Seeking ideas to make people less upset about the ads - Page 2

Revel · 07-21-2007, 03:16 PM

Most of the benefits that I could think of you've already done to the site. Contests, games, ability to store a few pictures, large avatar and sig sizes, and even a counter-strike and teamspeak server.

I don't think anyone would be mad at custom basic text titles for everyone, but I think that the current ads aren't a really major distraction to the site, anyway.

Lasie · 07-21-2007, 03:26 PM

People need to get over the ads or pay $10. I do not see what the deal is. There isn't a site nowadays that doesn't have ads and if it's that big of a deal pay a measly $10.

I say just ignore the complainers. I don't think the ads will make anyone want to leave this site for good, but if it does it won't be that many people to worry about.

Tuna · 07-21-2007, 03:53 PM

Don't see the big deal either.

Donating $10 cost me like 7.5 Euro i think.
Last time i went to a movie theatre the ticket cost me about the same as that. And tbh I spend more time on this site than i spent watching that crap movie.
It's worth it. *shrug*

Dis

Savanja · 07-21-2007, 04:25 PM

I'm not surprised this became a huge issue, but seriously people..how do you think websites get paid for? One of a couple of ways. Ads that pay per click or impression, subscriptions, or private backing.
Running a site is spendy and since LFG can't pay the bills with kisses and hugs, (unless a wealthy "benefactor" wants to step up and foot the costs), he has to have SOME sort of solution.

Those that use the site need to be a teeny bit more gracious and either pony up the 10 bucks or live with the ads and shut the fuck up.

Casual · 07-21-2007, 05:12 PM

For me its not that there are adds. nor that it will cost 10buck to remove em.
For me its the size of the adds that bugs me. they are soo huge

RogueFrequency · 07-21-2007, 05:33 PM

Move the sidebar ads to the right side of the threads. I plan on paying $10 in the future though... not to crazy about security issues with paypal though

Noirsoldats · 07-21-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFG

We have several current threads on this site about our new format and design. My SWAG is that the great majority of people like the new look, but we have some users who seem very angry about the fact we are now running ads. Other users seem angry not about the fact we are running ads, but that we are offering the ability to opt out of ads for a one time donation of $10 dollars to this site.

One recurring suggestion is to try and offset the loss some people feel about not having ads before, but now being required to either support the site by paying $10 or by viewing the ads.

I was thinking then, what additional user value could I add to the site so that people who either can't pay the $10, or don't want to pay as a matter of principle or whatever, would feel better about this?

One idea I had would be to simply turn on titles for all users. That plan has some limitations and potential problems, however.

In addition to ad free viewing, we currently provide contributors with the HTML title of their choice as an additional benefit.

If I turned this on for non-paying users, it would be the non-HTML version - in other words, non-paying users would be able to enter whatever title they want that didn't violate the Site Rules, but their title would not appear in color or bold - it would be the simple beige unbolded text color.

If I did that, would people who have contributed feel like they got ripped off? Contributors would still have the better titles, since theirs would be in HTML, with colors and bolding.

The other risk I would face by doing this is increasing the amount of time it takes me to admin this site. What I mean by that is, when I get into an argument with someone here, I would expect a small minority of those people to abuse the privilege and put something particularly nasty (e.g., the N word or whatever) in their title. I could police that by simply turning off the title option for anyone who abused the privilege, but it would still be an extra hassle.

I'm looking for community feedback on the suggestion above, and also for other suggestions on what additional things I could do that would make those who are pissed off about our new ads, or who are accusing me of extortion for asking people to donate $10 or more to turn them off. I can't turn ads off on the entire site, we need the money to pay for this site and to make it be all that it can be.

Thanks for any constructive suggestions you have.

Change nothing, LFG. Screw the idiots who don't like the ads. If they don't like it and don't want to put their $ where their mouth is and support the site. Then fuck them.

</rant>

Ironhide · 07-21-2007, 05:37 PM

You cant run a site like this without Ads, so for me its not that there are ads. Looks like your looking into solving the content/animation things with going to a different network. Which ever you choose just try to make it look like part of the site, right now it doesn't really do that. I understand thats adbrite's fault, not yours.

RogueFrequency · 07-21-2007, 05:38 PM

Nevermind my suggestion, I just paid... now I just need to think of a custom title... hmmm

Madrix · 07-21-2007, 05:45 PM

Tell em to pack sand LFG. Ads are a part of life on the internets. If they dont like it they can go start their own site and not have ads.

I /ignore em anyway.