Google Adverts

[PhilT]

I have implemented Google AdSense banners in the header and footer of the forum. It may not be to everyone's taste, so I appreciate constructive feedback

I'd like to know:
- Does it make pages load slower?
- If any inappropriate adverts appear, please post the destination URL/Website
- Does having banner adverts spoil the clean layout we have grown to love and is it something you can't live with?
- "It's OK, the other sites have them"

Why did I implement banners? Fact is we need cash to pay for Merchandise, support member events, site upgrades, etc. We started RS246 Limited in March 2012 with a zero balance and all costs have been paid by "Director's Loans" (That means it's come out of my pocket). Not complaining as it is a decision I am happy with, but I'd like to get my money back asap and make sure we have money in the bank for any additional costs.

Thanks,

Phil.

[HYFR]

just dont go overboard Phil

R8Talk is a fecken nightmare the amount of ads they have on there ... stupid yanks

[PhilT]

just dont go overboard Phil

R8Talk is a fecken nightmare the amount of ads they have on there ... stupid yanks

Just had a look!!!! Glad to say I don't think I could ever suck the last living drop of life out of RS246 the way they have!!!!

I think the banner ads here aren't too intrusive.

[chunky79]

Hate the look and seem's to make it slower, BUT the cost's don't come out of my pocket so if you feel you have to do it then i'm sure i'll cope.

[AdrianD]

How does the payment from Google to you work? I'm presuming it's per click through and i don't know about the others but i for one never click on a Google paid Ad...

[PhilT]

Fair comments. Thank you

Depending on how much money they generate, I might remove them. As far as I can tell, the revenue is partially based on displays but it increases dramatically based on the number of clicks.

Adverts don't bother me because I run No Script with Firefox and AdFree on the Android. Blocks pretty much all ads everywhere When I want ads, I use Internet Explorer (aka Internet Exterminator).

[bam_bam]

Fair comments. Thank you

Depending on how much money they generate, I might remove them. As far as I can tell, the revenue is partially based on displays but it increases dramatically based on the number of clicks.

Adverts don't bother me because I run No Script with Firefox and AdFree on the Android. Blocks pretty much all ads everywhere When I want ads, I use Internet Explorer (aka Internet Exterminator).

I 'like' the ads at the bottom, it gives a commercial vibe to the site. However, do not, I repeat, do not cheapen the site masthead with a banner. That's your face, it's the bread and butter. It should never be diluted, it's the same as any newspaper, magazine or letterhead, it deserves its premium space as it is the reason everything below it exists.

Incidentally, how much is it to become a premium member, forum champion or site sponsor?

[PhilT]

I 'like' the ads at the bottom, it gives a commercial vibe to the site. However, do not, I repeat, do not cheapen the site masthead with a banner. That's your face, it's the bread and butter. It should never be diluted, it's the same as any newspaper, magazine or letterhead, it deserves its premium space as it is the reason everything below it exists.

Hmmm, good point. At least when they are at the bottom, they are less intrusive. At the moment I've limited it to single image ads, but I think there more revenue in multiple text ads in the same block. Might implement that in a week of so and drop the header ad. AdSense limits a site to 3 ad blocks per page.

Incidentally, how much is it to become a premium member, forum champion or site sponsor?

We do not charge for membership, but I have considered several time to charge for the ability to create new threads in the classifieds. At the end of the day the members are the people who make the site what it is, so I never went ahead with charging for premium membership as I think you just end up cutting your nose off to spite your face.

Site Sponsors are our revenue contributors and some have built significant businesses with their affiliation with RS246. The packages vary and are designed to accommodate the start-up to established. The benefit of AdSense is that you display the ads and you get paid; no need to chase people, raise invoices, etc....

[HYFR]

the ad in the top banner doesnt display properly on my Internet Exterminator at work

[DSB]

We do not charge for membership, but I have considered several time to charge for the ability to create new threads in the classifieds. At the end of the day the members are the people who make the site what it is, so I never went ahead with charging for premium membership as I think you just end up cutting your nose off to spite your face.......

....what annoys me sometimes is when you see something for sale and its their first and only thread/post. I think thats really cheeky, only using the site for your own financial benefits and not contributing in any other way.

As a suggestion, another site I use doesn't allow you to post in the classified until you have posted a minimum of 10 times ..... I think thats a good happy medium.

I think charging will dramatically reduce the amount of sales.

Just my 2p.

[PJC]

What do other forums charge their members on average per annum ?, I know Sonny mentioned to me having to pay to join a Clio forum.

[sonny]

What do other forums charge their members on average per annum ?, I know Sonny mentioned to me having to pay to join a Clio forum.

£12 irrc when doing so it unlocks the rest of the forum such as the
"how to" guides. I did get a groovy tax disc holder and a bottle opener with my members pack

[PhilT]

What do other forums charge their members on average per annum ?, I know Sonny mentioned to me having to pay to join a Clio forum.

£12 irrc when doing so it unlocks the rest of the forum such as the
"how to" guides. I did get a groovy tax disc holder and a bottle opener with my members pack

Can you imagine the day when they implemented that.....? "Look everyone, we're going to charge you £12 to access the stuff you wrote"....

Minimum posts is an idea, but hell we want people to be here. We don't want to put things in place that puts people off. WYSIWYG - Take us as you find us, warts 'n all.

We had a "Donation" thing once which cost more is time to setup than what it brought in.

Simples = Enjoy and love the site/community and I will do my best to make sure it keeps running with minimal interruption. It's always been our motto

[andy]

The banner at the top of the page has caused Safari to resize the forum down by a 3rd on my iPad It has shifted the search box over to the right and outside of the overal forum layout. Bit of a pain really as the site had worked very nicely on the Pad.

Understand where you are coming from though Phil as I run a forum for model aviation and I work on the same principle as yourself. I don't charge for use and so far have no banners or adverts to clutter the site. Mainly the funding has come out of my pocket but it is getting painful. So between myself and a few others we organise a get together and a bit of a light hearted competition to which we charge a small entrance fee plus camping and BBQ. The money we get from this pays for the sites hosting charges. We also encourage the site traders to donate prizes to the comp instead of paying for a section on the site. So far this has worked well and keeps the site clean but it is a lot of effort.

[amanda1]

The banner at the top of the page has caused Safari to resize the forum down by a 3rd on my iPad It has shifted the search box over to the right and outside of the overal forum layout. Bit of a pain really as the site had worked very nicely on the Pad.

Same here on the pie phone