Donation Rant

*Rupert* · 07-17-2009, 11:28 PM

I come here often to look around, learn, and post a few of my shots. I like this place, it is well run, has tons more information than other sites, and is well rounded to cover most any area of Pentax photography. I like the great job Adam has done, and the Moderators are good guys too....all in all, this is a Great Forum.

What I don't like.....When I come here and realize how much this place has grown and how much it means to so many, I am continually frustrated that I must search to find a quick link to make a donation. I might donate a few dollars very often if I could just hit a link and do it without searching the fine print to find a place to donate.......others might too. It just defies logic to me that a free site like this that could generate so much more revenue is not doing it. I'm not saying we need a preacher with his hand out all the time, or a tax man harping at us to give our all, just a nice single line at the top of the pages that says:

You can Donate Here followed by a big button you can click and go straight to Pay Pal and give a few dollars anytime the mood strikes, without doing a half hour search to find the donation link.
End of rant
Regards
Rupert

**Damn Brit** · 07-17-2009, 11:35 PM

Thanks for the commendations and support Rupert.
I think a big red button would do more harm than good though and be rather tacky.
However, if you click on the User CP button near the top of the page, you will get the user control panel with a fairly big and bold blackDonate Now! button in the middle at the top.

*Blue* · 07-17-2009, 11:38 PM

I finally figured out that its is on the bottom left of the CP page.

**Adam** · 07-18-2009, 01:41 AM

If you're NOT currently a site supporter, then you will see a link to donate in the quicklinks menu. I could add more, but as we're soundly reaching our goal each month, I am not concerned. I may move the link found in the user CP to the top of the page, however. Then again, last July, when I ran a donation "pledge", we got over $2.5k over the course of a month. This may suggest that there are users out there who would be willing to do so but are just not aware. I'll give all this some though. Obviously, I know nobody likes ads, and I'm trying to do my best to keep them off the site, even though that's where the profit lies

**Adam** · 07-18-2009, 11:21 AM

I've now moved the donation link in the User CP up to the top of the page for users who aren't currently site supporters. It will remain at the bottom for current supporters.

*Rupert* · 07-18-2009, 09:26 PM

I think that will be better Adam, but I disagree with you on your assessment of putting a bold "DONATE HERE" notice in the header of the main page. I will guarantee that donations will jump upwards if you do, I know, my friend took my advice on his site and donations increased over 30% in just the first week. However, it is your site and you know your needs much better than I do, and if you are cash flush, then it is fine like it is. Anyhow, just to show that whatever you do, I love the site, I just PayPal'd an extra $20....Thanks for your response and keep up the great job you are doing here.
Regards
Rupert

K-9 · 07-18-2009, 09:34 PM

I think the donation suggestions are fine as they are, as I come across them here and there and they're not "in my face". It might increase donations putting larger, more readily visible buttons, but it may also leave a sour taste in the mouth of some.

**Marc Langille** · 07-18-2009, 09:44 PM

Jim, I always like your positive rants...

*Rupert* · 07-19-2009, 09:59 AM

Hmmm....I guess so! How are you Marc? It is easy to be positive when the Administrator is not a fruitloop wingnut that might ban you for having a thought or two of your own, even if he disagrees, and you don't have to cover your back at every post to keep little ratlike weasels from cutting your heart out from the backside in the dead of night. No, this is not that kind of place at all, and the tremendous growth of this Forum shows it.
Regards
Rupert