Ask dotTechies: Would you pay to view an ad-free dotTech?
July 20, 2010 60
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For a while now a thought has been rumbling inside my head. I don’t like ads, and you don’t like ads; but ads on dotTech are necessary to keep this website going. What if ads were not necessary? In other words, what if a different revenue model could be launched for dotTech to enable people to view dotTech ads-free? Yes, yes I know everyone can go out and download AdBlocker or NoScript or [insert advertisement blocking plugin here]; this article is not to discuss the blocking of ads (ad blocking plugins really don’t help dotTech’s cause, but I don’t hold it against anyone that uses them). This post is here to brainstorm and see how many, if any, dotTechies would be willing to pay a small monthly subscription fee to view dotTech ad-free. Of course, under this model dotTech will still be 100% available to people who don’t pay a monthly subscription, but those people would then be viewing advertisements just like how dotTech is right now. So, please cast your vote:
[poll id="18"]
NOTE: All values are in USD (United States Dollar) terms and are monthly subscription fees.
In addition to casting your vote above, please post your thoughts on this matter in the comments below. Thank you everyone in advance!
@Everyone: Thank you everyone for all the feedback. As it stands it seems like most dotTechies would like me to continue dotTech as it is now.
That said, I cannot legally or ethically ask people to click on the advertisements just for the heck of clicking on ads or earning me revenue. However, what I can say is if an ad interests you, click on it! Otherwise, leave it be. =)
I also didn’t know you had ads (thanks, AdBlock Plus!), I’ll give them a look. But I must admit I don’t know how the whole system of clicking on ads provides revenue, maybe you could write a short article on that?
I’m not in a position where I can pay ANYTHING at this point, so if clicking ads can help I’d be willing to give it a try — I would probably trust the ads on your site, on others the risk of messing up my PC is too high. I rarely notice ads unless they’re blocking what I’m trying to see or bouncing around or flashing colors, and then I refuse to return to that website. It’s so very rare that someone puts up an ad for something I need when I need it, that I don’t look at any of them!
Actually, I’m interested in services/products likely to place adds on your site. It gives them added creditability. (Thanks in no small part upon yours).
I already block the ads, so… nah. Sorry?
/running an ad-free site since 2009.
@Emrys: Dottech uses Google ads. Ashraf can’t gurantee that the Google ads links are safe… sosad…
I don’t like ads but I must admit that every now and again there is one I find relevant to what I need and will click on it.
The most useful ads are those for things for which I am already searching for such as amazon furniture, electronics and so on. As for a monthly fee, no way can I pay for a website.
Go with the ads, it is up to the user to click on it and it will keep you afloat.
Vidimo Se!
This is the first time that I’ve visited your site so I would not be interested in paying at this time. It’s interesting that you’d still make the site available to those who are not paying subscribers–I think that’s a good idea. I was going to mention that if you made it a pay site, then you would not likely attract any new users but with the ad-free / ad’ed idea, then you will be able to potentially attract new potential subscribers and keep your old ones as well, what a great idea really!
Nothing personal dude, but I haven’t seen an ad on any site in about 3 years, at least not intentionally. Rarely, when I’ve installed a browser without adding ad blocking I’ll see one and think “what IS that??”. Yep, ads are SO foreign to me that I don’t even recognize them.
Donation buttons are quite another thing and I have donated and will continue to donate for those sites that are worthy and offer it. Your site is, in fact worthy.
As far as pay for play? No. Definitely NOT a good idea, dude.
I have never paid for a site before but if I did pay money here there would have to be almost a giveaway a day. If you got revenue for ‘premium members’, you could easily entice a software company to cough up a giveaway for dot techies.
Another idea is to keep it free w/ ads and have contests for 2 or 3 licenses. Great advertisement for the company and fun for us.
I must admit I clicked on the ad block option. You made me feel bad doing it though, the way you worded that. :\ You’re not a loser.