Wardell On Revenue From Websites

[MarkG]

http://www.adrenalinevault.com/developer/getarticle.asp?name=bwardell11

[Skanky Burns]

Donations are fairly popular because the site in question doesn't actually have to offer anything specifically in return. It appeals to the generosity of the users.

Gee, where have we heard that suggestion before?

[MarkG]

well the Kuro5hin.org example he posted didnt sound very good to me...

[Skanky Burns]

But no-one said you had to publish the Apolyton finances to receive donations sucessfully.
With an upfront statement explicitly covering what the donator gets for their donation (ie: nothing, or no ads for x days/weeks, or whatever), the worst that could really happen would be that no-one donates.

And in that case, you would be in the same position financially as you are now.

[MarkG]

if someone gets something for his donation, he's not a donator anymore

[-Jrabbit]

That's called a sale -- unless you're offering something with no cash value per se -- like maybe an on-site status symbol of some sort. Possible examples would be certain avatars, post-count changes, etc. Not that I'm suggesting anything so onerous...

BTW, the Wardell article is an easy read and right on target. Simplified and slightly overstated IMHO but definitely accurate at its core.

Many here would benefit by understanding such things.

[Skanky Burns]

Originally posted by MarkG
if someone gets something for his donation, he's not a donator anymore

Which is covered by the first suggestion of what they get - nothing.
Regardless, my point still stands.

[Lefty Scaevola]

Are donations enable here?
If so, then link? or old fanshion snail mail address?

[Skanky Burns]

No, which is what my entire point was.

[Zopperoni]

Mark, have you ever explored MetaReward?

You could make a construction that we sign up for various things, that you get money for. We in return can get some minor things, like an "@apolyton.net"-email redirect, or custom color title.