Hi Paul, I appreciate that the site costs money to run and while you've traditionally incurred the running costs, they have become larger as the site has become more successful etc. No one would ask you to continue paying this indefinitely needless to say.... Obviously, you've put the donate button up and also, your testing various possible adverts but rather than go this route, would you not instead just consider charging a small annual fee for usage ? Personally, I'd rather pay a small fee and keep the site advert free to be honest and I wonder if you and others here may feel the same way ? Another discussion based site that I use (it's for a specific breed of dogs) has just gone this route and the approach is being supported by almost all members. Newbies could be permitted say 30 days free access when they register, but therafter have their access removed, if they didn't pay up - hence ensuring the site is not prevented from growing further, but yet the running costs are covered for you. Food for thought, perhaps ?
There was a big discussion about this a few weeks ago http://www.irishkop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18141&page=4 Lot of suggestions were offered which Paul said he would consider over the Summer.
Appreciate that mate ... When I noticed Paul was testing adverts on the site here of late & Majella had posted about it, thought I'd raise it again
Yeah, something should be done. At the end of the day it is up to Paul to decide what to do. A lot of suggestions were made and he knows there is a core group of members that would be happy to pay some sort of membership fee or would contribute annually to keep the site running without putting all the financial drain on Paul himself. He said he'd think about it over the Summer and just one last suggestion on that, whatever system is to put introduced would be best done to coincide with the start of the footie season (new members around, spirits are high etc.).
Good point mate. I'd imagine thats why he's testing at the moment etc... no doubt the level of activity is down on the site, during the off season
Just an opinion but I think having a fee that has to be paid to use the site will really limit further growth of the site. There's better options out there I think, even if we had a bit of a donation drive for a week or so, maybe a few fundraising things it wouldn't be such a forced thing and wouldn't put people off the site before they get to see what its like.
think it was said before, but the fantasy football can be a great way to get the funds up. have a irishkop league 10 euro or 20 euro a head and half goes into irishkop? people can still win a few bob aswell as helping out this great site, everyones a winner
fundraisers would be the way to go in my opinion! Elvis suggested a bbq, why not have an irishkop footie match the 2 astro teams that used to play plus new members and just pay 10€ each or something and go for a few drinks after at least people would be getting something out of it and getting to know people! or put the price of the irishkop trips up a bit! either way something definitely should be done and i will be willing to donate whatever is chosen
Great post more or less exactly the way I see it, charging a fee should be a last resort there are far better ways to sort it
Its no secret that we recently lost 70% of the income the site generators by losing google.This is a shame as this was the first season that the site would have paid for its self,but these things happen and we need to move on.But one thing is as Rafa would say 'for sure' even if none of the new options work I will continue to fund the cost myself so nobody needs to worry on that front. Before I moved on I had to rule out other add networks,the adds that appeared today on the site were from reportedly one of the best alternative's to google.I had heard story's that google were the only show in town when it came to stuff like this but I needed to see the evidence myself. Well today I learned thats true,not only was it messing with peoples browser adds appearing all over the place and just very intrusive.But the cash was well diabolical,for the amount of clicks I got today (Irishkop users wanted that free iphone... ) I would have made about 10/12 euro on google.This network paid out the grand total of $0.24,and yes that is in $ so only about 20 cent in real money. So I think its safe to say the other add network option is gone.So this leads me onto other suggestions.I would never charge for using the site,as I agree this will slow/stop the growth and we have something special here so I don't want to do that. I think the best way forward is some kind of enhanced membership,as this would have little effect on most of the site.I feel lads & girls who donate don't get much in return expect the knowledge that they are helping keep the site going.I would like to offer them something more,what exactly I am not sure of yet. I still have not fully worked this out yet but something like 10 euro for 6 months or 20 for the year.It was suggested to make the tickets forum only viewable to this new group as we have all saved or got some kind of benefit from that forum over the years.I am considering this but will have to give it more taught (I would appreciate your views on this). So to sum up,I am not sure were we are going right now but a few things are under consideration but it will never be a pay site as such.
Hi Paul, Thanks for the feedback & likewise, views from others. That other forum I mentioned is offering things like email addresses @ their domain etc, as part of the package in return for annual fee. I'll see if there is anything else on offer and report back, just incase it helps on the ideas front.
We already have Irishkop email addresses though the ticket forum being a "paid" service is a good idea, will stop all the newbies that come in post once for tickets and never get seen from again. Also the BBQ
By been a paid fourm your cutting off young members straight away. A lot of money was raised for good causes from the good people on this forum so would it be out of place to have one for the site once or twice a year maybe ?
I'm open minded on the question of charging but I think we need to look at other options first, I think whatever we do we have to ensure that there is enough money to meet costs every year. Perhaps if we had a call for donations then we could see how we are fixed after that? In saying that I have no idea how much it costs to run a site like this every year...
I feel like I'm repeating what was discussed on the previous thread about this but here goes .... 1. A fee will not limit growth. The fee would only be for members who would like to contribute some money to the site and in return would get a few bonus features like bigger pm box and customised "name tags". The effect on other non paying members would be nill, nada, zilch. 2. Donation drive was suggested on the other thread too and I think would be a very good idea to have an annual one with the amount of money raised being made public the following week so people can see what good work they did On these two points. Nice ideas but you are really limiting the number of people who can donate. e.g. Personally, I no longer play those FF league as they are a time sink for me at work. Will the BBQ be in Dublin? What about non-Dubs? As I said, nice ideas but I would think these would work best in conjunction with either the membership or annual fund raising drive. 1. I agree. This would be a good way to go. 2. I think it would be a good idea to see what numbers you would get if you charged €10 vs €20. 3. I was one of those that suggested the ticket forum thing. A few points were made afterwards that it might have a detrimental affect on the site and I'm inclined to agree.
Maybe charge an extra euro on the trips, for each bus that's filled that's €50 The triPs are done at cost Price so I can't see to many people complaining in contributing to the maintance of the site
Dontations could be the way forward, especially if perks were offered. Like access to the tickets thread, Chang of username change of status - so instead of First Team, you could have anything you want. bigger PM box a twist on another suggestion - regarding the IK trips, maybe only people subscribed can see that thread and thus get to avail of it, then open it up to the rest but they will have to pay between 1-5 euro extra for their place. or pay the 5 euro to come on the trip and get access to the "subscription" as a result, similar to what was done before regarding the SOS. maybe have a minimum donation of 5 euro to enable the features for 6months or a year.
First away game of the season we all meet up in a boozer in town to watch the match. A donation box is left on the bar and everyone has to throw into it on the night??????
I think this is the best way, even if it was a fiver it's not like people are getting ripped off and its not profit. All goes to run the site and any left over can go to the HJC fund