, it's kinda hard to believe that this has been directly from your pocketbooks this whole time, so allowing you to ease the burden isn't SO hard to do.

Also... I've been wondering. I know lbp is "officially" the owner of the site, but you run it. however, I've been curious: does lbp pay for the entire site, or do you help to pay for the servers? I've always been curious as to if you reach into your checks for this site on a regular basis (obviously, I know you payed for the short lived skin... but yeah). I dunno, always wondered...
I've offered, but lbp doesn't want my money. We've come to the agreement that he pays for the site and does any work I can't do, and I do the rest.
2009-03-27 22:56:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


Once thy are non-intrusive it's fine2009-03-27 23:29:00

Author:
Don Vhalt
Posts: 2270


Wouldn't really bother me too much
Specially if they were at the bottom.
Top ones might grate on me if they were the "SH00t TEH IpOd!" ones or anything like that..
But it's not really anything to do with me
And I'm sure it'll be for the best if it pays off the servers, maybe sneak in a few comps too?

Why not add a donate button too? For generous people? ^^
2009-03-28 01:42:00

Author:
Pinchanzee
Posts: 805


We've added a Donate button along with a little incentive to donate semi-generously ($10 USD or more). Click the "What's this?" button under the Donate button to find out more.2009-03-28 07:09:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


We've added a Donate button along with a little incentive to donate semi-generously ($10 USD or more). Click the "What's this?" button under the Donate button to find out more.

wait so to donate we need to donate more than $10 at a time?
2009-03-28 07:15:00

Author:
Snrm
Posts: 6419


wait so to donate we need to donate more than $10 at a time?
Nope, you can donate as little or as much as you like. We're just offering a little reward for those who donate more.
2009-03-28 07:16:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


We've added a Donate button along with a little incentive to donate semi-generously ($10 USD or more). Click the "What's this?" button under the Donate button to find out more.

Where? I cannot find any donate button.
2009-03-28 07:19:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878


Where? I cannot find any donate button.
Look next to your username on the top navbar.
2009-03-28 07:20:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


Nope. Still don't see it. Thought maybe it was a browser support thing (typically use Google Chrome), so I tried in IE. No button on my screen. Anyone else see it?2009-03-28 07:25:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878


Let me know if you see it now; I just cleared the cache so it rebuilds the page again.2009-03-28 07:31:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


Still no, sorry.

EDIT: Tried logging off and back on. Still not there.

EDIT 2: This is the section of which you speak?
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/v0rtex2002/lbp.jpg
2009-03-28 07:33:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878


Still no, sorry.

EDIT: Tried logging off and back on. Still not there.

EDIT 2: This is the section of which you speak?
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u180/v0rtex2002/lbp.jpg
Oh, you're using the old style! I've forgotten to incorporate the Donate button into the other styles. Talk about a slip-up. I'll see if I can get it on there.

EDIT: It's been added in. Sorry about that!
2009-03-28 08:06:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


It's like taking a mystery box lol. cool idea; im curious to see what it is2009-03-28 08:41:00

Author:
Hamsalad
Posts: 2551


I'm showing the love - my donation has been made. 2009-03-28 09:11:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983


Nope, you can donate as little or as much as you like. We're just offering a little reward for those who donate more.

well do you get the small reward if you donate $10 over all through the time or just at one shot?
2009-03-28 15:57:00

Author:
Snrm
Posts: 6419


I'm definitely Donating soon, I want to see what I get for a reward, and I would never put down a chance to help a site as great as this one!2009-03-28 17:02:00

Author:
Kog
Posts: 2358


I'm definitely Donating soon, I want to see what I get for a reward, and I would never put down a chance to help a site as great as this one!

I think the reward is the "+" symbol that's beside Morgan's name.
2009-03-28 17:21:00

Author:
Killian
Posts: 2575


well do you get the small reward if you donate $10 over all through the time or just at one shot?
Another good question - While we would prefer you donate all in one shot (Paypal charges per donation, so the more you break it up, the more Paypal takes), you can absolutely donate in small chunks and still be eligible as a Donator.
2009-03-28 17:21:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


Another good question - While we would prefer you donate all in one shot (Paypal charges per donation, so the more you break it up, the more Paypal takes), you can absolutely donate in small chunks and still be eligible as a Donator.

O.K thats fine.
Im gonna try to donate all the money i get from writing articles a month which is like $1 a month
2009-03-28 17:52:00

Author:
Snrm
Posts: 6419


O.K thats fine.
Im gonna try to donate all the money i get from writing articles a month which is like $1 a month
To maximize the money we receive, I suggest you hold on to your money until you're ready to donate, then donate all at once. Paypal takes 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, which means if you donate a dollar at a time, Paypal will end up taking over a third of the money overall.

EDIT: That doesn't mean the 10$ wouldn't count - I can see how much you donated and how much I got after fees, so it would count as 10$ either way.
2009-03-28 18:58:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


Well, the link only says you become an official Donator, but not what it gives you.
Can you give a quick summary of what they get/can do?
My mum doesn't want to put my credit card online
2009-03-29 00:08:00

Author:
oldage
Posts: 2824


What you get is support for the best LittleBigPlanet community on the internet! Everything else is a gratuitous bonus! 2009-03-29 00:53:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430


Well, the link only says you become an official Donator, but not what it gives you.
Can you give a quick summary of what they get/can do?
My mum doesn't want to put my credit card online

We don't really advertise what you get, as we don't want to give the impression that the features are "for sale". I don't doubt that word will spread, but officially, we aren't sharing specifics. Tell your mom that Paypal is the safest way to transfer funds online - eBay uses it, along with Amazon.com and almost every other major online retailer.
2009-03-29 01:22:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


i think that we should add adds (lol) to help support LBPC, it would help a lot with the amount of things you could implement to the site2009-03-29 19:54:00

Author:
RipTlde
Posts: 151


i think that we should add adds (lol) to help support LBPC, it would help a lot with the amount of things you could implement to the site
We will eventually; I've yet to set up a checking account for it, and we're making a good deal of money on donations right now. It's in the works, I promise.
2009-03-29 20:04:00

Author:
ConfusedCartman
Posts: 3729


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