Would you donate to support the site & remove the popup ads at the same time?

[Thunderfall]

I have been discussing with our host Telefragged a few possible alternatives to replace the popup ads on the main site. One of the alternatives we discussed is a voluntary donation system.

Under this system, donations would be collected via PayPal and/or Amazon.com's Honor System. If enough of you donate each month to make it a viable alternative, we'll be happy to get rid of those popup ads permanently.

And if this voluntary donation system works out very well, we could even make the site ad-free!

We are also considering some forum benefits incentives for people who donate to support the site...

Let us know what you think and if you are interested.

PS: Another alternative is an optional pay subscription service for people who want an ad-free site (without banner ads and popup ads). This requires a little more work than the voluntary donation system and only benefits subscribers.

 

[Lefty Scaevola]

I would be in.

 

[Chieftess]

No, I have no way of doing it online... I don't even have a credit card.

 

[ainwood]

The big question is: How much (roughly)? A few dollars a year, then maybe yes. Much more.... ?

 

[CivCube]

I would do it, if I had a credit card...sadly, I don't.

 

[puglover]

Probably. But I don't know if Mom'll let me. I have a $3/week allowance so I can't do much.

 

[Cedric Greene]

This is the site that got me back into playing Civ 2 after a few years absence. This is also the place that led me to end up purchasing a copy of MGE, which may have benefited one or two others So yes I would certainly give a few dollars to help support an ad free CFC.

 

[Nexushyper]

Man, this is a great site. I'd love to see no ads!! I'd donate, only problem is I don't have much cash right now... good news is by this time next year I will. I'd donate atleast 250 dollars a year when I can afford it, if not more...


And remember everyone, donations are tax deductible!!!

 

[CivCube]

And as long as this site didn't become a pay-only one, like IGN pretty much is now.

 

[Ohwell]

Nah, I'm a cheapskate.

 

[Immortal]

unadvisable for you Thunderfall for two major reasons:

Majority of fanbase are underage and/or dont own credit cards, making it less likely that a major portion would donate money

Internet grunts are cheap.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

We have lots of older posters, esp in the 'upper levels' if that Civ3 age poll is anything to go by.

TF, you might want to announce this thread in all forums to see what's the general response...

 

[Nightfa11]

Majority of fanbase are underage and/or dont own credit cards, making it less likely that a major portion would donate money

Not true and a credit card is not necessary. As a matter of fact my paypal acct directly withdraws from my checking.

And in the age vote, ~400 are under 21 and ~1000 are over 21 who responded. You would be hard pressed to state that a majority are underage or don't have a way to pay.

That being said, I voted maybe. Probably 25 bucks a year at most.

 

[Thunderfall]

Originally posted by Immortal
Majority of fanbase are underage and/or dont own credit cards, making it less likely that a major portion would donate money

According to this age poll, more than 60% of our members are over 21.

ainwood: The big question is: How much (roughly)? A few dollars a year, then maybe yes. Much more.... ?

Let me just say that if we have 100 visitors each donate $5 or $10 each month, then it's probably viable. Maybe Paul can answer this question better.

We get around 10,000 unique visitors a day. So if 1% of them donate each month this system could work.

I am definitely willing to experiment with voluntary donation for a month or two and see where it takes us. If it's not viable, we can always restore the popup ads.

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Originally posted by CivCube
I would do it, if I had a credit card...sadly, I don't.

Get your parents to donate; sell the site to them. If need be, show them Vrylakas' history article threads in World History to expound on the educational value of CFC.

 

[Immortal]

my comment that internet grunts are cheap still stand

 

[SinisterDeath]

I would, however, what if you just asked everyone to click the banners each time they visit for a while. Maybe you'd make enough that you would only need ads one month per year.

I already know I'm going to be told that won't work, so yes I would donate, however I think $5/ month is enough to ask. And I think more would be willing if it was that reasonable, I sure would.

What would be the extra perks? Moderatorship ???

EDIT : I removed some material considered offensive to our underage viewers lol J/K. Anyways, how 'bout it ThunderFall, what power positions can we be bribed to donate to?

 

[Bacon King]

I wouldn't pay. I'd love to see the site ad free, but I just really don't want to part with my money. (i admit it, I'm a cheapskate )

 

[Alpine Trooper]

Is having an ad on your site really that bad?

I've seen this idea been proposed at other sites and have watched the results. I can warn you of this atleast, while it may seem like a good idea, be very careful - money can quickly turn into something dangerous...

 

[Turner]

AT is right. . .the pop ups aren't that bad. I can deal with them. And as Nappy will attest, there can be humor gleamed from them.

I would like to say that I'd do $5/mo, but truth be told. . . I doubt I'd do it. If I had the extra buckage, I'd say yeah. . . .